Aromatherapy

Essential oils are very effective in the treatment of stress and in the encouragement of relaxation.

Scents of vanilla, orange blossom, rose, chamomile and lavender {and other floral fragrances) have a noticeable calming effect on the way you feel.

Scents of lavender, sandalwood and nutmeg help you shrug off the ill-effects of stress.

Patchouli oil helps eliminate anxiety and lifts the mood (it is also said to be an aphrodisiac.).

Clary sage is a sedative and tonic.

Ylang-ylang is euphoric, regulator, sedative, and tonic. Use it in moderation. It can cause headaches in some people.

Lavender is probably the most useful of them all for relaxation. It is a sedative and a tonic. It helps you to relax, at the same time, it also  eases aches and pains, such as headache. Sprinkle four drops on a tissue and inhale deeply for sudden stress. Our ancestors carried with them handkerchiefs perfumed with lavender water or rose water.

The most effective methods for using essential oils to help calm the mind and relax the body include massage, baths, and vaporization. You can use them singly or in combination.

The Characteristics Of Essential Oils Useful for Anxiety and Stress Management

Calm Oils

Basil 
Bay 
Bergamot 
Cedarwood 
Chamomile 
Cinnamon 
Comfrey 
Cypress 
Frankincense 
Geranium 
Hyssop 
Juniper 
Lavender 
Marjoram 
Melissa 
Neroli (orange blossom) 
Patchouli 
Rose 
Sage (Clary) 
Sandalwood 
Ylang Ylang

Uplifting Oils

Basil 
Bergamot 
Geranium 
Juniper 
Lavender 
Melissa

Stress Oils

Chamomile 
Geranium 
Lavender 
Marjoram 
Melissa 
Peppermint 
Sandalwood

Oils To Avoid In Pregnancy

Basil 
Bay 
Comfrey 
Hyssop 
Juniper 
Marjoram 
Melissa 
Sage (Clary)

Useful Essential Oil Blends

Essential oil combinations are useful for purposes of relaxation and producing a sense of calm. You can experiment with different combinations to determine the effects they produce on you. Try not to mix more than three oils unless it is specifically recommended.

Here are some suggested combinations:

Essential Oil Combination for Anxiety

Marjoram - 1 part
Neroli (orange blossom) - 1 part
Bergamot - 1 part

Combination #2

Lavender - 3 parts
Bergamot - 2 parts
Sandalwood -1 part.

Relaxing Blend

The following blend can be used in a vaporizer, for a massage, or in a bath. If you use it for massage, add 1/2 fluid ounce of carrier oil.

2 drops geranium

2 drops lavender

2 drops sandalwood

1 drop ylang-ylang

Anti-anxiety Combination

Mix soothing essential oils such as lavender, jasmine, geranium, ylang-ylang. and bergamot. This can be used by any of the following methods.

Add 6 drops to a hot bath (stirring gently to disperse)

Make a massage oil by adding 10 drops of the blend to one ounce of carrier oil such as almond or olive.

See Also: 

Aromatherapy for Stress Management
Aromatherapy Infocenter in Holisticonline.com

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