Discover how aromatherapy for anxiety might help ease stress and promote relaxation. Explore 19 essential oils that may soothe your mind and body, from lavender to lemongrass. Learn the potential benefits and risks involved.
Ah,aromatherapy. Some folks think there’s nothing a date with anessential oilcan’t cure. Others are skeptical —“A few drops of oil for a bonafide illness? Pish posh.”
The truth probably lies somewhere in between. Thoughessential oilshave a solid reputation forsquashing stresstofighting insomnia, the controlled studies on aromatherapy — using concentrated plantessential oilsto treat health probs — are limited.
So, what aboutessential oilsforanxiety? Let’s sniff out the science.
Using aromatherapy for anxiety relief
Are essential oils an essential part of youranxietyrelief kit? No. But that doesn’t mean they can’t help youfeel better.
Anxietyis usually paired with aracing heartorhigh blood pressure. It feels like entering “fight or flight” mode, even when there’s no real danger.
Research suggests thataromatherapymight relieve anxiety by…
Bottom line: Aromatherapy won’tcureananxiety disorder— but it might help you manage symptoms.
19 best essential oils for anxiety
While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do apatch testbefore trying a new essential oil.
Craving some calm? Here are 19 essential oils that might helpsoothe your anxietysymptoms, according to science.
1. Lavender
This sweet floral essential oil can help you feel calm and sleepy. That’s a significant #win if your panic keeps you up into the wee hours of the morning.
Basically,lavender oilmight help fire up yourparasympathetic nervous system, which is what tells your body to chill the eff out.
Researchshows that inhaling the stuff can drastically lower anxiety levels (using a clinically validated measuring system). A lavender oil massage seemed to help too.
How to use it:Diffuse in your bedroom or office to help you relax, or add a few drops to yourmoisturizeror hand cream for a stress-busting topical.
Scent:fresh and floral
Other uses:Lavender oilcan be used forcolds, pain relief, and deepersleep. It can also be added to laundry freshener or cleaning spray forantimicrobialoomph.
2. Valerian
Heads up: Some peeps say valerian essential oil smells like foot funk. For real. But others love the decidedly musky fragrance.
Whether you love it or hate it, valerian oil hasbeen foundto have a light sedative effect that could benefit folks with anxiety-inducedinsomnia.
How to use it:Tap a few drops of this bad boy into your diffuser and breathe deeply. Commence relaxation!!
Scent:musky, earthy, spicy
Other uses:Yep, there’s more! Some folks use valerian to sootheheadachesor calm heart palpitations.
3. Chamomile
Cup o’chamomile tea, anyone? Turns out this plant’s sweetly aromatic essential oils might be just as soothing as the popular nighttime beverage.
Researchsuggests that chamomile essential oil can soothe theanxiety and depressionthat cause tension headaches. Maybe it’s anti-inflammatory… or maybe it just smells that good. 😉
How to use it:Pop a few drops in the diffuser or apply diluted chamomile essential oil to your inner wrists or temples when you feel nervous and tense.
Scent:sweet, herbaceous
Other uses:Apply diluted chamomile essential oil to your temples to melt pain fromtension headaches.
4. Jatamansi
Say hey to valerian’s close cousin! This little oil also goes by the namespikenard(yes, for real). Whatever you call it, the stuff has a pleasantly warm, woodsy smell.
In one 2018 animalstudy, oral supplementation of jatamansi extract led to a noticeable decrease in anxiety symptoms. Of course, animals are not people — and you should never ingest essential oils — so more research is needed.
We can say that jatamansi has an anecdotal reputation as a calming, relaxing essential oil. Evidence is slim, but folks say it helps.
How to use it:Massage super-diluted jatamansi onto your neck or temples when you feel a wave of anxiety.
Scent:warm and earthy
Other uses:No anxiety on the horizon? (Lucky you!) You can still try jatamansi as asleep aidor to relieve minor aches and pains.
5. Bergamot
This citrusy essential oil comes from bergamot oranges, a cross betweenlemonsandbitter oranges. And breathing in some berg’ might help squash anxiety symptoms.
A 2019research reviewsuggested that breathing in Bergamo can reduce stress more than rest.
And an older2013 reviewfound that bergamot (and other essential oils, to be fair) can help relieve anxiety by telling the brain to release “happy hormones”serotoninanddopamine.
How to use it:Put a few drops of this oil on a cotton ball, handkerchief, or tissue. Pull the item out and inhale deeply whenever you sense an incoming wave of anxiety.
Scent:zesty, citrusy
Other uses:Trybergamot oilfor soothing achy joints or sore muscles. It’s frequently used to help dial down pain and inflammation.
