There are many essential oils that you can use for stress, depending on whether you want to create a relaxing, calming, or uplifting mood. For the ultimate essential oil blend for stress, combine three to five essential oils. You can add essential oils to a diffuser, an aromatherapy inhaler, to the bath, to a carrier oil, to a spray, lotion, or any other type of bath and body product. Remember to dilute all essential oils before applying them to the skin. Here are my five suggestions for essential oils for stress.
Lavender Essential Oil for Stress
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a popular essential oil that is chosen for stress. Its “familiar” scent probably goes a long way towards its choice but it does possess relaxing and calming therapeutic properties. If you like a floral aroma, this is good, “safe” choice, although it can be combined with one of the citrus essential oils to give it an extra lift.
Although true lavender is the most well-known of the lavender essential oils, you can also use lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) essential oil for the same purpose.
Neroli Essential Oil for Stress
Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara (flos)) essential oil is a good choice for stress related to shock, anxiety, grief, and loss. Neroli essential oil is extracted from the flowers of the orange tree and has a deep, intoxicating, orange-floral aroma.
It was traditionally used in weddings (in bridal bouquets and bridal crowns) in an attempt to calm the nerves of the bride on her wedding day. It also possesses some aphrodisiac properties.
Vetiver Essential Oil for Stress
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizaniodes) essential oil has a haunting, smoky, earthy aroma that calms the spirit and can help you to meditate more easily. Surprisingly, it is extracted from a grass, not the tree bark or resin like some of its counterpart essential oil (aromas).
Vetiver essential oil blends well with orange essential oils, lavender, and jasmine essential oils. Like neroli essential oil, it is a good essential oil to use with shock and bereavement.
Cardamom Essential Oil for Stress
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) essential oil might not be as well known as some other essential oils used for stress, but it contains some valuable therapeutic properties. Use cardamom essential oil for stress caused by mental fatigue, nervous strain, to improve concentration levels, and for stress related to anxiety and depression.
Cardamom essential oil has a warming, spicy aroma and blends well with similar spice oils, neroli, orange, and ylang ylang essential oils. It is extracted from the seeds of the cardamom herb.
Lime Essential Oil for Stress
Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) essential oil has a fresh, sweet citrus aroma, that is slightly different to orange, if you want to use a citrus essential oil but you don't want to opt for orange. Citrus essential oils aid in respiratory and immune system (colds, flu, fever) problems, so they are great to use with stress associated with these conditions.
Lime essential oil is extracted from the peel of the lime and it is literally “squeezed” out from the skin. Lime essential oil can be used interchangeably with lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil for an alternative aroma.
Using Essential Oils for Stress
Remember to check cautions for particular essential oils before using them for stress. If in doubt, consult a certified aromatherapist. Utilized correctly and safely, essential oils are a good tool to help with all sorts of stress-related problems.
References:
- Falsetto, Sharon, 2014, Authentic Aromatherapy, US: Skyhorse Publishing
- Lawless, Julia, 1995, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, UK: Thorsons
- A decade of the international training and experience of a certified aromatherapist.
Comments on this post ( 1 )
Great post, I am already using Lavender oil for sleep and stress, I will definitely try some Neroli and Lime as they smell lovely. Thank you for the information! I’m already subscribed to your blogs and really enjoy reading them
— angela