Top 10 Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety
1) Bergamot
Bergamot has an uplifting, fresh, invigorating aroma to help ease the mind and body under stress. Are you an Earl grey tea drinker? You already have a positive memory scent association with this one as bergamot is the key ingredient to give that uplifting and relaxing aromatic factor when drinking this tea. Bergamot can be helpful to defuse an angry attitude through encouraging a spirit of compromise. It has been shown to reduce anxiety, increase parasympathetic nervous system activity and decrease salivary cortisol levels. (10)
2) Black Spruce
The constituent pinene is what gives that crisp woodsy aroma. Alpha-pinene has been studied and shown to support sleep. (11) Spruce oil grounds the body, creating the feeling of balance necessary to receive and to give. Black spruce is also helpful for releasing emotional blocks.
3) Lavender
Known as the “Swiss Army knife of oils” as it supports the body in numerous ways. Aromatically, it promotes positivity, health, love, peace and a general sense of well-being. It also blends well with almost all oils.Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils for calming the nervous system. It has been shown to be effective in alleviating anxiety and inducing a relaxation response. (12). Inhaling lavender and rosemary have also been shown to lower cortisol levels. (13) Lavender is known for improving sleep quality which can positively impact our ability to react to stressors.
4) Hinoki
Hinoki is made from a Japanese tree in the cypress family. Historically it was used to refresh the soul and has a mild, earthy aroma that can increase spiritual awareness. It’s main constituent is alpha-pinene which is incredibly grounding and helpful in promoting calmness and centering the mind. In a study with female university students, it was found that inhaling hinoki essential oil increases parasympathetic nervous system activity and induces physiological relaxation. (14)
5) Chamomile
Chamomile essential oil is known for its calming effects on the nervous system due to its chemical composition. This oil contains ester rich compounds such as iso-butyl angelate and iso-amyl-angelate which have been shown to have sedative and anxiolytic properties. When inhaled or applied topically, these compounds interact with receptors in the brain, such as GABA receptors, promoting relaxation and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. Additionally, chamomile essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate tension in the body, further contributing to its calming effects on the nervous system.
6) Frankincense
Frankincense is one of the most commonly used essential oils to help with stress and anxious feelings. I love to use frankincense prior to bedtime or meditation when feeling unsettled. It has multiple health benefits for the body and mind when under stress. It may reduce muscle tension and stress due to its anti-inflammatory properties (15) and has been shown to support patients with anxiety during labor (16).
7) Ylang Ylang
Ylang Ylang can be supportive in soothing anxiety, anger and nervous tension. It also promotes alertness and attention which makes it great for increasing productivity. Ylang Ylang is known for promoting feelings of positivity, cheerfulness and confidence. It can calm the nervous system and has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate which counteract the stress response while feeling anxious. (17)
8) Copaiba
Copaiba has a woodsy aroma that helps elevate mood and combat nervous tension, stress and anxious feelings. It is also believed to amplify the effects of other essential oils. Copaiba has the highest quantity of the constituent beta-caryophyllene of all essential oils which helps it to support a lot of systems in the body. Particularly the endocannabinoid system which is involved in a lot of physiological processes within the body. Copaiba has impressive anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe tension, arthritis, and joint pain. (18) It also has a calming aroma which is supportive for stress and anxiety.
9) Tangerine
Tangerine contains esters and aldehydes, which are sedating and calming to the nervous system. When diffused together with marjoram, tangerine can soothe emotions such as grief, anger, anxiety and shock.
10) Sandalwood
Sandalwood is calming and balancing when stressed. Great for quieting mental chatter and enhances meditation.
At Breath of Fresh Aier, we are dedicated to promoting holistic wellness through natural methods. Empowering individuals to achieve their health goals and live vibrant lives. Supports your whole self — mind, body and spirit.
When they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, they fell to the ground at his feet and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests full of gifts and presented him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your companions.
For you have cherished righteousness and detested lawlessness. For this reason, God, your God, has anointed you and poured out the oil of bliss on you more than on any of your friends.”
To strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes, the oil of bliss instead of tears, and the mantle of joyous praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.
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