One in seven Australians experience some form of anxiety. While research is still ongoing, essential oils show some promising signs for aleviating feelings of stress, nervous tension and anxiety.
In this article, we'll look at some of the best essential oils known to treat anxiety, as well as how to use them to encouage feelings of calm and levelheadedness.
Benefits Of Essential Oils For Anxiety
Essential oils are known to stimulate the limbic system (the part of the brain that influences behaviour and emotions). Inhaling the scent of certain essential oils has been seen to interact with the brain to initiate a subtle, calming effect on the body.
Some essential oils allow you to relax and feel tranquil, with other benefits including:
- Lowering blood pressure
- Ease feelings of anxiety
- Treating insomnia
- Boosting self-esteem
Essential oils for anxiety are easy to introduce to a daily and nightly routine, so you can enjoy a relaxing, uplifting mood and help calm your anxiety.
5 Best Essential Oils For Anxiety
Every essential oil for anxiety has versatile properties, meaning that the same essential oil may be useful for easing anxiety in different ways. Below are some of our favourite essential oils for anxiety:
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Perhaps the most well-known of essential oils, Lavender Essential Oil is recognised for its benefits in relieving feelings of stress and anxiety. And with its pleasantly sweet, floral and herbaceous aroma, it’s no surprise that this oil is one of the best essential oils for calming the central nervous system to alleviate feelings of stress and promote a restful sleep.
Lavender Essential Oil has sedative and anxiety relieving properties, making it ideal for treating insomnia, sleep difficulty, stress, anxiety and nervous tension.
When it comes to quietening the brain and nervous system, you just can’t go wrong with Lavender Oil.
2. Lime Essential Oil
Originating in Southeast Asia, Lime Essential Oil is well known for its revitalising and uplifting qualities. It has been seen to increase energy levels and uplift those feeling drained, fatigued and mentally exhausted.
It is also believed to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, stress and indecisiveness, whilst promoting mental clarity. Lime Oil is valued for its energising effect and for this reason, it is often seen diffusing in offices and study spaces to alleviate brain fog, mental fatigue and exhaustion.
At AWO, we offer two variations; Lime Essential Oil and Lime Distilled Essential Oil.
3. Orange Sweet Essential Oil
Highly regarded in ancient Chinese medicine, Orange Sweet Essential Oil contains calming properties that may help with feelings of stress, anxiety, nervousness, or anger.
Like many citrus oils, Orange Essential Oil contains Linalool, a naturally occurring chemical compound that is known for its antidepressant, anxiolytic (anxiety relieving), analgesic and sedative properties.
These benefits are most commonly received through aromatherapy practices such as diffusing and inhaling.
4. Frankincense Essential Oil
Boasting an overall warm, earthy, and slightly woody aroma, Frankincense Essential Oil (also known as Frankincense Olibanum Essential Oil) is known to have calming benefits for anyone feeling anxious or stressed.
Frankincense Oil is also mingled with spicy yet fruity undertones, which makes it a calming and comforting essential oil for sleep.
Amongst other benefits, Frankincense Oil is highly valued for its stress relieving abilities. Thanks to these properties. Frankincense Oil is popular for use by those wanting to unwind and relax the body.
5. 'Grounded' Essential Oil Blend
Looking to release unwanted tension and nervous energy? AWO’s Grounded Essential Oil Blend may help relieve stress and calm the nervous system.
With a specially formulated blend of of Lavender, Neroli, Ho Wood, Ylang Ylang and Peppermint essential oils, Grounded is a favourite essential oil blend for those with anxiety.
Carrying a slightly sweet, herbacous and floral aroma, diffusing 'Grounded' around the home will help encourage a sense of tranquility and help keep you calm in times of stress.
'Destress' Essential Oil Pack
Want to purchase some of these oils in a convenient bundle? AWO’s Destress Essential Oil Pack is a trio of 100% pure essential oils known to assist with feelings of stress and anxiety. They work to calm the nervous system and encourage feelings of clarity and tranquillity.
This essential oil pack has been specifically designed to assist those struggling to find essential oils for anxiety. Even better, you have the option of enjoying each oil seperately or combining them to make your own unique essential oil blend.
Inside you can find:
- Sweet Orange Essential Oil (15ml)
- Frankincense Essential Oil (15ml)
- Lime Essential Oil (15ml)
How To Use Essential Oils For Anxiety
Let's look at some of our favourite ways to use these oils to instill a sense of emotional balance.
Diffusing
To experience the calming benefits of these essential oils, along with their beautiful aromas, simply add a few drops of your chosen oil to an essential oil diffuser.
Essential Oil Spray
Another popular way to experience the calming benefits of these oils is to dilute your oil in water, add to a spray bottle, shake the dilution and spray the mixture onto your pillow before sleeping.
Warm Bath
For those wanting to clear the mind and create a calm environment, add a few drops of your chosen oil to a warm bath. The refreshing aroma will rise with the steam to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Cleansing Shower
You can also add a drop of any essential oil to each corner of your shower, the calming aroma will rise with the steam to clear and renew the mind.
Other Tips To Help Calm Anxiety
Apart from using Essential Oils, a few other more natural remedies include:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Exercise
If you or someone you know is suffering from anxiety, you will find a plethora of helpful information on the Beyond Blue website.
How Do You Know If You Have A Quality Essential Oil
The quality and purity of essential oil will vary depending on where you purchase them from. For this reason, it’s important to keep your eye out for certain things to ensure you’re purchasing a quality essential oil.
Top 6 Things To Look For
- Look for oil’s Latin name listed on the bottle. If a product doesn’t have the Latin name listed, it’s probably a mix of synthetic ‘fragrance oils’.
- Oil packaging is in a dark glass bottle. This will prevent light and heat from damaging the oil.
- The label clearly states ‘100% pure X Essential Oil’. This will ensure the product isn’t blended with any other oils.
- Be sure to check the expiry date if buying in store.
- The product clearly states where the oil is from.
- Be wary of a very low price. It could be an indicator of low quality or adulterated essential oils.
Considerations For Using Essential Oils
Although rare, using essential oils may result in skin irritations or allergic reactions. That's why we always recommend performing a skin patch test before incorporating an essential oil into your routine.
AWO’s essential oils are 100% pure and therefore very concentrated, so we always recommend diluting before using topically. Because they are so potent, essential oils can cause serious harm if ingested without the necessary expertise.
For this reason, you should never ingest essential oils. We also recommend storing your essential oil in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring it is not directly exposed to sunlight and out of reach of children or pets.