It is estimated that 40 million Americans are affected by anxiety. If you do or have experienced anxiety, you are not alone.
In this post, I will share some powerful ways to use essential oils to lessen the symptoms of anxiety.
Context & Background of Anxiety
Anxiety is not completely a bad thing. Anxiety is the natural response of the sympathetic nervous system that is activated during times of stress. If you are in a high-speed chase, a life-threatening situation, or decided to go bungee jumping, you’re going to want to be on high alert! The problem arises when the sympathetic nervous system up-regulates at inappropriate times or does so too frequently.
Common symptoms of sympathetic nervous system arousal include nervousness, nausea, sweating, increased blood pressure and heart rate, feelings of apprehension and dread, difficulty concentrating, irritability, restlessness, and panic attacks, just to name a few.
Possible causes of excessive anxiety can include prolonged stress, thyroid imbalances, hormone imbalances, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption, and sugar intake.
Essential oils can have a significant beneficial effect on symptoms of anxiety, but it is critical to also consider the above root causes in order to address your unbalanced anxiety.
#1: Lavender
This is the most common oil to calm your mind and body. It provides relaxation and targets the parasympathetic nervous system, the mechanism which counteracts the stimulating physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system.
- Apply to your temples, wrists, and the soles of your feet for efficient absorption and circulation.
- Place several drops in your diffuser and let the calming aroma fill the room.
- Healing bath salts: Combine 3 cups of Epsom salt and 1 cup of baking soda in a container. When you take a bath, add 1 cup of the mixture, along with 20-30 drops of lavender oil. Soak and relax for 20-30 minutes.
- If using a “therapeutic grade” oil, you may place 1-2 drops under your tongue.
- If using a “therapeutic grade” oil, (and really like the taste of lavender), you may also put a drop or two in beverages or use in cooking!
#2: Frankincense
Frequently referred to as the “king of oils,” frankincense is incredibly therapeutic. It can be used to treat nearly every condition I will cover in this blog series. It can be pricey, but I value it so much as a natural treatment that I put it on my Christmas list! Also, buying directly from an essential oil seller enables you to pay wholesale instead of the regular store price. I buy from my friend Vicki and can get frankincense for nearly $20 cheaper than the health food store. Therapeutic grade oils can be purchased from doTerra, Young Living, or Dr. Axe (who frequently runs promotions through his online store).
As an antidepressant with mild sedative properties, frankincense is also commonly used in religious ceremonies to promote calm and focus, and can assist with meditation.
- Apply to your temples, wrists, soles of you feet, and reflex points.
- Place a drop or two in your hands, cup your hands, and inhale the calming aroma.
- Place several drops in your diffuser and let the aroma fill the room.
#3: Orange
Don’t you just love when the person sitting next to you peels an orange and the entire room smells like a tropical beach?! That’s kinda what happens when I pop open my bottle of orange essential oil! Uplifting, refreshing, yet calming, orange can do the trick.
In a study by Goes et al. (2012), male subjects displayed reduced anxiety after five minutes of inhalation of orange essential oil, compared to tea tree essential oil or distilled water while they were involved in an anxiety-inducing situation. Five minutes.
Use orange in your diffuser or inhale from your hands.
**Avoid putting it on your skin, because it will increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Orange essential oil imparts most benefits from inhalation.
#4: Lemon
Exposure to lemon essential oil can induce chemical changes in the neuronal circuits involved in anxiety and pain threshold (Ceccarelli et al., 2004).
With its invigorating aroma, lemon can powerfully lift spirits, balance energy, and enhance focus.
Use it as you would for the aforementioned orange oil! The most effective benefits are derived from inhalation, but if it is “therapeutic grade,” enjoy a drop of lemon oil in your water for an added bonus and refreshment!
#5: Roman Chamomile
Just as chamomile is used in “Sleepytime tea,” it also helps calm the body during times of stress and hype. It can be used to relieve symptoms associated with both anxiety and depression and promotes deep and restful sleep! As the book, “Modern Essentials” explains, “it may also be used to soothe and clear the mind, creating an atmosphere of peace and patience.”
Aromatic diffusion is probably best, although adding a few drops to your bath water could be relaxing too!
*Chamomile is not recommended during pregnancy, as it stimulates blood flow to the pelvic area.
#6, 7, 8, 9: Rose, Ylang Ylang, Vetiver, and Bergamont
These additional are also recommended to lessen anxiety symptoms. Check out Dr. Axe’s post on The Top 7 Essential Oils For Anxiety for more information!
Deep breath…. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I sincerely hope this post was helpful!
As I mentioned, there are so many herbal and natural remedies for anxiety, but these are my top go-to oils. I’ll cover more herbs and remedies in future blog posts, but until then, try some of these tips and let me know how it goes!
Oh and don’t forget to smell the flowers — lavender & chamomile, that is!
References
Ceccarelli, I., Lariviere, W.R., Fiorenzani, P., Sacerdote, P., Aloisi, A.M. (2008). Effects of long-term exposure of lemon essential oil odor on behavioral, hormonal and neuronal parameters in male and female rats. Brain Res., 1001(1-2), 78-86.
Goes, T.C., Antunes, F.D., Alves, P.B., & Teixeira-Silva, F. (2012). Effect of sweet orange aroma on experimental anxiety in humans. Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, 18(8), 798-804.