6. Jasmine
TBH, there isn’t much research on jasmine essential oil for anxiety. The oil is usually infused inperfumes,lotions, and evensexual wellness products. It smells hella sweet and musky, as if you’re walking through a lush garden on a balmy night in Tahiti (y’know, just an average Monday).
Butsciencedoes say the scent of jasmine can create boost your general sense of well-being.Researchersalso acknowledge that people have long used jasmine to trigger feelings of calm.
So if your anxiety feels like the opposite of happy and calm, diffusing jasmine might help you find your way back to center.
How to use it:Open the bottle and breathe in that beautiful scent. Or add a drop or two to your pillowcase before hitting the hay.
Scent:warm, sweet, intense… dare we say, sensual?
Other uses:Aphrodisiac, anyone?Some couples use the scent of jasmine to kick off sexy times.
7. Holy basil
This spicy, minty essential oil goes by the name holy basil ortulsi. And it might just be your newpanic-preventingsidekick.
A2017 research reviewfound that dosing on tulsi could lead to a 31-29 percent reduction in stress for some people.
Stress can triggerpanic attacks, worry, and hypertension in anyone, especially folks living with anxiety. So stomping out stress with holy basil could relieve symptoms ofanxiety.
How to use it:Put 2-3 drops in your aromatherapy diffuser and let it run all day. Start small ‘cuz this scent packs a punch!
Scent:like a spicy mint
Other uses:Give this oil a whirl when dealing with acough,upset stomach, orjoint pain. This one’s a multitasker!
8. Sweet basil
Y’know the basil inpestoandmarinara sauce? That’s sweet basil, and it smells like crisp, herbaceous summertime.
In the world of aromatherapy, folks love to use sweet basil as a stress reliever. Research is super slim, but some animal studies suggest this essential oil works foranxiety:
How to use it:Put a few drops in your room diffuser and enjoy!
Scent:crisp, herbal, green
Other uses:Some peeps apply diluted sweet basil essential oil to soothe sore muscles and joints.
Wanna soothe your anxiety and smell like an enchanted garden? Say hey to relaxing rose essential oil.
In an older2014 study,pregnant peepswho used rose oil in a footbath reported less anxiety than those who used just water.
A2017 reviewnoted that though more research is needed, studies indicate that rose oil has relaxing and anti-anxiety effects.
How to use it:Add a few drops of rose oil to a non-scented lotion or shea butter. Slather iton your skinand inhale deeply. Or put a few drops in warm water and soak your feet. Ahhhh….
Scent:floral 🌹
Other uses:Topical application can also relieve pain.
10. Vetiver
Vetiver essential oil comes from the roots of the grassy vetiver plant. It has a pleasantly woody, dry scent. And fans of aromatherapy often say diffusing the oil helps them sleep.
Like other essential oils, there hasn’t been much research on how vetiver affects anxiety — especially in humans.
How to use it:Tap a few drops of this bad boy into your diffuser and breathe deeply. Commence relaxations!
Scent:woodsy, smoky, notes of leather
Other uses:Some people use diluted vetiver on their skin because it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also used to help manageADHD.
11. Frankincense
Made from the Boswellia tree’s sticky tree resin, frankincense essential oil smells warm and woodsy. Sometimes it has notes of musk too.
Like many otheranxiety remedies, frankincense oil is backed more by anecdotes than science. That doesn’t mean itcan’tquell generalized anxiety — just that the jury’s still out.
A2020 reviewfound that frankincense aromatherapy dramatically reduced the anxiety of women giving birth.
How to use it:Diffuse it! Or tub your hands or feet with diluted frankincense oil for an anxiety-soothingmassage.
Scent:piney and balsamic
Other uses:Your skin loves the stuff. Add a drop or two to your body lotion or facial moisturizer to support a healthy glow. It’s also been known to soothe inflammatory conditions likeCrohn’s disease.
12. Clary sage
Clary sage has been used to treat anxiety symptoms for a long, long time. But there still haven’t been many studies on how this herbal-icious essential oil helps.
Here’s what we know:
Bottom line: Clary sage might not ward off all anxiety, but it could gently nudge you toward feelingsafeandcalm.
How to use it:Plop it in the diffuser and takedeeeeeep breaths.
Scent:woody, herbal
Other uses:Peeps inhale this stuff to tame cramps.
13. Patchouli
These days, most folks associate musky patchouli with ‘60s hippie culture. But in traditionalAyurvedic medicine, folks use patchouli to treat anxiety andhigh stress.
As with most of these oils, research on patchouli and anxiety is limited. But the oil has gained a strong reputation for promoting relaxation.
A2020 studyfound that ER nurses who inhaled patchouli oil reported less stress than their aromatherapy-less coworkers.
