Essential Oil Sales Skyrocket During Wartime Amidst Trade Wars

A World Caught in Conflict

The world is not at peace.

From global superpowers to bordering nations, from disputed territories to ideological battlefields, conflicts have erupted in every direction. Some are fought with missiles and tanks. Others with policies, propaganda, or trade restrictions. But no matter the form, they all leave the same result: anxiety, tension, division, and a collective loss of peace of mind.

We are witnessing multiple wars unfold in real-time.

• The Russia-Ukraine war, dragging into its third year, continues to devastate lives, infrastructure, and trust between nations.

• Israel and Gaza remain locked in a brutal, cyclical conflict, with civilian lives caught in the crossfire.

• Tensions between Israel and Iran have reached dangerous new heights, with drone attacks, retaliatory strikes, and diplomatic breakdowns intensifying.

• India and Pakistan continue their long-standing geopolitical friction over Kashmir, with frequent cross-border firing, arrests, and military buildup.

• Beyond these headlines, civil wars, ethnic cleansing, and guerrilla rebellions continue in regions such as Myanmar, Sudan, Congo, and parts of the Middle East.

And not all wars are military.

There is a silent war of ideologies—ethnic, linguistic, and religious tensions are flaring up in cities and villages around the world. Communities are turning against each other. People are now more impatient, aggressive, and reactive. It's as if kindness and composure have gone out of fashion—and power is now measured by volume and rage.

There is also a digital war. Fake news, misinformation, and doctored narratives are spreading faster than facts. Social media feeds have become battlegrounds of opinion, outrage, and manipulated truth. It's not just confusing—it's psychologically exhausting.

There was a report that a man in a war-sensitive zone died of a stroke after receiving a message instructing him to vacate his house due to an incoming missile threat. The message turned out to be false, but the panic it triggered was very real. It sent his blood pressure soaring, triggering a medical emergency. This is not just about one man—this is a reflection of what stress and misinformation can do to human bodies and lives.

In the midst of all this, something surprising is happening.

Sales of essential oils have quietly skyrocketed.

The Surprising Rise of Essential Oils in Turbulent Times

While missiles fly, while policies clash, and while debates rage—people are looking inward, desperately seeking relief, grounding, and peace. Essential oils, often seen as luxury or wellness items, have now become emotional survival tools.

Why?

Because essential oils offer something that is immediate, non-invasive, and deeply sensory: a moment of calm. In a world where screens scream 24/7, where headlines never sleep, and where every ping brings anxiety, people are reaching for bottles of lavender, frankincense, sandalwood, and bergamot like lifelines.

What the Numbers Are Saying

Across many countries, online and retail stores have reported a sharp rise in sales of essential oils since 2022, with growth accelerating in 2024 and 2025. Several industry analysts now confirm that the demand is not coming from luxury wellness seekers, but from middle-class households, war-affected regions, mental health professionals, and trauma care centers.

In war-affected areas, oils like lavender and eucalyptus are being used to calm children, treat minor respiratory issues, or even mask the smell of destruction in shelters. In safer regions, people are using them to sleep better, focus at work, or manage stress from relentless news consumption.

How Stress Fuels the Demand

There is a clear connection between global unrest and the need for emotional balance.

Fear, uncertainty, and overstimulation create chronic stress. And chronic stress weakens immunity, sleep quality, decision-making, and even interpersonal behavior. Essential oils don’t fix the world, but they provide a gentle sensory escape—a break from the chaos.

When you inhale the aroma of lavender, your brain receives calming signals almost instantly.
When you diffuse sandalwood or frankincense, your heart rate slows and your breathing deepens.
When you use lemon or peppermint, your mind feels sharper and more focused, which is critical in times of confusion or panic.

This is not just wellness marketing—aromatherapy has real science behind it. The limbic system, which controls emotion, memory, and stress response, is directly connected to the olfactory nerves. That means what you smell can directly affect how you feel, think, and react.

Trade Wars and Essential Oil Economics

Interestingly, even as geopolitical trade wars disrupt traditional supply chains—especially for oils like tea tree (Australia), frankincense (Middle East), and ylang-ylang (Southeast Asia)—the demand hasn’t dropped. Instead, local producers are stepping in. Countries like India, Brazil, and African nations are increasing domestic production to meet the growing need.

Some companies have begun innovating with blends designed specifically for stress from conflict and trauma. These include:

• "Peace in Chaos" blends – combining frankincense, bergamot, and vetiver.

• "Night Shield" rollers – with lavender, Roman chamomile, and blue tansy for sleep.

• "Media Detox" diffusers – lemon, rosemary, and sandalwood to reduce digital stress.

It’s clear that this industry, once seen as niche, is becoming culturally and emotionally mainstream.

Stories from Real People

• A therapist in Ukraine reported that she now uses essential oils during every session to help trauma victims relax enough to open up.

• A mother in Israel shared that she uses chamomile and vetiver to calm her children during sirens and drills.

• An IT professional in India uses oils in his diffuser to stay grounded as his family debates heated political issues each evening.

• A refugee worker at a border shelter in Eastern Europe said, “Sometimes, all we can do is help people breathe better. That starts with clean air and calming scent.”

These stories aren’t rare—they’re multiplying.

The Dark Side: Fake Oils and Price Inflation

With increased demand comes exploitation. Many unregulated sellers are now flooding the market with fake or diluted oils, sometimes even laced with synthetic chemicals. Prices for pure oils have also increased by 20–40% in some markets.

Consumers are advised to buy from trusted, transparent brands, check certifications, and avoid suspiciously cheap deals. In a time when people are turning to these products for genuine emotional and physical support, quality matters more than ever.

Where Do We Go From Here?

No essential oil can stop a war.

No scent can erase the trauma of displacement, loss, or fear. But essential oils do offer something quietly powerful: a moment of pause, a space to breathe, a thread of self-care in a fraying world.

In the coming years, as conflicts rise and resolve, as societies struggle and evolve, and as people continue to look for meaning and calm, the use of essential oils will only grow. They are not solutions, but they are salves—tiny tools that help human beings stay grounded in times of storm.

Whether you're in a warzone, on the edge of burnout, or simply watching the chaos unfold from your phone screen, you deserve moments of peace. And sometimes, peace starts with a breath.