The 17 Best Essential Oils For Depression And Anxiety + How To Use Them

Have you ever wondered which essential oils can make you feel happy? What’s the best essential oil for anxiety? Which essential oil helps with depression? Well, you’re about to discover 17 essential oils which help with anxiety and depression, including instructions of how to use them. So, let’s get started!

The 17 Best Essential Oils For Depression And Anxiety (QUICK LIST)

1. BASIL (Ocimum basilicum)

2. BERGAMOT (Citrus bergamia)

3. CEDARWOOD (Juniperus virginiana)

4. CLARY SAGE (Salvia sclarea)

5. COPAIBA (Copaifera reticulata, C. officinalis, C. coriacea, C. langsdorffii)

6. FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterii, B. frereana, B. sacra)

7. GERANIUM (Pelargonium graveolens)

8. INDIAN SANDALWOOD (Santalum album)

9. JASMINE (Jasminum grandiflorum)

10. LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia)

11. MELISSA / LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis)

12. PATCHOULI (Pogostemon cablin)

13. PEPPERMINT (Mentha piperita)

14. ROMAN CHAMOMILE (Anthemis nobilis)

15. VETIVER (Vetiveria zizanioides)

16. WILD ORANGE (Citrus sinensis)

17. YLANG YLANG (Cananga odorata)

The 17 Best Essential Oils For Depression And Anxiety

In alphabetical order:

BASIL (Ocimum basilicum)

Do you want to alleviate nervous tension and anxiety? Enhance mental focus and alertness? Rejuvenate your body-mind system? Reduce muscle tension? Then, Basil essential oil may be for you!

HOW TO USE BASIL OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle. Alternatively, dilute 1 drop of Basil in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into your temples. HELPFUL SUGGESTION: Why not add more basil leaves into your diet to start receiving the health-enhancing benefits the basil herb has to offer in it’s original plant form.

BERGAMOT (Citrus bergamia)

Do you want to calm and uplift your your mind and body whilst alleviating fatigue, anxiety and tension? Then, Bergamot essential oil may be exactly what you need because it is one of the best essential oils for depression and anxiety.

HOW TO USE BERGAMOT OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser. Or, simply place 1-2 drops of oil into your palms, rub together and then, cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Bergamot in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into your temples, pulse points and soles of feet.

CEDARWOOD (Juniperus virginiana)

Do you need to stabilise your mood? Do you want to boost confidence, self-esteem and enhance feelings of overall wellness and vitality? Then, Cedarwood essential oil may be what you need!

HOW TO USE CEDARWOOD OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Cedarwood in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into into any tense areas of your body.

CLARY SAGE (Salvia sclarea)

Do you want to soothe and calm your mind, whilst easing your emotions? Do you want to reduce nervous tension or anxiety, especially related to emotional or hormonal imbalances? Then, Clary Sage essential oil may be the solution! This essential oil is said to promote relaxation of the body and mind by rebalancing the hormones.

HOW TO USE CLARY SAGE OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser (especially beneficial before bed). Or, diffuse 2 drops of Clary Sage combined with 2 drops of your favourite citrus oil. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Clary Sage in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into your pulse points.

COPAIBA (Copaifera reticulata, C. officinalis, C. coriacea, C. langsdorffii)

Do you want to soothe and calm your anxiety or nervous tension? Do you want to restore emotional, mental and physical balance? Then, Copaiba essential oil may be what you need!

HOW TO USE COPAIBA OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Copaiba in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into the tense areas of your body.

FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterii, B. frereana, B. sacra)

Do you want to reduce negativity and stress? Do you want to soothe and relax your emotions? Do you want to enhance your overall well-being via increased peace and emotional balance? Then, Frankincense essential oil may be exactly what you need!

HOW TO USE FRANKINCENSE OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Frankincense in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into your tense areas and apply to the soles of your feet before bedtime.

GERANIUM (Pelargonium graveolens)

Do you want to calm your nerves and soothe both your body and mind? Do you want to alleviate worry, frustration and reduce stress? Then, Geranium essential oil may be just what you need!

HOW TO USE GERANIUM OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser. Alternatively, you can simply place 1 drop of oil in your palms, rub together and then, cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply.

INDIAN SANDALWOOD (Santalum album)

Do you want to enhance your mood and stabilise your emotions? Do you need help calming the mind during meditation or prayer? Then, Indian Sandalwood essential oil may be exactly what you need!

