October 08, 2021

Top 10 Essential Oils for Mental Health

Did you know that 20% of Australians suffer from a mental health illness? That is 1 in 5 of us. If you're sitting in a room of 5 or more of you, studies show there is one or more of you that suffers from a mental health illness. Mental illness or a mental disorder includes a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking and behaviour.

Mental illness can make it difficult for someone to cope with work, relationships and other demands. A familiar mental illness to many is anxiety disorders and/or depression however there are many other illnesses which fall under this general term, including but not limited to; bipolar, behavioural and emotional disorders, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, paranoia, post-traumatic stress disorder, to mention a few.

We've selected 10 of the best essential oils to help support or act as a complimentary, natural form of treatment alongside other remedies that help treat mental illnesses. This is not to say essential oils will treat or replace your current treatment, we advise to seek professional medical advice for these illnesses however essential oils may help you soften feelings of emotional, mental and physical overload.

1. Anxiety Essential Oil Blend

Combining Sweet Orange, Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Frankincense essential oils, ECO. Anxiety Blend has been developed to reduce nervous tension and relieve symptoms of mild anxiety. The sweet and soothing aroma will help calm your mind, relax your body and increase vitality.

Therapeutic benefits:

Relieve symptoms of mild anxiety
Help maintain emotional wellbeing
Promote body relaxation
Enhance body adaptation to stress
Increase vitality
Improve sleep quality

AUST L 315659

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2. Sweet Orange Essential Oil

One of Sweet Orange's most valuable uses is around nervous anxiety due to its calmative and sedative properties. Sweet Orange essential oil helps to bring calm to our minds while instilling a sense of warmth and positivity.

Commonly used in essential oil blending as a base due to the above mentioned benefits, Sweet Orange can also be used on its own in a diffuser, one drop in the corner of your shower for steam inhalation or diluted in a carrier oil and used topically.

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3. Cedarwood Essential Oil

The warm soothing scent of Cedarwood essential oil, commonly used throughout meditative practices, can help us to reconnect to ourselves and others. It can restore us from feelings of aggression and anger, and promote a sound sleep.

A beautiful choice for a massage blend to promote health circulation, nourish the skin and still the mind, add up to 50 drops to 100ml carrier oil and gently apply the oil with self massage in areas of tension.

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4. Rose Essential Oil

With sedative, antidepressant, and calmative properties Rose essential oil shines when it comes to nervous tension and emotional crises. The scent of Rose essential oil will gently soothe the heart and uphold the spirit.

AS our Rose essential oil is diluted in a carrier oil, you can take 1-2 drops directly onto your wrist and gently roll the wrists together, take a still moment and a deep, mindful inhalation.

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5. Chamomile Essential Oil

If you love chamomile tea, you will appreciate the calmative properties of chamomile essential oil. Chamomile promotes inner calm, may reduce anxiety and calm the nervous system. An excellent essential oil to have on hand for the young in the family, it may help soothe anger, tantrums and to promote a sound sleep.

For stress relief, combine chamomile essential oil with a carrier oil, and apply to the solar plexus and belly button.

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6. Vetiver Essential Oil

Vetiver essential oil, in our opinion, is not utilised enough for its incredible benefits. With sedative properties, Vetiver essential oil is an extremely relaxing oil that may be useful for insomnia, promote sleep and calm the nervous system.

If the smell of Vetiver on its own is too overpowering for you, try blending with citrus essential oils, Eucalyptus, or your florals to help lighten the deep scent.

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7. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang means "flower of flowers" and is sometimes called "the perfume tree", if you have had the pleasure of smelling Ylang Ylang you will know this resonates beautifully with this powerful essential oil. It is strong, bold and inspiring. Ylang Ylang has sedative, antidepressant and calmative properties helping us with nervousness, physical exhaustion, stress, anxiety and depression. It can help promote relaxation, encourage quality sleep and slow the breath.

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8. Geranium Essential Oil

The great harmoniser, Geranium essential oils most valuable uses include emotional balance, nervous fatigue and as an antidepressant. It helps us return to a place of calm while retaining alertness. A gently nurturing essential oil it is wonderful to use at the beginning of a hectic day or as an emotional restorative in the afternoon.

Add 6-8 drops to your diffuser in the morning or add 2-3 drops in a dispersant, such as oil, and enjoy a restoring bath soak.

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9. Neroli Essential Oil

Derived from the citrus fruit of the same name, Neroli can be used for a range of ailments, including anxiety relief. Ancient Egyptian priests used Neroli essential oil to heal their bodies, minds and souls. It acts as a sedative, which regulates the metabolic system and releases feelings of anger, irritability and worry. It relaxes both body and soul.

As our Neroli essential oil is diluted in a carrier oil, you can confidentAdd a few drops to a hot bath or massage directly on the skin to help relieve stress and anxiety.

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10. Basil Essential Oil

One of the lesser known essential oils, Basil is one of the best essential oils to reduce anxiety and enhance mood. Considered the queen of herbs in India, it is revered and treated as sacred due to its highly beneficial properties. Basil essential oil has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing anxiety, fatigue, mental strain and depression. It also acts as a natural stimulant, promoting peace and clarity of mind. Add a few drops to your diffuser and enjoy the soothing and relaxing aroma.

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Author: Georgia Doherty
Content & Community Coordinator

Georgia is the Content & Community Coordinator at ECO. Modern Essentials. Georgia oversees the company's social media platforms, helps coordinate brand collaborations, is a leader for ECO.'s content creation + DIY recipes and manages ECO.'s affiliate program. She is a qualified Beauty Therapist with extensive Dermal Therapy qualifications, a Diploma in Training Design & Development with a Aromatherapy Practitioner Certificate. Georgia is passionate about leading a happy & healthy life and helping educate those around her.

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