Aromatherapy for Anxiety, Anger, More!

Essential Oils Transform Your Mood – Aromatherapy for Anxiety and More!

It just happens.

There are times when our mood is not what we want (e.g. anxiety or anger).

There are times when we need to cultivate a particular mood – confidence, for example).

Sometimes we can change our mood ourselves. Sometimes… we need a little help.

Luckily, a wonderfully simple, natural and safe method is aromatherapy, using essential oils.

Essential oils are extracted from plants, flowers, bark, and other natural substances. A little goes a long way!

Here is a useful list of moods, and how you can use aromatherapy for anxiety and other emotions.

Aromatherapy for Lethargy

If you just can’t seem to get yourself going, a great way to use aromatherapy is in the shower!

Place 3 or 4 drops of your chosen essential oil (e.g. peppermint) on the tray or base of your shower. As you shower (an invigorating experience anyway!), you will inhale the peppermint and steam, and you will be stimulated and awakened.

The best essential oils for lethargy are:

Basil, peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, and geranium

If you are struggling with fatigue, you can also place the oils in a diffuser, and then stand next to it for a while. The room will fill with energizing scent – add some upbeat music and you’ll get going in no time!

Aromatherapy for Anxiety

Use any of these oils individually, or blend several together to create an aromatic experience:

Bergamot, neroli, sandalwood, lavender, geranium, wild orange, and vanilla

All of these essential oils induce feelings of calm, rejuvenation, and relaxation.

The best way to use aromatherapy for anxiety is to have a soothing massage with a blend of 2 or 3 of these oils. To massage, you need to first blend the oils with a carrier oil (such as olive or jojoba oil). Use 2 drops of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.

Enjoy the massage and unwind an anxious mood.

Aromatherapy for Anger

The best way to use aromatherapy for anger is as a chest rub. Choose from:

Neroli, lime, ylang ylang, jasmine, and patchouli

To rub into your chest, you need to first blend the oils with a carrier oil (such as olive or jojoba oil). Use 2 drops of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.

These essential oils can help calm anger and bring a feeling of peace.

Aromatherapy for Grief

Grief is a tough emotion to overcome, but you can ease it with these oils:

Cypress, Palo Santo, frankincense, vetiver, and rose

These particular oils have quite strong and distinctive scents, so choose a blend that you find soothing.

Use the oils in a diffuser, or massage them onto your skin – mix 2 drops of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil (olive or jojoba oil).

Aromatherapy for Confidence

These oils are associated with increased self-confidence:

Ylang ylang, orange, jasmine, cedar wood, fennel, and pine.

Use an aromatherapy burner with the oil or oil blend of your choice in your personal or professional environment to find greater confidence when you need it.

Aromatherapy for Passion

When you want to awaken your senses and tap into unlocked passion, use these oils:

Cardamom, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, and patchouli

Use these sensual aromatics as a massage oil (use 2 drops of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil such as olive or jojoba oil).

Or place rose or jasmine in a diffuser to fill the bedroom with a romantic scent.

Aromatherapy for Creativity

Try these oils to help promote your creativity:

Cloves, bergamot, lemon, patchouli, and neroli

Vaporize oils in your creative space and also just before bed to help promote creativity. Aromatherapy can be your muse!

Aromatherapy for Concentration

When prolonged attention is required or you feel your attention slipping away, use these oils individually or blended:

Basil, black pepper, lemon, mandarin, clary sage, hyssop, and cypress

Inhale this scent by placing the oils in a diffuser, or even a pocket-size aromatherapy aromatic stick for increased concentration.

Related: more aromatherapy “recipes” for better concentration, Also: top uses for tea tree essential oil

Why Does Aromatherapy Work?

Using essential oils for healing has been practiced for centuries by many cultures.  More recently, French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé and other aromatherapy experts believe that scents detected by the nose stimulate communication with the emotions and memories of the brain.

They tell us that when you breathe in a particular essential oil, your brain will have a corresponding reaction.

It seems that essential oils also interact in the blood with enzymes or hormones.

Whatever the science behind aromatherapy, the millions of people who use aromatherapy clearly know that essential oils affect our bodies as a whole.

While medication and drugs definitely have their place, a natural, plant-based solution is always preferable.

And a holistic approach to life is very much a part of green and eco friendly living.

Do you use aromatherapy, and if so, for what? Let me know in the Comments below.

Why not share these aromatherapy “recipes” with your friends and family? Sharing buttons below and right – thank you!