Some essential oils seem to work as natural tranquilizers, so, increasingly, they’re being used for anxiety.
Aromatherapy stress formulas are often sold as blends, containing multiple oils, because it’s believed that specific mixes can create a synergy not found in single oils.
Lavender essential oil is typically found in every stress blend.
This aromatic oil is among the most studied.
Evidence shows lavender essential oil does appear to be able to take the edge off.
Aromatherapy Oils for Stress
(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase a product I receive a referral fee, at no extra cost to you.)
Lavender, citrus, geranium, neroli ylang ylang, clary sage, cedarwood and patchouli oils are often found in this blends. I buy most of my oils from Plant Therapy and Aura Cacia. But, recently, I decided to try a stress blend made by Edens Garden, another trusted company. (Essential oil fraud is a concern, given the huge market for aromatherapy products. So I’m really careful where I shop.
This is just one of a seemingly growing number of stress blends on the market. I’m sure there are others that are just as good. But, since this is the one I’m currently using, I wanted to tell you about it.
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils For Anxiety
A lot of stress blends are being produced. Apparently, they’re being sold to consumers, hoping to unwind from the pressures of life. Single oils, such as lavender, ylang ylang, are often used for sleep and relaxation. But Is there any scientific proof that essential oils can take the edge off?
Actually, there is. There aren’t a lot of studies yet. But the little research that’s been done indicates that aromatherapists have been right all along. Some essential oils do have the potential to reduce tension.
How To Use Lavender Essential Oil For Sleep
Check with your own health care provider if you need help sleeping. Since I’m not a doctor, I can’t give medical advice, or promise any one remedy will cure your insomnia. All I can do is share with you my own experience using essential oils.
Lavender oil has a pleasing, soothing scent. It’s probably the best-known aromatic sleep remedy. This is one of the oils I often sprinkle on a tissue (or cloth) at night, and place it by my pillow.
The calming scent of lavender essential oil seems to help me sleep. I am careful not to use too much, so the scent is not overpowering. Just a drop. If it smells too strong, I simply move the tissue farther away from my head.
Lavender is one of the most studied aromatics, at least in terms of reducing anxiety. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “Research has confirmed that lavender produces slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled.”
Lavender Essential Oil For Anxiety
The UMMC also points out that lavender oil can also help with insomnia. (Aromatherapists have long recommended lavender for sleep.) The medical center’s site noted that an old folk remedy involved filling pillows with lavender. (Even today, you can still find lavender-scented sachets designed for sleep problems.) Other research has found that lavender oil may help calm agitation in patients with dementia.
One study published in the Evidence Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine journal noted that, “Several animal and human investigations suggest anxiolytic, mood stabilizer, sedative, analgesic, and anticonvulsive and neuroprotective properties for lavender.”
Lavender oil seems to be exceptionally safe when used correctly. This means it must be diluted with a carrier oil before putting it on your skin. A little bit of lavender essential oil is all you need. A typical dilution ratio for a small area of skin would be 2 percent, or the equivalent of three drops to one teaspoon of carrier oil. (Olive oil makes a good carrier.) Here is my favorite brand of lavender oil, sold by a family-run business in Idaho that works with world-famous aromatherapy expert Robert Tisserand.
Essential Oil Blends For Stress
Even though I normally buy Plant Therapy oils, I was very curious to sample Edens Garden. So I bought a special stress relief blend that contains citrus, ylang ylang and patchouli oils. It smells strongly of citrus. But you can smell the patchouli, which reminds me of flower children from the 60’s. Patchouli is very soothing. I like to rotate my sleep oils, so, on a number of nights, instead of lavender, I’d sprinkle some patchouli oil on a tissue.
Anyway, I like this particular stress blend a lot. One big benefit is that I can use it in the day, without getting drowsy. Citrus oils, at least for me, are both soothing and uplifting.
Edens Garden Stress Relief Blend
I like to give my readers different options, so they know what’s offered by some of the most trusted brands. I don’t generally buy MLM oils, because that’s not how I prefer to shop. I’m assuming some of my readers feel the same way. So I want them to know that really good choices exist outside of the large multilevel marketing networks. Another brand you can trust is Plant Therapy, which also makes a Worry Free Synergy Blend with lavender, marjoram, ylang ylang, sandlewood, vanilla and Roman chamomile oils.
Essential Oil Blends For Calming Children
Not all essential oils should be used on children. So an adult stress blend may or may not be appropriate for little ones. However, Plant Therapy makes a line of KidSafe essential oils developed by Robert Tisserand. I have immense respect for his safety advice, as he seems to always err on the side of caution. So I can recommend the products he endorses, because it know they are thoroughly researched and tested. (All of Plant Therapy oils are tested twice, and one of these tests is run by a third party.)
Even though essential oils are very safe, some may be too strong for children. Plant Therapy Calming the Child Synergy Blend contains lavender, tangerine, mandarin and Roman chamomile oils. These are full-strength oils, so there’s absolutely no reason they can’t be used by adults too.
Plant Therapy Calming the Child
Essential Oil Blend Recipes For Stress
If you already own essential oils, you can easily make your own stress relief blend. I did this once. My mistake was mixing it during the day, and then putting it on my skin. I was so relaxed that all I wanted to do was sleep. (I got very little work done that day.) I’d probably advise against using this if you plan to drive, or operate any type of heavy machinery.
Maybe you won’t have the same reaction I did. (I tend to be sensitive to things.) But it seemed to result in a powerful synergy.
Anyway, here is my recipe:
Lavender essential oil (You can order it here)
Ylang ylang essential oil (You can order it here)
Patchouli essential oil (You can order it here)
Geranium essential oil (You can order it here)
Vanilla essential oil (You can order it here)
Mix one drop of each of these oils with 4 teaspoons of olive oil, or another carriers oil, such as grapeseed or fractionated coconut oil. You can use this for massage. Store what’s left over in a clean glass jar with a lid. Make sure to keep this away from heat and light.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
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