Finding an essential oil for peace and calming: 8 choices backed by research

Did you know that over 40 million people over the age of 18 in the United States have an anxiety disorder? This works out to roughly 18.1% of the adult population, and there are several ways you can manage it. Although prescription medications are very popular, so are more holistic methods like essential oils. If you are wondering which essential oils work best for anxiety and how to use them, this list is for you. Below are 8 choices to help you find an essential oil for peace and calming in today’s stressful world.

In search of the best essential oil for peace and calming

Since there are so many different essential oils available, it can be tough to find the ones that work best for anxiety. That’s why this list will come in handy. Here are the most calming essential oils so you can try them out to see which ones work well for you.

1. Lavender

First up is one of the better-known essential oils, lavender. Lavender has a long history of calming anxiety and soothing mental distress. Research shows that lavender essential oil can calm your limbic system when you inhale it through aromatherapy.

This system is what controls and regulates your emotions. As it works, it can help lower your anxiety levels, soothe your stress, and help you relax.

2. Valerian

Valerian is a herb with an ancient history of medicinal use across several cultures for various maladies. Many people claim that this her has mild sedative properties, and it has compounds that can calm your nerves and help you fall asleep.

Inhaling this scent will help you enjoy the sedative effects, and it has a very light and earthy smell associated with it. Valerian won’t overwhelm you when using it either.

3. Jasmine essential oil for peace and calming

Jasmine is another very light and floral scent that can be soothing to some people. If you inhale it, it can promote a sense of well-being and romance.

Jasmine goes to work directly on your nervous system to calm it down without causing you to feel tired or sleepy. This is a stronger scent, especially if you use it in a smaller space. It also lingers for hours after you use it.

4. Jatamansi

If you like valerian, you’ll most likely like the scent of atamansi, too, because it comes from the same plant family. It’s a very popular tool in ayurvedic medicine to help encourage sleep and calm racing minds.

This makes jatamansi an excellent choice for helping with anxiety or depression. A recent study showed that this essential oil could increase MAO receptors in the brain while decreasing GABA neurotransmitters. This can help with depression, and depression and anxiety often go hand in hand.

5. Frankincense

Made with the Boswellia tree’s resin, frankincense has a long and colorful history. It has a sweet and musky scent that shows promise for helping alleviate anxiety.

One study involving terminal cancer patients showed that exposing them to frankincense helped lower their pain levels while improving their depression and anxiety levels to help them be more comfortable.

6. Lemon balm

Lemon and other citrus-based essential oils have a very uplifting and happy scent. This can translate into a restorative effect that is very soothing for anyone who smells it.

Researchers found that using lemon balm on people who had moderate or mild anxiety disorders lowered their anxiety. Lemon balm can also help promote sleep, help people fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer.

7. Another essential oil for peace and calming is fennel

If you like to cook, you’ve most likely heard of fennel before. Maybe you’ve even cooked with it.

Fennel has a very strong and earthy anise scent associated with it. Exciting research showed that this scent could help with anxiety side effects like digestive problems. It’s potent enough to soothe anxiety, reduce sleep issues, calm hot flashes, and reduce depressive symptoms.

8. Holy basil

The last scent on the list comes from the basil family. This is what gives it a very minty and spicy aroma that lingers around after you open it.

Holy basil is an adaptogenic herb that can treat both mental and physical stress symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, aches, and pains. Since it has such a strong scent, you’ll only need a few drops.

How to use these 8 oils

There are several ways you can use your essential oils to help treat your anxiety symptoms. Aromatherapy is very popular with diffusers.

You can get home and car diffusers and add a few drops of your chosen essential oils. The scent will fill the air and help you relax. Another option is to add a few drops combined with a dispersant to your bathwater.

Alternatively, you might wear essential oil jewelry. It’s a popular choice because it enables you to wear your favorite anxiety-fighting scent all day without disturbing anyone else. The oils go on a small pad or in a bead and gently diffuse all day as you wear it.

You can make massage oils or lotions by adding a few drops of the oils to your lotion, shampoo, or carrier oil. Work them into your skin before bed too.

Conclusions on essential oils for peace and calming

Whatever you choose, the correct combination of essential oils can help soothe your mind, relax your body, calm your anxiety, and make you feel better. We’ve listed eight great options and told you how to use them. You can take this information and apply it to your own life to see positive results.