Essential oils influence and heal your mind through your sense of smell. They trigger a response in the olfactory epithelium or sense of smell in your nose. From there it's just one nerve synapse to the limbic system of the brain which regulates primary emotions and memories. So, if you are struggling with anxiety, depression or stress, these are the 10 best essential oils for mental health.
But before we begin, if you are new to aromatherapy or essential oils, be sure to check out our Essential Oils Guide we share how to use essential oils for health and non-toxic living. We'll also explore some of the most common questions people have.
Essential Oils Guide to Health and Non-Toxic Living – In this essential oils guide, we share how to use essential oils for health and non-toxic living. We'll also explore some of the most common questions people have.
1. Lavender
If you have used essential oils before lavender at the top of the list probably comes as no surprise to you. Lavender is the most popular of the essential oils, especially for anxiety and stress.
Ways to Use Lavender
-
Diffuse for aromatherapy benefits
-
Use in the bath
Other Uses for Lavender
-
Treating alopecia and hair loss
-
Helping with skin conditions like canker sores and burns
-
Reducing pain and soreness
Give lavender essential oil a try and you will be amazed by how much better you feel.
2. Frankincense
The next essential oil on this list is frankincense. While it is not as well known as lavender, it still tends to be at the top of the lists for people’s favorite essential oil. That is due to the many health benefits of frankincense, not just with your mental health.
Ways to Use Frankincense
-
Add to body lotions or soaps with other spiced essential oils
-
Applying to your skin after diluted with a carrier oil
-
Add it to your bath
- Use with a compress for muscle pain and stiffness
3. Roman Chamomile
An ancient essential oil, Roman Chamomile has been around for centuries. In fact, back to the Romans! It was once used for mental clarity when people went to war. Over time, people discovered that the calming effects make it ideal for mental health.
If you've ever relaxed while sipping Chamomile tea, you remember it's fruity aroma and light sedative effect.
But you can also get chamomile in an essential oil.
There is more than one variety of chamomile, but Roman chamomile is better for mental health. Its fragrance is a bit sweeter, and it has a slightly more sedative effect than German.
For mental health, Roman chamomile should definitely be at the top of the list. It has many benefits like clarity, and focus.
Here are some reasons to use this essential oil for your mental health:
It Helps You Sleep
If you have had chamomile tea, you probably drank it shortly before bed to help you sleep. The oil works in the same way. You can add it to your bath, tea, or diffuser to help encourage relaxation before sleep… No matter how difficult your day was!
You Feel Calmer
Roman chamomile essential oil is good for creating a sense of calm. Whether you had a hard day at work, are stressed about something specific, or struggling with fear or anger, you can settle your nerves with this one oil.
It Helps With Anxiety
Essential oils are often used for anxiety, and Roman chamomile is no exception. There are many forms of anxiety, from GAD to PTSD… And Chamomile can help you relax, reduce your panic attacks, and keep your anxiousness and fear from taking over your life.
You Can Treat DepressionÂ
Studies show Roman Chamomile can help with depression. And it doesn’t hurt to try a natural remedy like Roman Chamomile essential oil to calm you during dark days.
Ways to Use Roman Chamomile
You can use Roman Chamomile essential oil in any of your hot drinks. You just need a couple drops in a cup of tea or other hot drink to help it relax you.
You can also blend this oil with other oils in an aromatherapy blend, then added to your diffuser. Some good oils it blends well with include:
- Lavender
- Rose
- Clary Sage
- GeraniumThese all happen to be on the list of oils that are good for mental health as well. If you want to apply it to your skin, a good carrier oil is coconut oil, since it helps to soften and moisturize your skin at the same time
Other Uses for Roman Chamomile
Roman chamomile is also great at reducing your allergies. The herb of chamomile naturally has both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This makes it ideal for allergy season, especially when you suffer from hay fever. It can reduce swelling and inflammation, and help with irritations from your allergies.
It is also good for skin health, like inflammation, gout, and wounds, as well as a condition like eczema. Additionally, Roman chamomile E.O. can help to reduce PMS symptoms like cramps and headaches.
