Aromatherapy for Social Anxiety

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from flowers, leaves, fruits, seeds, and roots of plants. The constituents of these oils have physiological effects when they are inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Methods of use may include inhalation from a tissue or oil burner, massage, and baths. The oils are extremely concentrated so must always be diluted for use. Calm yourself using natures aromas through the use of essential oils.

Including essential oils in your life

When you are out and about, you can keep a tissue with a drop or two of the oil on it in your pocket, and sniff when you’re feeling anxious. Another method would be to keep a little vial and sniff directly from it, although this will be stronger.

At home you can use an oil burner – light the candle underneath, put water in the top dish with about 5 drops of your oil. This may also aid in getting to sleep for those who suffer insomnia. Also, burning oils while you do relaxation techniques, will help bring back the feeling of relaxation when you smell it later.

Another relaxing thing to do is have a bath – just add approximately 5 drops of oil while the water is running and have a good soak. You could practice relaxation at the same time.

Massage –either professional or self-massage – is extremely relaxing especially with the addition of essential oils. If you are doing it yourself you will need a carrier oil, which is a vegetable oil like sweet almond or apricot kernel oil (not baby oil!!), to dilute the oils in. Use approximately 5 drops of essential oil to every 10 ml of carrier oil.

Essential Oils to Use

Sedatives – oils that calm the nervous system – bergamot, cedarwood, chamomile, clary sage, helichrysum, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, mandarin, marjoram, neroli, orange, petitgrain, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang ylang

Nervines – oils that strengthen the nervous system – basil, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, vetiver

Oils for nervous tension – bergamot, basil, chamomile, clary sage, orange, rose, sandalwood, vetiver

Oils for anxiety – bergamot, cedarwood, chamomile, frankincense, geranium, mandarin, marjoram, neroli, sandalwood, ylang ylang

Oils for panic, hysteria, shock – basil, clary sage, neroli, helichrysum, lavender, peppermint, petitgrain, ylang ylang

Oils for insomnia –lavender, chamomile, marjoram, neroli, orange, petitgrain, vetiver, bergamot, sandalwood

Oils that help self-esteem – jasmine, rose, neroli

Oils for depression – chamomile, clary sage, lavender, sandalwood, ylang ylang, bergamot, geranium, jasmine, neroli, orange, rose, mandarin, basil, grapefruit,

lemongrass, patchouli, petitgrain, rosemary, rosewood, peppermint, thyme, sage, helichrysum

These oils may be used singly or combined.

Sample blends

To aid relaxation and sleep

2 drops lavender
2 drops chamomile
2 drops marjoram

In an oil burner

To uplift for depression

2 drops orange
2 drops bergamot
2 drops geranium

In an oil burner.