You Need These Adaptogenic Essential Oils for Stress, Balance, & Mood

Whether you’re a seasoned vet or total newbie when it comes to essential oils, you probably know that oils have a wide range of benefits: more energy, inner calm, healthy detox, clear skin. Now, if you are the total newbie, get ready to start your journey to becoming an oil expert because we’ve got some exciting news for you. 

Turns out, certain oils have adaptogenic properties, just like popular herbs like ashwagandha and maca. Adaptogens have the power to help your nervous system stay in balance and keep you more resilient to stress. Keep reading to learn which essential oils have adaptogenic properties and how to use them for a more ~balanced~ you. 

Adaptogenic Essential Oils 

Our bodies are always on a mission to achieve homeostasis, and these days they are putting in even more work. With stressors coming at us from every angle (think physical, emotional, environmental), our nervous systems are overloaded and begging for support. Essential oils can offer balancing effects on the nervous system helping to either ground or stimulate—whichever is needed at that time. 

Here’s the good news: you might already have these adaptogenic essential oils in your arsenal. Lavender, lemon, and peppermint have restorative and stimulant properties that can help you adapt to whatever life throws at you. Here are the top 5 adaptogenic essential oils. 

Lavender 

Lavender is one of the most well-known essential oils used around the world. Its calming, sedative, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties make it the perfect oil for stress. 

Research shows that lavender can reduce stress, promote calm, foster deep sleep, and even improve PTSD symptoms. If you’re looking to bring your body back into homeostasis, make sure you’re carrying around lavender oil. 

Lemon 

Lavender essential oil is the undeniable queen of citrus oils. Its bright and cheerful aroma makes it one of the most popular oils and one of our favorite adaptogenic essential oils. It has potent antidepressant, invigorating, and refreshing properties that can help boost mood, calm racing thoughts, and stimulate energy. 

Peppermint 

Peppermint oil is so good at helping us stay balanced that it’s one of our favorite oils for jet lag! This oil is packed with anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, and energy-boosting properties. When you feel like you need to clear racing thoughts or get out of that tired rut, peppermint is your oil.  

Bergamot 

Bergamot essential oil is one of the best oils for easing anxiety. It can enhance mood, relieve nervousness, and even build confidence. If you want to keep calm and stay cool and collected, use bergamot’s uplifting, calming, and anti-inflammatory properties whenever you need. 

Ginger

Ginger essential oil is another oil that has powerful antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties that can keep you balanced. Whether you want to use ginger aromatically or internally, its adaptogenic benefits are perfect for supporting your nervous system. 

How to Use Adaptogenic Essential Oils 

Deep breathing is an incredible way to balance your nervous system. Add a little aromatherapy to that, and you’ve got yourself a formula for homeostasis. 

Simple inhale directly from the bottle or add 5-8 drops in your diffuser for adaptogenic effects. You can also take any of these oils internally as well. Mix 1-2 drops with raw honey, add to hot water and enjoy. 

As for topical use goes, combine a couple of drops of one of the oils listed above with a warm carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil and give yourself a massage. You will feel grounded and balanced in no time. 

Now that you have a list of some of our favorite adaptogenic essential oils for stress management and mood, which are you most excited about? Let me know which oil you’re going to use and how in the comments below! 

Shop essential oil kits here.