With our lives so full of work, family commitments, and other stresses, it’s not surprising that many of us might be looking for natural ways to relax and rejuvenate. So I’m sure you would love to discover not just a few, but the 21 best oils and blend recipes for calm and relaxation!
So sit back, relax while we discover many beautiful essential oils which not only smell amazing and have healing properties, but can also help us to wind down after a busy day.
Many of our favorite essential oils work with your central nervous system, lower your cortisol levels and help to support your body so adding a diffuser, room spray, or foot massage oil along with other self-care strategies such as good nutrition and exercise can help you to unwind and relax.
Let’s start with my 21 best oils for calm and relaxation and as we further explore each oil, we can find out some beautifully relaxing and calming blend recipes.
- Lavender oil
- Roman chamomile oil
- Bergamot oil
- Neroli oil
- Rose oil
- Lemon oil
- Yuzu oil
- Orange oil
- Valerian oil
- Mandarin oil
- Sandalwood oil
- Clary sage oil
- Jasmine oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Holy basil oil
- Sweet basil oil
- Ylang Ylang oil
- Vetiver oil
- Patchouli oil
- Lemon balm oil
- Geranium oil
1.Lavender Essential Oil
With regards to one of the 21 best oils for relaxation, lavender unquestionably deserves first place!
Lavender has long been included in relaxation beauty products and has been a lynchpin in aromatherapy for many centuries, well known for its relaxation benefits and can help to treat insomnia according to scientific research. Lavender works with the nervous system to reduce worry and promote deep relaxation.
Its delicate fragrance and its effect on the mind and body to aid relaxation are well documented. Lavender is perhaps the most widely researched fragrance with many different studies confirming its calming, soothing, and sedative effects.
and is first on my list for the best oils for relaxation. Lavender oil can:
- Reduce blood pressure and heart rate
- Improve the quality of sleep
- Help you to relax ready for sleep
- Treats insomnia
This beautiful relaxing blend is my favorite go-to blend to diffuse while I’m getting ready for bed.
I also mix up a beautiful lavender and massage oil to use on my temples and my décolletage and arms to help me relax. I use 3 drops lavender and 2 drops of rose absolute mixed with two tablespoons of apricot oil
Lavender and Bergamot relaxing pillow blend
- 4 -5 drops lavender oil
- 4- 5 drops bergamot
- distilled water from a kettle, boiled and cooled and added to a 4 oz amber glass bottle
2.Roman Chamomile Oil
Roman chamomile is well known for its relaxation properties. It’s been used for centuries in herbal teas, beauty products, and perfumes.
This oil has an herbaceous and slightly fruity scent that is a real joy to experience.
Relaxation from camomile in the form of a gentle restorative cup of camomile, along with a diffuser blend to help you drift off to sleep is the perfect antidote to a restless mind.
Chamomile oil can help you relax and be calmer and can:
- Give a gentle sedative effect
- Quiet a worried mind
- Restore and balance emotions
- Promote feelings of calm
In a recent study of patients in intensive care, Roman chamomile when mixed with lavender and neroli was inhaled 10 times where the results showed a significant increase in relaxation.
Camomile diffuser calming blend
- 5 drops chamomile
- 5 drops lavender
- 5 drops neroli
- 150 mL of distilled water from a kettle that’s been boiled and cooled
If you’re wondering how much oil you should put in a diffuser, whether you can keep your diffuser on overnight, or even if you are looking for some great immune-boosting diffuser blends, check out my other articles.
3. Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot is one of the most popular essential oils in aromatherapy, and is sourced from the peel of citrus fruit; Citrus bergamia. So its no wonder that Bergamot has made number three in my list of the 21 best oils and blend recipes for calm and relaxation!
With our lives so full of work, family commitments, and other stresses, it’s not surprising that many of us might be looking for natural ways to relax and rejuvenate. So I’m sure you would love to discover not just a few, but the 21 best oils and blend recipes for calm and relaxation!
Its sweet and uplifting citrus scent enhances wellbeing and is even thought to balance mood by easing anxiety and a natural antidepressant. Its properties are believed to enhance a sense of relaxation while generating positive feelings and improving negative emotions.
Along with its relaxing properties, it’s also antiviral and antiseptic and has a natural cooling action that helps to bring down fevers.
It’s an all-around mood lifter and is my no. 3 in the best 21 oils and blends for calm and relaxation
Bergamot and lavender pillow spray
To help promote relaxation ready for a deep nights sleep, create your own relaxing pillow spray by mixing:
5 drops of Bergamot oil
5 drops lavender
In a small 4 oz amber glass filled with distilled water from a kettle that has been boiled and cooled
4. Neroli Essential Oil
Neroli has long been known as a stress reliever and enjoys a long history as a remedy for a shock with the power to balance and revive promoting relaxation.
It’s well-known for lowering blood pressure and helps to avoid excessive worrying. It is believed to ease anxiety, stress and further promote relaxation along with a sense of calmness.
It has a direct effect on the:
- Adrenal
- Circulatory
- Digestive system
According to recent studies, blood pressure was significantly lower in the group inhaling 0.5% neroli oil than in the control group, which goes somewhat to proving how this oil is one of the best oils for relaxation.
The same study also concluded that
“Neroli oil may have potential as an effective intervention to reduce stress.”
With its sweet and spicy aroma, Neroli essential oil is sourced from the flowers of the bitter orange tree.
Once again, as with other essential oils for relaxation, it’s important to dilute well before using on the skin such as massage oils.
Neroli oil diffuser blend for relaxation
- Add 3-4 drops of neroli
- 2-3 drops of lavender oil
- 100 mL of water in an ultrasonic diffuser
5. Rose Oil
In the same ways inhaling the bouquet of a beautiful bunch of roses induces feelings of calm and joy, rose oil is known equally for its relaxation and restorative properties.
Its strong floral scent works directly with your sensory system to bring about calm comfort and relaxation.
One clinical trial which evaluated the therapeutic effects of rose oil discovered it significantly improved physiological and psychological relaxation, along with analgesic and calming effects.
Rose oil is one of my 21 best essential oils for calm and relaxation because:
- Proven to lower pressure and heart rates
- Balance breathing
- Lower cortisol levels ( a stress hormone)
- Promote feelings of tranquility and peace
- Relax, restore and balance emotions
Relaxing rose oil body massage blend
- 4 drops of rose or rosewood oil
- 4 drops lime
- 4 drops sweet orange
- 2 tablespoons of a carrier or base oil such as sweet almond or my favorite for this blend, apricot oil
6. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential is oil sourced from the leaves of the lemon plant and is one of my best essential oils for relaxation as it is preliminarily known for sedative and anxiety-reducing properties.
According to recent research Novel potent anticancer molecules can be found in essential oils such as lemon which can be used to treat symptoms of cancer, by helping to improve relaxation.
Lemon essential oil’s relaxation properties have been more recently used in personal aromatherapy devices, such as diffusers, and used in some cancer centers for relaxation.
Lemon essential oil’s relaxing properties were further investigated in a 2006 study where it was found lemon oil significantly has a powerful calming and mood-improving effect promoting relaxation.
Its uplifting citrus aroma is such a mood booster, it can help to increase a feeling of relaxation and wellbeing.
Lemon oil’s wealth of calming benefits is why it’s high on my list of 21 recipe blends for calm and relaxation.
Lemon oil relaxation diffuser blend
- 4 drops lemon oil
- 2 drops lavender oil
- 2 drops frankincense
- 100mL distilled water from a cool boiled kettle
7.Yuzu Essential Oil
Another winner in my 21 best oils for relaxation and recipe blends list is Yuzu. This bright citrus oil has a bright fragrance that can lift moods along with properties that are well-known to suppress sympathetic nervous system activity.
Yuzu oil helps you to feel more relaxed and in a happier mood, by working with the part of your brain that controls the production of serotonin, and by preventing this breakdown of this hormone.
This bright essential oil will help your body to relax after a busy day and unwind ready for a deeper sleep. Its uplifting, calming qualities are ideal for soothing stress or anxiety-related issues.
Yuzu oil has been used in Japanese aromatherapy since ancient times for many ailments which benefit from its relaxation properties such as:
- Nervous Stomach Cramps
- Stress-induced Skin Conditions
- Nervous Tension
- Nervous Exhaustion
- Emotional soothing and stress elevating
Yuzu oil relaxation massage oil
- 3 drops of Yuzu
- 1 drop of chamomile
- 2 tablespoons of your favorite carrier oil( I love apricot oil or sweet almond oil, but olive or sunflower would work beautifully)
Use this blend to massage your feet before you settle down to sleep.
