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How to Use Essential Oils for Anxiety Relief

If you want to use essential oils for anxiety relief, you can choose from a number of different oils:

Cartoon face of an anxious person with the words Essential Oils for Anxiety Relief

Benzoin
Bergamot
Cardamom
Cypress
Fennel
Frankincense
Geranium
Jasmine
Juniper
Lavender
Marjoram
Melissa
Myrrh
Neroli
Nutmeg
Orange
Lime
Patchouli
Peppermint
Petitgrain
Pine
Roman chamomile
Rose
Spikenard
Vanilla

Source: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art

Other potentially useful oils mentioned in various sources are cedarwood, clary sage, german chamomile, mandarin, palo santo, sandalwood, ylang ylang, and yuzu.

How do you know which are the best essential oils for anxiety for you personally? Experiment! Also, learn about the properties of essential oils and choose ones that match other concerns you have.

Important: The following essential oil recipes for anxiety are primarily for occasional anxiousness. If you are dealing with an anxiety disorder, please get professional help.

Diffusing and Inhaling Essential Oils for Anxiety

Lavender is a good all-purpose oil to start with. It has some research (Essential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders) to back it up. You can use lavender in an aromatherapy diffuser or make a neck rub by adding 3 drops to 1 teaspoon carrier oil.

Diffuser Blend

2 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops neroli essential oil
2 drops jasmine oil
2 drops rose essential oil

Source: Essential Oils For Healing

Smelling Salts

3 drops bergamot essential oil
2 drops geranium essential oil
1 drop neroli OR 3 drops petitgrain essential oil
1 tablespoon rock or other coarse salt

Blend the ingredients in a small container with a cap. Keep the container with you and smell as needed.

Alternately, make a massage oil by adding the essential oils to 1/4 cup carrier oil. You can also add a couple of teaspoons of this blend to a warm bath and soak for 10 to 20 minutes.

Source: Essential Oils & Aromatherapy for Dummies

Aromatherapy Inhaler Blends for Anxiety

10 drops frankincense essential oil
5 drops cypress essential oil

6 drops petitgrain
6 drops bergamot
4 drops ylang ylang
4 drops vetiver

Drop the essential oils onto the blank cotton wick of an aromatherapy inhaler. Attach lid. Use as needed.

Sources: Essential Living and NAHA Aromatherapy Journal, Spring 2017.1, p. 46.

Calming Anxiety Essential Oil Blend

Blend the following essential oils in a small, dark dropper bottle:

40 drops roman chamomile
40 drops lavender
30 drops marjoram

Ways to use this blend:

Make an air spray by adding 75 drops to 1/2 cup distilled water in a spray bottle. Shake well before spraying.
Make an aromatherapy bath by adding 4 to 6 drops to 1 teaspoon milk or carrier oil. Stir into a warm bath.
Add 25 drops to an aromatherapy inhaler.
Make a massage oil by adding 6 drops to 2 teaspoons carrier oil. Massage onto your abdomen and lower back.

Source: The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

Aromatherapy Bath Salts for Anxiety Relief

Soak in a relaxing aromatherapy bath:

1 to 2 cups Epsom salt
5 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops ylang ylang essential oil
2 drops bergamot essential oil

Stir the essential oils into the salt. Add to a warm bath.

Source: Aromatherapy: A Holistic Guide to Natural Healing With Essential Oils

Aromatherapy Massage for Anxiety Relief

Make a massage oil with essential oils for anxiety. Works for both receiving a massage and self-massage.

2 tablespoons carrier oil
12 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops ylang ylang essential oil
4 drops frankincense essential oil
3 drops clary sage essential oil

Source: Aromatherapy: A Holistic Guide to Natural Healing With Essential Oils

Massage Oil #2

Blend the following essential oils into two tablespoons carrier oil:

1 drop patchouli
2 drops lavender
1 drop vetiver
1 drop sandalwood
2 drops orange or neroli

Source: The Healing Art of Essential Oils

Massage Oil #3

2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops marjoram
2 drops jasmine absolute
4 drops vitamin E oil
2 tablespoons carrier oil

Source: Essential Oils for Emotional Wellbeing

More Essential Oil Blends for Anxiety

Here are four blends of essential oils for specific types of anxiety.

Anxiety with tension:

10 drops clary sage
15 drops lavender
5 drops roman chamomile

Anxiety with restlessness:

5 drops vetiver
10 drops juniper
15 drops atlas cedarwood

Anxiety with apprehension:

15 drops bergamot
10 drops geranium
5 drops lavender

Repressed anxiety:

10 drops neroli
10 drops rose
10 drops bergamot

To make a body/massage oil, dilute 15 to 30 drops in a carrier oil. You can also add a few drops to a diffuser or inhaler or aromatherapy bath.

Source: The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy