Aromatherapy for Managing Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are among the most debilitating mental health conditions and a significant factor in the global disease burden. Medication is the most common treatment for reducing anxiety. However, this can sometimes cause side effects such as fatigue, confusion, and even addiction.

Aromatherapy is an ancient practice of using plant essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being. Essential oils can be used in several ways, including diffusion, which disperses their scent into the air; inhalation directly or through steam; topical application diluted on the skin; or adding them to a warm bath for relaxation.

While aromatherapy is not a cure and shouldn’t be used instead of medication, essential oils may help reduce anxiety (especially short-term) alongside other anxiety management techniques. Many people and studies agree that the smell and topical application of essential oils can boost the mood and promote relaxation.

Why is Aromatherapy for Anxiety Controversial?

Some research suggests essential oils help anxiety, while others disagree. This might be because the makeup of essential oils can vary a lot depending on the plant type, where it’s grown, how it’s extracted, and how much is used in each study. Different ways of using the oils can also change their effect.

Because of these variations (which we delve into later on), even the same type of oil might provide different results. This is why further research is needed to better understand how effective essential oils are for anxiety and what dosages are optimal for individuals. The current findings should be explored with optimistic caution.

The information you find here is drawn from a pool of scientific studies, including two recent meta-analyses, which combine and analyze data from multiple studies to draw a more reliable conclusion. This article focuses on the promising findings of essential oils to manage anxiety, promote relaxation, and enhance emotional well-being.

What are the Benefits of Essential Oils?

Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years, with roots in ancient Indian, Chinese, and Egyptian traditions. Even Hippocrates, commonly known as the father of medicine, regarded it as key to good health. The practice of aromatherapy uses essential oils to support emotional and physical well-being through their therapeutic benefits.

Essential oils are fragrant liquids extracted from plants, including their flowers, fruits, leaves, stems, bark, seeds, and roots. The oil is taken from the plant using distillation or cold pressing methods. Distillation uses steam or heat to extract essential oils from plants, while cold pressing mechanically squeezes the oils out of the plant without heat.

The extraction techniques capture the natural chemicals that cause the oil’s unique scent and therapeutic properties, often requiring several pounds of plant material to produce just one bottle. In an interview with Dr. Melissa Young, from the Center for Functional Medicine, she stated that aromatherapy makes people feel happier and calmer.

Dr. Young explained that enhanced mood and relaxation occur because when essential oils are inhaled, tiny molecules are detected by receptors in the nose. These receptors send signals to the brain through the olfactory nerve (the nerve that facilitates smell), triggering activity in the area that regulates emotions.

Aromatherapy is thought to ease anxiety and may also result in:

• Improving blood circulation
• Regulating blood pressure
• Stabilizing pulse and breathing
• Balancing hormones
• Peaceful sleep
• Reduced fatigue
• Reduced depression
• Reduced pain
• Reduced pre-surgery anxiety
• Lower blood pressure and heart rate typically caused by stress

Popular Essential Oils for Anxiety Relief
There are over 90 types of essential oils, each with a unique scent and chemical makeup. The best essential oil for an individual depends on the symptoms they want to relieve or the fragrances they enjoy. Some of the most researched essential oils that have been found to soothe anxiety are:

Lavender
Lavender is one of the most widely studied and promising essential oils for treating anxiety symptoms. One review of 71 studies looking at the effects of lavender oil on anxiety found that inhaling lavender significantly reduced stress. The review also showed that massages with lavender oil helped lower anxiety levels.

Bergamot Orange
Bergamot orange essential oil is derived from the citrus bergamia tree. A 2020 study found that using bergamot orange oil before surgery could be an effective complementary treatment for easing anxiety before a procedure.

Chamomile
A 2-week clinical trial by the National Cancer Institute found that massages with diluted roman chamomile oil helped reduce anxiety in cancer patients more effectively than massage alone. Additionally, a 2017 study showed that chamomile supplements helped mitigate symptoms of mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-ylang has a sweet, floral scent known for its calming effects and potential to lower blood pressure. Overall, research on its use for anxiety is limited. But, a 2006 study showed inhaling a blend of ylang-ylang, lavender, and bergamot helped reduce stress, anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.

Neroli (Bitter Orange)
Neroli essential oil, derived from the bitter orange tree (citrus aurantium), was found to reduce anxiety and pain perception during labor, according to a 2022 study. Another study showed that bitter orange essential oil could reduce physical signs of anxiety, like blood pressure and heart rate.

Jasmine
A study involving 44 clinical trials found that essential oils effectively reduce anxiety symptoms. Specifically, jasmine oil showed the most substantial results. It helped lower both temporary anxiety and chronic anxiety scores. Additionally, jasmine oil reduces physical signs of stress, like high blood pressure and heart rate.

Damask Rose
A 2023 review of multiple studies found that damask rose essential oil was the third most effective oil for reducing anxiety, after jasmine and bitter orange, particularly for short-term anxiety. However, it didn’t affect long-term anxiety. Damask rose contains isoflavones, which manage anxiety by interacting with specific brain receptors.

Methods of Applying Essential Oils
A 2020 review suggests that blending oils can help alleviate symptoms of various conditions. Since each oil affects individuals differently, combining them may produce different results than using them alone.

Whether or not you blend your oils, inhalation and topical application are the most widely used (and effective) aromatherapy methods in scientific studies. That being said, diffusion and bathing have also been found to have beneficial effects.

Diffusion
Essential oils can be used in a diffuser to help soothe anxiety by releasing calming aromas into the air. While this method can be a gentle and pleasant way to incorporate essential oils into a self-care routine, it is generally considered less effective than direct inhalation or topical application through massage, which allows the oils to interact more directly with the body.

Topical Application
Essential oils can be applied topically by massaging them into the skin or applying them to pressure points. Massage is usually more effective, allowing for deeper absorption and relaxation. It’s important to dilute essential oils with carrier oils, like coconut, grapeseed, or olive oil, to avoid skin irritation and ensure safe usage.

Inhalation
Inhaling essential oils can be achieved by adding a few drops to a bowl of hot water and then leaning over the bowl with a towel draped over the head to trap the steam. You can also inhale the oils by directly sniffing the bottle or adding a few drops to a tissue or cotton ball. The aromatic molecules go through the nose to the brain, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.

Bathing
Bathing in essential oils is considered a form of cosmetic aromatherapy and has various benefits, such as cleansing, moisturizing, and toning. Essential oils in facial products promote healthy skin, while full-body or foot baths offer a simple, effective way to enjoy their rejuvenating and relaxing effects.