One of the most useful ways of benefiting from essential oils is to use them to cope with situations involving anxiety and stress. Many of the flowery and woody oils have calming and pain-relieving effects that help ease tension and worry.
Instant de-stressor
Calming oils encourage the body to relax, which is essential as your natural reaction to stress is to tense up and store negative emotions inside, producing knotted muscles and cramps and spasms. When using these oils, you will want to feel their effects quickly, so use them in vaporiser sprays, on handkerchiefs and in oil burners, where you can immediately receive the calming benefits of the oils. Some calming oils also stimulate the immune system, which helps the body deal with the long-term effects of stress.
Exploring the Properties of Calming Oils
There are several different calming oils with about as many different healing properties. Here are the most popular.
Analgesic
These oils have a pain-relieving quality and are ideal for treating panic attacks with physical symptoms such as tightness of chest or migraines. These work especially well when applied to pulse points and used in massage blends applied directly to the skin. Oils include cajeput, chamomile, eucalyptus, ginger, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, marjoram, nutmeg, peppermint and rosemary.
Antispasmodic
This oil group can prevent or ease spasms, which can be a symptom of stress. Such oils work well in burners and vaporisers. These oils include bergamot, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, rose, thyme and vetivert.
Sedative
Oils such as jasmine, juniper lavender, melissa and rose calm the nervous system when used in oil burners.
Potent Calming Oils
There are many different types of effects that can be achieved with calming oils. Here's a selection of the most common oils that are used to provide the most effective treatments.
Bergamot
This essential oil has a refreshing and uplifting effect.
It also possesses a wide range of healing properties.
Cedarwood
Calming and soothing, cedarwood essential oil will ease tension, anxiety and can also help to stimulate libido.
Chamomile
The harmonising and healing effects of this warming oil are especially good for helping the body to relax after a long day.
Clary sage
This essential oil uplifts the body and mind, helping to remove mental haziness and establish greater clarity of thought.
Frankincense
The calming and head-clearing properties of frankincense purify the atmosphere and relax and stimulate the mind.
Jasmine
The oil from this exotic bloom has a calming and intoxicating effect, which eases the mind and spirit.
Lavender
This herb has a calming and refreshing effect, which eases the mind, reducing the effects of stress and relieving stress headaches.
Melissa
Your nerves will be calmed and your bad emotions purged by the uplifting and purifying effect of melissa essential oil.
Orange
Orange has a calming effect on the nervous system. Its fresh and fruity scent will make you feel relaxed and re-invigorated.
Neroli
Neroli essential oil has a calming and boosting effect on your body, which eases stress and the symptoms of depression.
Rose
This invigorating and calming oil encourages positive moods and feelings and eases stress and tension.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood has a calming and antidepressant effect. The sensual aroma helps boost the spirit and refines the emotions.
Your Calming Blend
Here is a simple calming blend to create at home.
Panic attack blend
Make your own calming perfume and apply it to your pulse points.
- 50ml grapeseed oil
- 5 drops frankincense
- 5 drops lavender
- 3 drops jasmine
Composition
Certain ingredients found within calming oils affect the body by encouraging it to relax.
- Aldehydes. These lower blood pressure and calm the nervous system to promote feelings of relaxation and wellbeing
- Esters. Esters are antispasmodic and have a calming effect on the nervous system.