How to Use Essential Oils to Ease Anxiety

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States aged 18 or older. If you’re one of them, you know firsthand how hard it can be to deal with and manage anxiety on a daily basis, especially when it hinders you from doing daily activities like going to work or school. Anti-anxiety medication is often used to combat feelings of anxiety and essentially rewire your brain to lessen anxiety symptoms. But if you’re looking to ease anxiety through natural practices, aromatherapy and essential oils might be for you!

 

A study released last year in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience show that smelling a compound found in lavender-called linalool- can have similar effects as anti-anxiety medication, without harsh bodily reactions like Valium. It’s also been shown Linalool can affect the brain just by smell alone and without being absorbed into the bloodstream or ingested.  Other studies have shown various essential oil scents may help reduce anxiety in hospital patients, those undergoing chemotherapy, women in labor and adults in hospice care.

 

Aromatherapy works by stimulating smell receptors in your nose which then sends messages to your nervous system and are also believed to have effects on your body’s chemical and energy symptoms. Here are some of the best essential oils to ease feelings of anxiety.

 

• Lavender. One of the most common and popular aromatherapy oils, lavender is thought to calm anxiety by impacting the limbic system which is the part of our brain that controls emotions. 
• Valerian. Valerian is a popular essential oil if you have trouble sleeping. It’s been shown to calm nerves and have a mild sedative effect on the body.
• Jasmine.  According to a study done in 2013, jasmine oil can promote a sense of well-being and is thought to calm the nervous system without causing sleepiness.
• Chamomile. Known mainly as a popular tea, chamomile may benefit people with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder. 
• Frankincense. According to a study conducted in 2008, Frankincense improved anxiety, depression, and pain in people who suffer from terminal cancer. 
• Patchouli. Patchouli is very-well known in Ayurvedic medicine and has been shown to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression along with promoting calmness and relaxation. 

 

Interested in trying some out for yourself? There are many different ways you can use essential oils to your benefit!

• In a diffuser. Drop 4-5 drops of essential oils in a diffuser filled with water.
• Rolling onto the skin. If you do this, make sure the oil is diluted by 1-2 drops of water.
• Mixing with other essential oils.
• Check out this article for more aromatherapy tips for beginners. 

This information is not a replacement for medical consultation and recommendations.  If you plan to use essential oils, you may want to discuss with your doctor to determine if allergies or other contraindications for use exist.  We also want to stress that there are many times when prescribed medication is essential for your well-being.  Please consult with your doctor, listen to your body, and do what is best for you!

 

Disclaimer:

*Our posts should not be viewed as a replacement for therapy 

*This blog should not be viewed to diagnose anxiety if you believe you are experiencing anxiety please contact a licensed medical professional

*This blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice