8. Vetiver
Vetiver is a tall grass native to India that is closely related to Sorghum. It’s also very similar to lemongrass, palmarosa, and citronella. According to aromatherapy, vetiver essential oil benefits emotional stress, panic attacks, trauma, anxiety, insomnia, hysteria and depression (19).
It’s proven too: vetiver influences neurological actions in the central amygdaloid nucleus. This structure connects to brainstem areas that control perception and physical impacts of your emotions. As such, it can affect in heart rate, blood pressure, and your breathing rate. Its impact is similar to Diazepam, a heavily prescribed anti-anxiety medication (20).
9. Sweet Orange
Sweet orange, also known as Citrus Sinensis has a lovely fragrance. But that’s not all it does. In fact, the Mie University School of Medicine in Japan found that patients with depression needed smaller doses of antidepressant medications after citrus fragrance treatment. Another study conducted in Vienna tested the oil in dental clinics. The result was a decrease in anxiety and a mood boost for all the patients involved (21).
10. Neroli
Neroli, made from steam-distilling bitter orange blossoms, is a well-known tranquilizer. It alleviates anxiety and heart palpitations, relieves insomnia, and even prevents stress-related depression. Inhaling the oil also works against digestive issues, such as intestinal spasms, colitis, dyspepsia, and diarrhea (22).
Combined with lavender and chamomile, neroli effectively treated insomnia in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients in as little as 10 deep inhalations (23).