My Favorite Essential Oils to Uplift Your Mood, Lift Your Spirits, and Make You Feel Happy
Essential oils are the real deal, and it’s because of the specific chemistry each essential oil contains. Certain essential oils work very strongly on your limbic system…your emotional brain. For supporting mental wellness, essential oils should be part of your regimen because more and more are becoming clinically studied to improve our emotional states. Here are some of my favorite essential oils to work with my clients…and myself.
Having struggled with depression off and on over the decades of my life, I understand how it feels. Not everyone has the same experience with it, but there are some common similarities: sadness, lack of motivation, lack of enthusiasm for anything, feeling tired all the time, not being able to get out of bed, sleeping too little, possibly sleeping too little, suicidal thoughts, and other indicators.
I’ve had doctors ask me to try prescription medications in the past, but I just didn’t like how I felt on them. So, I would stop taking them. Now, please realize I’m not advocating this. I think there’s a time and a place for medications, and it’s crucial to find treatments that work for your particular style of depression. Still, many medications for depression are mind- and mood-altering, sometimes dangerous, and often addictive. Be sure to do your research.
Also, and VERY important, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline if you have feelings of hurting yourself or others, anytime, 24/7. You can also call them at 1-800-273-8255.
Over the years I’ve reached out for different tools to help me cope. Some of these include regular exercise, therapy, spending time in nature and with my animals, using herbs and essential oils, and finding Jesus. In fact, allowing Jesus into my life was the number one factor in my recovery.
I still have down times, even now, but scripture, exercise, and my essential oils are my two favorite helpers these days.
Scripture strongly affects my personal mood. It backs up my faith and knowledge that there is purpose in this world, and that God is always there for me. That I’m loved. Accepted. Perfect in His eyes. Saved. And more. It provides hope in a sometimes hopeless world. What a gift!
And then….what this article is all about: essential oils I use to combat depressive and anxious thinking in my life and in the lives of clients.
FTC Disclosure: There may be affiliate links scattered throughout this article. If you click through and make any kind of purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you
Lavender has so many uses, and lifting your spirits and soothing the soul is one of them.
This free herbal remedy guide on 10 commonly found herbs and essential oils is perfect for your kitchen or home apothecary! Click here to get yours sent to your inbox now!
How Do Essential Oils Improve Feelings of Sadness to Joy, or at Least Acceptance?
When I first discovered essential oils, I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life. I loved the scents of these little jars, but I didn’t understand back then how powerfully they can affect mood and brain chemistry. Luckily, I went with my intuition.
After some pretty wonderful experiences, I decided to go all in on my research and I attended two schools to obtain higher level certifications in aromatherapy (the study of essential oils for wellness).
Essential oils affect my mood and body physically and emotionally. Since depression has to do with brain chemistry, there is now evidence that using the inhalation method with essential oils can positively affect brain chemistry.
This is because the molecules of essential oils enter our bloodstream through the lungs, and when they meet the brain, the chemistry having to do with serotonin, tyrosine hydroxylase, and corticotropin releasing factor etc. is affected.
Besides affecting the brain through the blood stream, essential oils have a direct impact on the brain’s limbic system via the olfactory system (our smell). They actually bind to receptors found in the olfactory bulb and directly affect deeper regions of the brain that control stress, anxiety, and emotional responses.
This is a very simplistic explanation, but it’s enough for this short article on my favorite essential oils to use to help with depression and any kind of grief or sadness. You can reference the citings at the end of this article for more information.
Here’s a video below where I discuss essential oils and the emotions:
Tangerine, also known as mandarin, is another essential oil that is safe for children, is highly uplifting, and a wonderful helper for emotional wellness.
My Favorite Essential Oils to Use for Enhancing Mood, Being More Joyful, and Lifting Spirits Naturally
The essential oils I’m going to discuss here have been clinically studied, and there is a good amount of proof that the constituents they contain are the reason they work. I’m drawing on my studies as well as my experiences working with the oils for myself and others.
