essential oils often used in aromatherapy, can be applied directly to the skin or sprayed in the air through a diffuser. Some oils are even safe to eat and as an additive to beverages or foods. These oils have become famous for their benefits. They are also studied for their effects on mood and mental performance.
One area where essential oils have proven as very useful is relieving anxiety and stress. Research has supported their use for these purposes.
Here are 13 essential oils that can fight against anxiety and stress and leave you feeling calm and refreshed:
Coriander Oil
Research using animals has successfully proven that coriander oil helps stress and creates a calmness. In a 2005 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, scientists analyzed the effects of coriander on mice. They found that the coriander reduced anxiety and also seemed to relax the muscles. Coriander oil can be useful for treating symptoms of anxiety.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil has been shown to energize the body when you are feeling stressed. A 2009 study in the journal Scientia Pharmaceutica found that people massaged with rosemary oil reported feeling more alert, energetic, and cheerful.
Based on this research, rosemary oil could help relieve tiredness that has been caused by stress.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil is thought to be able to treatclinical anxiety. A 2009 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology compared the effect of chamomile on a group of patients with generalized anxiety disorder. After eight weeks of treatment, the improvement in anxiety was greater among individuals taking the chamomile compared to those receiving a placebo.
Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage oil can be very effective for stress. A 2014 study in Phytotherapy Research found that when people inhaled clary sage oil, their levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, dropped significantly. Clary sage oil seems to be great for your body when it is dealing with stress.
Sweet Orange Oil
Sweet orange oil is useful for reducing anxiety. A 2012 study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found people exposed to sweet orange oil before a stressful situation felt less anxiety and tension. Sweet orange oil could help people to remain calm during stressful situations.
Eucalyptus Oil
Researchers have studied eucalyptus oil to determine its effects on anxiety. A 2014 study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine looked at the impact of eucalyptus oil on patients undergoing a medical procedure. Study results showed that cineole, which is a chemical that is found in eucalyptus oil, lowered pre-treatment anxiety levels. This suggests that eucalyptus oil is useful in stressful situations.
Lavender Oil
The effectiveness of lavender oil has been shown clearly in research. A 2015 study in the International Journal of Nursing Practice analyzed the impact of lavender oil on a group of nurses experiencing stress when they were working. One group of nurses in the study had small bottles of lavender oil pinned to their chests, whereas another group carried an oil that did not contain lavender.
Results indicated that stress levels were lower among the nurses who had the lavender oil.
Bergamot Oil
Research with animals has shown that bergamot oil can relieve anxiety. A 2017 study in the journal Molecules looked at the effect of bergamot oil on rats completing tasks. Results found that the bergamot oil relaxed and reduced anxiety in the rats in the study.
Geranium Oil
Research with geranium oil has shown promising results. A 1995 study in the International Journal of Aromatherapy found that when people inhaled steam containing geranium oil, they experienced a decrease in anxiety. Geranium appears to be useful for providing fast relief from stress during tense situations.
Lemon Oil
Research has indicated that lemon oil can reduce stress. A 2006 study in Behavioural Brain Research studied the effects of lemon oil on mice completing stressful tasks, and results found that it was useful for lowering stress. The lemon oil was also shown to serve as an anti-depressant.
Ylang-Ylang Oil
Placing ylang-ylang oil on the skin can create a relaxing effect. In a 2006 study in Phytotherapy Research, ylang-ylang oil, when applied to participants’ skin, decreased their blood pressure levels. Subjects also reported feeling more calm and relaxed after applying ylang-ylang oil.
Rose Oil
Research has shown that rose oil reduces anxiety in animals. Scientists completed a study for a 2004 edition of Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, in which they compared the effects of rose oil to those of an anxiety medication on rats completing a stressful task. Results showed that the rose oil reduced anxiety similarly to the anxiety medication.
Neroli Oil
Neroli oil appears to be useful for reducing stress. A study in a 2014 publication of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine compared the impact of neroli oil to that of a control oil on women experiencing menopause symptoms.
Results showed that compared to the control group, women who inhaled neroli oil experienced significant decreases in blood pressure. The neroli oil also showed to reduce heart rate and cortisol levels. These physiological responses to neroli oil suggest a calming effect.
Neroli oil is just one of many essential oils that have been found to have a beneficial impact.
Researchers have studied the effects of numerous essential oils and discovered that they are helpful for reducing stress and anxiety levels. Many of the essential oils discussed in this post have been found to have a calming effect and can serve as a natural treatment for symptoms of anxiety and stress.