Sometimes, all you need to combat life’s biggest challenges are the right tools. And when it comes to anxiety, our toolkit is filled to the brim with essential oils. 

Aromatherapy is a valuable resource for reducing stress and anxiety, with numerous studies touting the benefits of essential oils for this purpose. That’s why we’ve gathered a list of some of our favorite essential oils for anxiety and formulated soothing blends that can help you find your balance. Some of our favorites include Bergamot, Anxiety Ease and Worry Less. Read on to learn more. 

How Aromatherapy Can Reduce Anxiety

According to the Mayo Clinic, aromatherapy works by stimulating the smell receptors in the nose, which then send messages through the nervous system to the part of the brain that controls emotions. Additionally, a growing body of research is proving the effectiveness of aromatherapy. 

• In a 2013 study published in the US National Library of Medicine, researchers concluded that aromatherapy through inhalation was effective in reducing stress levels of patients about to go into surgery.

• A 2017 study out of Korea found that aromatherapy helped decrease the perceived stress and objective stress of ICU patients. It also helped improve their quality of sleep.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a clinical state of chronic anxiety affecting 6.8 million American adults, and may need to be treated differently. If you’re struggling, please consult with a medical professional. Essential oils cannot cure anxiety but rather are a complementary aid.

Essential Oils For Anxiety

Diffusing and inhaling essential oils can help you find relief from a racing mind and a flurry of negative thoughts. We’ve compiled a list of essential oils for this purpose using essential oils known for their stress-relieving properties.

Citrus Oil

Grapefruit, Sweet Orange and Bergamot essential oil are all bright, zesty and rich in antioxidants that make them. Citrus essential oils are known to be:

• Anti-inflammatory

• Cleansing agents

• Uplifting

Sandalwood

Warm, woody Sandalwood is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its many benefits, including:

• Cooling the body

• Reducing inflammation

• Hastening wound healing

• Improving uneven skin tone

• Overcoming disruptive thoughts

That’s right—the same qualities that can soothe physical upset may make it a mental balm as well.

In 2017, researchers studied the effects of aromatherapy on women undergoing breast biopsies. They found that women who received aromatherapy with Sandalwood and Lavender essential oil had a statistically significant stress reduction.

Lavender

We’ve already noted that Sandalwood and Lavender essential oil can combine to produce a statistically significant effect on stress in some situations.

Lavender essential oil is also one of the most popular essential oils and for good reason. This deeply soothing herb is known to help you:

• Manage stress and anxiety

• Get better, more restful sleep

• Feel better overall

What’s more? Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) belongs to a family of plants known as Lamiacea. Other plants belonging to the Lamiacea family, such as Sweet Marjoram and Clary Sage, have also been used throughout history to improve mood and reduce stress. 

Ylang Ylang

Gorgeously floral Ylang Ylang essential oil is a frequent addition to high-end perfumes and skincare products. It’s known for properties that nourish the senses and the skin. In addition to these vaunted effects, Ylang Ylang can also help to improve your mental state.

• One 2006 study demonstrated that Ylang Ylang essential oil lowered test subjects’ blood pressure when applied to their skin. The researchers concluded that this makes the oil a promising therapeutic for people experiencing stress and associated sadness.

• Another study from 2008 showed that Ylang Ylang had a significant calming effect for people asked to complete a timed task.

Ylang Ylang is an addition to many of our blends thanks to these calming properties, including our Anxiety Ease essential oil blend. 

Anxiety-Relieving Diffuser Blends

Put this knowledge to the test and take hold of pure relaxation with our anxiety-reducing diffuser blends. Your anxiety-free day is now a whiff away. 

Revitalized

• 4 drops Grapefruit essential oil

• 4 drops Bergamot essential oil

• 4 drops Sandalwood- Hawaiian essential oil

Extracted from the citrus peels of ripe fruit, Bergamot and Grapefruit oil help to restore emotional balance and wellbeing while uplifting emotions and promoting a positive outlook. Sandalwood’s musky aroma helps soothe the nervous system and promotes feelings of groundedness.

Alternatively, try our Stress Relief synergy blend which contains Grapefruit, Bergamot and a host of other relaxing essential oils or our Chamomile Lavender blend. 

Find Your Center

• 8 drops Frankincense- Carterii essential oil

• 8 drops Lavender- Greek essential oil 

• 4 drops Sandalwood- Hawaiian essential oil

• 4 drops Sweet Marjoram essential oil

Frankincense has a deep, rich, grounding aroma that can quiet the mind, support focus, and encourage tranquility. With so many positive studies lighting the way of this aromatherapy favorite, Lavender’s reputation for reducing stress is well deserved. Sweet Marjoram’s name means “joy of the mountains”, and it is renowned for its calming properties, much like Lavender.

Along with adding this blend to an essential oil diffuser, you can add it to an aromatherapy inhaler for easy, on-the-go use. 

Release Anxiety

• 2 drops Copaiba essential oil

• 2 drops Orange- Sweet essential oil

• 1 drop  Ylang Ylang essential oil

With a uniquely warm and honey-like aroma, Copaiba relaxes with its sedative and calming attributes. Sweet Orange stirs up both calming and joyful sensations because of its stress-relieving and stimulating properties. Often used to give a boost to dreary emotions, Ylang Ylang can inspire creativity, improve self-worth and promote a real sense of peace, joy and inner trust.

Along with diffusing these blends, you can also dilute them with a carrier oil, such as Jojoba oil, and apply them topically in your day-to-day. 

Have You Tried Our Synergy Blends?

We all could use a shortcut sometimes, and that’s OK! If you don’t have the time to make your own diffuser blend, then we have the perfect solution. At Edens Garden, we offer anxiety-relieving synergy blends and products that are ready to be used the moment they arrive on your doorstep. 

Try our best-selling Anxiety Ease synergy blend in a blend, roll-on or room spray! And at the end of a long day, there may be no better stress-reliever than a soak in our Lavender Magnolia bath salt. The goodness doesn’t stop there! Find more anxiety reducing products at Edens Garden. 

Sources:

1. Cho, Mi-Yeon. “Effects of Aromatherapy on the Anxiety, Vital Signs, and Sleep Quality of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients in Intensive Care Units.” PubMed Central (PMC), 17 Feb. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3588400
2. Cho, Eun Hee. “The Effects of Aromatherapy on Intensive Care Unit Patients’ Stress and Sleep Quality: A Nonrandomised Controlled Trial.” PubMed Central (PMC), 11 Dec. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5742427.
3. Anxiety And Depression Association of America. “Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA.” Anxiety And Depression Association of America,https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.
4. Trambert, Renee et al. “A Randomized Controlled Trial Provides Evidence to Support Aromatherapy to Minimize Anxiety in Women Undergoing Breast Biopsy.” World Views Based on Evidence in Nursing 14.5 (2017): 394-402. https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/wvn.12229
5. Hongratanaworakit, T. and Buchbauer, G. “Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption.” Phytotherapy Research 20 (2006): 758-763. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.1950
6. Moss, Mark et al. “Modulations of Cognitive Performance and Mood by Essential Oils of Peppermint and Ylang Ylang.” International Journal of Neuroscience 118 (2008): 59-77. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207450601042094