Panic attacks come from anxiety and can happen at any time, without warning and without reason too. When they occur, they bring enormous anxiety and even terror to the sufferer, often with intense feelings of fear. Many people who suffer with anxiety and/or panic attacks describe feeling very stressed, terrified and even experiencing heart attack symptoms with fast breathing, an irregular heart beat and a sense of paralysis. Both anxiety and panic attacks can be frightening and uncomfortable, and often go hand in hand with each other.

Anxiety

Some people might report feeling butterflies in their tummies, breathlessness, insomnia and constant worry. Others carry on their day to day life with sudden panic attacks that can leave them feeling completely exhausted and depleted of energy. Luckily, panic attacks don’t last long but it’s unsurprising that anxiety can literally encroach on everyday life, leaving the sufferer constantly wracked with worry.

Panic Attack

When someone experiences a panic attack, the body prepares to deal with an emergency situation and adrenaline spikes, causing the body to produce huge amounts of energy. This causes the muscles to tense up, the heart to beat at rapid speed and breathing to increase. Panic attacks can last anything from a few minutes up to half an hour in extreme cases and some people report being woken up from their sleep with a panic attack.

Essential oils for anxiety and panic attacks [Infographic]How to Deal with Panic and Anxiety

It’s all very well to tell someone to relax and be calm but in reality it’s harder to put into practice, especially if that someone is a natural born worrier or undergoing a very stressful period in life. There are lots that can be done; having a good support network around is one positive and helps to have a calming influence. Also indulging in pleasurable activities can help as it takes the mind off of stressful situations. Getting outdoors and taking exercise releases endorphins (happiness hormones) and getting the right amount of sunshine (which can be difficult if you don’t live in a warm climate).

Building in a few minutes to read and have a relaxing bath is definitely positive and using mindfulness techniques along with aromatherapy oils is one of the best things to do to relax. There’s usually no need to resort to chemical drugs when many essential oils have been used for thousands of years, known for their healing, calming and soothing properties.

Best Essential Oils for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

That said, what are the best essential oils for anxiety and panic attacks? Here are our favourites and why you should try them.

Best Lavender Essential Oil, Sky Organics

Lavender is well known for its relaxing properties and even for helping you if you have trouble sleeping. Using a few drops of lavender in a bath or on your pillow can help to alleviate feelings of anxiety and even to avoid panic attack. This oil from Sky Organics retails at just under $12 (depending on retailer) and encourages feelings of calm. 100% organic, pure and therapeutic, the lavender is harvested in France and bottled in the USA. The safe to use lavender oil is steam distilled by French Artisan farmers and contains no chemicals or additives, plus it hasn’t been tested on animals. Completely natural, it boosts mood and even reduces headache symptoms.

Eden’s Garden Anxiety Ease Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil

At approximately $11.50 (depending on retailer) is the high quality Eden’s Garden product, produced to reduce feelings of anxiety. This pure grade therapeutic essential oil comes in a 10 ml bottle; it is chemical and additive free containing lemongrass, orange and Ylang Ylang oils. Just using a few drops of Anxiety Ease can boost mood and calm stress, so you feel relieved and balanced.

Divine Botanics Aromatherapy Essential Oil Synergy Blend 10ml

This oil contains a set of six pure grade therapeutic oils and retails at just under $19 (depending on retailer). It comes in a 10 ml bottle and helps to reduce feelings of anxiety, stress and depression, so inducing relaxing, peaceful sleep. The set comprises of the following blends of oils, Breathe Free, Sleep Zen, Relieve Anxiety, Energy Zen, Mood Bliss and Master Thief. The set contains various essential oils as follows, all known for their healing properties:

  • Eucalyptus
  • Tea Tree
  • Pine
  • Lemon
  • Laurel Leaf
  • Cardamom
  • Cassia
  • Clove
  • Rosemary
  • Orange
  • Camphor
  • Kananga
  • Lavandin
  • Copaiba
  • Clary Sage
  • Lemon Grass
  • Ylang Ylang
  • Geranium
  • Peppermint
  • Sage
  • Ginger
  • Fennel

The blends are created in the USA and deliver a quality, potent essential oil to help soothe and calm a busy mind, all without chemicals or pesticides.

