Lavender is our first choice. This well-known fragrance is used in countless products created to soothe anger, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, or hyperactivity. It is a go-to scent for spas as it aids in meditation and relaxation. The cooling effect of lavender also promotes clear thinking, rationality, and insight.

Be aware: Avoid using lavender during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Rose is our next choice. The scent of rose is well-known and universally enjoyed. Oil of rose is used to alleviate sadness, grief, or disappointment. It also strengthens the inner spirit and creates a comforting feeling that allows people to love themselves and express their love to others.

Things to know: Rose oil is the most expensive oil on the market. Avoid usage during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Salvia, also known as clary sage, is often used to help one get to a meditative state. It is also a strong aid in treating melancholy, anxiety, or depression. It reduces stress, aids in focusing the mind, aids in creative thinking, helps achieve a more restful sleep with vivid, pleasant dreams.

Things to know: Do not use this oil on babies or children under 18 and avoid using this oil if you are drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs.

Spearmint oil is refreshing and uplifting making it useful for treating mental fatigue, depression. It promotes feelings of balance and tranquility. The oil is heavily used in gums, candies, and foods. It’s cooling, sweet, and calming effects make it beneficial in certain medications.

Be aware: This oil can irritate eyes or sensitive skin, even when diluted. Also, it should NOT be ingested except under the direction of a licensed practitioner.

Sandalwood is an overall body and mind relaxer. It relieves tension headaches, aggression, sadness, and obsessive thinking. Sandalwood’s soothing and calming properties make it ideal for medicinal uses like treating bronchitis and laryngitis; urinary and bladder infections; acne and dry skin and scalp conditions.

Be aware: Do not apply undiluted sandalwood oil directly to the skin.

Chamomile is the last of our well-known relaxing essential oils. Chamomile has a calming and sedating effect and is a favorite oil for balancing mood swings, anxiety, nervous tension, emotionality, and insomnia. It also has medicinal uses as an analgesic, a stomach-ache reducer, and pre-menstrual cramping and headache.

Be aware: If your oil begins turning green and is no longer blue, it is not fresh, and you should throw it away.

Tea Tree oil’s aroma can clear the mind, aid in concentration, and counter fatigue. It inspires self-confidence by dispelling gloom and fostering a positive attitude, especially toward healing. It is also a powerful antiseptic with immunogenic properties and is therefore used as a first-aid salve.

Be aware: This is a strong oil and should be used in moderation or highly diluted with a carrier oil or lotion. Tea tree oil could irritate sensitive skin.

Now here’s some information on some lesser-known oils including neroli, bergamot, frankincense, Ylang-ylang, and marjoram.

Neroli is an oil of choice in treating anxiety, shock, and disappointment. It helps to decrease despair, panic attaches, hysteria, depression, and post-traumatic stress (PTS). Adversely it can help to instill confidence, optimism, and initiative. It has a cheerful, uplifting property that aids creative thinking, meditation, and healing on a spiritual, mind and body level.

Bergamot, with its citrus oil scent, is sometimes call ‘The Sunny Oil’, and has a soothing, calming effect. It has anti-depressive qualities and is used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Bergamot has a sedating effect which helps control anger and relieve stress, nervous tension, and fear and anxiety. Bergamot balances appetite can reduce fevers and is used in the treatment of urinary tract infections and cystitis.

Things to avoid with Bergamot:  Do not use it directly on the skin. Use a lotion, carrier oil or in bath water.

Frankincense is known as one of the gifts of the Magi but is one of the most useful oils for inducing slow, deep breathing, decreasing fear, and developing emotional strength and courage. It can also help to alleviate sadness, stress, nervous tension, anxiety, and nightmares. This oil can also inspire prayer, medication, and a mystical state of mind.

Ylang-ylang is helpful in reducing stress or tension. It is also used to overcome anger, frustration, and sadness. It creates a feeling of peace and tranquility and is also used for treating panic attacks, PTSD, and some severe emotional problems. A few drops in your bath water can help overcome insomnia by relaxing the mind and body.

Be aware: Use only in tiny amounts for short periods of time to avoid possible headaches or nausea. Also, you can blend this oil with neroli or bergamot to prevent possible side effects.

Marjoram dilates blood vessels creating a warming effect that improves circulation. It is used to rede the sharp, steady of migraine headaches, stiff joints, arthritis, and rheumatism. Marjoram is effective emotionally when dealing with loneliness, melancholy, or grief. Inhaling marjoram gives, solace, comfort, fortitude and boosts one’s inner strength and endurance.

Things to know: Avoid use of marjoram throughout pregnancy. Also note, marjoram can cause numbing and extended use can dull senses.