Essential Oils to Combat Anxiety

We live in a hurrisome, worrisome world.  It’s just a sad but true fact.  If you are worried about being worried and stressed about being stressed, you might consider essential oils to combat anxiety. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders currently disrupt the lives of over 40 million Americans between the ages of 18 and 54.  It is suspected that even more suffer but have not sought help. 

Anxiety can be mild, moderate or severe.  For some, it comes and goes, usually depending upon the level of stressful situations they are exposed to.  There are also those who suffer from anxiety on a chronic level, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Individuals who have GAD or excessive anxiety of any kind are six more likely to end up being hospitalized for psychiatric reasons.

Anxiety is nothing new.  People throughout the ages have been uptight and overloaded.  Just think of the guys that built the pyramids and how much they must have had on their minds.  The ancient Mayans were so worried, they created worry dolls.  They also relied heavily on essential oils to calm their anxious nerves and so did many other civilizations of old.  The same thing that worked for them can work for you too. Below are the most commonly used essential oils to combat anxiety.

Lavender is probably the most popular of all the essential oils for anxiety.  It earned its reputation as being a natural calming remedy hundreds of years ago when it was used to tame lions and tigers, or so the story goes at least. 

One of the ingredients in Lavender essential oil that makes it so effective is linalyl acetate which promotes a very relaxed state of mind.  Lavender is a restorative for the nervous system, an anti-depressant and has sedative qualities as well.  The use of lavender essential oil is now being practiced in some hospitals and dental offices to relieve stress and anxiety in patients.  Lavender essential oil can be applied or inhaled.

Another essential oil that promotes calmness and alleviates anxiety is Vetiver.  Vetiver has a scent that is thick with earth and wood.  Men who often balk at floral scents find it very appealing and manly.  Vetiver is grounding, stabilizing and calming.  It mostly concentrates on the nervous system where it is a powerful defense against panic attacks, shock and the jitters.  It can be directly applied to the skin along with a carrier oil or can be used as a bath soak which adds an extra air or relaxation to the mix.

Bergamot is a wonder-worker when it comes to battling anxiety and calming tense nerves.  It originates from a yellow fruit that is much like a small orange and has been used for hundreds of years not only to treat anxiety and depression but for a multitude of things as well like to get rid of fevers and parasites too.  It is found in Earl Gray and other teas and can also be massaged on, used in aromatherapy or soaked in.

Rose essential oil is a natural solution for anxiety.  Roses are often associated with love and the same is true with the volatile oil and even more so since the oil is in concentrated form.  Not only does rose essential oil promote love and positive emotions, it balances hormones, decreases depression and increases libido.  Sweet!

Ylang ylang has a sweet, floral scent and is recognized as being peaceful, calming and balancing.  That is what makes it so effective when it comes to stomping out anxiety.  It is an ancient remedy for unwinding the mind and soul, not only embraced for promoting positive emotions but also for getting rid of negative ones like anger, fear and low self-esteem.

Frankincense essential oil has a sedative quality which is effective in warding off stress, anxiety and depression.  It is perhaps most known as being gifted to the newborn baby Jesus in the Bible and going even further back in the Old Testament of the Hebrew Bible, it was offered as incense on the altar. 

The spiritual roots of Frankincense are strong and the benefits it blesses the body with are many.  It is recommended not just as a remedy to treat anxiety but to prevent it as well.  If you foresee a stressful situation on your horizon, why not prepare for it in advance?  Frankincense can be applied topically, ingested, or used as a very pleasant scented aromatherapy. 

Chamomile, especially Roman Chamomile, is a gentle touch for hard core anxiety.  Sometimes you just need a smooth, calm to quieten the storm and that’s when chamomile essential oil can be your saving grace.  This fruity-sweet scented oil is derived from chamomile flowers and is a powerful sleep aid and also helps with restlessness, ADHD and a number of other anxiety related woos.  You can find chamomile in teas and other drinks and you can also soak in it, apply it topically or inhale the soft, fresh scent.

Peppermint essential oil is another mint on the “Best De-stress List”.  It is an invigorating and enlightening essential oil thus making it a great option as an anti-anxiety remedy.  It is rich in menthol which stimulates the brain and calms the nerves.  If you are suffering from anxiety, you can reap the benefits of peppermint essential oil through tea, soak baths, aromatherapy, direct massage or you can even take it orally in moderation. 

If you are finding yourself so stressed out and anxious that you feel life is passing you by, it probably is.  Anxiety robs us of what we could have.  It steals the life we could be experiencing but aren’t because we are so stressed out.  Don’t waste another minute worrying.  Don’t pass up the chance to enjoy life.  Take charge and get your life back by using essential oils to combat anxiety. Have you used any other essential oils to combat anxiety? Share your thoughts in the comments below.