Essential oils are concentrated, liquid forms of plant essence. They are collected through a cold-pressing or distillation process using steam or water. Essential oils are known for their wide range of therapeutic and medicinal properties. They’ve been shown to lessen the effects of physical ailments, but they’re most popular for improving mood.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the most common way that essential oils are used. The concentrates are diffused in water, and the resulting steam is inhaled to reap the benefits of the oils. Inhaling them using a diffuser or humidifier is a great way to begin exploring essential oils.

Another way to practice aromatherapy is by actually applying essential oils to your skin. In these cases, the concentrates are combined with a carrier oil, like coconut oil, argan oil, or sweet almond oil. These carrier oils are used to protect your skin, as the potent concentrates can often be irritating when applied directly. You can also use essential oils for skin care or as a massage aid, but it’s recommended you first try the essential oil on a small patch of skin to test for any potentially adverse effects, like redness or a rash.

14 Essential Oils and Their Benefits

Essential oils can be made from just about any plant, flower, root, tree, fruit, or spice. Many essential oils boast medicinal properties, but most are used for aromatherapy purposes only. Blends are a great way to explore different essential oils, decide what you like, and combine their positive effects for unique scents and enhanced benefits.

Frankincense

Frankincense has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It’s also known as olibanum and is the distilled gum resin from Boswellia trees. The spicy, warm-scented oil is used as an anxiety aid and encourages feelings of relaxation. Because of these effects, it’s a popular addition to massage oils and essential oil blends, to promote a sense of calm.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood essential oil is a substance derived from the needles, leaves, bark, and berries of cedar trees. There are many types of cedar trees, and cedarwood essential oil is made from many of the varieties, including the Texas cedarwood, Himalayan cedarwood, Chinese cedarwood, and Virginian cedarwood trees. It’s been used as a natural sedative, and research has shown that it can be an effective treatment for insomnia. It’s also used in aromatherapy to relieve tension and has a soothing effect on your mood.

Roman Chamomile

Chamomile – specifically, Roman chamomile – promotes a soothing feeling and acts as both a digestion aid and as relief for feelings of anxiety. Chamomile is also a popular nighttime tea, as it encourages a sense of calm and relaxation before bedtime.

Neroli

Neroli essential oil is the extract of bitter orange trees and is also known as orange blossom oil. Neroli essential oil is said to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and relieve stress. It’s also been shown to improve the symptoms of menstruation, which can impact sleep health.

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils on the market. Several studies have been done on lavender as a sleep aid, including a 2015 study that found using lavender essential oil helped college students improve their sleep hygiene.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a refreshing, invigorating scent that stimulates the brain, improves mood, and clears the mind. It’s been found to both reduce anxiety and help quiet coughs. Popular cough suppressants often list eucalyptus oil as one of their active ingredients.

Clary Sage

Clary sage has been shown to lower cortisol levels when inhaled and naturally release symptoms of stress, recentering mind and body. More research is needed, but a small study from 2013 demonstrated how inhaling clary sage helps reduce stress.

Ylang-Ylang

A popular addition to aromatherapy regimens and bath oils, ylang-ylang has mild sedative properties that instill a sense of calm. One study found that the flower reduces blood pressure and heart rate, both of which are heightened by stress.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a bright, punchy oil that has a classic minty smell. Pure peppermint oil is toxic at high doses, so it’s particularly important that this oil be diluted. While it boasts many medicinal benefits (including relieving indigestion, easing nausea, and improving circulation), many opt to include peppermint oil in their aromatherapy blends. Its refreshing scent boosts mood and energizes the mind.

Rosemary

A refreshing, energizing and invigorating oil, rosemary essential oil has been shown to increase brain activity, heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate. Its antidepressant properties also help to boost focus and memory as well as improve overall brain health.

Sweet Orange

Sweet orange oil has been shown to help improve mood and reduce stress levels. Citrus oils are known to be great mood boosters, and sweet orange essential oil is no exception. Its refreshing scent inspires feelings of high energy while also relaxing and calming the mind.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood oil is derived from the roots and wood of the East Indian sandalwood tree and is prized in holistic and alternative medicine. In Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, sandalwood and sandalwood oil have been used to treat everything from urinary tract infections to scabies. Sandalwood is a popular addition to oil blends that improve mood and can both improve focus and instill a sense of calm.

Bergamot

Bergamot is a citrusy, floral scent that’s said to brighten mood and lift the spirit. It’s also been shown to improve cognitive function and increase energy levels. Bergamot has been studied as a treatment for both depression and insomnia: It’s believed that bergamot lowers levels of corticosterone in the blood, improving, in turn, the body’s stress response.

Jasmine

Jasmine essential oil is used to relieve nervousness and reduce tension. It’s been used as an aphrodisiac and as an antidepressant, though there hasn’t been much research done on its mood-lifting properties.

Essential Oil Blends for Every Mood

To Feel Grounded

• 5 drops frankincense
• 4 drops cedarwood
• 2 drops Roman chamomile

If You’re Anxious

• 5 drops sandalwood
• 1 drop neroli
• 1 drop Roman chamomile
• 1 drop lavender

To Get Energized

• 4 drops peppermint
• 2 drops lemongrass

To Feel Sleepy

• 4 drops lavender
• 2 drops Roman chamomile
• 2 drops clary sage
• 2 drops ylang-ylang

To Get Focused

• 2 drops rosemary
• 3 drops peppermint

To Feel Romantic

• 2 drops jasmine
• 2 drops patchouli
• 1 drop rosemary
• 1 drop sandalwood
• 1 drop ylang-ylang

If You’re Tense

• 4 drops cedarwood
• 3 drops bergamot
• 2 drops jasmine
• 1 drop neroli

When You’re Overwhelmed

• 3 drops lavender
• 2 drops Roman chamomile
• 2 drops of ylang-ylang

The Bottom Line

Aromatherapy and the use of essential oils can improve mood, promote a sense of calm, relieve tension, and help get you in the mood. These blends as just a jumping off point – try blending your favorite oils to see which combinations you like! Diluted essential oils are the safest to use, but people with sensitive skin, asthma, and other sensitivities should speak with their doctors before beginning an aromatherapy regime.