**Be sure to do your own research prior to using essential oils, and make sure to check for safety and contraindications for your own specific needs. Some of the essential oils below may interact with certain medications, may be phototoxic unless they are free of furanocoumarins (FCF), and may not be suggested for pregnant or nursing women.
With that said, most of these are fine for most people to use and enjoy.
Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia) Essential Oil:
Bergamot oil can balance brain chemistry and is one of most aromatherapist’s favorite choices for boosting the mood and reducing common anxieties. It’s got a “green” citrus scent, and contains high levels of limonene (like most citrus oils do) and linalyl acetate, both of which calm and soothe raw nerves.
Cedarwood Atlas (Cedrus atlantica) or Cedarwood deodara (Cedrus deodara) Essential Oils:
These two species of cedarwood not only smell wonderful, but they have soothing effects on the emotions. In fact, if you’re under a great deal of stress, these essential oils may even improve performance and focus!
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) Essential Oil:
I love this essential oil for calming the mind and uplifting the spirits, especially for women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), perimenopause issues, and those who are working their way through the journey of menopause. It’s a wonderful helper for women, and I use it all the time.
Frankincense Essential Oil:
Frankincense is useful for those wishing to meditate as it helps with focus. It calms the brain, soothes the mind, and is especially lovely for easing mild pains.
You can read more about frankincense essential oil here. It’s a very special tree. And if you’ve ever wondered how to use the resin, find out how in this link!
Chamomile: Both German (Matricaria recutita) and Roman (Chamomeolum nobilis) Essential Oil:
Both of the chamomiles are favorites of mine when it comes to boosting mood. Roman chamomile, especially is one I love when I’m working with children. Both oils have constituents that are proven to de-stress and brighten a person’s outlook.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil:
This one speaks for itself. There have been many clinical studies on the effects of lavender on mood, pain, and healing of various types. Lavender is one of those beautiful broad-spectrum essential oils that have many uses. If you don’t like the smell of lavender, try using it in blends.
Learn more about lavender essential oil.
Lemongrass contains chemicals that help boost the mood and improve your spirits.
Lemongrass Essential Oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus):
Lemongrass tea is a traditional beverage in Thailand, and it has excellent protective properties for the nervous system. It’s calming, while also being uplifting.
Here’s a homemade soap recipe that contains quite a nice bit of lemongrass essential oil, and men just love it:
Sexy Wild Man Homemade Soap Recipe
Nutmeg Essential Oil (Myristica fragrans)
Besides the fact that nutmeg smells heavenly, and it’s warm, inviting, and makes you just plain feel cozy, there’s evidence that it affects the monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain. A study was done with nutmeg and black ginger that showed evidence of its helpfulness with brain chemistry.
Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis) or Tangerine (Citrus reticulata):
Orange oil smells delightful, and it’s a great complementary oil for the spicey oils, other citrus oils, and deeper woody scents, as well. On top of this, and like most citrus essential oils, it’s high in limonene, a chemical constituent that boosts white blood cell development and the immune system.
But…the reason I’m listing it here as one of my favorite anti-depressant essential oils is that it’s safe for children and creates a beautiful environment in your home. It’s mildly sedating while also uplifting the mood. Perfect after a long day at work!
Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis):
According to a study done in 2013, researchers found that rosemary promotes an anti-depressant effect due to its ability to modulate monoaminergic and cholinergic functions. (Source, and see below for others). Rosemary is popularly hailed as a “brain” plant, and it does indeed boost cognition. It’s great to know that there’s finally proof that it boosts the mood, too.
Here’s a Juniper-Rosemary Body Scrub you’ll just love!
And, here’s all you need to know about rosemary essential oil.
If you’re interested in the plant itself and its herbal applications, here’s a great guide for using rosemary.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga odorata):
Ylang ylang is revered in the aromatherapy world for its ability to create a joyful atmosphere. It’s wonderful in blends, as it’s quite powerful all on its own. As a floral scent, too much can cause headaches. For mood boosting blends, I love blending it with any of the above essential oils. I think it rounds out a blend nicely.
It balances the central nervous system and helps relax the mind. It reduces anxious feelings and helps reduce negative thinking. When I was suffering from L4-L5 disc problems and sciatica in my back and leg, this was a very helpful essential oil in my little natural armory.
