From Anxious to Calm: Stress Relief Hand Lotion Recipe

I'm still washing my hands often. (How about you?)

And I've got a new favorite way to keep my hands moisturized! 

This stress relief hand lotion recipe keeps my skin from getting dried out or irritated and calms any anxious feelings that may creep in during the day. It's blended with three essential oils that help to:

• Relax the body by releasing muscle tension

• Soothe away worries by calming the mind

• Nurture skin to relieve irritation 

First I'll share the stress relief hand lotion recipe, then I'll talk about the science behind each essential oil.

You'll need some ready-made lotion for this recipe. I like to work with a natural, unscented lotion that doesn't contain any fragrances or harmful ingredients like parabens.

From Anxious to Calm Hand Lotion with Tamala

• 1 oz (28 g) Unscented lotion

• 6 drops Tamala essential oil (Cinnamomum tamala ct. linalool)

• 3 drops Patchouli essential oil (Pogostemon cablin)

• 3 drops Geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens var roseum)

Make this blend in a 1 oz (30 ml) glass jar.

Put the lotion into the jar, and drop your essential oils in. Stir them in with a glass stirring rod or a stainless steel spoon. It may take a little time for the essential oils to fully blend into the lotion, but just be patient! Once they're blended in, they won't separate back out.

This stress relief hand lotion has an absolutely stunning aroma!

Imagine warm, soft cinnamon with a hint of flowers, grounded by the rich sweet base note of Patchouli. It's intoxicating! The scent alone makes me want to use my hand lotion more often. 

And the more you moisturize your hands, the easier it will be to go from anxious to calm.

Let's blend together!

About the essential oils in this stress relief hand lotion

Tamala essential oil

Cinnamomum tamala ct. linalool

Tamala has a warm, sensual aroma that might remind you of Cinnamon. It's very exotic and unique—unforgettable! 

Tamala is rich in linalool, one of the most relaxing and skin-friendly molecules in the essential oil world.

Studies in 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 (and more!) have shown that linalool (and oils containing it) can help soothe anxiety. It's a profoundly relaxing component in our stress relief hand lotion recipe! Linalool has also often demonstrated its ability to comfort irritated and damaged skin.

Patchouli essential oil

Pogostemon cablin

With a full, earthy, sweet scent, Patchouli is famous for inspiring peace. 

It's full of sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenols. These heavy molecules give Patchouli a grounding aroma, meaning it helps you feel present and secure in your environment—able to avoid distractions and worries. 

Patchouli is also used for skin care, as it helps reduce microbes and nourish skin.

Geranium essential oil

Pelargonium graveolens var roseum

Like Tamala, Geranium contains linalool—as well as several other natural calming components from the same chemical family (monoterpenols). 

It's a rich floral oil that's been shown to soothe stress and anxious feelings, lifting the heart out of low moods. Floral oils like Geranium are often called "heart notes,"for several reasons: they round out the scent of a blend, making it more aromatically beautiful, and they can comfort and open your heart to more joy! 

If you love this blend as much as I do, you might want to carry a jar in your bag and use it throughout your day. Or even make a bigger jar! Try doubling the recipe to make 2 oz (56 g) of lotion. 

Support yourself and others with natural anxiety relief. In our spotlight course, Natural Anxiety Relief with Essential Oils, you’ll gain familiarity with three chemical components found in essential oils that help calm the nervous system, ease anxiety, and even relieve pain! You’ll also learn how to make safe and effective natural remedies to address anxiety symptoms.

REFERENCES

Altaei, D.T. (2012) Topical lavender oil for the treatment of recurrent apthous ulceration. American Journal of Dentistry 25, 1, 39-43.

Linck, V.M., da Silva, A.L., Figueiró, M., Caramão, E.B., Moreno, P.R.H. and Elisabetsky, E. (2010) Effects of inhaled linalool in anxiety, social interaction and aggressive behaviour in mice. Phytomedicine 17, 679-683.

Ito K, Ito M. (2011) Sedative effects of vapor inhalation of the essential oil of Microtoena patchouli and its related compounds. Journal of Natural Medicine 65, 2, 336-43. 

Setzer, W.N. (2009) Essential oils and anxiolytic aromatherapy. Natural Product Communications 4, 9, 1305-1316.