Top-10 essential oils for anxiety in 2020

Essential oils

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The History of essential oils for anxiety:

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Essential oils have been around dated back to many centuries and to biblical times, when Jesus was anointed with incense and myrrh at his birth. They have been used since ancient times in various cultures, including China, Egypt, India and southern Europe.

Some essential oils were even applied to the dead as part of the embalming process. We know this because residues were found in graves more than 2,000 years old!

Essential-oils are also widely used in pratice of aromatherapy, which was developed by the French surgeon Jean Valnet, who learned that essential oils can help in the treatment of soldiers during World War II – a time when medicines were in short supply.

The amazing beauty of essential oils is that they are natural and are extracted from flowers, leaves, bark or roots of plants. While it is best to make sure you use pure essential oils, i.e. oils that have not been diluted with chemicals or additives, they can provide much needed relief and healing for a variety of illnesses, including as a natural cure for anxiety.

How essential-oils are used

Aromatherapy is the practice of in-haling the scent of essential oils to improve your entire body well-being. One theory is of how they work is that they can send messages to your nervous system by stimulating the olfactory receptors in your nose. They are also believed to have a subtle effect on the body’s chemical and energy systems. For this reason, aromatherapy is often used as a natural remedy for anxiety and stress.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate essential oils. So be diligent in your practice. You should only use therapeutic oils that do not contain synthetic fragrances.

Essential oils must be properly diluted with a carrier oil before applying them to the skin. This reduces the risk of causing irritation. For adults, every 15-drops of essential oil should be diluted with 1 ounce of carrier oil.

The use of essential oils in children should be under the supervision of their doctor. For children the mixture is much more heavily diluted with a ratio of 3 to 6 drops of essential-oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil. Some popular carrier-oils are almond, coconut and jojoba oil.

Essential oils should never be ingested into the body, despite claims on the Internet that suggest otherwise. There is not enough research on an essential oil to prove that it is safe to swallow in your mouth. Each essential oil is very different and while some are toxic.

Here are the Top-10 essential oils for anxiety in 2020

1. Valerian Essential oils

Valerian is an natural herb that has been used since ancient times. It is said to contain compounds that promote sleep and calm the nerves. It can have a mild calming effect on the body.

Directions: Put a few drops of valerian oil in an aromatherapy diffuser and inhale. Valerian can make you sleepy or relaxed.

2. Jatamansi

Jatamansi belongs to the same plant family as valerian. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to calm the mind and promote sleep.

According to a 2008 study of trusted sources on mice, Jatamansi can relieve depression by lowering GABA neurotransmitters and MAO receptors in the brain.

Application: Massage diluted Jatamansi oil into your temples or forehead.

3. Lavender

Lavender is well-known to be one of the most popular aromatic oils. According to a 2012 study, lavender aromatherapy is said to calm anxiety by affecting the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions.

Directions: Enjoy a relaxing lavender bath by combining several drops of lavender oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil or an unscented bath gel. Stir the mixture into warm bath water just before entering the bath.

4. Incense Oil

Incense oil is made from the resin of the Boswellia tree. It has a musky, sweet aroma that is said to relieve anxiety.

According to a 2008 study, an aromatherapy hand massage with a mixture of incense, lavender and bergamot improved anxiety, depression and pain in people with terminal cancer.

Directions for use: Massage diluted incense oil onto your hands or feet. You can also add incense to a diffuser.

5. Holy Basil Essential oils

Holy basil, also called tulsi, is not the basil that you are use to make lasagna. But they are from the same family.

Holy basil contains eugenol, a unique compound that gives it a spicy, minty aroma. According to ResearchTrusted Source in 2014, Sacred Basil is an adaptogenic herb that has shown promise in treating physical and mental stress.

Application: The eugenol in holy basil has a strong fragrance, so a little goes a long way. Put just a few drops in an aromatherapy diffuser and breathe in while the oil spreads around the room.

6. Sweet basil essential oil

The sweet basil essential-oil comes from the same herb that you use to make marinara sauce. Aromatherapy is used to calm the mind and reduce stress.

According to a 2015 study, Trusted Source on mice, the phenolic compounds in sweet basil oil helped relieve anxiety. It was found that these compounds were less sedative than the anxiety drug diazepam.

Directions for use: Place several drops of sweet basil oil in a room diffuser or inhale through an inhalation tube.

7. Bergamot Essential oils

Bergamot oil comes from bergamot oranges and has a unique, refreshing citrus scent.

According to a 2015 study, Trusted Source, both animal and human trials have shown that bergamot helps to relieve anxiety and improve mood.

When applied topically, bergamot can increase sensitivity to the sun.

Directions: Apply a few drops of bergamot oil to a cotton ball or handkerchief. Inhale the aroma two or three times to relieve anxiety.

8. Chamomile Essential oils

Camomile is known for its relaxing and calming properties and its intoxicating fragrance.

There is not much research on essential camomile oil for anxiety. However, ResearchTrusted Source has shown that chamomile supplements can benefit people with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorders.

Directions for use: Massage diluted chamomile oil into your skin or place in a warm bath.

9. Rose Essential oil

The essential rose oil is extracted from rose petals. Roses have an enchanting floral fragrance that relaxes the senses.

According to the 2014 study, Trusted Source, using a footbath with rose aromatherapy can reduce anxiety in pregnant women during labour.

Directions: Immerse your feet in a basin filled with warm water and have it diluted rose essential oil. You can also add your rose oil to your favourite non-scented moisturizer or shea butter and massage it into the skin.

10. Vetiver Essential oil

Vetiver is less well known than other essential oils but is no less compelling. Vetiver oil comes from the grass-covered vetiver plant native to India.

It has a sweet, earthy fragrance and is used as an aphrodisiac.

According to a 2015 Trusted Source study on rats, vetiver oil is used in aromatherapy for relaxation. The study showed that vetiver has similar anti-anxiety properties to diazepam.

VetiverEssential oils for anxiety is known to be one of the best in the world.

Directions: Enjoy a relaxing massage with diluted vetiver oil or pour it into a diffuser

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