10 Best Essential Oils For a Healthy Heart
Did you know that heart problems are the number one cause of death in the United States? According to the CDC, one in five deaths is caused by cardiovascular disease. For some people, heart problems are genetic or occur naturally with old age. However, you can lower your risk with diet and lifestyle changes and support heart health with natural remedies like essential oils.
As always, it’s important to consult your primary care physician before making any changes to your healthcare routine. Essential oils aren’t meant to replace medications and they are not a substitute for regular exercise and a healthy diet. But if you’re looking for a natural way to enhance your vitality, you can try several essential oils for heart inflammation, high blood pressure, arrhythmia, poor circulation, and more.
Below, we’ll discuss some of our favorite ways to use essential oil for heart health as well as our list of the 10 best essential oils for cardiovascular support.
How to Use Essential Oil for Heart Health
Like many aspects of our physical wellness, heart health is often closely tied to our emotional and mental health. Too much stress can exacerbate cardiovascular issues or contribute to conditions like high blood pressure. That’s why using aromatherapy with essential oils can be an effective tool in supporting heart health.
Try diffusing an essential oil for heart health to create a calm, tranquil environment in your home or office. You can also use a portable oil diffuser in your car to reduce stress related to traffic and commuting. When you feel a spike of anxiety causing your heart to race, take a deep breath and allow the peaceful aroma of the essential oils to settle your nervous system.
If you have a spiritual practice, you can also use Heart Chakra essential oils to support your cardiovascular system with meditation or energy healing work like Reiki. Studies show that meditation helps support heart health by lowering your blood pressure and reducing anxiety, anger, and other emotions that put stress on our heart.
Finally, you may enjoy using essential oils topically in a healing, relaxing muscle balm or massage oil. Simply dilute one of the aromas on the list below with a carrier oil, such as Fractionated Coconut Oil, then massage the essential oil for chest pain, muscle spasms, or other tension that may be contributing to cardiovascular issues. Many essential oils also contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can be absorbed through the skin to promote better circulation and reduce hypertension.
Keep in mind that essential oils are for diffusing or topical use only and should never be ingested orally.
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Essential Oils to Avoid with Heart Problems
Before we list our favorite essential oil for heart health, it’s important to note that individuals who have been diagnosed with a pre-existing heart condition should use oils with caution.
While most essential oils are calming, some offer invigorating or energizing effects that may not be suitable for people with high blood pressure or a high resting heart rate.
Essential oils to avoid with heart problems include:
Regardless of whether you have a heart condition, always listen to your body. If you are using an essential oil for chest pain, heart palpitations, inflammation, or other conditions and notice your symptoms worsening or persisting, discontinue use immediately and contact your doctor.
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Top 10 Essential Oils for Cardiovascular Health
Ready to show your heart some love? Try one of these essential oils:
1. Lavender Oil
Known for being one of the most soothing aromas in nature, lavender essential oil supports the cardiovascular system by promoting deep relaxation. It may help lower blood pressure, reduce resting heart rate, and reduce inflammation.
Lavender is also one of the best essential oils for heart palpitations. If an anxiety attack causes your heart to start pounding, diffusing or inhaling lavender can help you release stress and calm your central nervous system.
2. Myrrh Oil
Myrrh essential oil has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and holistic healing. This essential oil is high in antioxidants, which can be absorbed through the skin and help improve circulation for heart health.
Try diluting myrrh in a carrier oil, then apply a few drops to the chest for a soothing massage. You can also rub it into the soles of the feet to absorb its healing benefits. Like lavender, the scent of myrrh also promotes relaxation and helps reduce stress levels.
3. Lemon Oil
Lemon essential oil offers a bright, clean aroma that can feel invigorating and energizing, but won’t stress your heart. In fact, this essential oil may do the opposite and help you feel less stressed out by eliminating distractions and anxious thoughts. Citrus scents like lemon are known to help enhance focus and concentration.
Additionally, lemon contains vitamin C and limonene, two potent bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that make it one of the best essential oils for heart inflammation. Lemon oil can be used in a healing massage oil when diluted with carrier oil or added to your regular lotion.
4. Ylang Ylang Oil
Ylang ylang essential oil is known for offering a pleasant, uplifting floral aroma for natural perfumes and skincare products, but did you know it’s also a great essential oil for heart health? Ylang ylang helps regulate your heartbeat and promotes better circulation by reducing inflammation and calming the nervous system.
Try diffusing ylang ylang, dilute it with a carrier oil to massage into the chest, or add a few drops to your bath for a relaxing soak that supports the cardiovascular system.
5. Petitgrain Bigarade Oil
Also known as bitter orange, Petitgrain Bigarade essential oil has a soothing, earthy citrus scent that relieves stress and anxiety while promoting better sleep, which can enhance your overall health including heart health.
We recommend using this oil in a relaxing meditation blend, applying to the soles of the feet with a carrier oil, or diffusing it before bedtime to fill your room with a tranquil aroma that gently lowers your heart rate and blood pressure while lulling you into deep, healing sleep.
6. Spruce Oil
Spruce essential oil is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that make it one of the best essential oils for heart inflammation. It also acts as a topical analgesic and can be used in a topical blend of essential oil for chest pain.
The clean, piney scent of spruce also relieves tension and anxiety. It’s also a great essential oil for boosting the immune system and supporting respiratory health, which are equally vital to promoting a healthy heart.
7. Juniper Berry Oil
Juniper berries have been used in many ancient cultures as a natural medicine to heal many ailments, including heart issues. As an essential oil, juniper berry contains diuretic compounds that help the body’s natural detoxification process. This can help maintain the cardiovascular system and healthy blood pressure levels.
Try diluting juniper berry in an essential to use as a heart-healthy chest rub or diffuse this essential oil to fill your space with relaxing vibes to reduce stress.
8. Roman Chamomile Oil
Well known for its calming and relaxing effects, Roman Chamomile is another one of the best essential oils for heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and inflammation. By lowering your anxiety levels, this oil supports your cardiovascular system and strengthens your heart.
We love using Roman Chamomile in DIY diffuser blends for a better night’s sleep, or adding a few drops to a warm bath. You can also add this essential oil to a hot compress to gently press against your chest to alleviate soreness.
9. Melissa Oil
Also called lemon balm oil, Melissa essential oil benefits the cardiovascular system by regulating blood pressure levels and reducing inflammation. It also promotes better circulation and can calm irregular heartbeats.
Use Melissa oil topically with a carrier oil, add it to your favorite diffuser, or use the aroma to help deepen your meditation practice to reduce daily stress.
10. Orange Oil
Finally, we have Orange oil. Like its cousin, lemon oil, this essential oil is high in vitamin C, limonene, and other antioxidants that help the body repair oxidative stress and promote better organ function. Orange oil can help support circulation and lower the risk of various heart conditions.
Try massaging orange oil into the soles of your feet or diffuse this aroma to create a tranquil space with gentle, heart-healthy energy.
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Try Our Heart Health Blend
We love these essential oils for heart health and have included many of them in our one-of-a-kind Heart Health Blend. Try this blend today to support your cardiovascular system, reduce heart inflammation (also known as myocarditis), and lower blood pressure.