Aromatherapy is a natural way to relieve stress. These oils are not ordinary cooking or beauty oils because they are made from plant extracts that go through different processes. The scent of these essential oils is believed to result in better health and well-being.
Essential oils are not just best for stress relief. It also offers other benefits such as:
Decreased Tension
Boosts Mood
Promotes Relaxation and Calmness
Reduced Anxiety
How do essential oils help reduce stress?
Essential oils are ideal for inhalation to reduce stress and fatigue. Once you start inhaling the scent of essential oils, your olfactory nerve will be activated. The brain will know the presence of the scent and it will trigger the emotion center of your nervous system so that the lavender oil will stimulate stress-relief effects.
Other benefits of how it reduces stress are the following:
Inhaling essential oils can help clear your mind so that you can think more clearly
It can also help improve circulation
The scent of essential oils can also help you relax and feel calmer
Essential oils can also help to reduce anxiety and depression
Let's Get to Know More
Each essential oil on the list is carefully picked and included according to its capacity to produce stress-relief and relaxation effects. So, here are the top six essential oils for stress that will give you the best results for stress relief.
Best for Relaxation: Lavender
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils and it has many benefits. It can be used to relax and calm the mind. It's extracted from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia. This oil is famous for its different functions and is used by many essential oil enthusiasts and even by aromatherapy beginners.
Lavender is equipped with effective calming effects that will significantly reduce stress levels. Also, if you are a fan of fresh floral and aromatic scents, lavender might be the best option. Not to mention that it can be used topically and in diffusers.
If you want to use lavender oil for its calming effects, you can add a few drops to your diffuser or use it topically. For topical application, mix a few drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil and apply it to your wrists or neck. You can also add a few drops of lavender oil to your bathtub for a relaxing experience!
Best for Sleep: Chamomile
Chamomile oil is known for its sedative properties and can aid sleeping problems. This essential oil's scent tends to be more subtle than lavender oil.
Thus, chamomile oil is the best alternative if you want an essential oil that has less fragrance and a warm floral scent. As a matter of fact, studies regarding chamomile oil revealed that people who use this oil could acquire reduced symptoms of anxiety.
Best for Meditation: Orange
Relax your mind with the citrus scent of orange oil. This oil's vibrant and fresh scent can fight anxiety and provide relaxation effects with just a few drops.
Also, its energizing fragrance can increase the presence of the mind and calming properties that balance your mood; thus, orange oil is great for meditation too.
Utilize this oil in your diffuser to enjoy its benefits or add a few drops to your favorite lotion or carrier oil for a topical application. Now that you know about the benefits of orange oil, don't hesitate to add it to your aromatherapy routine!
Best for depression: Jasmine
Jasmine essential oil is exceptionally known for its uplifting and calming effects. This oil is extracted from white Jasmine flowers that can block negative emotions and increase better mood.
A study in 2010 also discovered that inhaling jasmine essential oil can assist in relieving depression, increase the oxygen level in the blood, and boost alertness.
Jasmine essential oil can be used in many different ways, including:
Inhaling the oil directly from the bottle
Diffusing the oil in a diffuser-Adding a few drops of the oil to a bath
Massaging the oil into the skin
Adding a few drops of the oil to a pot of boiling water, then inhaling the vapors
Best for pain relief: Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a well-known plant for medicinal use. However, this plant offers more than its medicinal properties.
The potent minty smell of eucalyptus is excellent for relieving pain. Eucalyptus oil is also ideal for lowering blood pressure and pain levels if it's used for inhalation.
The eucalyptus plant can also be used for a variety of purposes, including:
The leaves of the eucalyptus plant can be used to make a tea that is effective in treating colds, congestion, and headaches.
The leaves can also be used as a compress to relieve pain from muscle aches and bruises.
The essential oil of eucalyptus can be used in a diffuser to help clear sinuses and breathe easier.
Eucalyptus oil can also be added to a bath to help relieve muscle pain and tension.
Best for Rest: Ylang-ylang
Have you heard about ylang-ylang? If not, these are bright flowers that grow from the Cananga tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. Ylang-ylang oil is one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy. It has a sweet, floral scent that is both relaxing and uplifting.
The scent of ylang-ylang is very floral and richer than other floral-scented essential oils. Ylang-ylang essential oil is the best when looking for a good scent for rest and calming the state of mind.
If you want to achieve that quality rest after an exhausting day at work, get a ylang-ylang essential oil now.
How to choose a high-quality essential oil?
Product quality is essential when buying essential oil in the market. If you are planning to buy an essential oil, try to avoid big brands because they tend to overproduce their products and usually don't disclose the process of making their essential oils. Also, consider the price if it is justifiable.
Moreover, enrolling in an aromatherapy class will not just train you to choose the best essential oil in the market but will also hone your skills in looking for the best scent that will work for your needs. Aromatherapy will teach you more information about essential oils and spot what's a fake essential oil and a legit one.
How to use essential oils safely?
Essential oils might look harmless, but these items need preventive measures too. Essential oils are not suitable as a food ingredient or edible type of oils. Also, it should not be taken as medicine without professional advice.
Some essential oils might be dangerous to pets, and they should be out of the reach of children. Furthermore, pregnant and nursing mothers may exhibit side effects when exposed to essential oils. Thus, there should be mindfulness when they are using essential oils.
If you are planning to add essential oils to your skincare routine, do a patch test before using them on your skin because it might cause irritation or rashes if not correctly utilized. Also, make sure to use essential oils diluted with a carrier oil to avoid skin problems. Yet, diffusers might be an excellent option to use essential oils more safely.
Using essential oils might be overwhelming at first, but as you get more involved in searching for the best essential oil, you will truly discover what's best for you. Every scent has different effects on the body and mind. Just be mindful of the things that must be avoided while using essential oils.
FAQs
What essential is oil good for stress and depression?
Ylang-ylang and Jasmine essential oils are best for depression because of their antidepressant properties.
What essential oils reduce anxiety?
The lavender essential oil has been shown to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. This may be a result of its effect on the limbic system of the brain, which regulates emotions. Additionally, research demonstrates that inhaling this essential oil significantly reduces anxiety levels.
Who should not use essential oils?
The elderly and young children may be more sensitive to essential oils. Therefore, you may need to dilute them further. And you must avoid certain oils, such as birch and wintergreen. Due to the presence of the chemical methyl salicylate, even small amounts of these may cause severe problems in children under six.
What are essential oils suitable for heart health?
Several essential oils may benefit your heart health when used briefly as part of aromatherapy. Clary sage, eucalyptus, lavender, and ylang-ylang can assist in lowering blood pressure and heart rate, promoting relaxation, and enhancing sleep.
What essential oil makes you feel happy?
If you are sad, orange essential oil can cheer you up. Orange essential oil actually improves your mood. It increases your levels of dopamine and serotonin, two hormones that have a direct effect on your overall happiness. The increase in dopamine increases mental alertness.
What oil is good for stress and anxiety?
Lavender's strong floral fragrance is among the most widely used aromatherapy oils. Lavender oil can be utilized to alleviate anxiety. It also has a sedative effect and may help with sleep problems, especially when stress or anxiety keeps you awake at night.
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We're glad you finished our article with a better understanding of the top 6 essential oils for stress. If you want a sign to start your aromatherapy journey for 2022, this is it! Don't hesitate to leave a message if you have more questions about essential oils because we are ready to assist you at The Zen Bee.
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