Medical treatments for anxiety can sometimes lead to the development of side effects, including increased anxiety. To avoid this, many people are turning to holistic approaches, such as the use of essential oils. If you want to treat your anxiety with essential oils, here is what you need to know.  

How Do Essential Oils Help?

Essential oils have an impact on the limbic system in the brain. The system is responsible for controlling emotions, such as anger, fear, and anxiety. It also has control over your drives, such as hunger and sex.  

When you inhale essential oils, certain emotions can be triggered by the limbic system. For instance, if you suffer from anxiety, depending on the oil you select, calm and contentment could be triggered by the system.  

Since your emotional well-being is also connected to your physical health, using essential oils can have an indirect impact on certain medical conditions. For instance, alleviating anxiety could potentially help with high blood pressure, heart disease, and other stress-related conditions.  

Which Oils Should You Use?

Not all essential oils are the same. Therefore, it is important to select oils that have been determined to help with anxiety.  

For instance, bergamot is an oil that helps to alleviate your mood, while lowering feelings of anxiety. If you do opt to use bergamot, it is important that you practice good skin protection methods in direct sunlight. Bergamot can sometimes lead to photosensitivity. If you are already taking precautions, such as wearing a hat and using sunscreen, you are on the right road.  

Another possible oil you could use is clary sage. The essential oil has been used as an antidepressant in the past. As a treatment for anxiety, it can help to naturally boost your mood and lower your feelings of stress.  

Do You Ingest the Oils?

Essential oils are typically not ingested. If ingested, they could cause a range of symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. The best way to use essential oils is to inhale the aroma.  

There are a couple of ways you can use the oils. You can opt to use a diffuser. The diffuser helps to spread the scent of the oil throughout the room.  You can also place some oil in your bath water. 

There are many other essential oils that can help alleviate your anxiety. You can even combine some of the oils to get the aroma that you want.