Essential Oils for stress relief

Essential Oils will help you relax and is good for overall health     

By: Shivani Naghnoor

Essential oils are made from parts of the plant such as rinds, barks, herbs, and leaves. It has been scientifically proven that these oils reduce anxiety. The aroma of essential oils will leave you feeling good and fresh. Take note of these stress-relieving essential oils.

Lavender essential oil:

Lavender oil is commonly used oil in aromatherapy and is effective in fighting insomnia, based on recent study scientists have discovered college students who took in lavender oil experienced improved sleep. Students who inhaled lavender oil before sleeping showed improved energy levels during the daytime. The elderly population who breathed in lavender essential oil has shown improved sleep quality. Lavender oil is known to reduce stress, increase feeling of calmness, and reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

Lemongrass Essential Oil:

Lemongrass essential oil is extracted from lemongrass herb and the scent is known to reduce anxiety and promote a relaxed feeling. Based on a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine scientists have discovered individuals who inhaled lemongrass essential oil showed a quick reduction in anxiety. The other health benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil are it has antifungal properties and is commonly used to treat ringworm and athlete’s foot. It has antibacterial properties used for treating blood infections, pneumonia, and skin infections. The oil is known to be effective in regulating blood sugar, easing diarrhea, relieving nausea, and preventing gastric ulcers.

Lemon Essential Oil:

Lemon essential oil is derived from lemon plant and is known to be effective in reducing anxiety. Lemon contains linalool a compound that reduces depression, promotes sleep, improves mood, and relieves stress. Lemon oil scent is also known to reduce the feeling of nausea and promote a calming effect.

Orange Essential Oil:

The smell of orange essential oil is known to reduce anxiety, according to a study published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, individuals who inhaled the aroma of sweet orange essential oil did not show an increase in tension when subjected to anxiety situation. Orange Essential Oil is widely researched for its anti-cancer properties. A compound in the oil called Limonene was found to be effective in inhibiting growth and promoting the death of colon cancer cells. Based on 2017 study scientists have discovered orange essential oil is effective in inhibiting the growth of prostate and lung cancer cell lines.

Bergamot Essential Oil:

Bergamot Essential Oil is extracted from a citrus fruit peel and it is effective in reducing stress. Based on a recent study published in Phytotherapy Research, individuals who were exposed to bergamot essential oil for fifteen minutes showed a reduction in stress. This essential oil can be used with carrier oil such as avocado, sweet almond, or jojoba.

Jasmine Essential Oil:

Jasmine Essential Oil is known to improve well-being and also produces a calm feeling and it is also known to improve mood and reduce depression. This oil has antiseptic properties; scientists have discovered jasmine oil extracted from Jasminum sambac plant was effective in preventing the growth of an E. Coli strain. Jasmine Essential Oil helps ease symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder; individuals who inhaled the oil for five minutes for more than ten days showed reduced symptoms of irritability, palpitations, and insomnia.

Chamomile Essential Oil:

Chamomile oil is excellent to get optimum stress relief it helps to relax the nervous system, provides inner calm feeling and reduces anxiety. The oil has anti-cancer properties; based on a recent study a compound in chamomile oil called apigenin was effective in inducing death and preventing growth in human cancer cell line. The other benefits of chamomile essential oil are it is used to reduce symptoms of nausea, indigestion, or gas, it is used to treat rashes or eczema, it is effective in reducing arthritis, neuralgia, and back pain.

Basil Essential Oil:

Basil Essential Oil calms the nervous system, and it improves mood and reduces anxiety. It also helps to reduce depression, fatigue, and mental strain and therefore has a calming effect on the nervous system.

Rose Essential Oil:

Rose Essential Oil is used as an aromatherapy remedy to treat migraines, menstrual cramps, anxiety, menopausal symptoms, and depression. If you just want to relax than Rose Essential Oil is a good option, based on study scientists applied rose oil on individuals to observe the effect the oil has to reduce anxiety. The result revealed participants showed a decrease in anxiety symptoms such as cortisol level, breathing rate, blood oxygen level, heart rate, and blood pressure.  

Essential oils have been in use for about 6,000 years to improve mood and overall health. These oils have many benefits such as insecticidal, antifungal, nematicidal, antiviral and antimicrobial and antifungal activity.

Essential Oils create a great feel-good factor; the pleasant aroma of it will help you relax. It is good to pamper yourself now and then, and feel good about yourself. On a day you are tired and stressed just forget about your worries for some time and experiment with essential oils.

The use of essential oils for medicinal purposes is called Aromatherapy and it is known to ease symptoms of various conditions such as Alopecia, menopausal problems, menstrual problems, circulatory problems, headaches, muscular aches, insomnia, fatigue, depression, stress, body aches, and nausea.

Essential oils are commonly used to feel relaxed and treat ailments and these oils can be added to bath gels, creams, or vegetable oils. It is important to be cautious while using essential oils and not rub it on the eyes, nose, or mouth. It is also necessary to remember not to swallow essential oils. There is a certain way of using each essential oil, do thorough research before using it, and check for side effects. It is essential to check with a medical professional before using any kind of essential oil based on your medical condition and to just be safe. Although essential oils are known to be healthy there are side effects from using it such as headaches, asthma attacks, irritation, and burning. If you are keen on using essential oils take protection measures such as consult with a doctor based on your medical condition, read the label carefully before using it. Be careful about using these oils on children, it is recommended that Eucalyptus oil should not be used on children below ten years of age and peppermint oil should not be applied on children below six years of age.

Essential oils are commonly used, it is however necessary to follow safety guidelines and advice from medical professional before using.