Aroma can become a sensory anchor for relaxation. Using an essential oil while practicing slow breathing, meditation, massage, EFT tapping, or quiet reflection can help create an intentional transition from a busy or stressful moment into a period of rest and self-care.
The following essential oils are commonly discussed in traditional aromatherapy or have been explored in research involving relaxation, stress, cardiovascular measurements, or related physiological responses.
Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot essential oil has a bright, fresh citrus aroma frequently used in aromatherapy for relaxation and emotional well-being. Bergamot aromatherapy has also been investigated in research involving stress and physiological responses.
Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood essential oil has a warm, woody aroma that makes it particularly suitable for grounding, relaxation, meditation, and evening self-care practices.
Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella essential oil has a fresh, lemony aroma. It can be incorporated into uplifting and refreshing aromatherapy practices when you want to create a change of atmosphere or sensory focus.
You can also explore our guide to essential oils and aromatherapy for stress.
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary Sage essential oil has an herbaceous, softly floral aroma commonly associated with calming and relaxing aromatherapy. Limited research has also explored Clary Sage aromatherapy in relation to stress and physiological measurements.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil has a deep, resinous aroma particularly well suited to meditation, prayer, slow breathing, reflection, and grounding practices.
Jasmine Absolute
Jasmine absolute has a rich floral aroma traditionally used in perfumery and emotional aromatherapy. It can add a comforting sensory layer to relaxation and personal self-care rituals.
Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum essential oil has a distinctive herbaceous aroma and a long history of use in traditional aromatherapy and personal wellness practices.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is one of the most widely recognized essential oils for calm and relaxation. Lavender aromatherapy has been studied in connection with stress, sleep, anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure measurements, and other indicators of relaxation.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil has a bright, familiar citrus aroma that can create a fresh and uplifting sensory environment. It is often incorporated into aromatherapy practices for positivity, focus, and emotional refreshment.
Melissa Essential Oil
Melissa essential oil, also known as Lemon Balm, has a fresh lemony-herbal aroma traditionally associated with calming and comforting aromatherapy.
Neroli Essential Oil
Neroli essential oil has a delicate citrus-floral aroma and is frequently incorporated into aromatherapy blends designed around relaxation and emotional balance. Neroli has also been explored in research involving stress and physiological responses.
Lime Essential Oil
Lime essential oil has a bright, crisp citrus aroma that works well in refreshing and uplifting aromatherapy blends.
Rose Absolute
Rose absolute has a rich floral aroma traditionally associated with emotional comfort, relaxation, love, and personal self-care.
Sage Essential Oil
Sage essential oil has a strong herbaceous aroma and has a long history of use in traditional aromatic practices.
Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil
Sweet Marjoram essential oil has a warm, herbaceous aroma traditionally associated with comforting and relaxing aromatherapy. It is particularly well suited to massage, evening routines, and quiet self-care.
Valerian Essential Oil
Valerian essential oil has a deep, earthy aroma and is traditionally associated with nighttime and relaxation practices.
Yarrow Essential Oil
Yarrow essential oil has a distinctive herbaceous aroma and is used in traditional aromatherapy and personal wellness practices.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang essential oil has a rich, sweet floral aroma frequently associated with calm, relaxation, sensuality, and emotional well-being. Ylang Ylang aromatherapy has also been explored in small studies involving stress and cardiovascular measurements.
💜 Stress, Emotions & Aromatherapy
Stress does not explain every case of high blood pressure, and relaxation techniques are not a substitute for appropriate hypertension treatment. However, stress management can be an important part of a broader wellness routine.
Aromatherapy can provide a sensory component to practices such as:
- Slow, comfortable breathing
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Relaxing massage
- Gentle stretching or movement
- Journaling and reflection
- EFT tapping
- Affirmations and visualization
- Relaxing music
- Evening and sleep rituals
For a deeper exploration of aroma and emotional self-care, visit our Essential Oils for Emotional Healing Complete Guide.
✨ Combine Essential Oils with EFT Tapping
Aromatherapy can also be paired with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Aroma can serve as a sensory anchor while you focus your attention, acknowledge thoughts and emotions, and move through a tapping sequence.
Our Combining Essential Oils with EFT Tapping | Complete Guide explains how these two practices can be incorporated into a personalized emotional self-care routine.
🌸 Build a Layered Holistic Self-Care Practice
Rather than expecting one essential oil or wellness practice to do everything, you can combine approaches that resonate with you.
