Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Essential oils, such as lavender, chamomile, and bergamot, have a long history of traditional use for managing symptoms of anxiety and promoting relaxation. Aromatherapy practices, which involve the inhalation or topical application of essential oils, date back to ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, and Rome. These cultures used plant-derived oils for ritual, medicinal, and calming purposes. In modern times, essential oils remain popular in complementary and alternative medicine for stress relief and anxiety management.

While there is some emerging scientific interest in the anxiolytic effects of specific essential oils (most notably lavender), the majority of evidence supporting their use is anecdotal or based on traditional practices rather than robust clinical trials. Some small studies and reviews suggest that certain oils may have mild calming effects, possibly mediated by their influence on the limbic system when inhaled, but findings are often limited by small sample sizes, methodological issues, and variability in oil composition.

Overall, the use of essential oils for anxiety is primarily supported by tradition, with low to moderate scientific evidence for specific oils. The evidence base as a whole is not strong enough to recommend essential oils as a primary treatment for anxiety, but they may be considered as adjuncts for relaxation in some individuals.

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Other ingredients used for Anxiety

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