8. Orange Essential Oil
Orange essential oil is sourced from the rind of the sweet orange, Citrus Sinensis. The relaxation and therapeutic effects of the oil, stem in part from
Its uplifting and mood-boosting aroma can help to reduce feelings of worry, reduce anxiety and promote a calm feeling of tranquility and relaxation.
This has a very sweet and citrusy aroma which has many therapeutic benefits including relaxation.
These relaxation effects tend to reduce anxiety and related symptoms while promoting a calm state of mind.
Orange essential oil is perfect to help you relax.
- Promotes a feeling of happiness and warmth
- Boosts mood and reduces feelings of anxiety and increasing relaxation
- Mild tranquilliser/anti depressants
- Promotes peace and well being
- Relaxes and rejuvenates
Orange oil relaxing diffuser blend
- 3 drops of orange oil
- 3 drops of ylang-ylang
- 3 drops of lavender
- 150mL of distilled water from a boiled and cooled kettle
9. Valerian oil
Valerian and its oil have been used to help calm and relax for centuries. It’s renowned for calming troubled minds, reducing feelings of overwhelm, and bringing peace.
Valerian oil has many qualities which makes it on the list of the best 21 oils and blends for calm and relaxation:
- Helps with Insomnia
- Reduces nervous tension
- Has gentle sedative qualities
- Clears brain fog
- Can minimize over tiredness
Using valerian oil can help you to relax, and promote feelings of calm and help to clear away negative thoughts which promote relaxation.
Valerian oil foot relaxing massage
- 5 – 6 drops valerian oil
- 2 drops ylang ylang oil
- 2 tablespoons of carrier oil such as Jojoba or sweet almond oil
Mix all ingredients on a saucer or small glass jar, then using the palms of your hands, gently massage your feet, paying special attention to between the toes and your heels.
10. Mandarin Oil
Mandarin oil helps to relax and rejuvenate with its citrus notes and lifting fragrance. Along with its anxiolytic ( stress-busting) properties it offers a wealth of benefits including a feeling of calmness while helping you to unwind and relax.
This is one of the reasons it’s on my list of 21 best oils and blend recipes for calm and relaxation.
Mandarin oil helps to aid restful sleep and brings a lift to your overall sense of well-being and mood.
Sourced from the zest of mandarins, this essential oil is beautifully bright with a gorgeous uplifting scent.
Let’s find out why mandarin oil is one of my 21best oils for relaxation:
- Uplifting citrus top note elevates mood
- Prompts feelings of calm
- Can help to treat insomnia
- Reduces hyperactivity
Mandarin and bergamot relaxing pillow spray
- 3 – 5 drops mandarin oil
- 2 – 3 drops of bergamot oil
Add to a small 4oz amber spray bottle filled with distilled water from a kettle, boiled, and cooled Gently spray 6 – 8 times on your bed and pillow area around half an hour before you go to bed
11. Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood oil has a deep and breathtaking aroma that is earthy and woodsy. It has a specific, gentle and delicate fragrance that can induce feelings of peace, tranquility, and relaxation.
Sandalwood oil aids relaxation by releasing feel-good hormones and removing worried feelings, enabling peace and relaxation.
Sandlewood can help relax you by:
- Helps to relieve insomnia
- Balancing emotions
- Its aphrodisiac qualities
- Helps restorative sleep
Sandalwood oil has been used for centuries in Indian medicine, so much so the sandalwood tree may become endangered.
Sandalwood temple relaxing massage oil
- 2 drops sandalwood oil
- 1 drop lavender
- 1 drop vetiver
- 1 drop clary sage
- 2 tablespoons of Moringa or Evening Primrose oil ( if you don’t have these oils, olive, sunflower or almond oil work beautifully)
Mix ingredients together well in a glass jar with a lid. Add ½ teaspoon of the blend to your palms and using your fingers, massage your temples and forehead, gently traveling down the neck.
12. Clary Sage Oil
Known for its sweet and herbal notes, clary sage is well known for its ability to relax not only your mind but also muscles such as during menstruation.
