Posted on Feb 5, 2022

A quick look at the best essential oils for stress

• Best for relaxation: Lavender
• Best for sleep: Chamomile
• Best for meditation: Orange
• Best for anxiety: Sandalwood
• Best for stress: Clary sage
• Best mood lifter: Lemon
• Best for diffusing: Bergamot
• Best for topical use: Rose
• Best for depression: Jasmine
• Best for rest: Ylang ylang

Aromatherapy can be a natural remedy for stress relief. The practice involves inhaling the scent of essential oils, which are extracted from plants, in order to promote health and well-being.

Your olfactory system directly affects the part of your brain that regulates emotion. That’s why smells can trigger memories and elicit feelings — both negative and positive. Aromatherapy can help in reducing stress and anxiety to engage a general state of calm.

A 2016 reviewTrusted Source even found that aromatherapy was effective at reducing pain, when combined with conventional treatments.

Essential oils are highly concentrated, which means you should exercise caution when trying them for the first time. They should also be used in moderation, especially if being applied topically, since they’re absorbed into the skin.

There are several ways to use essential oils for stress, from applying topically to inhaling the scent after diluting with water. A general rule of thumb is to follow the specific instructions for each essential oil you try. If you’re going to apply it topically, it’s best to test the oil on a small area of skin first to identify a potential reaction.

How we chose

We chose these essential oils for their stress-reducing and anti-anxiety properties. We also took a look at any studies that supported the effectiveness of these properties.

Essential oils are generally considered safe to use when used properly.

However, as with any substance you introduce to your body, it’s best to take several precautions. Essential oils require dilution to prevent adverse reactions. As a general rule, you should keep concentration levels of essential oils below 5 percent.

When diffusing oils, use these safety precautions:

• Follow proper dilution guidelines.
• Make sure you diffuse in a well-ventilated area.
• Diffuse intermittently, typically 30 to 60 minutes on, then 30 to 60 minutes off.

Original article 

Essential Oil Origins