We all get worried sometimes. Especially during this time of the year; holidays are fast approaching, rainy days are covering up the sunshine, and bank accounts may still be recovering after too much summer fun…
Thankfully, essential oils are concentrated and potent compounds with the ability to help your racing mind calm down and keep your worry a bit more manageable. However, please keep in mind that scent is incredibly individual. We can make general statements about certain oils, but we cannot predict how each individual will react to them. It just gives us a really good starting point. With that in mind, here are some of our favorite essential oils for worry:
Lavender
Undoubtedly one of the most popular essential oils used around the world, Lavender is known to have numerous benefits for the mind and body . It is often used for aromatherapy purposes that focus on reducing feelings of stress, increasing relaxation, and helping promote a restful night’s sleep. It’s also great to help relieve uncomfortable head and neck tension that can be a consequence of a mind filled with worry . Overall, when worry is getting you down, Lavender is a wonderful choice to support your emotional well-being.
It is known to have an immediate calming effect when inhaled or applied topically ; dilute to 2-5% with your favorite carrier oil and massage onto your feet, temples, wrists, or hands to help settle a worried mind that is causing you distress. Use Lavender together with deep, resinous scents, like Frankincense, to create calm and peace or with lighter citrus notes to provide a lift in mood.
Sandalwood Australian
Sandalwood’s sweet, dry, woody aroma has been cherished for centuries for its ability to help with mood enhancement . When worried thoughts are clogging up your mind, Sandalwood can support your sense of feeling grounded and alert . Help pull your thoughts away from worry with this essential oil known to help with focus, mental clarity, and maintaining emotional stability.
Use Sandalwood Essential Oil anytime during the day by rubbing the oil, diluted to 1-2%, into your palms or putting a few drops onto a cloth or handkerchief and inhaling the aroma. Or, add a few drops to your aromatherapy locket for an instant pick-me-up.
Chamomile Roman
Chamomile Roman has long been a favorite essential oil when it comes to calming the nervous system. The light, fresh scent is soothing and can improve both moods and sleep quality. When excessive worry leads to irritability, anxious feelings, or an overthinking mind, reach for Chamomile Roman for relief
When worry has you feeling stressed out, diffuse or directly inhale Chamomile Roman to enjoy its calming effects. You can also add 3 drops of Chamomile Roman to a tablespoon of bubble bath and mix in 1/2 cup of Epsom salt. Then, gently swirl in the water for a warm, relaxing bath.
Copaiba Oleoresin
The delicate, sweet, and smooth aroma of Copaiba Oleoresin is a great way to lighten a tense mood. It is most notable for its very high amount of beta-caryophyllene. This unique chemical constituent may target parts of the brain that help minimize feelings of nervousness and worry. It is also great with easing feelings of sadness and discouragement .
Add 3 drops of Copaiba Oleoresin, 2 drops of Frankincense Carteri, and 4 drops of Orange Sweet to your diffuser to help reduce your worry and gain a more grounded mindset.
Melissa
Melissa is known to create feelings of peace and hope — the perfect antidote to worry! Its beautiful grassy, lemon scent promotes emotional balance and creates a sense of calm . When worry causes tension in the head and neck, Melissa can help relieve those uncomfortable feelings as well.
Add a few drops of Melissa Essential Oil to your diffuser, personal inhaler, or diffuser necklace to create a peaceful atmosphere that can help reduce worry or calm the mind during times of emotional gloom.
Plant Therapy also carries essential oil blends that can help keep you calm and in control, so those feelings of worry don’t take over.
Worry Free Blend
Ease chaotic, worry-filled moments away with our Worry Free Blend (also available as a pre-diluted roll-on!). The gorgeous aroma created from this blend of Lavender, Marjoram Sweet, Ylang Ylang Complete, Sandalwood Australian, Peru Balsam, and Chamomile Roman will have you in a relaxed state of mind so that you can better cope with life’s challenges.
Tranquil Blend
The beautiful essential oils of Bergamot, Patchouli, Orange Blood, Ylang Ylang Complete, Grapefruit Pink come together to help reduce worry and its effects. Tranquil (also available as a pre-diluted roll-on!) is fantastic for helping you achieve mental relaxation and feel more at ease.
Comfort and Ease Diffuser Blend
What you’ll need:
- 3 drops Frankincense Carteri
- 2 drops Melissa Organic
- 2 drops Lavender
What you’ll do:
To use, add essential oils to your aromatherapy diffuser and enjoy the wonderfully comfortable and worry-free atmosphere it promotes!
Sources:
Koulivand, P. H., Khaleghi Ghadiri, M., & Gorji, A. (2013). Lavender and the Nervous System. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM, 2013, 681304. http://doi.org/10.1155/2013/681304
Sasannejad, P., Saeedi, M., Shoeibi, A., Gorji, A., Abbasi, M., Foroughipour, M., Lavender Essential Oil in the Treatment of a Migraine Headache: A Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Eur Neurol 2012;67:288-291
Kumar, A., Joshi, G., Ram, H. (2012). Sandalwood: history, uses, present status, and the future. Current Science Association. Retrieved from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/24089347?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Heuberger, Eva & Hongratanaworakit, Tapanee & Buchbauer, Gerhard. (2006). East Indian Sandalwood and α-Santalol Odor Increase Physiological and Self-Rated Arousal in Humans. Planta medica. 72. 792-800. 10.1055/s-2006-941544.
Study shows chamomile capsules ease anxiety symptoms. (2015). National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/040310.htm
Leaf Science, “β-Caryophyllene: A Terpene For Anxiety and Depression?,”
Kennedy, D., Scholey, A., Tildesley, N., Perry, E., Wesnes, K. (2002). Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12062586/