HOW TO USE INDIAN SANDALWOOD OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Indian Sandalwood in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into the back of your neck and soles of feet before bedtime.

JASMINE (Jasminum grandiflorum)

Do you want to uplift your emotions, enhance feelings of joy and peace and boost self-confidence? Then, Jasmine essential oil may be just what you need!

HOW TO USE JASMINE OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Jasmine in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into your pulse points and soles of your feet in the morning.

LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia)

Do you want to ease feelings of anxiety, tension or stress? Do you want to experience a sense of overall calm? Do you want a restful nights sleep? Then, Lavender essential oil may be exactly what you need! This essential oil is great for promoting total body-mind relaxation, as it is said to allow the body-mind system to find peace and calm amid stress.

HOW TO USE LAVENDER OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser or add 1-2 drops to your pillow, pyjamas or nightie before bedtime to help you have a restful nights sleep.

MELISSA / LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis)

Do you want to uplift your mood? Improve cognitive function? Alleviate nervousness, anxiety and tension? Calm and relax your mind and body? Then, Melissa (also known as Lemon Balm) essential oil may be what you need!

HOW TO USE MELISSA / LEMON BALM OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser (especially beneficial before bedtime). Or, simply place 1 drop of oil into your palms, rub together and then, cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Melissa / Lemon Balm in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into your temples and your pulse points.

PATCHOULI (Pogostemon cablin)

Do you want to stabilise your mood and balance your emotions? Do you want to relieve any pent-up anger or tension? Then, Patchouli essential oil may be for you!

HOW TO USE PATCHOULI OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Patchouli oil in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into the soles of your feet before bedtime.

PEPPERMINT (Mentha piperita)

Do you want to enliven your senses and improve focus and alertness? Do you want to enhance your exercise routines by improving respiratory function? Then, Peppermint essential oil may be the key!

HOW TO USE PEPPERMINT OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops of Peppermint oil in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into your fatigued and tensed areas of your body.

ROMAN CHAMOMILE (Anthemis nobilis)

Do you need more courage and self-esteem, whilst simultaneously relaxing your entire body-mind system? Then, Roman chamomile oil may be what you need! This essential oil is also great for comforting both your body and mind, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

HOW TO USE ROMAN CHAMOMILE OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and apply to the soles of your feet at bedtime.

VETIVER (Vetiveria zizanioides)

Do you want to calm your entire body-mind system? Do you want to restore emotional balance? Do you want to say ‘goodbye’ to anxiety, nervousness and stress? Do you want to create a deeper sense of relaxation and a more restful sleep? Then, Vetiver essential oil may be just what you need!

HOW TO USE VETIVER OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops of Vetiver in an oil diffuser or combine 2 drops of Vetiver and 2 drops of lavender together in the diffuser for additional benefits. Alternatively, you can place 1 drop of Vetiver oil in your palms, rub together and then, cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply. Or, dilute 1-2 drops in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and massage into the soles of your feet before bedtime.

WILD ORANGE (Citrus sinensis)

Do you need to uplift your mood, mind and body? Would you like to purify the air around you? Then, Wild Orange essential oil may be just what you need!

HOW TO USE WILD ORANGE: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle.

YLANG YLANG (Cananga odorata)

Ylang ylang essential oil calms both your body and mind, whilst simultaneously uplifting your mood. So, if you’re wanting to reduce tension, boost your mood and create a more positive outlook, then Ylang ylang may be right for you!

HOW TO USE YLANG YLANG OIL: Diffuse 3-4 drops in an oil diffuser. Alternatively, you can dilute 1-2 drops in a carrier oil (such as; jojoba, grapeseed or olive oil) and apply to your pulse points.

How Do I Choose Essential Oils?

When you shop for essential oils it’s always advised to:

Only buy 100% pure essential oils. Therapeutic grade is generally regarded as the best.
Double or even, triple check the botanical names on the label to ensure you purchase the right essential oil for your needs.
If there is no botanical name on the label, do not buy it.

WARNINGS: Some essential oils are not advised to be used by pregnant or nursing women, so ensure you research fully before using a particular oil. Also, like anything we apply to our skin, essential oils (even when mixed with carrier oils) can cause allergic reactions in some people. Also, some citrus oils are known to be phototoxic. This means, they can cause skin irritations, inflammation, blistering, reddening or burning of the skin when exposed to direct sunlight (or ultraviolet light), so when applying any essential oil care must always be taken. Always read the label and follow directions. This article is for informational purposes only.