Our Layered Holistic Self-Care – A Personalized Wellness Approach explores using aromatherapy as a sensory foundation alongside practices such as breathing, massage, EFT tapping, journaling, meditation, affirmations, visualization, music, intention, and other complementary approaches.
🌿 How to Use Essential Oils for Relaxation
Essential oils can be incorporated into personal aromatherapy in several ways, depending upon the individual oil and its safety guidelines.
You might use essential oils in a diffuser, personal aromatherapy inhalation, appropriately diluted topical preparation, massage oil, or another ready-to-use aromatherapy product.
For topical applications, always dilute essential oils appropriately with a carrier oil and follow the safety and dilution recommendations for the individual essential oil.
⚠️ Essential Oils Are Not a Treatment for High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure requires appropriate medical evaluation and management. Essential oils and aromatherapy should not replace blood-pressure monitoring, prescribed medications, or medical treatment.
Do not stop or reduce blood-pressure medication because you are using essential oils. If your blood-pressure readings are elevated, unexpectedly changing, or concerning, contact an appropriate healthcare professional.
Aromatherapy is best considered a complementary approach for relaxation, emotional wellness, and personal self-care—not a method of controlling hypertension.
See the references below for additional information about aromatherapy, relaxation, and essential-oil research.
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Essential oils and aromatherapy products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent high blood pressure, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or any other disease.
References
- Hur, M. H., Lee, M. S., Kim, C., & Ernst, E. (2012). Aromatherapy for treatment of hypertension: A systematic review. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 18(1), 37–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2010.01521.x
- Hwang, J. H. (2006). The effects of the inhalation method using essential oils on blood pressure and stress responses of clients with essential hypertension. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 36(7), 1123–1134. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2006.36.7.1123
This randomized study used a blend of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and Bergamot and evaluated blood pressure, pulse, stress, anxiety, and cortisol.
- Kim, I. H., Kim, C., Seong, K., Hur, M. H., Lim, H. M., & Lee, M. S. (2012). Essential oil inhalation on blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, 984203. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/984203
This study involved 83 participants and investigated an inhaled blend containing Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Marjoram, and Neroli, including 24-hour ambulatory blood-pressure measurements and salivary cortisol.
- Can Çiçek, S., Demir, Ş., Yılmaz, D., Açıkgöz, A., Yıldız, S., & Yis, Ö. M. (2022). The effect of aromatherapy on blood pressure and stress responses by inhalation and foot massage in patients with essential hypertension: Randomized clinical trial. Holistic Nursing Practice. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000526
This randomized clinical trial investigated aromatherapy through inhalation and foot massage; the authors reported changes in blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol, and subjective anxiety with Lavender oil.
- Napavichayanun, S., et al. (2024). Effect of Lavandula angustifolia and Cananga odorata on decrease of blood pressure in high blood pressure volunteers: A randomized controlled trial. Explore, 20.
This randomized study evaluated aromatic exposure to Lavender and Ylang Ylang in volunteers with high blood pressure.
- Jung, D. J., Cha, J. Y., Kim, S. E., Ko, I. G., & Jee, Y. S. (2013). Effects of Ylang-Ylang aroma on blood pressure and heart rate in healthy men. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation.
The study involved 29 healthy men and examined blood pressure, heart rate, and arousal following Ylang Ylang aroma exposure.
- Chang, K. M., & Shen, C. W. (2011). Aromatherapy benefits autonomic nervous system regulation for elementary school faculty in Taiwan. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
This study examined Bergamot essential oil aromatherapy in 54 teachers and measured blood pressure, heart rate, and heart-rate-variability parameters before and after aromatic exposure.
- Sebastian, L. A., & Kear, T. (2021). The effect of Lavender aromatherapy on heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived stress among cardiac rehabilitation patients: A pilot study. Holistic Nursing Practice. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000430
Important Research Context
Although several small human studies have reported changes in blood pressure, heart rate, stress, cortisol, or autonomic measures following aromatherapy, the research does not establish essential oils as a replacement for conventional hypertension treatment. Study populations, essential oils, methods of administration, duration, and outcomes vary considerably, and some research has found limited or inconsistent effects.
For that reason, BioSource Naturals presents this research for educational purposes and describes aromatherapy as a complementary relaxation and self-care practice, not as a treatment for high blood pressure.
