Essential Oils & Anxiety
Studies show that 43% of people with anxiety use alternative therapies like essential oils. Alongside traditional types of therapy, the aromas can promote relaxation and relieve anxious thoughts.
Popular scents that have been claimed to help with anxiety, stress, and relaxation include:
Ultimately, essential oils in the aromas above have been known to alleviate anxiety in some cases when added to a comprehensive wellness routine. However, these oils cannot solve anxiety on their own.
If you are looking for new ways to relieve anxiety and promote your relaxation, consider pairing one of these types of oils with any other preferred anxiety treatment method. Not only will you be prioritizing your mental health, but youll give yourself the opportunity to explore new natural and alternative medicines.
Please visit civiqhealth.com or call 844-237-5762 with any additional questions about anxiety or aromatherapy.
The 15 Best Essential Oils For Anxiety Of 2022
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If you have anxiety, these 15 soothing essential oils may help promote clarity and calm.
While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesnt monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. Its important to talk with your healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brands products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
- Best to calm your mind:holy basil, neroli
- Best to help you sleep:valerian, vetiver
- Best for stress: damask rose, peppermint
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States.
The Anxiety & Depression Association of America estimates that around 40 million American adults are affected by anxiety each year.
There are many proven ways to treat anxiety disorders, including medication, psychotherapy, and mindfulness.
In recent years, research has shown that essential oils can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety. While every essential oil is unique and can produce a different effect, most can help promote some degree of relaxation to ease the body and mind.
Bergamot Oil Improves Feelings Of Well
Bergamot essential oil is a calming essential oil that helps to improve mood due to its uplifting scent.
One study on the calming effects of bergamot essential oil on rats found that sniffing the essential oil helps to stop anxious feelings. The researchers noticed that bergamot aromas have a similar effect to anti-anxiety medications like diazepam.
Another study found that the anti-stress effect of bergamot essential oil was due to the fact that it helps inhibit the stress hormone corticosterone.
There is also evidence to suggest that breathing in bergamot aromas reduces anxiety in humans. One mental health clinic found that diffusing bergamot scent in their waiting room induced feelings of well-being and had a positive effect on mental health.
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Which Essential Oils Are Best
There are dozens of essential oils, all with different fragrances andchemical makeups. Which essential oils are best depends on what symptomsyou’re looking to ease or fragrances you prefer. Some of the most popularessential oils include:
- Lavender oil: Many people find the lavender scent relaxing. It’s often used to help relieve stress and anxiety and promote good sleep.
- Tea tree oil: Also called melaleuca, this essential oil was used by Australia’s aboriginal people for wound healing. Today, it’s commonly used for acne, athlete’s foot and insect bites.
- Peppermint oil: There’s some evidence peppermint essential oil helps relieve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms when taken in an enteric-coated capsule . It may also relieve tension headaches when applied topically.
- Lemon oil: Many people find the citrusy scent of lemon oil a mood booster. It’s also often used in homemade cleaning products.
How To Treat Anxiety
Treatment options range from medications, to evidence-based therapies, to alternative and emerging methods. Here are just some solutions that have been known to alleviate anxiety:
- Antidepressants
- Deep breathing exercises and meditation
If you are interested in any medically-based options, please discuss them with a Primary Care Physician , psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed counselor.
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Can Essential Oils Help Relieve Anxiety
Essential oils are a great remedy to relieve anxiety. This article outlines the benefits of essential oils and techniques you can try to help reduce and manage your anxiety.
Have you considered clinical trials for Anxiety?
We make it easy for you to participate in a clinical trial for Anxiety, and get access to the latest treatments not yet widely available – and be a part of finding a cure.
Is Sniffing Lavender Oil Bad
When taken by mouth, lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite. When applied to the skin: Lavender is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin in medicinal amounts. It can sometimes cause irritation, although this is uncommon. When inhaled: Lavender is POSSIBLY SAFE when inhaled as aromatherapy.
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How To Find Quality Essential Oils
The most important thing to consider when shopping for essential oils isproduct quality. But figuring out which oils are the best ischallenging, since there’s no government agency in the U.S. that provides agrading system or certification for essential oils. A big problem? Manycompanies claim their essential oils are “therapeutic grade,” but that’sjust a marketing term.
Unfortunately, there are lots of products you might find online or instores that aren’t harvested correctly or may have something in them thatisn’t listed on the label.
Here are some tips to help you shop for pure essential oils:
Essential oils can lift your mood and make you feel good with just a whiffof their fragrance. For some people they may even help alleviate thesymptoms of various conditions. For more information on how to incorporatethem into a healthy lifestyle, consult an integrative medicine expert.
