Top Essential Oils For Heart Health: A Comprehensive Guide (2024)

When we’re studying the top essential oils for heart health, it’s important to realize that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the US. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a catchall term for conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension (high blood pressure), and strokes. Cardiovascular health refers to the proper functioning of the heart and blood vessels, which are responsible for circulating blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body.

In the United States alone, more than 18 million adults suffer from cardiovascular disease. Globally, it claims over 18 million lives annually, accounting for 30% of all deaths. The risk factors for CVD include poor diet, lack of exercise and physical activity, chronic raised stress levels, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. (1) As a result, maintaining a healthy heart requires a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle changes and natural remedies such as essential oils.

How Essential Oils Support Heart Health

There are many essential oils offer a range of benefits that can help support cardiovascular health and encourage healthy heart function. (2) Here are the key ways they work:

• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Inflammation is a significant contributor to heart disease. Essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties, such as rosemary and pine, can reduce arterial inflammation and help prevent heart disease.
• Stress Reduction: Chronic stress significantly raises the risk of heart disease by increasing cortisol stress levels and raising blood pressure. Essential oils like lavender and ylang-ylang are well-known for their ability to reduce stress, lower heart rate, and improve emotional well-being.
• Blood Pressure Management: Hypertension, systolic blood pressure, and overall blood pressure, is a leading causes of heart disease. Essential oils such as ylang-ylang and bergamot are known for their hypotensive effects, helping to lower blood pressure naturally.
• Improved Circulation: Good circulation is crucial for heart health. Oils like peppermint and rosemary help stimulate blood flow and can reduce arterial stiffness, ensuring a healthy cardiovascular system.

Top 10 Essential Oils for Heart Health

Essential oils provide a natural, effective means to support heart health and overall cardiovascular wellness. Below are seven essential oils that are particularly beneficial for promoting healthy heart function, reducing stress levels, managing blood pressure, and improving circulation.

Coriander Essential Oil

Coriander essential oil is rich in linalool and terpenes, which provide both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These effects are highly beneficial for cardiovascular health, as they help protect the heart by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation—two major contributors to heart disease. Coriander essential oil is noted for its ability to regulate lipid levels, which is essential for maintaining healthy cholesterol and preventing plaque buildup in the arteries.

Coriander oil has also been traditionally used for improving circulation, which can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension, a major factor in cardiovascular issues such as strokes and heart attacks. It may also contribute to the reduction of stress and anxiety, both of which are critical for maintaining heart health.

Application: This is one of the primary essential oils in our Healthy Heart Blend so join it with the rest in a diffuser or body oil!

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is well-known for its soothing and stress-relieving properties, making it one of the most effective oils for heart health. This versatile oil is rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds known to reduce anxiety, calm the nervous system, and lower cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol can raise blood pressure and heart rate, so reducing this hormone’s presence is crucial for maintaining heart health.

Several studies have shown that lavender oil can significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, making it an excellent natural remedy for hypertension. By promoting relaxation and reducing emotional stress, lavender directly supports the cardiovascular system. In fact, emotional stress is a major risk factor for heart disease, and managing this aspect of wellness can reduce long-term cardiovascular risk. (3)

Key components and benefits of lavender essential oil include linalool and linalyl acetate which are compounds that help calm the nervous system and reduce stress-induced heart rate elevation. This is key for blood pressure management. Lavender essential oil has been shown to reduce blood pressure in clinical settings, supporting overall heart health. Its calming properties can also help prevent stress-induced cardiovascular strain. (4)

Application: Add 4-5 drops of lavender essential oil to a diffuser before bed to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Alternatively, mix 2-3 drops with a carrier oil and apply to your temples or wrists for a calming effect throughout the day.

Pine (Pinus sylvestris) Essential Oil

Pine essential oil offers remarkable anti-inflammatory and circulatory benefits, thanks to its high concentration of monoterpenes, particularly α-pinene. These compounds reduce inflammation, a significant risk factor for heart disease and coronary artery disease.

Inflammation is a key contributor to cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, where arteries become clogged with plaque. By reducing inflammation in the arterial walls, pine oil can help promote smoother blood flow and prevent the formation of blockages that lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Additionally, pine oil helps improve overall blood circulation, making it an excellent choice for those looking to boost heart health naturally. The enhanced blood flow promoted by pine oil may also reduce strain on the heart by ensuring that oxygen and nutrients are more efficiently distributed throughout the body.

