What Essential Oils Are Good For Anxiety
Essential oils have many uses, but helping to reduce anxiety is a major one. Listed here are the top 7 best essential oils for anxiety:
Lavender essential oil is one of the most common essential oils, and perhaps the top essential oil for reducing anxiety. Lavender essential oil can produce a calming, relaxing effect and is considered to be an oil that is restorative to the nervous system. It helps with stress, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, nervous tension and nervous stomach.
There has actually been a number of clinical trials on the benefits of inhaling lavender essential oil that indicate a reduction in stress and anxiety. One study found that lavender effectively reduces generalized anxiety comparable to 0.5 mg/daily dosage of lorazepam, a common pharmaceutical drug used for anxiety disorders.
There is growing evidence suggesting that lavender oil may also be an effective remedy in treatment of several neurological disorders. Several animal and human studies suggest anxiolytic, mood stabilizer, sedative, analgesic, and anticonvulsive and neuroprotective properties for lavender.
To promote relaxation, you can simply add lavender oil to a diffuser, bath water or a spray bottle filled with water. You can also use lavender topically on your wrists, temples and back of neck.
Top Essential Oils For Anxiety And Depression
Anxiety or depression are negative emotions that are extremely hard to manage. Negative thoughts keep feeding each other and the patients mind is wired for survival and not happiness.
According to a 2014 study published by the American College of Health Sciences essential oils are effective in reducing pain and anxiety. When the anxiety and panic-stricken people were given a hand massage with a blend of essential oils for one week, they experienced a remarkable reduction in depression and pain.
Now, let us look at a few of the best essential oils you can use for getting relief from stress, anxiety, and depression.
Lavender Essential Oil Helps Relieve Anxiety Disorders
Essential oil from lavender is one of the best essential oils for lowering anxiety levels and relieving stress.
The journal Mental Health Clinician reported that lavender essential oil has many anxiolytic benefits. Compounds in lavender oil such as linalool and linalyl acetate inhibit neuroreceptors that are associated with anxiety. Inhaling lavender oil aromas has a calming effect without acting as a sedative.
A review of its calming properties found that lavender oil is a relaxing essential oil that helps protect the nervous system. Inhaling lavender scent is good for anxiety as it helps to reduce agitation, treat social anxiety disorders, and has an anti-depressant effect.
Lavender essential oil is also good for helping treat insomnia and improve sleep patterns. In fact, one study showed that lavender oil aromatherapy could be as effective as benzodiazepines in helping improve sleep quality.
One clinical trial involving 140 women found that lavender aromatherapy can help to treat postnatal depression and reduce stress and anxiety.
Lavender oil is also one of the best essential oils to help cope with panic attacks and anxiety disorders.
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Can You Really Expect Medicinal Effects From Aromatherapy
Essential oils are recognized as one of the fastest growing segments of the natural health industry. You can find these oils at neighborhood sales parties, your corner drugstore, specialty health food shops, and countless online retailers.
But as we all learned in middle school, popularity is fickle and has nothing to do with effectiveness. Which means this growing trend begs the question: Do essential oils work? Or are they just another passing fad.
Who better to address this question than a team of clinical researchers who specialize in integrative health? As some of the most widely published researchers in the world on essential oil’s effects on the human body, our research team can help you sort fact from fiction.
Lemongrass Essential Oil Helps Calm The Nervous System
The refreshing aromas of lemongrass essential oil vapors help to relieve nervous tension and provide natural stress relief.
In one clinical trial, 40 men were divided into groups and given various essential oil aromas to inhale. Scientists noticed that the group who received the lemongrass aromatherapy oils coped better under stressful conditions. Inhaling tea tree oil had no anti-anxiety effect.
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Which Treatments Actually Work
One treatment method that has been trending in the world of alternative medicine is aromatherapy in the form of essential oils. There are some that have claimed that essential oils have significantly improved anxiety and other issues, while it can be hard to come by much hard scientific evidence of the effects of them.
Essential oils are said to be calming & relaxing and are known to give off wonderful natural aromas. But can they really improve anxiety like some may think they do?
Best Essential Oils For Calming Anxious Feelings
The Best Essential Oils for Calming Anxious Feelings. Using pure essential oils as a natural remedy for stress relief or to help reduce anxiety can be very effective. Learn how to use essential oils, create blends and diffusing scents to create a calming atmosphere.
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Bergamot Oil Improves Feelings Of Well
Bergamot essential oil is a calming essential oil that helps to improve mood due to its uplifting scent.
One study on the calming effects of bergamot essential oil on rats found that sniffing the essential oil helps to stop anxious feelings. The researchers noticed that bergamot aromas have a similar effect to anti-anxiety medications like diazepam.
