Best Aromatherapy Oils for Anxiety Relief

Aromatherapy is a remedy dating from Antiquity

Aromatherapy is a remedy dating from Antiquity: the Egyptians already included in their healing potions plants like mint or laurel. Only later, in the eleventh century, will appear the idea of extracting the active ingredients of plants by distillation.

Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine (phyto = plants and therapy = healing). It consists in collecting the active principles of the plants by a complex process of steam distillation to recover the liquid and concentrated form that we know and called “essential oil”. It is not a question of “fat body” strictly speaking but of an infinity of active molecules. Aromatherapy is a remedy dating from Antiquity: the Egyptians already included in their healing potions plants like mint or laurel. 

Only later, in the eleventh century, will appear the idea of extracting the active ingredients of plants by distillation.

Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine (phyto = plants and therapy = healing). It consists in collecting the active principles of the plants by a complex process of steam distillation to recover the liquid and concentrated form that we know and called “essential oil”. It is not a question of “fat body” strictly speaking but of an infinity of active molecules.
Each essential oil has a particular chemical composition called “chemo type”. It is defined according to the environment of the plant, the soil, the exposure to the sun, the temperature, its resistance against bad weather, etc …

Lavender Extracts

Its extracts are used as a remedy against anxiety and depression for centuries.

Lavender has a high concentration of volatile oils, so it can release a pleasant scent that is used as a sedative and antidepressant. The relaxing sensation it provides often leads to a deliberate therapeutic effect that helps relieve mild anxiety.

Research

In a research done by Diego and his colleagues, it has been proven that people who have been embalmed with lavender essential oil for about 3 minutes have felt considerably relaxed and have had a decrease in anxiety scores. It also improved their mood and increased their EEG (an indicator of their level of alertness).

Reduced Serum cortisol

Another study showed that aromatherapy with lavender essential oil reduced serum cortisol, which plays a key role in a healthy cardiovascular system and in the body’s response to stress. The researchers concluded that “lavender has relaxing effects and can have beneficial acute effects on coronary circulation”.

Lavender essential oil would also be an effective substitute for anxiety medications. The researchers studied the use of lavender for generalized anxiety disorder. It has been shown that an oral preparation of lavender oil capsules taken over a six-week period effectively relieves generalized anxiety comparable to lorazepam, a potent anxiety medication, with the advantage of not providing ‘Side effects.

Marjoram essential oil with shells (Origanum majorana)

It has soothing virtues to calm your stress, your anxiety, nervousness. I think it’s a different essential oil. Its activity focuses on the painful symptoms that can be felt during stress: stomach ache, palpitations, difficulty breathing, etc. It is therefore very recurrent in anti-stress formulas. But its use is more delicate because it can be irritating or dermo-caustic. It is usually taken internally on the advice of a therapist or massage but then diluted.

The Essence of Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)

We think of her in case of insomnia! It is soothing and relaxing. She is superb in case of irritability or anxiety. It allows you to regain your calm and good mood. It is very suitable in case of nervous breakdown and insomnia. Its smell is absolutely delicious. This is why it is a must to use in diffusion or internally on a neutral support (from 6 years old: 2 drops per dose, 3 times per day maximum on a neutral support).

The Essential Oil Of Ylang-Ylang

Obtained by steam distillation of flowers, is unique in its kind. Because of its great aromatic richness, the distillation of fresh flowers of ylang-ylang can be spread out over 18 hours … Three types of extractions can thus be realized, thus offering the essential oil of ylang-ylang I, l ylang-ylang II essential oil and ylang-ylang III essential oil. Combined with the essential oil of petit grain bigarade or with that of fine lavender, the essential oil of ylang-ylang complete is infinitely soothing.

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential Oil Diffuser

These amazing diffusers require only some water and a few drops of your favorite blend to turn your home or office into a stress-relieving oasis — just make sure you get quality essential oils.

For a stronger scent or mist, look for nebulizing diffusers. Nebulizer diffusers vaporize the oil, without using heat, before pumping out the fine mist. These are often more expensive than standard diffusers, but can be worth it if you find standard diffusers to be weak.

Apply on your body:

The second way to use an essential oil is to apply it to yourself. Some oils apply directly (pure) on the solar plexus (torso), on the wrists, the soles of the feet … But beware, other oils should in some cases be mixed with a vegetable oil. Finally, a common practice is to put a few drops in a bath or mixed with a massage oil.

Orally:

Finally, some oils can also be taken directly orally. They should be mixed with a spoon of honey, olive oil or cane sugar. But I confess that I do not know much about this way of use. Better to seek advice from a professional who will prepare a cocktail of oils adapted to your problem. You will find on this site examples of mixtures of essential oils.

Massage: emergency solution in times of stress

When stress becomes too ubiquitous and the pressure is intense, nothing like a massage with relaxing essential oils! Acting on the relaxation of the body, but also on that of the mind, this aromatherapy recipe is very precious.

After making this mixture, apply a few drops on the wrists, the solar plexus, or under the feet.