Essential Oils Used in Aromatherapy to Treat Anxiety

There are many natural alternatives formulated for anxiety like a variety of herbs such as St. John's Wort and Passion Flower which can support a calm mood while uplifting your spirits. Reducing stress will be helpful in treating anxiety naturally. Yoga, meditation, relaxing with music and a good book all help reduce stress.

A wonderful compliment to yoga and meditation are essential oils used in aromatherapy to treat anxiety. The following list of essential oils used in aromatherapy to treat anxiety and depression include;

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) has a fresh, sweet, spicy, licorice-like aroma. Anise seed has a long history of use as a spice and medicine. Raki, a popular drink in Turkey, is flavored with the seed. Anise benefits health problems like asthma, bronchitis, indigestion, coughs, cramp, flatulence, insect bites, nausea, stress, headache and digestive system. Used as aromatherapy it blends well with bay, black pepper, ginger, lavender, orange, pine and rose. Do not confuse Anise seed oil (Pimpinella anisum) with Anise Star oil (Illicium vernum) which is produced from the fruit of a tree. Anise seed oil will crystallize at cool temperatures due to the anethole content in the oil. Avoid in epilepsy, and while pregnant or breast-feeding. May cause skin irritation.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) has a fresh, warm, spicy and herbaceous aroma. Basil is a sacred plant in India, and used in ayurvedic medicine. It has been used as a strewing herb to reduce odors, and has many culinary applications. Basil is used for abrasions, anxiety, bronchitis, colds, coughs, depression, flatulence, fatigue, infection, insect bites and repellant, sinus infection, whooping cough. Basil can be added to a hair tonic to help stimulate growth. Basil blends well with bergamot, citronella, citrus oils, clary sage, geranium, hyssop, opopanax and rosemary. Avoid in epilepsy, liver problems, and while pregnant. May cause skin irritation.

Bergamot (Citrus aurantium) has a fresh, spicy, floral, citrus aroma. Bergamot has been used as a remedy for fever in Italian folk tradition, and has a long history of use in potpourri and perfumes. It benefits abscess, acne, anxiety, boils, bronchitis, carbuncles, cold sores, colds, colic, cystitis, depression, eczema, fevers, flatulence, halitosis, herpes, insect bites, intestinal parasites, nervous tension, oily complexion, psoriasis, respiratory tract infections, sore throat, varicose veins. Add bergamot to a massage blend for indigestion; remember to rub the abdomen in a clockwise direction. Bergamot blends well with chamomile, citrus oils, coriander, cypress, geranium, helichrysum, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon balm, neroli, nutmeg, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, violet and ylang ylang and is generally considered safe.

Cedarwood, Atlas (Cedrus atlantica) has a woody, balsamic smell with rich dry overtones. Traditionally the oil has been used for bronchial and urinary tract infections. Cedarwood also has a long history as an incense and perfume. The wood was burned by the Greeks and Romans to fragrant the air. Cedarwood benefits acne, air purifier, anxiety, arthritis, bronchitis, cellulite, coughs, dandruff, dry skin, fungal infections, immune stimulant, insect repellant, nervous tension, rashes, rheumatism, ulcers. Cedarwood is a good addition to a hair tonic, and gives the aroma a long lasting undertone. Cedarwood blends well with bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, jasmine, juniper, lavender, neroli, palmarosa, petitgrain, rosemary, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang ylang. Avoid using while pregnant. May cause skin irritation.