Don’t Panic - We have Flowers! Essential Oils for Support with Anxiety and Depression
Orange flower (Neroli) in bloom
By Robin Lander, Clinical Aromatherapist & Wellness Educator, Intuition Medicine® Practitioner, Certified Hypnotherapist
It’s no coincidence that for thousands of years people have given each other flowers to boost the mood and calm the spirit. The aromas that flowers emit are meant to lure in the animals — whether bee, butterfly, or human — needed to survive.
The aromatic essential oils secreted by flowers and plants are recognized by our brain chemistry and the result often leaves us feeling GOOD! Flowers are essentially getting pollinators and propagators ‘high.’ When smelled, these natural compounds, for instance Indole found in Jasmine and orange flowers, may cause a reaction in the brain such as the release of serotonin or dopamine, the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitters. This can give us an emotional and physical uplift, a sense of peace, and a return to the parasympathetic state of ‘rest and digest.’
In addition to flower oils, citrus essential oils are generally found to be stress-relieving and mood boosting. Diffused citrus oils, such as Bergamot, Orange and Lemon, are particularly effective for enhancing the mood and have been shown in at least one study to be more effective than antidepressants [1]. Bergamot in particular has been widely studied and has shown to improve mood and mild symptoms of stress-induced disorders.[2]
In major review of clinical trials, Neroli, the essential oil from orange flowers, was shown to have therapeutic effects on psychological states like anxiety, depression, and insomnia.[3]
Frankincense, a tree resin, has been one of the most beloved aromas in the world for well over 2000 years – obviously we must like how it makes us feel! Known for brightening emotions, helping with sleep, and promoting deep oxygenating breaths, it has traditionally been used in many cultures to assist with meditation and prayer. Just as this resin helps heal wounds in the tree, Frankincense is said to help heal ‘wounds of the soul.’
To best utilize these aromatic gifts from nature, I make my clients custom blends in rollerballs, so that they can be carried around and used as needed. This can be particularly supportive during acute situations such high anxiety or panic attack. Here is a favorite recipe:
DIY Quick Calm Roller Blend
Add the following to a 10ml glass rollerball bottle:
10ml Jojoba Oil or Fractionated Coconut Oil
2 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
2 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
3 drops Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara)
3 drops FCF Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)*
Cap the bottle, shake it well, and label it!
I like this blend rolled right over the heart, especially during acute situations. It can be applied to the chest and inner arms for support with mood and stress relief and is nice before bed to ease into sleep.
*Make sure your Bergamot is FCF (‘Furanocoumarin Free’) otherwise it can be photosensitizing if exposed to the sun or UV light; otherwise substitute with Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis).
Want to learn more about aromatic medicine for help with anxiety and depression? I have a public class coming up on Essential Oils for Support with Anxiety & Depression, and I also offer private classes and aromatic parties at your home or business (see my custom events here).
Or book a private session with me to get personalized assistance through my Soul-Level Healing and Botanical Alchemy holistic approach.
May you find peace within the many healing messages of the plants!
1 Komori et al 1995, Effects of citrus fragrance on immune function and depressive states,
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8646568/
2 Navarra et al, 2015, Citrus bergamia essential oil: from basic research to clinical application, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345801/
3 Aboualsoltani et al, 2020, Therapeutic Effects of Citrus aurantium Components on
Psychological States: A Systematic Review,