How May Essential Oils Help Reduce Anxiety
Current research shows that inhaling essential oils in the form of aromatherapy has a soothing and therapeutic effect on the nervous system. However, much of the research has been in animal studies. Human studies that show promising evidence often lack rigor.
For instance, animal research from 2010 suggests that certain essential oil scents, such as bergamot, lemon balm, and peppermint, contain specific plant compounds to help induce relaxation.
Despite the lack of substantial evidence, many people find essential oil aromatherapy to be an enjoyable experience. This is due to the aroma of the oils traveling through the olfactory nerves to the amygdala in the brain, which elicits an emotional response to promote clarity and calm.
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Why Do Essential Oils Work
Even with all the options available to curb anxiety, we do think that trying everything naturally while you work out with your doctor is a great way to start.
You may find that you dont need additional support or that additional support is secondary to essential oils because you get enough aid with their continued use.
In Fact Studies Seem To Back This Up
- Patients given bergamot essential oil therapy prior to surgery experienced a reduction in preoperative anxiety when compared to the control groups.
- Researchers found that dental clinics that exposed patients to ambient orange and lavender odors improved the mood and reduced anxiety of those waiting for treatment.
- The results of 16 controlled trials amongst people with anxiety symptoms mostly indicated a positive result regarding the anxiety-inhibiting effects of essential oils.
- Studies performed on 29 teachers in Taiwan concluded that bergamot essential oil had a positive effect on work related stress and anxiety.
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Common Remedies Or Treatments For Anxiety
Many common treatments and remedies can calm anxiety, and theyre important to know them all. While essential oils are one way to help fight the symptoms and effects of anxiety, sometimes the problem requires more than one treatment.
Consider these options and speak to your healthcare provider if you notice that your anxiety levels are reaching all-time highs and youre unable to curb certain behaviors and feelings.
Orange And Neroli Essential Oils Relieves Anxiety And Improve Mood
The relaxing scent of orange essential oil and neroli is a great natural remedy to uplift your mood and ease feelings of fear and apprehension.
Various trials have shown that calming essential oils for anxiety such as orange oil help to deal with anxiety in stressful situations. For example, inhaling orange essential oil helps reduce stress during childbirth.
Other studies have shown that using aromatherapy orange essential oils in a dentists room helps reduce anxiety and stress in children during dental treatment.
One study found that bitter orange essential oil can be good for panic attacks and to help manage anxiety disorders.
A 2018 study found that bitter orange extracts were just as effective as lavender extracts in relieving anxiety in postmenopausal women.
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Use Essential Oils Internally
If you plan on using any essential oils internally, consult with an aromatherapist for best practices first. Some essential oils, like tea tree, are toxic if improperly ingested.
While the FDA recognizes this list of essential oils as safe to use, it is important to remember that essential oils are concentrated from multiple plants i.e. one drop of lemon essential oil is made from pounds upon pounds of lemon rinds and are not easily digested by the body.
The ingestion of essential oils can cause stomach irritation, ulcerations in the mouth, esophageal tract and stomach lining, as well as severe allergic reaction, seizures and the wearing away of teeth enamel.
If you are interested in learning how to use essential oils in this manner, consider joining me in Stillpoints Aromatherapy Certification Program.
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage is said to have gotten its unique, fresh scent from the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite and possesses clary sage spiritual benefits. A hormone balancer, clary sage oil is said to lower stress hormone levels and is therefore one of the best essential oils for anxiety and sleep troubles.
Scent Profile: Herbaceous and earthy with floral notes
Patchouli is used in Ayurvedic medicine to manage stress, anxiety and other ailments. Patchouli is great on its own but is popularly combined with lavender to create moments of respite.
Scent Profile: Earthy, woodsy and herbaceous
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Anxious Or Feeling Down: Can Essential Oils Help
There has been more open discussion than ever in the health and wellness community about emotional issues like depression and anxiety. Talking about this difficult topic is an enormous step forward on the road to supporting those in need. Questions a Registered Aromatherapists may be asked is: How does aromatherapy work with sadness and nerves? And Can essential oils REALLY help?
With a 2014 study showing a link between anti-anxiety medications and dementia, there is more reason than ever for RAs to research the uplifting benefits of essential oils. Here are three essential oils that research has shown can help support healthy mood.
Where To Put Essential Oils
Gangadharan suggests ensuring essential oils are diluted via carrier oils like jojoba or coconut before applying it directly to your skin. She suggesting trying patch tests first to ensure the oils are safe for your skin and consult your physician if you have concerns.
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Exactly how you use essential oils, though, is up to you. The three ways to use essential oils include inhaling it directly from the bottle, diffusing it, or applying it to the skin. If you are using them energetically, you may want to consider putting them on the appropriate chakra, like your heart, throat, or crown . Gangadharan explains, adding that even if you don’t like the oil the first time around, you can try it again when you’re in a different emotional state or even during a different time of day.
