The 16 Best Essential Oils for Relaxation 2020 (Plus Recipes)

Looking for the best way to destress and unwind?

Use the best essential oils for relaxation and experience how it can help you!

Essential oils rely on the power of scent. It has the power to evoke memories and emotions. Smell can also calm the nervous system, making it effective when it comes to relaxation.

From something as simple as a traffic jam to an issue as serious as work problems, there are many instances when you need to relax, and essential oils can help.

Keep on reading an I will let you know the best essential oils to try for ultimate relaxation.

How Essential Oil Can Help

Essential oils activate the smell receptors in your brain (1). After this, it will send message through the nervous system to the brain.

Once you smell an essential oil, it will activate the limbic system of the brain, among other areas.

Essential oils will also impact your hypothalamus. The latter will create serotonin, which is a feel-good chemical. This is when you will experience relaxation.

There are also claims that application of essential oils on your skin can elicit a positive response from your body, which will also make you feel relaxed.

When you use essential oils, it can slow your heart rate, improve sleep quality, improve mood, reduce stress hormones, boost confidence, and lower fatigue. With all of these benefits, you can be more relaxed.

How to Use Essential Oils for Relaxation

To ensure the highest level of effectiveness, use essential oils the right way. This is also important for your health and safety.

One of the most common ways to use essential oils for relaxation is topical application. Blend it with your choice of carrier oils. Also, do a quick patch test to see how your skin will react.

You can also consider making essential oil bath bombs. They will redefine your bath time and transform it into a more relaxing experience.

Using an essential oil diffuser will also help. Have one near your bed and it can help you have a more relaxing sleep. It can also help when you are doing yoga, meditation, and other activities for relaxation.

Other Relaxation Techniques to Consider

While essential oils can go a great job in terms of relaxation, this is not the only solution.

Here are some of the most effective relaxation techniques you can try (2).

• Breathing Exercises: Taking slow, long, and deep breaths will help you relax. This will disengage your mind from all the distractions.
• Meditation: Daily meditation, even for just a few minutes, can effectively alter the neural pathways of the brain to make you relax.
• Exercise: Moving and sweating can also help activate your happy hormones. Not to mention, it can also be a distraction.
• Visualization: This relaxation technique requires incorporating different senses to create images that will trigger relaxation.
• Massage: With the right massage techniques, your body can be relaxed. To make it more effective, be sure to use the best essential oils for stress and anxiety, but don’t forget to mix it with carrier oils.

The Best Essential Oils for Relaxation

Choosing an essential oil can be confusing. I am here to help you out. Here are some of my recommendations and the reasons why they are effective for relaxation.

Diffuse Essential Oils Angelica Root Essential Oil

Pure and undiluted – this is what you can expect from this essential oil. There are no additives and synthetic ingredients, which will also maximize its effectiveness.

Angelica root oil is known for being helpful when it comes to calming unsettling emotions. It effectively relaxes the mind and clears your thoughts.

To be more effective, consider combining it with Roman chamomile and clary sage.

The manufacturer offers 100% satisfaction guarantee. You will receive an unconditional refund if you are unhappy in any way with its effects.

Art Naturals Lavender Essential Oil

With its restorative effects for the nervous system, this is one of the top picks for the best essential oils for relaxation.

Whether it is reduction of panic attacks, relief from anxiety, achieving inner peace, and improving sleep, there are many ways by which lavender essential oil can trigger relaxation.

The sweet, floral, herbaceous and woody aroma of this essential oil will make it more relaxing to the senses.

Beauty Aura Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil

From the time you smell ylang-ylang, you will already be relaxed, which is why I am recommending this essential oil.

The sweet and floral scent of ylang-ylang is one of the best ways to instantly uplift your mood.

This essential oil also has sedative effects. It will make you sleep quicker. Plus, it also improves the overall quality of your sleep.

Artizen German Chamomile Essential Oil

From calming frayed nerves to relieving muscle spasms, German chamomile oil has multiple benefits for relaxation.

Chamomile also has a reputation as a natural sedative, making it easy for you to sleep even when you are thinking of a lot of things or you are experiencing pain.

The lifetime guarantee and warranty from the manufacturer will give you a compelling reason to choose this essential oil.

Ola Prima Bergamot Essential Oil

This essential oil, like the other products I have recommended, is packaged in a UV-resistant bottle. This protects the oil from the heat of the sun, making sure that it stays pure and unadulterated.

Bergamot is a blend of lemon or lime and bitter orange. In Italian folk medicine, it is a traditional remedy for anxiety and tension.

It can also reduce heart rate and blood pressure, which are both crucial in inducing relaxation.

Gya Labs Clary Sage Essential Oil

This essential oil can be effective in creating a tranquil space and having a restful sleep, making it another effective choice if your goal is relaxation.

It is also believed to have anti-depressant effects.

In ancient times, clary sage has been used as a natural relaxant during dental procedures.

Florona Organic Jasmine Essential Oil

The smell of jasmine can be as calming as valium (3). Instead of taking mood enhancers or sleeping pills, jasmine essential oil is a great natural alternative for relaxation.

