The benefits of essential oils for treating everyday ailments dates back to ancient times.

The very early "physicians" truly understood the interconnectedness of mental, physical and spiritual health and therefore considered essential oils to be a vital tool for supporting holistic wellbeing in a natural way.

Anxiety is a condition that is as old as human existence itself.  However, instead of it being a short term primal response to a moment of uncertainty or fear, anxiety has become an ongoing emotional condition that greatly impacts many people every single day.

Why Essential Oils Can Help Anxiety

Healers of the past relied on the sedative powers of pure plant essential to help alleviate anxiety and restore a sense of equilibrium and calmness, but unfortunately essential oils are widely overlooked by most of today's health industry professionals in favour of synthetic solutions.

Certain essential oils are particularly effective for alleviating anxiety because they calm the nervous system due to their direct pathway to the limbic lobe of the brain.  This area is the emotional control centre that activates both negative and positive responses including anxiety, depression, anger, fear, fulfilment and joy.

Studies have shown that by aromatically inhaling certain essential oils, it can help calm and energise the body and mind and and even aid sleep.

For this reason, pure essential oils are widely embraced by the holistic health community as part of an overall self care approach to managing emotional wellness in addition to the physical health benefits.

Purity Matters With Essential Oils

When it comes to managing anxiety with essential oils, the integrity and purity of the oils you use really matters.

Unfortunately, many essential oils you'll find on the market are combined with fillers and chemical additives for economies of scale that can impact their effectiveness.  This compromise on purity is not something you want when you're relying on the natural intelligence of the effluvial (fragrant) molecules in pure essential oils to target the emotional centre of the brain. 

For this reason, we only recommend doTERRA essential oils because we believe that they're the purest and highest quality available on the market as they're tested to rigorous standards and they are certified therapeutic grade.

Also, each essential oil is sourced from habitats around the world in which they naturally thrive and have been cultivated for generations.  In other words, essential oils should not be mass harvested in artificial environments and quality and authenticity should never be sacrificed for profit.

7 Recommended Essential Oils To Help Ease Anxiety

Here is our favourite list of essential oils known for their wonderful properties in helping to ease anxiety as part of a self care approach.

1. Lavender

Lavender essential oil is the most widely adopted essential oil for easing anxiety.

Over centuries of use oil from this flowering plant has been shown to promote feelings of calmness, enhance sleep, reduce irritability and nervous tension.

You can use lavender topically by placing a couple of drops on the chest, temples, pillow or balls of your feet before you go to bed or after showering in the morning.

Also, adding 2-3 drops of lavender essential oils to a diffuser next to your bed while you sleep or in the space where you work is a great way to get the benefit of this amazing essential oil.  Lavender can also be added to a hot bath with Epsom Salts and other essential oils of your choice, for a calming, soothing, relaxation soak.

2. Vetiver

Vetiver essential oil  is a perennial bunchgrass native to India and highly prized for its roots, which when distilled, are used to make vetiver essential oil. 

Vetiver is ideal to help ease anxiety as it has a very grounding, soothing effect.  Apply a few drops topically to different points of your body morning and night, or have your masseuse add 3-5 drops to their main carrier oil for a soothing, relaxation massage.

Also, vetiver's earthy, woody scent makes it immensely calming for aromatic use with a diffuser in your nearby area throughout the day.

3. Ylang Ylang

People who feel anxious don't always need to be calmed down.  Anxious feelings can often require a shift or elevation in mood - which certain essential oils, like Ylang Ylang, are renowned for. 

Ylang ylang essential oil can help people both calm you down and cheer you up, making it a fantastic essential oil for easing anxiety.

Ylang yang essential oil is made from the flower of the Cananga odorata herb and is most often applied topically to the skin for its anxiety-reducing, mood-elevating, aromatic effects. 

When using ylang ylang, especially on sensitive skin, it is best to dilute the oil a little by combining 2-3 drops with a small amount of carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, for best results.

4. Geranium

Geranium is considered, "the oil of love and trust" due to it's beautiful calming effect.

The smell of geranium can help soothe the nerves and reduce feelings of anxiety or stress, making it a perfect oil for topical or aromatic use - morning, night, or at any time during your busy day.

Geranium essential oil is also a wonderful oil for aiding relaxation, making it the perfect addition to a hot salt bath at night time or for incorporating into a massage oil blend.  It also works very well when diffused in your home office, bedroom or working environment to help calm the air around you.

5. Bergamot

Floral in aroma and taste, bergamot essential oil is a soothing way to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and treat insomnia. 

Interestingly, Bergamot is a common ingredient in Earl Grey Tea, so you can also add 1-2 drops of this oil to warm water to enjoy the calming benefits of this amazing oil.  Of course, Bergamot is another wonderful oil to diffuse in your home or working environment to help you stay balanced and composed.

6. Frankincense

Widely regarded as the "King of essential oils" dating back to ancient times, Frankincense is one of the most effective essential oils for easing anxiety and emotional tension.

Frankincense derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree, which is native to the Middle East, India and Africa. Its distinctive spicy, woody smell is instantly soothing and grounding. 

Frankincense essential oil deepens spiritual connection and enhances focus, which can help to soothe anxiety.

Apply 1-2 drops of Frankincense essential oil topically to your temples, chest or diaphragm morning and night.  Diffuse it for aromatic benefits or add several drops to a hot relaxation bath with epsom salts. 

7. Chamomile

Chamomile essential oil is great for easing anxiety as it is most renowned to subdue irritability, worry and overactive thinking. 

Made from chamomile flowers, this essential oil promotes intense feelings of peacefulness and quiet purpose.

Add 1-2 drops of chamomile essential oil to a mug of hot water for anxiety-easing tea, or add to a warm bath or to your diffuser.

The Main Take Away

Anxiety is a common and natural emotion that can be triggered from time to time, but the key is to not allow it to rule your life.

When incorporated together with simple self care tools such as deep breathing, earthing and exercise, if you're susceptible to bouts of anxiety, be sure to embrace pure essential oils.  Essential oils are gifts from nature have unique intelligence that targets the cells to help restore calmness and balance without side-effects.

Keep in mind also, that the purity and efficacy of essential oils you choose is important, however you don't need to go overboard or feel overwhelmed when you're selecting or buying essential oils. 

Simply go with a few of the essential oils recommended to you here and you'll be on your way to benefiting from essential oils as a tool for easing anxiety whenever it arises and even helping to prevent it altogether.

Tolman Self Care.