The Effectiveness of Essential Oils on Anxiety and Stress Relief

1. The Effectiveness of Essential Oils on Anxiety and Stress Relief In today's fast-paced life stress and anxiety have become common issues. This causes various stress- related health issues, and it negatively impacts both mental and physical health. Stress and anxiety can be attributed to lack of sleep, increasing lifestyle commitments, and work pressures. Aromatherapy has been used since ancient times to elevate feelings of calm and relaxation. Inhaling and applying pure essential oils help to relieve stress, insomnia, or depression. This natural solution acts by stimulating areas of the brain,i.e., responsible for our emotions. Essential oils effectively help to release negative emotions, calm the mind, and reduce stress. We will discuss ten of the best essential oils for stress and anxiety and their applications. 1. Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender essential oil works excellent for its relaxing, calming properties, and balancing effects on emotions. This oil is effective in high blood pressure, headaches, nervous tension, and depression. It is used in various ways in aromatherapy as bath salt, massage oil. Application: Add several drops of this essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil or an unscented bath gel. Stir the mixture into warm bath water just before entering the shower. 2. Rose Essential Oil: This oil extracted from rose petals. Roses have an enchanting floral odor. Rose is known for strengthening the heart in periods of high stress, grief, and depression. According to a study (National Institute of Health), using a rose aromatherapy footbath can lessen the anxiety of pregnant women during labor.

2. Application: i) Use this oil in a warm bath or apply directly on the skin to support mood swings, hormones, and emotions. ii) Soak your feet in a tub filled with warm water then diluted rose essential oil. iii) Add the oil to any non-scented moisturizer and massage into the skin. 3. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: Ylang Ylang essential oil has a relaxing floral fragrance. This essential oil extracted from the Indonesian Cananga tree. It uplifts your energy if you feel low and helps to stay calm. This essential oil promotes feelings of comfort and joy and simultaneously reduces heart rate, and promotes relaxation. Smelling this oil can help release negative emotions, reducing stress. According to a study(2006) on nurses, inhaling a blend of ylang-ylang, lavender, and bergamot relieved stress and anxiety levels. Application: Apply diluted Ylang Ylang essential oil to the skin, add to a room diffuser, or may inhale directly. 4. Vetiver Essential Oil: This oil comes from the grassy vetiver plant native to India and Sri Lanka. It has a sweet earthy scent. It used as an aphrodisiac. Vetiver essential oil often referred to as the oil of tranquility. It soothes stress, anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Application: i) Use diluted vetiver essential oil for a good, relaxing massage. ii) Also used in a diffuser. 5. German Chamomile Essential Oil: You can diffuse this oil for a calm breath on a busy day. If you love chamomile tea, you will appreciate the calming effects of this oil. It improves inner calm, reduces anxiety. It used to reduce inflammation of the digestive tract, regulating mood, and stress levels. Application: i) Combine chamomile essential oil with a carrier oil and apply it to the belly button to relieve stress. ii) Add it to a warm bath. 6. Bergamot essential oil: This oil produced from the peel of the aromatic citrus fruit. It's often used in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance the flow of energy. It fights against bacterial infections and supports digestive health. This essential oil is an effective antidepressant. It improves blood circulation, stimulates hormonal secretions, and brings balance to the body. Application: Place a few drops of this oil onto a cotton ball or handkerchief. Inhale the aroma two or three times to relieve anxiety. 7. Holy Basil Essential Oil: Holy basil, also known as Tulsi. It contains eugenol, a compound that gives a spicy, minty aroma. According to research (National Institutional health, 2014), holy basil is an adaptogenic herb. It has shown promise in treating physical and mental stress. It's considered the queen of herbs in India. It's revered and treated as sacred due to its highly beneficial properties. This oil has a calming effect on the nervous system, fatigue, mental strain, and depression. Application: Add a few drops of this oil to your diffuser and enjoy the calming and relaxing aroma.

3. 8. Frankincense Essential Oil: The oil made from the resin of the Boswellia tree. It has a rich, warm aroma, can lift your mood, boost the oxygen supply to your brain, stimulate the limbic system, and helping to bring your emotions back. Application: i) Massage diluted the essential oil onto your hands or feet. ii) Can add this oil to the diffuser. iii) Adding it to your bath helps relax both mind and body. 9. Clary Sage Essential Oil: Clary sage is a medicinal herb. It has anxiety-relieving properties. With a beautiful earthy smell, the oil is effective in calming stress and anxiety. This oil is known to act as a great hormone balancer and help reduce symptoms of PMS. Application: i) Apply directly to feet or pulse points to help balance hormones. ii) Combine with a few drops of chamomile oil to enjoy a hot bath. 10. Lemon Essential Oil: Lemon essential oils sourced from the leaves of the lemon plants. This oil has a rich citrus scent and the anxiety-relieving property. Application: Any citrus essential oil increases sensitivity to sunlight. You should protect skin from all sun exposure when using this oil. Add a few drops of this oil to the diffuser to add aroma to an entire room. Most of the experimental testimony to support the anxiety-relieving properties of essential oils come from animal studies. To reinforce and fully understand these findings, researchers need to conduct more large-scale studies in humans. It's important to dilute essential oils in an appropriate carrier oil first. Essential oils can sometimes cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, so you should test them on a small patch of skin before applying to larger areas.