The Best Essential Oils for OCD: A Comprehensive Guide

When you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the thing you want most is relief. The problem is that sometimes this “relief” is hard to come by. OCD is a chronic, but common mental health condition characterized by obsessions and compulsions and triggered by stress and anxiety. This disorder is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood, and unfairly stigmatized. The most challenging thing about having OCD is turning off an OCD sufferer’s stress-activated, hyperactive nervous system.

In other words, people who struggle with OCD have “revved up” nervous systems that refuse to “shut off.” People who have nervous systems that are constantly stressed and active (even when they should not be) have an increased risk of anxiety and obsessions and/or compulsions. Millions of people around the world suffer from OCD, however, it can be challenging at times to diagnose and treat. Moreover, in recent years, there has been an uptick in PANDAS, an OCD-related condition that is linked to Step A and commonly found in children.

There are many types of OCD, ranging from transgender OCD to contamination OCD, however, all types of OCD are typically treated the same – with psychotherapy, medications, natural remedies, and/or self-help tools like Impulse Therapy, an online OCD recovery treatment program. A natural remedy that has skyrocketed in popularity is essential oils. With more and more people turning to self-help options, it is no wonder why essential oils have taken off as a possible natural remedy for OCD.

Are you wondering if essential oils could work for you? If so, you have come to the right place because in this article you will learn how essential oils could help with your OCD symptoms.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils have been used for medicinal, spiritual, and therapeutic purposes since ancient Roman and Egyptian times. These natural “healing” and “calming” oils are often used with other natural remedies like CBD, marijuana, crystal therapy, meditation, hypnosis, etc. They can also be combined with psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and OCD medications like SSRI antidepressants. Essential oils are derived from flowers, trees, roots, and plants and tend to have aromatic fragrances. To obtain the oils, the original “host” is steamed or pressed, leading to the extradition of the fragrant oils.

Note: It takes several pounds of the “host” to make one bottle of essential oil. Essential oils have different purposes, for instance, some oils may help with inflammation or infections, while others may help with skin rashes, depression, stress, anxiety, or other mental health conditions like OCD. The goal of some essential oils may be to “heal” while the goal for others may be to “calm” or “relax.”

Regardless of the purpose of the oil, the mechanisms are the same – improving your health through smell. Essential oils work by activating your nerve receptors and olfactory nerves that communicate with your brain’s limbic system. It is your limbic system that controls and regulates your emotions. The goal of these oils is to change your body chemistry, thereby improving your mind and body.

How Are Essential Oils Used?

Most essential oils can be used in a variety of ways. However, the fastest way to get the scent to your brain is by breathing it in (inhalation) through a diffuser, humidifier, or a mini portable Vicks inhaler. These oils can also be applied to your skin through lotion, cream, or a roll-on applicator. Essential oils are also commonly applied to the skin during massages as a way to relax the mind and body.

Note: Essential oils work best when they are combined with a “carrier oil” like coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil, and massaged into the skin to support “calmness,” healing, and relaxation.

Can Essential Oils Help OCD Symptoms?

It is possible.

Over the past 10 years, a plethora of studies have explored the effectiveness of using essential oils for a variety of ailments. Unfortunately, however, research is currently limited. Still, essential oil users tout the benefits of using these oils for both mental and physical concerns. As a result, interest in essential oils has continued to grow – recreationally and medicinally.

It is important to note that research study findings have been mixed with some studies suggesting that essential oils can be beneficial for a wide variety of health issues and others suggesting that these oils offer no real health benefits for any health issues. Therefore, it is possible that essential oils could be the remedy you have been searching for, especially if you suffer from mild stress, anxiety, and OCD.

What Does The Research Say?

As mentioned above, research findings have been mixed when it comes to if essential oils are effective and beneficial for health issues, like OCD. To provide you with a better understanding of these findings, I have listed them below.

• A meta-analysis of 6 studies found that pregnant and postpartum women, healthy women, and those with cancer, who were experiencing “the blues” reported feeling better after combining aromatherapy (inhalation) with massage therapy. Researchers found that the more essential oil exposure women received, the more likely these women experienced the sustained benefits of the oils.
• According to a previous study, people with anxiety or depression, who received aromatherapy with essential oils diluted with a carrier oil, and combined with massages, experienced improvement in their symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment.
• A meta-analysis of 25+ studies assessed the benefits of using aromatherapy with essential oils in anxiety-provoking situations and found that most anxiety sufferers experienced a reduction in anxiety after using essential oils.

