Essential Oils That Can Ease Unpleasant Emotions

To help ease uncomfortable emotions:

(Please note that I have NO idea what the original source of this much of this information was. I have added and updated over the years as I learned more about the emotional uses of the oils.)

My personal recommendations are bolded. Question marks indicate my personal skepticism.

Aggression: Bergamot, Roman Chamomile,Juniper?, Lemon?, Sweet Marjoram, Rosemary?, Ylang-ylang

Anger: German or Roman Chamomile, Jasmine, Sweet Marjoram, Palma Rosa?, Rose, Rosemary, Ylang-ylang

Anxiety: Neroli, Petitgrain Bigarade, Bitter Orange, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium (for balance), Lavender, Orange, Patchouli, Rose (for confidence), Sandalwood, Sweet Marjoram, Vetiver (for grounding)

Disappointment: Bergamot, Cypress, Frankincense, Jasmine, Orange, Rose

Fatigue (Emotional and Mental): Basil, Clary, Cardamon, Cinnamon Leaf or Bark, Clove Bud, Coriander, Eucalyptus citriodora, Ginger, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Juniper, Orange, Palmarosa, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, Vetiver, Ylang-ylang

Fear: Cedarwood (Atlas or Himalayan), Fennel, Ginger, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Thyme

Grief: Bergamot, Chamomile, Jasmine, Marjoram, Neroli, Rose

Hysteria: Chamomile Roman, Helichrysum, Lavender, Neroli, Orange, Tea Tree

Impatience: Chamomile, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Lavender

Indecision: Basil, Clary Sage, Cypress, Jasmine, Patchouli, Peppermint

Jealousy: Jasmine, Rose

Loneliness: Benzoin, Marjoram

Nervousness: Chamomile, Clary Sage, Coriander, Frankincense, Neroli, Orange, Vetiver

Panic: Angelica Root, Chamomile, Clary, Geranium, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Neroli, Vetiver, Ylang-ylang

Sadness: Benzoin, Jasmine, Rose, Rosewood

Shock: Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Tea Tree

Shyness: Black Pepper, Ginger, Jasmine, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rose, Neroli, Ylang-ylang

Stress: Bergamot, Atlas Cedarwood, Cape Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, all citrus oils, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Melissa, Neroli, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rose (Absolute and Otto), Rosemary, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ylang-ylang

Suspicion: Jasmine, Lavender

Tension: Chamomile, Clary, Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Sweet Marjoram, Neroli, Orange, Petitgrain, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Ylang-ylang

For emotional use, we really prefer inhalation, from a personal inhaler or just a drop on a tissue. Using a few drops (proper dilution) in a hand and body lotion is also appropriate. Room diffusion is always an option if you want to change the “emotional climate” of a space, or for a group, but personal inhalation is truly more effective on an individual basis.