An encounter with anxiety can be a frightening experience. It heightens our awareness to our surroundings and can make us suspicious and sometimes paranoid of others’ intensions. It can isolate us and sometimes spills over into Agoraphobia and Claustrophobia.

Anxiety can make us almost remove our spirit from our physical body to try and get away from the continuous flow of adrenalin surging through our veins. In this time of uncertainty, essential oils are on hand and can offer support and relief when there is no one there in the middle of the night when often the symptoms are worst.

Being concerned about imminent danger, the body can instigate the fight or flight response – the response used in nature to decide whether we run away from danger or stay and fight it. If body continues to react in this way then the sufferer can experience a nervous disorder which will be characterised by a state of excessive uneasiness. This prolonged sense of uneasiness (Anxiety) can have deep and profound effects on the body and mind. It is an unnatural state of being and needs careful and loving consideration in treatment.

With the underlying emotion to this condition being fear, I would encourage you to first ask yourself - what are you frightened of? What is imposing a threat on your safe space and peace of mind? We need to then try to remove this negative influence. This is not always possible. If it is not possible it is sometimes possible to change our perception of the threat. Therapies such as the Mickel therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and others can help work with the cause of anxiety.

When change is not possible to remove the cause of the anxiety we are left to deal with the symptoms. Managing these with essential oils as part of a treatment plan will provide great comfort and relief. Even when the cause of the problem has been identified, and maybe changed, the use of essential oils will provide ongoing support to the user.

Symptoms of anxiety attacks include:

• Surge of overwhelming panic.
• Feeling of losing control or going crazy.
• Heart palpitations or chest pain.
• Feeling like you're going to pass out.
• Trouble breathing or choking sensation.
• Hyperventilation.
• Hot flashes or chills.
• Trembling or shaking.

Essential Oils For the Treatment of Anxiety:

Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender supports the nervous system while assisting to reduce Hypertension, Headaches and Insomnia which are all associated Symptoms of Anxiety.

With its stunning purple flower and strong woody stem it is reliable, dependable and versatile without compare. I love this oil as it has enormous properties of its own but also brings out the best in all the oils around it making lavender a fantastic companion in every way. Lavender is: Anticonvulsive (helps to prevent convulsions),Antidepressant (helps alleviate depression), Antispasmodic (prevents and eases spasms), Calmative (sedative), Hypotensive (Agent which lowers blood pressure). Nervine (strengthening and toning the nervous system).

Geranium Essential Oil 
With its heady fragrance, abundant flower and rounded leaf is a wonderfully balanced plant and oil, geranium is rich and nurturing in its character and I love to use it when there is a need to feel indulgent and to regain hormonal balance. Geranium is: Antidepressant (helps alleviate depression), Adrenal balancing (helps to balance the adrenal cortex and the effects of Adrenal dysfunction), fight / flight response, floods of adrenalin through the system.

Rosemary Essential Oil 
With its evergreen presence and silvery green needle shaped leaves and delicate pale blue flowers the whole plant is fiercely aromatic. When I need an oil to clarify thoughts and spur me on it is Rosemary which comes gallantly to the rescue.

Rosemary is wonderful to use first thing in the morning and when incorporated into baths has an added benefit of detoxification, helping to reduce the appearance of cellulite. It is the build-up of toxin in the muscle fibres which contributes to Cellulite. Rosemary is: Calmative (sedative), Antispasmodic (prevents and eases spasms), Cephalic (remedies disorders of the head, clears thinking), Diuretic (promotes the production and flow of urine), aids detoxification as a result of too much Adrenaline in the body which causes a build-up of toxin. Used in the morning preferably not in the evening due to the stimulating effects on the Urinary system.

These three oils are an essential part of any Aromatherapy first aid kit. If I had to choose just one it would be Lavender but together they complement one another and create a fantastic team.

When using Essential oils for Anxiety it is important to prepare your environment and create as relaxing an atmosphere as possible. Candles are a great way to relax the brain as incandescent light is calming on the eyes and senses in comparison to the blue light emitted from T.V. screens and computers, phones and the like. The blue light is known to inhibit restful sleep. Choose the ones that you are most drawn to instinctively.