Rosemary has a special affinity for mental wellness, including cognition and mood.
Recipes with Essential Oils to Help Lift the Mood
I thought I’d include a couple of recipes for you to try!
It’s difficult to guess at how to blend certain oils, and as a certified level two aromatherapist with NAHA and AIA, one of my favorite things to do is to blend for therapeutic uses. The great thing about essential oils is you can have both the therapeutic benefits AND enjoy the lovely scent. What a win-win!
Happy Mood Diffuser Blend
3 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops lemongrass essential oil
1 drop ylang ylang essential oil
2 drops bergamot essential oil
Just drop these into a larger diffuser, and enjoy the scent and a better, relaxed mood!
If you’re not sure how to choose or use a diffuser, you’ll want to read this article and watch this video.
Joyful Orange Spice Roller Bottle
For this little recipe, you’ll need a 10 ml roller bottle. Add your oils to the bottle, then add the carrier of choice to the neck. Shake well. Roll onto your temples, wrists, back of neck, and enjoy!
Ingredients:
3 drops orange essential oil
2 drops nutmeg essential oil
Optional: 1 drop cinnamon leaf essential oil
Follow the directions above, and enjoy!
This beautiful and free herbal remedy guide will help you know how to use 10 common herbs for medicinal purposes. There’s also a handy cheat sheet! It’s perfect for your home apothecary or kitchen. Click here to get yours sent to your inbox today.
Final Thoughts About Using Essential Oils to Make You Feel Happier
Essential oils are an excellent choice for working with your own physiology to improve your mood and your life. Even if you’ve lost your sense of smell, you’ll still enjoy the physiological benefits, although the psychological enjoyment of the scent may not be there for obvious reasons.
The fact is, essential oils work due to the chemistry. They contain synergistic chemicals that affect our thinking, our moods, our emotions, our focus, and can help with many other things, too. I love them for effecting positive changes.
You may also be interested in these related articles:
The BEST Essential Oils for Wrinkles and Scars
Belly Balm for Scars and Stretch Marks and if you prefer to watch a video, you can see how to make it here.
Essential Oils Effects on Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) (Science-backed)
An Anti-Aging Facial Serum Recipe
And there are SO many others on my website (over 400) and my YouTube Channel is getting started too! I’d love if you would subscribe!
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed finding out the emotional benefits of essential oils.
Hugs, Health, and Natural Living,
Heidi
P.S. Be sure to click this link to download your free Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet! It’s perfect for your home apothecary or kitchen. :-) Click here to download yours now.
DISCLAIMER: I’m not a medical doctor. I’m an herbalist and aromatherapist. Please be sure to seek medical advice from a doctor before using herbs or essential oils. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Resources and Research:
De Sousa, D. Silva, R. Da Silva, E. Gavioli, E. (2017). Essential Oils and Their Constituents: An Alternative Source for Novel Antidepressants. Molecules, 22(8), 1290; https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/22/8/1290]]
Fradelos, and Komini, A. (2014). The Use of Essential Oils as a Complementary Treatment for Anxiety. The American Journal of Nursing Science. 2015; 4(2-1): 1-5 Published online September 16, 2014 (http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajns) doi: 10.11648/j.ajns.s.2015040201.11 ISSN: 2328-5745 (Print); ISSN: 2328-5753 (Online)
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/depression-fda-approved-medications-may-help
https://www.cchrint.org/psychiatric-drugs/antidepressantsideeffects/
https://naha.org/naha-blog/the-nasal-inhaler-aromatherapys-unsung-hero
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21105176/ (A study on bergamot oil on rats’ anxiety)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241490/ (The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy on Depressive Symptoms)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33997409/ (Anxiolytic and Anti-Depressant Effects of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3817748/ (Anti-Stress Effects of Lemongrass Essential Oil (Cymbopogon spp)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5634759/ (Effects of black ginger and nutmeg on the brain)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25553641/ (Effects of vetiver essential oil)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5634759/ (A study on rosemary essential oil and effects on the brain)