Essential Oils For Stress Relief

Using essential oil for stress relief can be a natural way to cope with challenging emotions. Various essential oils may boost your mood, encourage relaxation, and help fight infections. They are commonly used through an alternative medicine treatment option known as aromatherapy. While some experts question whether essential oils are helpful, many suggest they offer positive health effects when safely used. However, essential oils should generally not be used in place of physical or mental health treatment. Instead, they might be used to complement other treatments, such as in-office or online therapy.

This article explores how essential oils like ylang ylang, sweet orange, and lavender oil might help reduce anxiety, calm the central nervous system, lower cortisol levels, and provide overall stress relief. We’ve also highlighted resources for those who would like to work with a mental health professional to address the root cause of stress while using essential oils as a holistic therapy.

What is stress? 

Stress is the body's natural response to challenging or demanding situations, triggering a variety of physical and emotional reactions. When faced with stress, the body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare it to handle the situation but can also temporarily raise blood pressure. 

Chronic stress, if not managed, can lead to consistently high blood pressure and other health issues over time. Understanding what stress is and how it affects the body is crucial for adopting effective stress management techniques to maintain overall well-being and heart health.

Essential oils defined

Essential oils are generally defined as natural extracts from plants. Some refer to the oil as the essence of the plant because the oil compounds usually have scents and flavors from the plant. Each type of essential oil typically has unique compounds that give it a distinctive aroma. The oils can be made using different techniques, including mechanical methods and distillation through steam and water. After the compounds are removed from the plant, they are typically incorporated with oil to make essential oil products.

Essential oil for stress and how they work

Aromatherapy is thought to be the most common use for essential oils. Many people use essential oils by inhaling their aromas, which can stimulate parts of the brain related to the sense of smell, memory, emotions, and behavior. 

The oils are not generally meant to be consumed, but their compounds can interact with the body through other methods, such as through the skin when used with a carrier oil. You may want to carefully read the material about the specific oils you are considering and consult with a medical professional if you have further questions. 

Types of essential oils for stress

There can be dozens of essential oil options to choose from, each with a variety of potential health benefits. Some of the best essential oil options for stress may include lavender, clary sage, bergamot, chamomile, peppermint, and rose essential oil. Some of these and other oils, like orange essential oil and ylang ylang, have been used to boost mood and energy, calm nerves, and reduce anxiety. Some oils may also help with depression, headaches, nausea, and skin conditions. Beyond mental health, lavender essential oil has also been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

The effectiveness of using essential oils for health benefits is still under research, but aromatherapy may help with some common health concerns. One study showed that jasmine oil inhalation improved the moods of its participants.

• Alleviate symptoms related to depression, anxiety, or stress
• Encourage the body and nervous system to relax
• Minimize some forms of pain or physical discomfort
• Promote sleep and relaxation
• Improve the quality of sleep or rest

Positive results have been reported for people using essential oils for anxiety and stress symptoms as a way of complementing therapy. Essential oils should generally not be used as the only form of treatment for stress symptoms. If you are under the care of a health care provider, you might ask them whether essential oils could be an option for your symptoms.

How to know which essential oils to use

Each type of essential oil may vary in quality. Essential oil product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards differently. The essential oil industry doesn't generally have clear guidelines on defining quality oil, but there are a few details you might pay attention to when choosing the best option. To ensure you are using the best quality essential oil, research and read reviews of the product before purchase.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when reviewing and comparing essential oils:

• Check for the purity of plant compounds and extracts. A quality product may provide information that includes the original name of the plant oil or extract, also known as the botanical name of the plant from which the oil was created. It may include aromatic elements naturally from the plant without synthetic additives.
• Look for “true” essential oils that do not contain chemical additives. The extraction process is typically what creates the quality of a real essential oil without chemicals used in the process of creating the oil. 
• Buy essential oils from reputable brands known for producing quality essential oil products. When you see a product that catches your interest, it may be wise to research the brand and product in question before purchasing it.
• Always check to see if an oil should be diluted with a carrier oil and what ratio of essential oil to carrier oil is recommended for safe use.

Consider speaking with a health care professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment while using essential oils for anxiety.

Are essential oils for stress safe?

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are generally safe, but some people report side effects depending on the type of oil used. Some may be allergic to oils, which may result in eye and skin irritation. If ingested, some oils may harm the liver and kidneys.

Other side effects some have experienced include rashes, headaches, and asthma attacks. Oils with the most reported side effects may include tea tree, peppermint, and lavender oil. Some oils may not be appropriate to use on the skin unless a carrier oil is mixed in before application. Citrus essential oils like lemon oil and lime oil are phototoxic and may cause skin sensitivities if applied directly to the skin. Aromatherapy is usually the safest way to work with essential oils for anxiety and stress relief.

It is often best to work with a licensed professional when considering essential oils for aromatherapy. They may provide detailed information about which oils are best to use for your symptoms.

Learn to relieve stress with online therapy

While aromatherapy with essential oils can be a helpful way to relieve stress, it may be much more effective when combined with other forms of mental health treatment, such as therapy. When you’re stressed, you may not feel like visiting a therapist’s office. This is where online therapy may be a more convenient option. 

With BetterHelp, you can connect with a licensed therapist via phone or videoconferencing from home or anywhere you have an internet connection. You can also contact them in between sessions via in-app messaging if you’re feeling stressed, and they’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy. As one study explains, online therapy can be highly effective for several mental health disorders and concerns. The study’s authors note that it may be particularly effective in treating the effects of stress and anxiety.