Healing Solutions Stress Relief Blend

At just $8.99 (depending on retailer) is the Healing Solutions Stress Relief blend of essential oils which contains 10 ml of Bergamot, Patchoulis, Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit and Blood Orange. With a decidedly pleasant fragrance, and using 100% pure grade therapeutic essential oils, the product helps to bring feelings of relief and calm. All oils used are pure and highly tested, FDA registered. They are also completely organic so you get the benefits of the highest possible content of therapeutic oils.

Plant Guru Stress Relief Synergy Blend Essential Oil

This 10ml bottle of pure, undiluted, therapeutic grade essential oil is ideal for soothing anxiety and depression providing an uplifting aromatherapy experience. Completely chemical and pesticide free, this product retails at approximately $9 (depending on where you purchase it from). Plant Guru oils undergo stringent quality testing before they’re bottled perfect for alleviating stress, the combination includes:

  • Bergamot
  • Patchouli
  • Sweet Orange
  • Ylang Ylang
  • Pink Grapefruit
  • Gurjum

Prime Natural Anxiety Relief Essential Oil Blend

This blend of essential oils comes from Prime Natural and features 30ml of all-natural, pure, undiluted therapeutic grade aromatherapy oils. Ideal for beating stress and depression, this oil brings feeling of calm and relaxation to the user. Retailing at just under $16 (depending on where you purchase it from) it features an abundance of oils that are known for their stabilising effect on emotions, calming the body and the mind together.
Oils included in the blend:

  • Ylang Ylang
  • Silver Fir
  • Norway Spruce
  • Juniper Needle
  • Cedarwood

GMO free, additive free and chemical free and packaged in a dark glass bottle to prevent deterioration, there’s a quality dropper for ease of use.

Plant Therapy Worry-Free (Stress Free) Synergy Essential Oil Roll-On

This 10ml bottle features an easy-to-use roll-on mechanism so you can apply it direct to the body for maximum effect. Comprising of a blend of lavender, Marjoram, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Peru Balsam and Roman Chamomile it costs $10 (depending on retailer) and helps to alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety while encouraging feelings of calmness and serenity. All oils used are 100% pure and blended with 10% coconut oil. Powerful and fragrant, this is highly effective. Use on the wrists and inhale when you feel stressed or anxious.

Prime Natural Sleep and Relaxation Essential Oil Blend

This 100% natural, pure, undiluted therapeutic grade oil retails at just $10 (depending on where you buy it from) and is ideal for those who suffer with disturbed sleep or insomnia as it helps to sooth a busy mind, lulling you to sleep. Additionally, use it for anxiety and stress by placing a few drops on a tissue or the back of your palm. Featuring:

  • Lavender
  • Sage
  • Balsam
  • Marjoram
  • Chamomile

The product is GMO tested and contains no chemicals or pesticides. Packaged in a 10ml bottle with dropper for ease of use, this is an excellent natural sleep aid.

Stress Relief Synergy Blend Essential Oil by Eden’s Garden

This is a 5ml bottle of essential oils including:

  • Bergamot
  • Ylang Ylang
  • Sweet Orange
  • Patchouli
  • Grapefruit

Retailing at $6.50 (depending on where you purchase it from) it is a potent blend of essential oils designed to sooth anxiety sufferers and boost feelings of calmness and serenity. Boasting a delightful fragrance with citrusy notes, each oil is 100% pure, therapeutic grade, free from chemicals or pesticides. High quality, it’s one of those products that naturally bring peaceful relaxation and can help to improve sleep quality.

Loosen Up Stress & Anxiety Essential Oil Blend, Davina

At $12.95 (depending on retailer) is the Davina Loosen Up Stress and Anxiety Essential Oil blend, packaged in a 10ml bottle and featuring therapeutic grade oils that are GMO free and free from chemicals and pesticides. Just use a few drops on your reflex areas (wrists or soles of the feet) or place it on your pillow, this blend is designed to refresh, rejuvenate and restore feelings of wellbeing. The oil is potent and will fill a room with a deliciously refreshing aroma.

Carmen
 

Carmen is an entrepreneur and content marketer. In a former life, as a corporate business executive, she relied on yoga, reflexology and other alternative practices to fight stress, anxiety and find balance. She’s on a mission to build healthy habits for a balanced, healthy life, connecting body, mind and spirit.