Essential Oils
5 Natural Essences That Actually Help Me Feel Calm
I did not grow up using essential oils. I came to them the way a lot of people probably do: overwhelmed, a little skeptical, and looking for something small I could control on a bad week. What kept me using them wasn't a single miracle oil, it was building a short list of scents I actually reach for on repeat. These five are the ones that stayed in my rotation long after the novelty wore off.
#1
Cliganic Organic Lavender Essential Oil, 1oz
Lavender is the one I always come back to, and honestly it earns the reputation. I keep a bottle by my bed and add a couple of drops to the diffuser about twenty minutes before I actually want to fall asleep. What I like about this one specifically is that it smells like lavender and nothing else u2014 no sweetness added, no synthetic edge. It is the easiest first bottle to recommend to someone who has never tried an oil before.
- USDA certified organic, single ingredient
- Undiluted and third-party tested
- My go-to 20 minutes before bed
#2
Cliganic Organic Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot surprised me. It has this bright, citrusy top note that does not read as 'sleepy' the way lavender does, which makes it my pick for calming down during the day rather than at night. I run it in the diffuser on afternoons when I feel wound up but still have work to do u2014 it takes the edge off without making me feel like I need a nap.
- Cold-pressed from bergamot peel
- Bright citrus scent, good for daytime use
- Blends well with lavender
#3
Cliganic USDA Organic Frankincense Essential Oil, 1oz
This is the oil I did not expect to like as much as I do. Frankincense has a deep, resinous, almost woody smell that feels grounding in a way florals don't. I use it on evenings when my mind is racing more than my body is tense u2014 there is something about the scent that slows my thinking down. It is also the one guests notice and ask about.
- Boswellia serrata, single ingredient
- Warm, resinous, grounding aroma
- My pick for a racing mind
#4
Cliganic Organic Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang ylang is intensely floral, almost tropical, and I will admit it is not for everyone u2014 a little goes a long way. I like using just one drop mixed with lavender in the diffuser rather than on its own. On the nights I use it, I sleep unusually well, though I could not tell you if that is the scent or just the ritual of slowing down to use it.
- Rich, sweet floral aroma
- Best used sparingly, one drop at a time
- Pairs nicely with lavender
#5
365 by Whole Foods Market Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile as an oil is gentler and less sweet than I expected from drinking the tea version for years. It has a soft, apple-like undertone that I have started using in a roller blend for my wrists on stressful mornings. It is not going to overpower a room the way frankincense does, which actually makes it my favorite for a home office u2014 present but not distracting.
- Gentle, soft apple-like scent
- Good for daytime roller blends
- Subtle enough for a home office
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