So by using your diffuser, as a massage oil or compress during your period cycle, clary sage oil can help to promote calmness and relaxation.
In recent studies, clary sage essential oil was analyzed by scientists and showed positive effects on the pulse, blood pressure, and mood.
Clary sage can help with relaxation by:
- Balancing pulse
- Helping to keep healthy blood pressure
- Mood lifter
- Promoting a quiet and calm mind
Clary sage relaxing compress
- add 5 to 8 drops of clary sage to a warm flannel or small guest towel and apply to the tummy area
- Repeat 3 times
13. Jasmine Oil
Famous for its signature jasmine floral scent, this oil helps calm the nervous system to enhance relaxation.
Besides, the calming effects of this fragrant oil, jasmine oil helps to promote a sense of well-being and improve mood.
In a 2017 study, it was found that Jasmine oil can help with relaxation therapy through working directly with the nervous system by stabilizing center nerves and removing feelings of stress, and promoting relaxation while causing positive emotional colors within those in the study.
So now we can see why Jasmine deserves its place in my 21 best essential oils for relaxation, so let’s discover my favorite relaxing Jasmine diffuser blend.
Relaxing Jasmine diffuser blend
- 2 drops Jasmine
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
- 2 drops lavender
- 2 drops of rose or rosewood
- 150mL distilled water boiled and cooled from a kettle
This can help to bring peace and tranquility to your sleeping area, start your diffuser running around 15 minutes before you want to climb into bed and drift off!
14. Lemongrass Essential Oil
Sourced from the lemongrass herb this oil is often used for natural relief of anxiety.
Its refreshing, fruity, and herbal notes help to calm and fortify frayed nerves and exhaustion while enhancing well-being by lifting spirits to combat anxiety and stress.
Lemongrass is very potent and its astringent qualities make it not suitable to apply directly to your skin.
For this reason, always make sure it’s well diluted with a carrier oil or distilled water before using it on your skin.
Relaxing lemongrass room spray
Add 10 -12 drops to a small amber glass spray bottle along with distilled water ( water from a boiled, cooled kettle is perfect) and spray into your bedroom or other sanctuaries!
15.Holy basil oil
Also called the tulsi, Holy Basil essential oil is often referred to as ‘the elixir of life.
The relaxing effects of this oil come from its properties beneficial for treating physical and mental stress. Many studies have confirmed it is able to work physiologically and its ability to act as an adaptogen that controls the release of cortisol to bring down overworked minds and produce feelings of calmness and relaxation.
Holy basil oil has an herbal fragrance with a spicy and minty aroma.
It’s able to bring calm and relaxation by:
- Reducing feelings of overwhelm
- Restoring
- Balancing emotions
- Aiding a restful nights sleep
- Bringing feelings of calm and relaxation
- Minimizing agitation
Holy basil works beautifully as a room spray to relax and also release its glorious minty fragrance
Holy basil room relaxing spray
- 10 drops of holy basil
- 4 oz amber spray bottle filled with distilled water, boiled from a kettle, and left to cool
Concentrate on areas where you relax such as your lounge, reading area, or snug.
16.Sweet basil oil
Another herbal oil from the basil family. The phenol compounds in sweet basil oil bring specific benefits regarding relaxation and calmness.
Although it is an uplifting oil and can help with fatigue, its herbal fragrance helps to remove overwrought thinking and promote balanced emotions.
Sweet basil is known for its glorious aroma and helps to improve feelings of rest and relaxation. Sweet basil contains linalool, a substance also found in lavender that’s been shown to increase relaxation and reduce stressful feelings in many scientific studies.
Orange and basil oil relaxing diffuser blend
- 6 – 8 drops basil oil
- 4 – 5 drops sweet orange of mandarin oil
- 100mL distilled water from a boiled and cooled kettle
17. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang is an essential oil well known for its ability to lower blood pressure, promoting peace and relaxation. According to scientific studies, ylang-ylang oil can lower blood pressure significantly, bringing calmness and relaxation.
Its effects help profoundly in promoting relaxation, which means better control of heart health.
