Yuzu Essential Oil Eases Stress in Less Than 30 Minutes, Study Shows

Fresh and citrusy with a soft, gentle brightness, yuzu essential oil has long been used in Japan for its soothing, cleansing qualities. But its role in emotional wellness goes far beyond tradition.

A 2014 clinical study discovered yuzu essential oil has a compelling affect on real-world stress and mood. Published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, the study participants inhaled yuzu aroma for just 30 minutes. Researchers then measured changes in both emotional state and chromogranin A, a key biological marker for psychological stress.

The results were striking: participants experienced a significant reduction in anxiety, anger, and tension, paired with measurable decreases in chromogranin A levels. This suggests that yuzu didn’t just feel calming—it helped the body physiologically shift out of stress mode, even with such a short exposure time.

What makes yuzu special is its subtlety. It doesn’t sedate or numb—it lightens, gently lifting the weight of emotional strain and offering a clear, grounded sense of calm. This makes it especially effective in modern, high-stimulation environments where we need stress relief without mental fog.

Whether diffused in a quiet moment, between meetings, or woven into an evening wind-down ritual, yuzu essential oil provides a sensory reset—proven to ease stress, regulate mood, and support emotional balance in a world that rarely hits pause.

Source: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine