Aromatherapy for Anxiety: Essential Oils Affect the Brain
Aromatherapy is a term referring to the use of aromatic essential oils of certain plants for various medicinal purposes. Typically the oils are breathed in, to effect the limbic system of the brain and its emotions , or they are absorbed in the lungs or, topically applied, via the skin for various purposes, such as antiviral or anti-fungal. Essential oils used for treating anxiety may affect the hypothalamus in the brain and hormones related to mood.
However, some fragrances are manufactured to imitate various essential oil smells (like lavender), but without the medicinal effects of the complex plant extract chemicals. Essential oils for aromatherapy are expensive and used in very small quantities, typically diluted by diffusion in air or, for topical use, in vegetable oils such as olive oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil.
A number of essential oils are useful for treating anxiety and panic (among other purposes). A list follows in alphabetical order.
Bergamot (Citrus aurantium) – avoid sun exposure when using
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Cedarwood, Atlas (Cedrus atlantica)
Chamomile, German (Matricaria recutica)
Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) – avoid at beginning stages of pregnancy
Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Helichrysum (Helichrysum agustifolium)
Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
Lavender (Lavendula augustifolia)
Lemon (Citrus lemon) – avoid sun exposure when using
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Linden (various)
Neroli (Citrus aurantium bigaradia)
Rose (Rosa damascena)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – avoid breathing if you have asthma or bronchitis … and epilepsy
Sandalwood (Santalum album)
Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)
Thyme (various)
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
While the above have been observed for their calming, anti-anxiety effects, some people may associate a particular smell of an essential oil with a negative emotional experience of their past. In such relatively rare circumstances, an alternate essential oil may be preferable.
Despite exceptions, generally essential oils are not taken internally save in limited cases under the supervision of a trained professional due to the potential for unfavorable reactions in the high concentrations in which essential oils are typically found.
Be cautious about using essential oils during pregnancy. Also be cautious using essential oils for children. Extra dilution is advisable. Protect children from using essential oils for themselves. Some essential oils may be irritating to the skin and eyes, especially undiluted. Avoid physical contact with eyes, mucous membranes, and genitals.
Storage of essential oils is best in the refrigerator and with minimal exposure to oxygen.
While aromatherapy targeted to anxiety may help, more may be needed to handle panic attacks and anxiety disorders.
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Vitamins for Panic Attack: Nutritional Support
Certain vitamins and nutritional supplements may serve to calm the brain and enable it in handling stress. While this may not be sufficient for the majority of panic attack sufferers, it may help. See the Linden Method for Anxiety for an additional and effective means of treatment.
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Herbs for Panic Attacks or Panic Disorder
Long before pharmaceutical drugs were used to calm anxieties, natural herbs were used for similar purposes. Generally speaking, the herbs commonly used to calm anxieties are milder in their targeted effects and side effects than their manufactured drug counterparts, barring allergies which may occur in reaction to either herb or drug.
Further, since herbs are lightly processed from living plants, their effects on the body are complex like food, and may be used for more than one health-related purpose. Of course, bodily reactions to herbs varies according to the individual, as is true for anti-anxiety drugs, but where herbs are not standardized in quality or potency, bodily reactions may vary according to product quality as well.
Various “recipe” products combine anti-anxiety herbs, vitamins, amino acids, and so on, and may increase the potency in comparison to any single ingredient or may increase the chances of targeting a patient’s particular need.
However, persons taking prescription drugs for anxiety or panic disorder are advised to consult a doctor before beginning to combine drugs with any herbs that are also meant to treat anxiety or panic. The drug/herb combination may produce undesirable or dangerous effects. Drugs by themselves may also have their undesirable or dangerous side effects, because of which some may choose herbs as natural and generally safer alternatives.
Pregnant and nursing mothers should consult a physician before taking anti-anxiety drugs or herbs. Avoid caffeine even in carbonated beverages, since it is a stimulant causing a somewhat opposing effect to calming herbs. Caution is also advised in alcohol consumption.
A list of herbs known for their calming effects follows.
Passionflower
Lemon Balm
Kava Kava
Valerian
Theanine
Hops
Skullcap
Chamomile
Of these, Lemon Balm and Passionflower should not be taken by persons with with a thyroid condition without consulting a doctor, or Lemon Balm by persons who have glaucoma. Persons with an allergy to rag weed should be cautious with or avoid chamomile. Kava Kava, which may have the strongest calming effect, can make one drowsy.
Other effects of some of the above can include relaxing tensed muscles, soothing the digestive tract, and inducing sleep (for the latter, especially Skullcap).
Note lastly that herbs for panic attacks are probably best used only in the relatively short run, and that additional modalities are advisable for both the short and long run. Indeed, multiple means of fighting panic disorder is probably more effective. Panic is so unpleasant that sufferers tend to be inclined to seek the greatest relief possible.
P.S. For more helpful modalities, see natural anxiety treatments 1 and 2 … and be sure to sign up for your FREE REPORT and
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Vitamins for Panic Attacks
Stress generally tends to lower vitamins and nutritional levels, and panic attacks can easily be considered a kind of stress in its own right. Replenishing vitamins after a panic attack or between them may serve to strengthen the body. But some vitamins, minerals, and amino acids can also have a calming effect on nerves and anxiety.
Natural vitamins for anxiety, as for other things, are generally preferable to synthetic ones because they are the more easily absorbed.
1) B vitamins are useful at handling stress, among many other things. Some are directly useful in nerve functioning. They tend to work best together, and so products featuring multiple B vitamins are popular. B vitamins can also be produced in the gut by bacteria; quality probiotic supplements like acidophilus and bifidus strains are useful for such purposes.
2) GABA or Gamma-aminobutyric acid is an amino acid found in the central nervous system. As a supplement for panic, it is best taken in combination with with B vitamins niacinamide (not niacin) and inositol. During a panic attack, the amygdala in the limbic system of the brain fires an overwhelming number of nerve signals to the surrounding cortex. GABA tends to slow down the amygdala’s nerve impulses.
The amino acid taurine can also have similar effects, and has been found useful at reducing spastic conditions.
3) Tryptophan is the amino acid in the meat of Turkeys (and so on) which helps make you feel drowsy. Especially useful (with the herb Skullcap) for relaxing one after a panic attack that awakes from sleep. Some encouraging results have been observed among sufferers of obsessive compulsive behaviors.
4) Tyrosine or L-tyrosine is an amino acid used in producing neurotransmitters such as dopamine and epinephrine, which in turn are useful in controlling anxiety and depression.
5) Magnesium (and calcium), while technically not a vitamin, is a nutritional supplement that have been shown to relax tensed or spastic muscles and to have a calming effect on some. It is useful in nerve firing. Magnesium should be balanced with calcium. Some forms (like magnesium citrate) are more easily absorbed than others.
6) Vitamin C is found in heavy concentrations in the adrenal glands–the ones that give you adreneline. It may help reduce the production of cortisol, a stress-produced hormone.
As always, consult a doctor if you are taking prescription drugs for anxiety or panic attacks and considering the addition of nutritional supplementation. For example, do not take tyrosine when on an MAO inhibitor drug.
Also worth noting is that more may be needed to treat panic attacks than taking nutritional supplements or drugs or herbs (like Kava Kava, Passionflower, Lemon Balm, and Chamomile). See, for example, the Linden Method for anxiety and natural anxiety treatments, …
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