The Best Essential Oils For Anxiety

I’ve always loved the smell of essential oils but until recently had no idea just how powerful they can be. The University of Maryland Medical Center does a good job of explaining this,

The “smell” receptors in your nose communicate with parts of your brain (the amygdala and hippocampus) that serve as storehouses for emotions and memories. When you breathe in essential oil molecules, some researchers believe they stimulate these parts of your brain and influence physical, emotional, and mental health.

How amazing is that?

I’ve personally dealt with being anxious since I was a child. I had a bit of a tumultuous childhood and am no stranger to these issues. I’ve dealt with it for over twenty years, but have successfully overcome my anxious tendencies. It was difficult and involved a lot of experimentation, but I’m not healthier and happier than I’ve ever been.

Like a lot of anxious people, I start to feel anxious, then freak out about feeling anxious, then it’s just a snowball effect and I’m a having a full-blown panic mode. I dealt with this kind of thing every day for years. It’s actually what led me to essential oils, and it’s the reason I keep using them (and why I don’t leave the house without them – literally).

They’re such a healthier alternative to other options out there, especially because a lot of those options can be addictive. Oils are potent, they’re natural and they’re effective. They worked for me and continue to do so.

Cheer Up Essential Oil Blend

This is a blend of wild orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, tangerine, clementine, vanilla bean absolute, spruce, ho wood, frankincense resin, blue tansy and blue chamomile flower in an organic liquid coconut oil base. It is specifically designed to promote a sense of tranquility, leaving you relaxed and serene. It’s a woodsy and citrusy scent that easily creates a sense of calm and well-being. Blue Tansy is a natural nerving (a natural remedy used to calm the promote relaxation). Also known as Moroccan Chamomile, blue tansy is great for inflammation.

You know how Frankincense has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies? Even the wise men brought it to sweet baby Jesus. Turns out, there may be a specific reason for this. Frankincense, also known as Boswellia, has been shown to promote relaxation and relieve feelings of sadness.

An international team of scientists, including researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, describe how burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate [anxious feelings]. Source

Relax, Max! Essential Oil Blend

This blend is made up of organic fractionated coconut oil, lavender, sweet marjoram leaf, Roman chamomile flower, ylang-ylang flower and Hawaiian sandalwood 100% pure essential oils and vanilla bean absolute. As someone who has dealt with anxiety for over twenty years, I’ve always been drawn to lavender. It’s such a calming and attractive scent. I add it to my bath water, to my perfume. In fact, I even add it to my deodorant. Overall, it is a deeply relaxing scent.

A study performed by the University of Clinical Neurology in Vienna examined the effect of aromatic lavender and orange oils on anxious feelings.

Statistical analyses revealed that compared to control condition both ambient odors of orange and lavender reduced [anxious feelings] and improved mood in patients waiting for dental treatment. These findings support the previous opinion that odors are capable of altering emotional states and may indicate that the use of odors is helpful in reducing [anxious feelings] in dental patients. Source

This blend combines lavender, sweet marjoram, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, and vanilla. As a result, these oils bring about a sense of calmness, which is why this oil is also perfect for those who have trouble sleeping. Studies have shown that ylang-ylang is extremely beneficial to the central nervous system.

The best way to apply it is on the bottom of your feet at bedtime. It promotes deep, restful sleep. In addition, on the neck, wrists, and chest throughout the day to promote relaxation.

Essential oils combined with a healthy diet and a magnesium supplement helped me immensely when it came to overcoming my anxious feelings. You can buy these essential oil blends here.