Three essential oil bottles on a pink background.
Are essential oils a good method for treating symptoms of anxiety?

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Depression can affect how you act and think. Depression can cause physical and emotional symptoms. The symptoms can vary depending on the person.

  • anxiety
  • It is restless.
  • sadness
  • despair
  • Difficult concentrating
  • Difficult sleeping

While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

People use essential oils as complementary treatments for many conditions, including depression and the others listed above, as well as their respective symptoms.

It is important to note that essential oils are not a cure for depression. They are a drug-free option that may help you manage the condition. In most cases, essential oils are safe to use.

There are many essential oils on the market, but research on their benefits, risks, and efficacy is limited.

According to a review on aromatherapy and depression, essential oils were shown to be an effective option for the relief of depressive symptoms.

The benefits of using a blend of herbs to treat depression have been shown in recent studies, but research is limited due to the quality of the studies and the way they were conducted.

A more recent study, however, suggests that certain essential oils can have an anxiolytic, or anxiety reducing effect, which increases production of serotonin. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for mood, sleep, and other important body functions.

The findings show promise about how essential oils can help with depression. More research is needed to provide a conclusive picture.

The criteria we used to pick the best essential oils for depression.

  • Vetting. Every product on our list has been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards. You can read more about our vetting process here.
  • Ingredients. The oils we chose are pure formulations with no fillers.
  • Research-backed. We chose oils that have been shown by scientific research to ease symptoms of depression.
  • Customer reviews. We took into account what users said about various oils and chose ones that received mostly positive reviews.
  • Affordability. We selected oils from brands that may be more financially accessible for people.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $5
  • $$ = $5–$10
  • $$$ = over $10

Best essential oil for relaxation

Gya Labs Lavender Essential Oil

  • Price: $$
  • Best used for: may help with lowering anxiety, decreasing stress, improving mood, and promoting relaxation
  • Additional benefits: relief from insomnia, anxiety, hair loss, headaches, and chemotherapy side effects as well skin issues like acne, burns, eczema, dry skin, and wound healing
  • Possible side effects: potential skin reactions if your skin is sensitive to topical products, as well as intestinal cramping and nausea if consumed directly (which is not advised)

The floral yet earthy scent of lavender oil is often valued for its calming effects. Research suggests that lavender aromatherapy may help:

  • It is possible to relieve anxiety.
  • The stress should be decreased.
  • Improve mood.
  • Relax.

Lavender oil has also been studied and shown to have effects on postpartum depression. Researchers concluded that stress, anxiety, and depression were significantly lower in a group of patients who inhaled lavender essential oil over a 4-week period.

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Best essential oil for stress relief

Gya Labs Ginger Essential Oil

  • Price: $$
  • Best used for: may be useful in helping lower symptoms that accompany depression and stress
  • Additional benefits: relief from nausea, arthritis, digestive upset, colds, and migraines
  • Possible side effects: potential skin reactions if your skin is sensitive to topical products

According to a 2011 animal study, ginger may protect the brain from stress-related damage. Researchers found that stress-challenged rats that received ginger extract experienced protection from certain brain damage.

Another animal study also showed that ginger may be helpful in reducing anxiety and anxiety symptoms.

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Best essential oil for anxiety relief

Cliganic Organic Bergamot Essential Oil

  • Price: $$
  • Best used for: may help treat symptoms of anxiety, which can also be a side effect of ongoing depression
  • Additional benefits: relief from acne, pain and inflammation, food poisoning, and stress
  • Possible side effects: photosensitivity if skin is exposed to sunlight post-application

The scent of bergamot oil is uplifting and calming.

According to a 2013 study, bergamot essential oil significantly reduced anxiety in patients awaiting outpatient surgery.

Depression and anxiety are both disorders that occur at the same time. Depression may also cause anxiety.

It is not clear how bergamot eases apprehension. It may help reduce the stress in a situation.