This essential oil is derived from the delicate white petals of jasmine. It is extracted through a natural process and there are no additives, ensuring its purity.

Even if jasmine is not as well-studied as lavender and other essential oils, it is still an effective choice when it comes to relaxation.

Majestic Pure Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is known as a natural pain reliever and muscle relaxant.

It also has a cooling sensation, which will make it effective for tension headache relief.

If you have an upset stomach or digestive problems, you will also benefit from peppermint.

With all of these effects, there’s no doubt that this peppermint essential oil will be effective for relaxation. 

Healing Solutions Organic Lemon Essential Oil

Linalool is the main compound found in lemon that makes this essential oil good for relaxation.

As with other types of citrus oils, lemon is effective in uplifting the spirit and improving your mood.

The fresh and bright scent of lemon is the one responsible for helping you relax. It can even have a sedative effect to make you sleep quicker.

Alphrodith Premium Sandalwood Essential Oil

Sandalwood will not work for everyone. You might find the scent to be quite strong, so it may take quite a while of getting used to.

You can either hate or love the woody and earthy scent of this essential oil.

Since ancient times, sandalwood has been used for relaxation.

There are also several studies in the past proving that sandalwood has sedative and calming properties.

Sun Essential Oils Vanilla Essential Oil

There is something soothing about the scent of vanilla. The sweet and exotic scent is sure to change your mood and improve relaxation.

Vanilla is commonly reproduced using common chemicals. But with this product, the company uses only pure and natural ingredients, so you can be confident about its safety and effectiveness.

With the positive effects on the brain, this essential oil will help in relieving restlessness, anger, anxiety, and fatigue, among other things.

Plant Therapy Lavender Essential Oil

When it comes to the best essential oils for relaxation, it is hard to go wrong with lavender.

This is made of 100% pure Lavandula Angustifolia. It is not meant to be used on its own. You need to use it with a carrier oil, especially for topical application.

It is also good to know that this is kid-safe. So, if you want your little ones to relax, this can be an effective product.

Diffuse Essential Oils 100% Pure Valerian Essential Oil

Valerian may not be as popular as other essential oils, but it is equally effective when you use it for relaxation.

For thousands of years, Valerian root has been used for its calming and emotional balancing properties, which will help you relax.

It is also a powerful oil with sedative properties, which will help you to sleep quicker.

Maple Holistics Pure Tea Tree Oil

The pleasant scent of tea tree oil will instantly calm the senses. Use it in a diffuser and it will make you more relaxed!

It has a distinct camphor or menthol scent that will make it effectively trigger relaxation.

For your peace of mind, it is also good to know that the manufacturer is offering an unconditional money-back guarantee if you are unhappy in any way with the use of this tea tree oil.

H’ana Rose Absolute Essential Oil

The sweet fragrance of this essential oil will help you to relax.

This essential oil is derived from rose petals and does not contain any additive.

It can soothe emotions, provide stress relief, prevent depression, and heal headaches, among other things that you will need to be more relaxed.

Mary Tylor Naturals Organic Cinnamon Essential Oil

This essential oil uses cinnamon barks grown in Sri Lanka. Like the other recommendations in this guide, it is also pure and natural.

Used in aromatherapy, cinnamon can aid in relaxation and the restoration of balance.

The sweet and earthy scent of cinnamon will be effective in dealing with both physical and mental exhaustion.

If you have aching muscles, cinnamon essential oil also promises to help your body relax.

Essential Oil Recipes for Relaxation

To maximize the effectiveness of using essential oils, here are some recipes you might want to consider.

Essential Oil for Better Sleep

When you are not relaxed, you will have a hard time sleeping. To help calm your senses and sleep quicker, here is a simple recipe to follow.

• 1 drop of chamomile essential oil
• 9 drops of lavender essential oil
• 3 drops of neroli essential oil
• 2 drops of sweet orange essential oil

Fill a small water bottle with 60ml of distilled water. Shake vigorously, making sure the oils will blend completely. Spray or add a few drops on your pillow before you sleep. You can also use it in a reed or electric diffuser.

Essential Oils for a Relaxing Bath

A healing bath is one of the best ways to relax at home. It’s a time when you can be by yourself and be free of all the distractions.

• 5 drops of tea tree essential oil
• 5 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 15 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 125 ml of jojoba oil or any carrier oil of choice

Combine all the oils in a dark bottle. Keep the bottle in a cool and dark place. When it is time for a bath, pour a teaspoon of the mixture in the bathtub and enjoy!

Conclusion

With everything that is happening in your life, take the time to relax.

There are many things that you can do for relaxation, but one of the most effective is by using essential oils.

Take note of the products I have recommended above, and it will be easier to let go of stress and anxiety!

Sources: 

1. https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/aromatherapy-overview#1, accessed February 29, 2020
2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress, accessed February 29, 2020
3. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/7881819/Smell-of-jasmine-as-calming-as-valium.html, accessed February 29, 2020