BEST Essential Oils That Can Help With OCD

Note: Essential oils should be combined with a carrier oil when applied to the skin. This is done to avoid skin rashes and skin irritations.

Listed below is a list of the best essential oils believed to help with anxiety conditions like OCD:

• Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an antibacterial essential oil with both antioxidant and sedative properties. Lemon balm has the ability to “calm” the nervous system, which is beneficial for people with OCD. OCD sufferers have overactive nervous systems, which account for their non-stop, intrusive, and repetitive obsessions and compulsions.

• Lavender

Lavender is an essential oil known for its ability to ease bodily stress, nervous tension, and anxiety – key components of OCD. Studies suggest that lavender reduces anxiety and triggers a feeling of “well-being” by altering a person’s brain waves. Researchers have also found that receiving a massage with lavender oil can produce a sense of “calm” and “peace” in the mind and body.

• Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is an antioxidant essential oil that has the ability to reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation – all of which are hallmark symptoms of OCD. Researchers have found that eucalyptus can reduce inflammation, and congestion, and ease stress and anxiety by decreasing hyperactivity sympathetic nervous system activity (a stress response), and increasing low parasympathetic nervous system activity.

• Valerian

Researchers suggest that valerian, an essential oil, can have a significant effect on GABA, a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger in the brain). Thus, it is believed that GABA can reduce insomnia and improve sleep quality by easing stress and anxiety. As a result, it has the ability to reduce or eliminate repetitive, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions). This essential oil is especially beneficial for OCD sufferers when it is used in the evenings due to its ability to help control these upsetting thoughts and behaviors.

• Patchouli

Most people do not think of patchouli when they think of essential oils, but this one has a ton of health benefits that could bode well for an OCD sufferer. Studies suggest that patchouli oil can ease stress, calm nerves, and help people with OCD focus better. This is important because people with OCD tend to have a hard time focusing on tasks due to their racing minds and non-stop obsessions and compulsions. The best way to use this oil if you have OCD is to apply it to your skin or breathe in its scent to calm your nerves, relax your mind and body, help you focus, and improve your mental health and well-being.

• Tangerine

Tangerine is an anti-anxiety essential oil. However, it is also beneficial for OCD sufferers who also struggle with insomnia, irritability, agitation, digestive problems, nervousness, a racing mind, and inflammation. Studies suggest that tangerine oil not only produces a “calming” effect on the mind and body, but it also promotes “happiness.” You can apply this oil (with a carrier oil) to your skin or inhale or breathe in the scent using a diffuser.

• Frankincense

Made from the resin of a Boswellia tree, Frankincense essential oil has a “woody” or “spicy” scent. Researchers have found that Frankincense oil can help with cellular functions, immune system, nervous system, and digestive system functions. It can also help ease stress and anxiety, and improve focus and concentration in people with OCD. You can apply this oil 3x a day to your wrists or soles of your feet for OCD relief.

• Chamomile

Extracted from the chamomile flower, chamomile essential oil is extracted from the chamomile flower. Chamomile has also been used for ages as a herbal treatment for various ailments. Studies indicate that this essential oil is especially beneficial for mood disorders like depression, insomnia, stress, and anxiety – all triggers or symptoms of OCD. Thus, chamomile can help you sleep better, relax, and focus.

• Geranium

Extracted from the stems and leaves of the perennial shrub, geranium has a strong and long-lasting sweet and floral scent. Studies suggest that geranium is linked to numerous health benefits, such as stress and anxiety reduction and relaxation. Geranium oil can also help reduce the fears, urges, and other intrusive thoughts, emotions, and images associated with OCD. Place a few drops of this essential oil on your wrists or spray it on a piece of cloth or a handkerchief, so you can put it in your purse, briefcase, or pants pocket

• Rose

Rose essential oil is known for its “calming” and relaxation properties. Researchers have also found that this essential oil can reduce insomnia and improve sleep quality, and ease anxiety, stress, an elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and cortisol “stress” levels – common triggers and/or symptoms of OCD. Similarly, a previous study found that using rose oil can alleviate anxiety in pregnant women who are in labor. Rose oil can be applied to your wrist, palms, and the soles of your feet.