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Other oils

Studies have shown that both ylang-ylang oil and rose oil have calming and relaxing effects. The oils can also help regulate what are called “autonomic functions,” such as your breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure.

The evidence supports that essential oils can relieve symptoms of depression. Some of the oils are used in making perfumes.

  • It is a drug of choice.
  • The orange is sweet.
  • The fruit of the imagination.
  • neroli.
  • The scent of frankincense
  • jasmine
  • There is a scent of sandalwood.

Gya Labs Lavender Essential Oil Gya Labs Ginger Essential Oil Cliganic Organic Bergamot Essential Oil
What it’s best for calming, decreasing stress, improving mood, aiding relaxing lowering stress and other depression symptoms treating anxiety symptoms
Customer rating 4.5 4.5 4.6
Price $$ $$ $$

The aromatic effects of essential oils on depression are well known. It is up to you whether you want to inhale the scent directly or allow it to diffuse into the area. You should still be able to benefit from it.

The most common methods for scent inhalation are listed.

  • The scent can be exhaled from the oil bottle or the inhaler tube.
  • You can use essential oil on a cotton ball.
  • Add a few drops of oil to a diffuser.
  • Adding essential oil to your bath water can be used to create an aromatic bath.
  • Add a few drops of essential oil to your massage oil to enjoy an aromatic massage.

Combining essential oils may also help depression, according to a 2008 study.

MR KB 6/10/2018, OK to use source from 2008 or older?

Fifty-eight hospitalized patients with terminal cancer received a hand massage with general massage oil or a massage oil.

The aromatherapy oil was made with The scent of frankincense, lavender, and bergamot essential oils. People who received the aromatherapy massage experienced significantly less pain and depression.

“If you have respiratory problems, pregnant people, or children, you shouldn’t use essential oils.”

All essential oils may cause an allergic reaction, so you should never apply them to your skin undiluted. If you do plan to apply an essential oil blend to your skin, you should add 1 ounce of a carrier oil to every 3 to 6 drops of essential oil. Common carrier oils include:

  • Almond oil is sweet.
  • It is olive oil.
  • Coconut oil is a vegetable oil.
  • Jojoba oil is found in oil.

You should do a patch test before large applications. To apply your essential and carrier oil mix to a small patch of skin, you must first sprinkle a small amount on it. This will allow you to see if the mix causes a reaction.

Do not drink essential oils.

The FDA does not regulate essential oils. Only buy oils from a manufacturer that is trustworthy. If possible, ask a trained aromatherapist for a recommendation.

“Adding essential oils to your routine without your doctor’s approval is not a good idea.”

The oils are only meant to be used as a complement to your current regimen.

Conventional treatments for depression are listed.

  • The drugs are prescription.
  • One-on-one and group sessions are included.
  • There is treatment for severe cases of depression.
  • “People who aren’t responding to medication, can’t take antidepressants, or are at high risk for suicide can be treated with sedan therapy.”
  • “People who don’t respond to antidepressants can get transcranial magnetic stimulation.”

Mismanaged depression may lead to:

  • Physical pain.
  • anxiety disorders
  • suicidal thoughts
  • Substance use disorder is related to substance use.

Is aromatherapy good for depression?

Some essential oils can help relieve depression.

What oils increase serotonin?

Research has shown that certain essential oils can produce an anxiolytic, anxiety-reducing effect, and increase the body’s production of serotonin. These oils include lavender, rosemary, The orange is sweet., and It is a drug of choice..

Can essential oils replace anti-depressants?

“If your symptoms affect your quality of life or your ability to perform everyday activities, you should talk with your doctor before using essential oils for depression. While essential oils can help with depression and anxiety, they aren’t a substitute for medication.”

“If you are experiencing depression, talk to your doctor. They can help you develop a treatment plan. Do your best to follow your treatment plan once it’s been set. Symptoms may return if you miss appointments or take medications that cause withdrawal.”

If you are interested in using essential oils, speak with your doctor or a trained aromatherapist. They can help you decide on the best way to incorporate essential oils into your treatment plan.