Another study found that the anti-stress effect of bergamot essential oil was due to the fact that it helps inhibit the stress hormone corticosterone.
There is also evidence to suggest that breathing in bergamot aromas reduces anxiety in humans. One mental health clinic found that diffusing bergamot scent in their waiting room induced feelings of well-being and had a positive effect on mental health.
How Do I Choose A Method To Apply Essential Oils
The application method chosen depends on the desired effect and the essential oil selected. For example, some essential oils are irritating to the skin because of their chemistry. These would need more dilution or might better be used by inhalation.
Once you have purchased an essential oil, the application method depends on the condition to be treated and the desired effect. Some tips:
Note: If you are unsure about which application method to use with essential oils, consult an qualified aromatherapist.
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Best Essential Oils For Calming Anxious Feelings & Better Sleep
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental fitness conditions in the US. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America approximates that roughly forty million American grownups are impacted by anxiety every year. There are countless proven ways to cure anxiety ailments, including mindfulness, medication, and psychotherapy. Anxiety, in turn, causes insomnia or poor sleep. The good news is, in recent years, investigations have indicated that essential lubricants can assist in eliminating manifestations of anxiety, therefore resulting in more sleep. While every essential oil is unique and can cause a specific impact, most of them can promote some level of relaxation to soothe the mind and body.
Calming Anxious Feelings Tips:
- Take one Adaptiv Calming Blend Capsule daily to combat stress, tension, and occasional anxious feelings.*
- Add three to four drops of Adaptiv Calming Blend to a relaxing Epsom Salt bath.
- Roll Adaptiv Touch onto wrists and temples whenever you feel the need to gain composure quickly.
- Take one to two drops of Lavender in a glass of water to help reduce anxious feelings.*
- Apply doTERRA Cheer® to your wrists and neck to promote feelings of optimism.
- Put a drop of doTERRA Balance on your pillow at night to promote relaxation and help soothe worried thoughts.
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Anxious Feelings And Essential Oils
Feelings of unease or worry can be helpful when they motivate you to take positive actions to solve problems. But they can be detrimental if they prevent you from experiencing joy and happiness in your daily life. If you have a difficult time soothing anxious feelings, there are essential oils that can help.
How To Use Essential Oils To Calm Stress & Anxiety Stat
Essential oils are wonderful tools for calming down when paired with other stress-relief techniques. There are a number of oils that can be helpful when anxiety strikes, such as rose, jasmine, and lavender.
More peer-reviewed research still needs to be done regarding the efficacy of essential oils, but anecdotally they seem to be helpful for many people and unlike prescription anxiety meditations, they come with few side effects. While essential oils cannot cure an anxiety disorder, they can help support a better mood and positively affect the body and mind. Here are a few ideas about how to use them the next time you feel anxiousness come on.
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What Is An Essential Oil
An essential oil is a type of plant extract. Chemists use a variety of methods to remove the volatile organic compounds from the plant material. Sometimes these oils are extracted with steam, other methods use chemical solvents to extract the oils. This means that the product is plant based but very potent as it contains only a very particular set of plant constituents.
In Fact Studies Seem To Back This Up
- Patients given bergamot essential oil therapy prior to surgery experienced a reduction in preoperative anxiety when compared to the control groups.
- Researchers found that dental clinics that exposed patients to ambient orange and lavender odors improved the mood and reduced anxiety of those waiting for treatment.
- The results of 16 controlled trials amongst people with anxiety symptoms mostly indicated a positive result regarding the anxiety-inhibiting effects of essential oils.
- Studies performed on 29 teachers in Taiwan concluded that bergamot essential oil had a positive effect on work related stress and anxiety.
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How Can You Use Essential Oils Safely
The quality of essential oils on the market varies greatly, from pureessential oils to those diluted with less expensive ingredients. Andbecause there’s no regulation, the label may not even list everythingthat’s in the bottle you’re buying. That’s why essential oilsshould not be ingested.
Johns Hopkins also advises against using essential oil diffusers, small householdappliances that create scented vapor. Diffusion in a public area orhousehold with multiple members can affect people differently. For example, peppermint is often recommended forheadaches. But if you use it around a child who’s less than 30 months old, the childcan become agitated. It could have a negative effect. Additionally,someone with fast heartbeat can react adversely to peppermint.
The safest ways to use essential oils include:
- Aromatherapy accessories: Necklaces, bracelets and keychains made with absorbent materials you apply essential oils to and sniff throughout the day.
- Body oil: A mixture of essential oils with a carrier oil such as olive, jojoba or coconut oil that can be massaged into skin. Because essential oils are concentrated, they can cause irritation. Avoid using them full-strength on skin.
- Aroma stick: Also called an essential oil inhaler, these portable plastic sticks have an absorbent wick that soaks up essential oil. They come with a cover to keep the scent under wraps until you’re ready.