• Sandalwood

Extracted from Indian and Indonesian evergreen trees, sandalwood essential oil is often used with mindfulness meditation to ease stress, anxiety, and nervousness, and help OCD sufferers experience a sense of “calm,” peace, and harmony. Studies indicate that this essential oil is ideal for people who have racing thoughts and unrelenting urges or fears because it “quiets” the mind.

• Sweet Marjoram

Sweet marjoram is an anti-anxiety essential oil that has a sweet scent. Studies indicate that this essential oil can ease anxiety and depression, and “calm” the mind in people with OCD.

• Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang is a star-shaped tropical flower that has a yellow hue. Researchers have found that ylang ylang has “calming,” relaxation, and mood-boosting properties. It can also help eliminate or reduce the negative, intrusive, or upsetting thoughts, fears, and/or urges commonly associated with OCD.

• Bergamot

Acquired from the skin of bergamot, a citrus fruit, bergamot promotes “calmness” and “relaxation.” Studies indicate that bergamot oil can stabilize your mood and alleviate insomnia or sleeplessness. This anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory essential oil can reduce bodily stress and inflammation, and significantly improve moodiness and other OCD symptoms-i.e., anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors.

• Peppermint

Extracted from peppermint leaves, peppermint essential oil contains a refreshing blend of menthol and menthone. Peppermint has been used since ancient times to treat a variety of ailments. Researchers have found that peppermint oil can ease mental and physical pain, and alleviate stress and anxiety. Because peppermint oil can ease stress and anxiety, there is a strong possibility that it could reduce or eliminate your OCD-related intrusive thoughts, urges, fears, and/or emotions.

Are Essential Oils Safe?

Yes, essential oils are considered “safe.” 

The general consensus is that when used correctly, essential oils have a low risk of harm. However, as with any herbal natural remedy, caution should be exerted to ensure that they are being used correctly.

Listed below are tips and suggestions on how to use essential oils properly for OCD:

• Always diffuse (use) essential oils in well-ventilated areas.
• Do not diffuse the oil for more than a couple of hours. In fact, experts suggest that essential oils only be diffused for no more than 30-60 minutes. If you want to diffuse the oil for longer, take a 30-minute break, and then resume for another 30-60 minutes.
• Never consume (drink or add to foods) essential oils. These oils are designed to be inhaled (breathed in), so never consume them. Note: Some essential oils can be found in capsule form, however, this is prohibited in the United States.
• Be vigilant. Understand that essential oils should never be directly applied to the skin without being diluted with a carrier oil like coconut, almond, or olive oil. To dilute an essential oil, you will need to add 1oz of the carrier oil to 3-6 drops of the essential oil.
• Then, you can apply it to your skin. Keep in mind that you may develop a skin rash or experience skin irritation if you decide to apply essential oils (even with a carrier oil) to your skin. This is especially true if you suffer from eczema or dermatitis. Contact your doctor asap if you experience hives or an itchy rash after applying an essential oil to your skin.
• Read the label. This cannot be stressed enough. Understand that not all essential oils contain the same dosages or ingredients, so it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients and their origins. Note: Make sure the bottle says, “100% essential oil.” If the bottle says, “therapeutic grade,” the oil is probably not “top quality.” What does that mean? It means that the oil could be half-and-half or part synthetic oil and part essential oil.
• Essential oils are not advised in the pediatric population because babies, toddlers, and young children tend to be sensitive to scents. Thus, while essential oils may be deemed safe for adults, they may cause a reaction in babies, toddlers, and young children who are sensitive to a particular fragrance.
• Pregnant women should also exercise caution when using essential oils and should only use them under the supervision of their OBGYN.

Final Thoughts

Because traditional medicinal OCD treatments come with a host of side effects, OCD sufferers are increasingly turning to self-help tools and natural remedies to help them ease and manage their symptoms. Essential oils are inexpensive, safe, and accessible, so for many, it is a viable option for this condition. While the research on the effectiveness and long-term benefits of essential oils for OCD are still unsure, essential oil users swear by their “healing” and “calming” properties. Thus, for people searching for a non-medicinal way to treat their mild stress, anxiety, and OCD symptoms, essential oils, combined with psychotherapy and other self-help tools, may be the way to “relief.”

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