How to use it:Open the bottle and inhale deeply. Or add a couple of drops to your diffuser. Some peeps prefer diffusing patchouli with lavender oil.
Scent:earthy and musky
Other uses:Some say patchouli helps their skin stay smooth and clear.
14. Geranium
Obvs, geranium oil smells a lot like geraniums. It’s a common fragrance additive inbody washesand perfumes. But geranium oil also has a superpower: It’s a gentle sedative. That means it could help calm an anxiety-riddled brain.
According to older2015 research, breathing in the scent of geranium oil can reduce anxiety and diastolic blood pressureduring labor.
A2017 studyalso found that hospital patients who breathed the scent of geranium had less anxiety than those given a placebo scent.
How to use it:Put a few drops on a cotton ball or hanky and inhale when you’re feeling stressed.
Scent:floral 💐
Other uses:Diluted geranium oil can soothe irritated skin. Some people also add it to their skin care products to combat fine lines.
15. Orange
Orange you glad this refreshing scent can help chase away the scaries?
Inhalingorange essential oilhas been found toreduce anxietyandmaybeeven have anantidepressant effect. Sweet, right?
Of course, it’s super important to remember that more studies are needed to recommend essential oils astreatmentfor anxiety. But if the scent of oranges makes you smile, know that it might help your anxiety too.
How to use it:Add a few drops into your diffuser and breathe deeply.
Scent:like the fruit! 🍊
Other uses:Pain reliefand aDIY skin glow-up.
16. Peppermint
Stomach tied up in anxious knots? Pop a peppermint — or at least diffuse some of that refreshing oil!
Researchshows that the zippy aroma of peppermint can ease pain and anxiety in hospital patients about to be hooked up to an IV. That’s a pretty big deal since a fair share of the population is scared of needles.
Peppermint oilis also known to relieve pain and nausea. While that’s not the same as dialing down anxiety, it’s possible that feeling physically better will boost your mental wellness too.
How to use it:Rub diluted peppermint oil on your temples for instant relaxation and tension relief.
Scent:fresh, sharp, and menthol-y
Other uses:Hair growthstimulant, anyone? Peppermint oil is also known forsoothing headaches.
17. Grapefruit oil
When anxiety makes you feel jittery and stressed AF, grapefruit essential oil to the rescue!
Researchsuggests that a combination of grapefruit and lavender essential oils can curbstresslevels in folks who diffuse them regularly for 6 weeks. Slow and steady, friends.
How to use it:Diffuse it daily in your office ormain living space. Add a drop of lavender for max results!
Scent:tangy, sweet, and fruity
Other uses:Grapefruit oilmight be able to reduceinflammation,curb cravings,fight fungus, and more.
Lemon oil’s uplifting aroma might help youfeel happierand morerelaxed. A tiny2008 studysuggested that lemon oil aromatherapy could improve participants’ moods by boosting norepinephrine, a brain chemical linked tomotivation.
Then a small2016 studyfound that lemon oil diminishedanxietyin surgery patients.
So while the evidence is slim, lemon essential oil has the potential to diminish symptoms ofanxiety.
How to use it:Add a few drops to your diffuser for positive vibes.
Scent:citrusy, fresh, zesty
Other uses:Oh, so many things! Use diluted lemon oil to treatacne,relieve cold symptoms, or even reduce pain.
19. Lemongrass
There’s a reasonlemongrass essential oilmakes frequent appearances in aromatherapy sessions and yoga classes. Fans say it busts stress and makes ‘em feel happier and healthier.
One2015 studyfound that participants who got a weekly massage with lemongrass oil (diluted with sweet almond oil) had lower diastolic blood pressure than the folks who didn’t get the massage. Of course, the lower blood pressure (and potentially lower stress) could be due to the massage more than the oil. 🤷
In the end, using lemongrass oil for anxiety might be based on whetheryoufind the scent calming and uplifting.
How to use it:Diffuse or add a few drops to your hand cream.
Scent:lemony + grassy (and pretty potent!)
Other uses:It’s anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. Sounds like the perfect addition to yourdaily moisturizer!
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Are there risks of using essential oils for anxiety?
Essential oils are generally considered safewhen diluted properly.Never let essential oils touch your skin before diluting them in sweet almond oil or another carrier oil.
Some potential risks:
When to see a health professional
Home remedies aren’t always enough to quell anxiety disorders. If calming your jangly nerves has become a daily struggle, it’s time to talk to a pro.
See a doctor if your anxiety symptoms are negatively impacting your:
Of course, you don’t have to wait for a bad review at work or a string of sleepless nights. Even the desire to feel better is a legit reason to ask for help.