What Are Essential Oils And Do They Work
Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy, a form of alternative medicine that employs plant extracts to support health and well-being.
However, some of the health claims associated with these oils are controversial.
This article explains all you need to know about essential oils and their health effects.
Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants.
The oils capture the plants scent and flavor, or essence.
Unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence.
Essential oils are obtained through distillation or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing.
Once the aromatic chemicals have been extracted, they are combined with a carrier oil to create a product thats ready for use.
The way the oils are made is important, as essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not considered true essential oils.
Summary
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor, or essence, of their source.
Essential oils are most commonly used in the practice of aromatherapy, in which they are inhaled through various methods.
Essential oils are not meant to be swallowed.
The chemicals in essential oils can interact with your body in several ways.
When applied to your skin, some plant chemicals are absorbed (
7 ).
However, this has yet to be confirmed in studies.
There are more than 90 types of essential oils, each with its own unique smell and potential health benefits.
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My Favorite Essential Oils For Anxiety
The year 2020 has definitely thrown everyone for a loop. Am I right? Anxious thoughts and stress are definitely out there, as are fear of the unknown. We start homeschooling with my oldest next week and if I could just tell you all the emotions going on in my head right now as it relates to that oh goodness youd be overloaded. I know Im not the only one dealing with all the feelings right now either.
So, what do we do with those feelings? Or better yet, how do we get those feelings under control so we arent consumed by them?
A practical tool I use on a daily basis to help reduce anxious thoughts and stress is essential oils.
Final Thoughts About Cbd Oil For Anxiety
CBD has shown promise as a means of reducing the symptoms of anxiety disorder. However, we recommend consulting with your primary care doctor before using CBD for anxiety. Also, please note that the FDA has not approved the cannabinoid, which is one of the reasons for the lack of industry regulation.
Regarding the best CBD brands, we feel that PureKana and Premium Jane lead the league, ahead of a handful of other excellent companies. Both brands have received rave reviews for the quality of their products, not to mention the value for money and customer service. Their range of products has helped countless individuals to manage the symptoms of everyday stress.
If you want to test the products for yourself and see how they work for you, be sure to visit the official online stores of PureKana and Premium Jane.
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Orange And Neroli Essential Oils Relieves Anxiety And Improve Mood
The relaxing scent of orange essential oil and neroli is a great natural remedy to uplift your mood and ease feelings of fear and apprehension.
Various trials have shown that calming essential oils for anxiety such as orange oil help to deal with anxiety in stressful situations. For example, inhaling orange essential oil helps reduce stress during childbirth.
Other studies have shown that using aromatherapy orange essential oils in a dentists room helps reduce anxiety and stress in children during dental treatment.
One study found that bitter orange essential oil can be good for panic attacks and to help manage anxiety disorders.
A 2018 study found that bitter orange extracts were just as effective as lavender extracts in relieving anxiety in postmenopausal women.
Tolerable For External Use
Researchers have determined that lavender oil is tolerated well by users for aromatherapy. In these cases, toxicity is low, and poisoning by lavender oil is rare. Plus, it has the FDAs seal of approval, which, to us, has an anxiety-relieving name: Generally Recognized as Safe.
To use topically though, you must always make sure to dilute properly in a carrier oil and do a patch test first.
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Essential Oils For Anxiety And Depression
Anybody that has suffered from anxiety during their lives is fully aware of its debilitating nature. The exhaustion, the lack of appetite and the tightening muscles are an all too familiar feeling. All around you feel absolutely miserable. Believe me when I say that I know how you feel.
Anxiety can make even the most mundane daily chores a misery. Driving to work with that feeling of dread, palpitations, and sweaty hands is no fun at all. Anxiety disorders can be so severe that you spend most of your time anxious about your next anxiety attack. It can be a real vicious circle with no end in sight.
There is any number of recommended treatments for anxiety, ranging from pharmaceuticals to breathing exercises. I myself had a great deal of success by quitting caffeine, cutting down on alcohol consumption and taking up jogging. Those are certainly beneficial actions but not the focus of this article. Using essential oils for anxiety seemed crazy to me at first but a friend changed my mind.
A few years back a friend of mine who suffered from fairly acute anxiety issues started to swear by his use of lavender oil. He dropped it onto his pillow every night and could often be seen walking around town with a little lavender bean bag under his nose. He was a big, fit young man and got his fair share of mocking but I was intrigued.
Essential Oils For Focus And Energy
If stress or anxiety is keeping you from getting things done, try diffusing an essential oil that will give you an energy kick and help you focus.
Orange essential oil is great for bringing a sense of calm without putting you to sleep.
Peppermint promotes feelings of peace and clarity, helping you shake off negative feelings and focus.
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