4. Bergamot
The next essential oil on this list of the best oils for mental health is bergamot. Don’t worry if you have never heard of it – you are about to fall in love! Bergamot brings in the sunshine!
Ways to Use Bergamot
So, how do you use bergamot?
-
Dilute with liquid to ingest it for various health benefits
-
Add a few drops to your diffuser when you need relaxation and stress relief
-
Add it to your bath with carrier oils to moisturize your skin and reduce anxiety or depression
-
Try bergamot in your Earl Grey tea
-
Helping with your digestive system
-
Providing relief for skin itching and irritation
-
Cleansing your skin naturally
-
Killing bacteria on the skin
-
Providing relief for joint pain
-
Helping with congestion
5. Ylang-Ylang
We are about halfway through the top 10 list of essential oils for mental health, so now it is time to talk about ylang-ylang. This is definitely one of the less common oils, though it is quickly gaining in popularity.
Ways to Use Ylang Ylang
- Lemon
- Grapefruit
- Sandalwood
- Marjoram
- Bergamot
- Vetiver
If you enjoy taking bubble baths, add a few drops into your bath and take a deep, relaxing soak. For aromatherapy, you can inhale the oils in a diffuser or even do a facial steam with it. You can also combine it with a carrier oil like jojoba and apply to your wrists and behind your ears.
Other Uses for Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang is also great for immune health. It has natural antiseptic property, helping to get rid of bacteria and germs in your body. It increases blood flow and works with some endocrine disorders as well. It can also help with inflammation in your body.
6. Sweet Orange
When you want an essential oil to promote cheerfulness, Sweet Orange is the one to go with. Like ylang-ylang, sweet orange is a natural sedative essential oil. It can help you relax regardless of how you are feeling or what your day has been like.
Ways to Use Sweet Orange
Other Uses for Sweet Orange
-
Using it as a diuretic
-
Reducing inflammation
-
Providing antiseptic properties
-
Using it as a tonic
7. Jasmine
It's true that some essential oils smell better than others… But who doesn’t love the sweet, floral scent of jasmine?
Ways to Use Jasmine
For a relaxing bath, add a few drops to your bath with other feminine scents like rose or lavender. If you want the scent of jasmine in a subtle way, try spraying a diluted version of the oil inside your pillowcase and you will enjoy it all night long
Other Uses for Jasmine
-
Make you more alert and focused
-
Provide natural aphrodisiac qualities
-
Reduce your PMS symptoms, especially cramps
-
Helps with chronic fatigue syndrome
8. Clary Sage
If you aren’t familiar with the euphoric effect of clary sage, you are definitely missing out!
-
Calming and relaxing you
-
Helping you to concentrate
-
Improving your sleep
-
Reducing stress
-
Helping with anxiety
Ways to Use Clary Sage
For blends, it works well with marjoram, Roman chamomile, bergamot, and jasmine.
Other Uses for Clary Sage
-
Work as an astringent and antiseptic
-
Help with your digestive system
-
Provide anti-bacterial properties
9. Rose Geranium
This is not an infusion of two oils, but instead from a plant called the pelargonium, or the rose geranium shrub.
-
Sandalwood
-
Rose
-
Rosemary
-
Frankincense
-
Chamomile
-
Jasmine
-
Lavender
You can use it as a blend or alone in your bath, on your skin after diluted with a carrier oil, or in a diffuser.
Other Uses for Rose Geranium
.
10. Sandalwood
The last essential oil on the list is sandalwood. It is highly fragrant, and while it is on the richer side, it also blends well with many feminine scents.
Ways to Use Sandalwood
-
Use it in a blend with other oils, then add to your bath for a relaxing experience
-
Try combining it with carrier oils and applying it to your skin
-
Make a homemade facial steam with a bowl and towel over your head
-
Add a few drops to your diffuser
Other Uses for Sandalwood
Conclusion
Essential oils have been used throughout the ages to empower families to be their own healers. It's about scientific fact, simplicity, and a trajectory toward an elevated quality of life. These 10 essential oils for mental health are a wonderful addition to a wellness program.
Please bookmark this post or post it to your Pinterest board for future reference.
Very interesting discussion glad that I came across such informative post. Keep up the good work friend. keep it up…