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Can Essential Oils Really Help With Anxiety
Focusing on improving ones own mental health is vital, especially during quarantine. And if you experience anxiety, you may know that it can sometimes be difficult to find the right treatment for you, since methods vary in effectiveness by person.
However, there are a variety of solutions that are proven to alleviate anxious thoughts and calm worry some are even most effective when carefully combined with others. There are many treatments out there that claim to help with anxiety, so how do you know what will actually work?
What Are Essential Oils And Do They Work
Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy, a form of alternative medicine that employs plant extracts to support health and well-being.
However, some of the health claims associated with these oils are controversial.
This article explains all you need to know about essential oils and their health effects.
Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants.
The oils capture the plants scent and flavor, or essence.
Unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence.
Essential oils are obtained through distillation or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing.
Once the aromatic chemicals have been extracted, they are combined with a carrier oil to create a product thats ready for use.
The way the oils are made is important, as essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not considered true essential oils.
Summary
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor, or essence, of their source.
Essential oils are most commonly used in the practice of aromatherapy, in which they are inhaled through various methods.
Essential oils are not meant to be swallowed.
The chemicals in essential oils can interact with your body in several ways.
When applied to your skin, some plant chemicals are absorbed (
7 ).
However, this has yet to be confirmed in studies.
There are more than 90 types of essential oils, each with its own unique smell and potential health benefits.
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What Essential Oils Should You Avoid
It is also important to make sure you are not buying an essential oil that is polluted with synthetic materials, fillers or toxins.
“Not all essential oils are created equal and buying the right product will make the world a difference when using them to help with things such as anxiety. It is very, very important to educate yourself on how to use essential oils safely. Talk to your primary care provider, a dermatologist or a certified aromatherapist before you use any new product,& ” says Newton.
Angelica Root Essential Oil
Ideal for fatigue and stress-related disorders, Angelica Root is known for alleviating feelings of hopelessness and dread, as well as aiding the digestive system all things impacted by anxiety. Angelica Root has revitalizing and restoring properties that help the body rebuild strength after severe illnesses, and is considered to be an extremely potent purifier for your lymph nodes and blood circulation.
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Safety And Side Effects
Just because something is natural doesnt mean its safe.
Plants and herbal products contain many bioactive compounds that may harm your health, and essential oils are no different.
However, when inhaled or combined with a base oil for use on your skin, most essential oils are considered safe. Be sure to consider others in your environment who might be inhaling the aroma, including pregnant women, children, and pets.
Nevertheless, they may cause some side effects, including (
- allergic reactions
While the most common side effect is a rash, essential oils can cause more serious reactions, and they have been associated with one case of death .
The oils that have most commonly been associated with adverse reactions are lavender, peppermint, tea tree, and ylang-ylang.
Oils that are high in phenols, such as cinnamon, can cause skin irritation and shouldnt be used on the skin without being combined with a base oil. Meanwhile, essential oils made from citrus fruits increase the skins reaction to sunlight and burns can occur.
Swallowing essential oils is not recommended, as doing so could be harmful and, in some doses, fatal (
Summary
Essential oils are generally considered safe. However, they may cause serious side effects for some people, especially if applied directly to the skin or ingested.
Essential oils are generally considered safe to inhale or apply to the skin if theyve been combined with a base oil. They should not be eaten.
How Essential Oils Are Used
One theory of how aromatherapy works is that essential oils can stimulate the smell receptors in your nose, which then sends messages to your nervous system. Some also believe that essential oils can have a subtle effect on the bodys chemical and energy systems.
Because of this, aromatherapy is often used as a natural remedy to help relieve anxiety and stress. Topical applications and inhalation are some common ways that essential oils can be used for aromatherapy.
Essential oils should never be ingested, despite claims on the internet that suggest otherwise. Theres not enough research on any one essential oil to prove its safe to swallow. Each essential oil is very different, and some are toxic.
Its important to know that the Food and Drug Administration doesnt regulate essential oils, so be diligent in your practice. You should only use therapeutic-grade oils that dont contain synthetic fragrance and only purchase from a trusted source.
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Add Oils To A Cotton Ball And Sniff
You can still reap the benefits of smelling essential oils on the go by getting a little creative. For example, if you want to get pumped for your stress-relieving workout, drop a cotton ball with peppermint essential oil into your gym bag. It will make you feel like your airways are wide open for deep breathing, and research has found peppermint to be potentially helpful for increasing alertness and enhancing memory. Combine it with wild orange for an invigorating cooling, citrusy blend.