2022.03.09 and just as an FYI, this page contains affiliate links and this site earns from qualifying purchases made through these sponsored links. 

The benefits of essential oils are numerous.

Their aromatic fragrances can be calming, uplifting and promote relaxation. As discussed below, some essential oils have both folk and western medicinal benefits, too.

The practice of inhaling or applying essential oils is thought to affect the limbic system, the part of the brain that stimulates emotions and memories. 

Through the stimulation of emotions and memories, you may see physiological or mental effects from using essential oils, such as a shift in breathing, heart rate or simply a changed mood.

Essential oils create a physical sensory experience. 

Through smelling them, it can bring one into the present moment, creating a sense of awareness, making essential oils welcome additions to most meditation and mindfulness practices.

Below, you will find our top picks for essential oils for creating a relaxing and calming environment in alphabetical order:

1 - Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

Studies have indicated Bergamot has anxiolytic effects (anxiolytic is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety), that it can increase positive feelings, and reduce the corticosterone response to stress.

Skin application of Bergamot can create photosensitivity, so make sure to dilute this oil and use a sunscreen if applying it to the skin during the day.

2 - Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)

Naturally a deep shade of blue, with a nickname of blue chamomile, this essential oil comes from a small flower native to the Mediterranean. 

While it is not recommended for use in diffusers due to its ability to stain surfaces, it is praised for its calming properties in skincare.

Sabinene, a component in Blue Tansy oil, is an effective anti-inflammatory agent, and Camphor, another key component, has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body.

3 - Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)

It has a warm, woodsy scent, and it is great for relaxation. 

Currently, due to its Endangered status, the Useful Roots team recommends it for use only if you already have this product in your home or collection and if you do, use it sparingly. 

Check the label on your bottle for the dilution ratio - usually only a few drops at a time is usually all you need.

4 - Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis)

Oleoresin is a sap-like substance composed of resin and essential or fatty oil.

Used in folk medicine for healing skin wounds, as an aphrodisiac and to decrease swelling as an anti-inflammatory, it has a mild, sweet honey-almond, woody scent, making it great to add to perfumes or incense.

5 - Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

It can promote both relaxation and a calm environment. Studies indicate it may have sedative effects so it is an excellent one for evening use in particular.

6 - Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

This one is particularly helpful in a night time essential oil diffuser, as it is in several of our evening diffuser recipes here: The 5 Best Night Diffuser Blends

7 - Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides)

The oil comes from the roots of the plant. It has a heavy, earthy scent and is traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory properties. For these reasons, Vetiver essential oil can be a calming and grounding addition to your routine.

Due to its use as an ecological restoration plant, we currently recommend buying this oil from a company or crop that is certified organic.

Have any of these in your cabinets?

Start your calming journey right now. 

Take a moment, grab one that speaks to you, take off the cap, and place 1-3 three drops in the palm of your hand. 

Rub your hands together and cup them over your nose. 

Inhale, hold it for a few seconds, and then exhale.

To use the oils mentioned above for calming, you can inhale them, diffuse them or add them to skincare. Follow the dilution instructions on your essential oil bottle for how to apply each oil to the skin or diffuser.

Adding these calming essential oils to a diffuser?

Any of the calming essential oils mentioned above can be added to an essential oil diffuser with a special note on Blue Tansy.

Blue Tansy contains a beneficial chemical component called chamazulene, which releases blue dye when heated, giving it a blue hue. 

This hue can stain carpets, tapestries and other organic surfaces, including woods and unfinished stone surfaces.

If your Blue Tansy oil “isn’t very blue,” this could be normal. Is not necessarily a sign the oil is fake, adulterated or bad.

The amount of blue dye your Blue Tansy contains can depend on when it is harvested as the chamazulene concentration changes throughout the growing season.

If your Blue Tansy is light on dye, proceed with using your Blue Tansy oil however you want.

But if your Blue Tansy is very blue, and if you have concerns about the staining of nearby surfaces or artwork, for this oil only, consider using Roman chamomile as a substitute for this oil in a diffuser.

So to recap... What essential oils are good to use for calming?

1. Bergamont (Citrus bergamia)

2. Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)

3. Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)

4. Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis)

5. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

6. Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

7. Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides)

All of the above would be great to add to your relaxation routine.

To end, you may be wondering - 

Which essential oil is the most calming?

The most calming essential is largely dependent on personal preference. 

Though most people find that after experimentation they have a couple go-to’s they keep going back to for calming or they have a scent category they find most calming. 

For example, you may find that florals are the most soothing essential oils meaning Lavender and Roman Chamomile are the most calming essential oils.

Other people find earthy fragranced essential oils the most calming, making Vetiver, Palo Santo, and Cedarwood the most calming essential oils.

Try to discover what essential oils push those buttons for you. 

Make special notes of the ones you keep pulling out of your collection to use when you need something relaxing.

You may find you notice a trend. 

These would be your most calming essential oils, and they would be ones to stock up on and make sure you always have in your collection, especially if relaxation is important to you.

When it comes to where you buy your essential oils: try to go with respected companies you can research that integrate ecological growing principles, this keeps the harvested plants and their environment around for generations to come.

Look for words such as organic, wastewater recycling, integrated pest management, habitat restoration or other indications for the use of sustainable practices on the organization’s marketing materials.

For more content like this, please follow Useful Roots on Instagram ~ 

Other Articles You May Enjoy:

• How Much Essential Oil To Add To A Diffuser

• The 5 Best Night Diffuser Blends

• The 5 Best Spring Diffuser Blends

• Pacifica Dream Moon Review

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Citations

Hard Text

2001. Essential Oils Desk Reference, Life Sciences Publishing: Vetiver (78-79).

Online Citations

Research above is web-backlinked ( also known as “inline linked”) to the sources the claims reference above within the text itself.