Application: For a blood circulation-boosting massage, blend 5 drops of pine oil with 10 mL of a carrier oil (such as coconut oil or Mama Z’s oil base) and massage it onto the chest or over pulse points to stimulate blood flow and reduce inflammation.

Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang-ylang essential oil is revered for its ability to lower blood pressure and heart rate, making it an excellent natural remedy for hypertension. Ylang-ylang contains linalool and β-caryophyllene, both of which are known for their calming, sedative effects. The linalool effects are similar to the effects of lavender, which is why they blend so well together.

These compounds not only reduce stress but also help lower blood systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. This has proven beneficial effects on heart health. (5)

Stress is one of the most significant contributors to heart disease, and by calming the nervous system, ylang-ylang helps mitigate this risk. This essential oil’s hypotensive properties also make it a valuable addition to a heart-health routine for those seeking to naturally manage their blood pressure levels.

Application: Add drops of ylang-ylang essential oil to the detox bath before you go to bed at night or diffuse it in a blend with lavender, neroli, and marjoram for hypertension relief. (6) The beneficial effects may extend to improving libido as well, for enhanced quality of life if heart disease has impacted that area. (7)

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil is widely recognized for its stimulating effects, particularly in terms of circulation. This essential oil contains rosmarinic acid, an antioxidant with beneficial effects that help protect the cardiovascular system from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress contributes to the development of heart disease by damaging blood vessels and raising cholesterol levels, so managing this is key to preventing cardiovascular problems.

Rosemary essential oil has been traditionally used to help manage hypotension (low blood pressure). It has been shown to increase blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate when inhaled. A study conducted over a 72-week period on 32 patients with primary hypotension found that rosemary oil helped raise blood pressure to normal levels in most of the volunteers. (8)

It also looks like rosemary essential oil could be your new best friend when it comes to keeping your cholesterol in check. Some studies have shown that this awesome oil and its key components can help manage cholesterol levels. This is super important because keeping cholesterol in line helps lower the chances of plaque buildup in your arteries and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Application: Mix 3 drops of rosemary oil with 5 mL of carrier oil and massage onto the chest area or pulse points to improve circulation. You can also diffuse rosemary oil during the day for mental clarity and heart support.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil is highly energizing and boosts circulation, which is crucial for heart health. Its menthol content provides a cooling, beneficial effect that relaxes the muscles around the heart, allowing for smoother blood flow. Peppermint also helps alleviate fatigue levels, a common symptom in those with heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, low blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and more. (9)

By increasing oxygen flow to the brain and heart, peppermint helps combat this level of fatigue, promoting overall cardiovascular health. It’s one of our go-to oils for the beneficial effects for athletes. If you’re trying to increase your physical activity level, you’ll want to add peppermint essential oil to your gym bag for sure!

Application: For an energy boost, diffuse peppermint essential oil along with rosemary and lavender to keep you motivated to move!

Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot essential oil has been studied for its potential benefits in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This citrus oil contains bergamottin, a compound shown to have antianginal and antiarrhythmic properties, which means it can help stabilize heart rhythm and improve heart function. (10) In studies involving guinea pigs with induced arrhythmia, bergamot showed significant potential in protecting the heart. (11)

Bergamot essential oil also offers the added beneficial effect of lowering LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, and by reducing these levels, bergamot helps protect the cardiovascular system from plaque buildup and blockages.

Application: Make a blend with equal parts bergamot, ylang ylang, and lavender essential oil for a diffuser or dilute into a carrier oil to relieve stress and promote healthy heart function and relaxation. Managing stress will help improve your quality of life too!

Black Pepper Essential Oil

Black pepper essential oil contains beta-caryophyllene, a compound known for its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Beta-caryophyllene binds to CB2 receptors, which are known to help reduce inflammation—a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This interaction creates a beneficial effect that helps reduce the arterial inflammation that contributes to hypertension and heart disease.

In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, black pepper essential oil also boasts potent antioxidative effects. Studies show that it can inhibit key enzymes involved in the development of hypertension. (12) By reducing oxidative stress, black pepper essential oil may play a vital role in managing blood pressure levels and promoting overall cardiovascular health.

To create a calming environment during stressful times or before bedtime, consider diffusing black pepper essential oil to enhance the effects of lavender or vetiver oils. This combination not only promotes relaxation but can also enhance the overall effectiveness of the oils in supporting heart health.

Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium essential oil is highly regarded for its ability to reduce stress and balance emotions, both of which play a crucial role in supporting heart health. Rich in compounds like citronellol and geraniol, geranium oil offers significant anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects. Since stress and inflammation are two leading contributors to heart disease, effectively managing these factors can help reduce cardiovascular risk. (13)

A clinical trial study involving patients who inhaled geranium oil for 20 minutes showed a notable reduction in anxiety levels, which is directly linked to improved heart health. (14) Additionally, geranium’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce arterial inflammation, supporting circulation and decreasing the risk of arterial blockages, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Application: Diffuse 4-5 drops of geranium essential oil at home or work to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. Alternatively, add a couple drops to a personal inhaler or cotton ball for on-the-go aromatherapy.

Neroli Essential Oil

Neroli essential oil, extracted from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, is known for its heart-supporting properties, particularly for those dealing with hypertension. Containing key compounds like linalool and nerolidol, neroli has been shown to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure while improving pulse regulation. (15)

In clinical trials, inhaling neroli essential oil significantly reduced blood pressure, making it a potent natural remedy for hypertension. Beyond its effects on blood pressure, neroli’s anxiolytic properties are well-documented. Its ability to relieve stress and anxiety—both significant contributors to cardiovascular problems—helps protect the heart by calming the nervous system and reducing stress-induced strain on the cardiovascular system. (16)

Application: Add 3-4 drops of neroli essential oil to a diffuser to create a calming environment and support heart health. You can also dilute it with a carrier oil and apply to your chest or pulse points to help reduce blood pressure and alleviate stress.

Why Choose Black Seed Oil as a Carrier Oil for Heart Health?

Black seed oil (Nigella sativa L.) is a potent carrier oil known for its anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. Rich in thymoquinone, it helps reduce oxidative stress, improves endothelial function, and supports vascular health. Black seed oil enhances the overall heart health benefits, making it a valuable addition to your cardiovascular wellness routine. For those using capsules internally, this makes an excellent carrier oil choice to support the action of heart healthy essential oils like those below.

How to Use Essential Oils for Heart Health

Aromatherapy Diffusers:

One of the most effective ways to use essential oils for heart health is through aromatherapy. Diffusing oils such as lavender, ylang-ylang, or bergamot helps to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and support relaxation. Simply add 3-5 drops of your preferred oil to a diffuser and inhale the calming scent.

Topical Application:

Essential oils can be applied topically when mixed with a carrier oil. For cardiovascular benefits, apply the oil to pulse points, the chest, or soles of your feet. Oils like peppermint and rosemary are especially beneficial for improving circulation when applied this way.

Massage Blends:

Consider one of our stress relief blends to enhance the benefits of physical activity, minimize stress level impacts on your body and circulatory system, and more. Use Mama Z’s oil base of carrier oils to properly dilute the essential oils before applying topically.

Safety and Precautions

While essential oils offer significant benefits, they must be used safely. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to the skin. Those with pre-existing heart conditions or high blood pressure should consult a healthcare provider before using essential oils. Some oils may interact with medications, particularly blood thinners, so it’s essential to seek medical advice.

Essential oils forheart healthcan be a powerful tool in supporting cardiovascular wellness. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve circulation, or manageblood pressure, essential oils like lavender, ylang-ylang, and rosemary offer natural, effective solutions. By incorporating these oils into your daily routine, you can take proactive steps toward betterheart healthand help you enjoy the abundant life.

Essential Oils for Managing Metabolic Syndrome

If you’re looking to take control of your heart health and prevent cardiovascular disease, managing metabolic syndrome is a critical step. By addressing factors like abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, and elevated blood pressure, you can protect your heart and overall well-being. Integrating essential oils into your daily routine is a natural and effective way to support this journey. Here are the oils you’ll want to keep on hand for each aspect of metabolic syndrome:

• Abdominal obesity – Lime, grapefruit, peppermint
• Elevated triglyceride levels – Bergamot, lemon, lemongrass
• Low HDL cholesterol levels – Limonene-containing citrus oils
• Elevated blood pressure – Cinnamon bark, bergamot, lavender, ylang ylang
• Elevated blood glucose – Cinnamon bark, fenugreek, oregano

See our essential oils for metabolic syndrome guide for more tips about breaking this vicious cycle.

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