Ylang Ylang has its place on my list of 21 best oils for relaxation as it has a myriad of benefits to help slow you down and unwind including:
- Mood-boosting properties
- Helps to reduce depression and anxiety
- Promote lower blood pressure
- Slow down your heart rate
As aromatherapy massage is thought to be one of the best ways to use oils for relaxation, when combined with Swedish massage techniques which are well known for their relaxation properties, it creates a winning formula
Ylang Ylang relaxing Swedish massage blend
- 3 – 5 drops Ylang Ylang oil
- 2 drops Mandarin oil
- 2 drops Vetiver oil
- 2 tablespoons of Almond oil ( almond oil is a wonderful moisturizer and also helps to promote good heart health)
18.Vetiver oil
The anti-anxiety properties of Vetiver oil support its calming and relaxing benefits.
Its anxiolytic properties (which mean stress reduction) could be associated with altering neuronal activation according to studies.
Sourced from the vetiver plant native to India, this oil has a sweet and earthy aroma, which can lead to feeling calmer, more grounded, and more relaxed.
Vetiver oil can help with feelings of relaxation and calm by:
- Soothing anxiety,
- Help in fighting insomnia
- Relieves snoring
- Reduce fatigue
- Lift mood
- Helps memory and focus
Vetiver oil calming Bath blend
- 6 -8 drops Vetiver oil
- 3 drops chamomile oil
- 3 drops neroli oil
- 1 tablespoon of carrier oil ( Jojoba or Avocado is beautifully nourishing in your Bath)
Mix all ingredients well together in a small glass jar and pour under a warm ( not too hot) Bath
19.Patchouli oil
Patchouli oil has long been associated with a relaxed, chilled-out vibe from way back during the ’60s and the summer of love. Patchouli oil is commonly used in ayurvedic medicine to ease anxiety, depression, and stress, leading to calmer, more centered, and relaxed emotional states.
A study on the relaxation effects of emergency nurses inhaling patchouli oil uncovered a significant increase in calmer feelings and greater feelings of self-esteem.
When combined with lavender oil, it has secured its place on my list of 21 best essential oils and blends for calmness and relaxation.
Patchouli and lavender calming massage blend
- 5 -6 drops of patchouli
- 3 drops lavender oil
- 2 tablespoons of almond oil ( sunflower or olive oil also work perfectly )
Blend all ingredients together in a saucer or bowl and using fingertips apply circular motions to temples, and neck area, 30 minutes before bed
20.Lemon balm oil
Lemon balm has a fresh, uplifting, and soothing aroma that supports a restorative effect, increasing feelings of calmness and relaxation. Lemon balm reduces feelings of insecurity and a ‘chatty mind’ and helps to promote a relaxing night’s sleep. It’s long been used in Iranian folk medicine as a gentle sedative.
Some reasons lemon balm should be on your 21 best oils and recipe blends for relaxation and calm are:
- Minimizes an overwrought or ‘chatty’ mind
- A mild sedative effect
- A tonic for ‘the blues’
- Uplifting and restorative citrus aroma
Scientific studies of lemon balm confirm its mood improvement properties, which support peaceful feelings and relaxation.
21.Geranium oil
Geranium oil has proven benefits to help relax and calm especially during, labor, menstrual cycle, and postpartum depression. Geranium oils’ beautiful rose-like scent can help to reduce overwhelming feelings by inducing calm and more focused emotions, leading to less worry and greater feelings of relaxation.
Many studies on geraniums oil’s calming and relaxing effects make it high on my list of 21 oils and blends for calm and relaxation.
Geranium oil has a sharp and herbaceous green scent with a sweet minty-rose undertone which works with all your senses to help quieten and calm fractious thoughts and feelings.
Geranium oil relaxing and calming diffuser blend
- 8 -10 drops of geranium oil
- 3 drops of rose or rosewood oil
- 100mL of distilled water ( simply boil a kettle and let it become cool fire adding to your diffuser)
And finally…
So I hope you’ve loved my pick of 21 of the best essential oils and blend recipes for calm and relaxation!
I hope I’ve given you some new ideas of massage blends, room diffuser blends, and my absolute favorite way to use essential oils for relaxation, which is pillow sprays to experience the benefits of essential oils for helping the stress and strains of modern living to melt away!
As many of us are familiar with lavender and chamomile, I hope to have added some information on new oils for you to consider for your ‘relaxation’ and ‘me-time sessions!
Don’t forget to check out my other articles on aromatherapy for wellbeing and for living!
