It’s believed that almost 20% of adults in the United States have an anxiety disorder, making it the most common mental health concern in this country.[1] But while anxiety triggers may be unavoidable, it doesn’t mean we have to give in. 

Aromatherapy has long been touted for its ability to offer stress relief. Those already immersed in the world of essential oils deeply understand how valuable aromatherapy is in reducing stress. Additionally, a growing body of research is proving the effectiveness of aromatherapy for stress and anxiety relief.

But don’t just take our word for it – we’ve compiled a list of our most popular and well-reviewed essential oils for stress, facts on essential oils that offer a calming effect, along with expert tips on how to use essential oils for anxiety. 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. Here’s what science has shown us about aromatherapy for anxiety. 

• 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.[2]
• 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.[3]

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. 

The Best Essential Oils For Anxiety

Our essential oil chemists, aromatherapists and experts have done a painstaking amount of research and testing to find the best essential oil for anxiety. What they found was that there are many essential oils renowned for their ability to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. This then led us to formulate several blends, each intended to help you release anxiety. 

To better understand the difference between these synergy blends, we’ll go over some of the details that make each one unique.  

Anxiety Ease

Anxiety Ease has a slightly floral and sweet aroma with notes of citrus. Its uplifting, cheerful aroma will help you regain those moments of clarity and confidence when you feel your cortisol levels spike. It contains Lemongrass, Ylang Ylang and Sweet Orange essential oils.

Several of our blends contain sweet, floral Ylang Ylang, but Anxiety Ease is the only one that contains Lemongrass oil. This addition makes it a perfectly balanced blend which helps when you’re trying to figure out how to ease anxiety. Adding this blend to an essential oil diffuser helps you remain focused on the task at hand. 

Worry Less

Worry Less essential oil blend has a complex, multi-faceted, yet simple aroma, favorited by many. It is earthy, soothing and floral with a restorative quality. Worry Less contains the following essential oils:

• Vetiver Essential Oil
• Lavender Essential Oil
• Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
• Frankincense Essential Oil
• Clary Sage Essential Oil
• Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil
• Cistus Essential Oil
• Spearmint Essential Oil

Here, you’ll notice several oils intended for lowering anxious feelings, as well as several herbs from the Lamiaceae family: Spearmint oil, Clary Sage oil and Sweet Marjoram oil. Plants in the family are great aids for headaches and migraines, so perhaps it’s no surprise that they can help relieve stress, too.

Stress Relief

Stress Relief is a balanced blend that has a strong citrus aroma with notes of musk, thanks to Patchouli oil. It includes:

• Orange- Sweet Essential Oil
• Bergamot Essential Oil
• Patchouli Essential Oil
• Grapefruit Essential Oil
• Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

This has been a favorite blend among our community since Edens Garden’s inception and it’s no wonder why. Stress Relief is a bottle of “you can do this.”

Powered by essential oils derived from citrus fruits including Bergamot oil, it is incredibly revitalizing. 

Be Still

Be Still is musky, woody and grounding, with a hint of sweetness. If earthy aromas help you to regain balance, Be Still has a fitting aroma for you. It includes:

• Frankincense Essential Oil
• Patchouli Essential Oil
• Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
• Cistus Essential Oil
• West Indian Sandalwood Essential Oil
• Hawaiian Sandalwood Essential Oil
• Rose Absolute
• Osmanthus Absolute

Confident Sandalwood and uplifting Rose oil are two of the components that make this blend unique. Allow the chaos to subside and let stillness smooth away rough edges with Be Still.

Tranquility 

Tranquility has a powdery, soft, subtly sweet and floral aroma thanks to:

• Lavender Essential Oil
• Cedarwood Essential Oil
• Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
• Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil
• Chamomile- Roman Essential Oil
• Vetiver Essential Oil
• Sandalwood Essential Oil
• Vanilla CO2

Many have remarked that Tranquility’s aroma is serene and peaceful with a lulling quality to it, thanks in large part to soothing Lavender oil and Chamomile oil. 

Tranquility is one of our essential oil combinations that can help replenish and restore as you wind down for the day and prepare for restful sleep.

How To Use Essential Oils For Anxiety

Perhaps you’ve picked your perfect oil, but how do you use it? Here are our top recommendations for using essential oils for anxiety. 

• Inhale: Add 10-15 drops of your blend to an ultrasonic diffuser, such as the Terrazzo or Diamond. For on-the-go aromatherapy, add your blend to the Mio Mist Portable Diffuser, Essential Oil Inhaler or a Jewelry Diffuser. 
• Topical: Apply your anxiety-relieving blend to your pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, temples or inner elbows. Dilute your essential oil beforehand by combining 12 drops of your blend with 2 tbsps of any carrier oil such as Coconut oil. 
• Bath: Combine 6 drops of your blend with 2 tbsps of carrier oil and 2 tbsps of Epsom salt. Add to warm, running water and soak in the goodness.
• Spritz: Create an anxiety-relieving spray with your blend by combining 60 drops of your blend with 2 tbsps of grain alcohol. Let that sit for a few hours before adding 3 oz of distilled water. Transfer to a glass spray bottle and shake before spraying. Alternatively, try Anxiety Ease Room Spray. 

SOURCES:

1. Anxiety Disorders. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders
2. Effects of Aromatherapy on the Anxiety, Vital Signs, and Sleep Quality of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients in Intensive Care Units. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3588400
3. The Effects of Aromatherapy on Intensive Care Unit Patients’ Stress and Sleep Quality: A Nonrandomised Controlled Trial. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5742427