Essential oils for emotional healing

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As a natural continuation of the post on " How can stress turn into illness?" let's look at how essential oils can help with emotional healing. In case you haven't already read the previous post, please do.

One disclaimer: never wait for essential oils or any other treatment to do the emotional work for you. They support your body greatly and reduce tension but it is up to you to take the necessary steps!

1. Acceptance

As we were mentioning before, accepting does not equal resignation or giving up. Only by accepting something, no matter how difficult, are we allowing for solutions and healing to happen.

Acceptance means turning off the chatter and feeling more centered, stable, and at peace with ourselves. Only by accepting the pain or discomfort can the body relax and start working to our advantage rather than against us.

The oils that are very soothing and help with calming and centering are Rose, Geranium, Cedarwood, Chamomille Roman, Frankincense, and Jasmine.

2. Awareness

Awareness requires the emotional competence to pay attention to your environment as well as look inwards. It invites both healthy alertness and contemplation, to be in tune with intuition. Why am I saying healthy balance? Because if we become hyper-vigilant it means we are exaggerating our reality and that leads to anxiety. On the other hand, if we are too focused inward we lose touch with reality and risk living inside our bubble.

Great oils for alertness are Basil, Rosemary, Peppermint, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Eucalyptus, and Cinnamon. They can be combined with the citruses like Bergamot or Lemon.

Effective oils for contemplation are Sandalwood and Frankincense. 

Patchouli is also a great oil that can help you become more in tune with your body.

3. Anger

I will repeat certain things from the previous post as I feel we should dedicate more time and effort to understanding anger and how to diffuse it or express it. Never repress it!

Most of the oils that relieve frustration, and irritability have an energetic effect on the Liver. According to Oriental medicine, the liver is the "warehouse" of anger.

Some oils that are amazing at diffusing anger and also disperse stagnant energy are Peppermint, Bergamot, Lemon, Lavender, and Roman Chamomille. If anger comes with palpitations or hypertension, Palmarosa can help relax and comfort the heart and nervous system. Rose is also adequate if the feelings of anger come as a result of being deeply emotionally hurt or betrayed.

4. Autonomy

Autonomy means you are aware of your boundaries and can distinguish clearly between your needs and others' needs. This is strongly linked to Assertion, which will follow in a bit. To create boundaries you first need awareness and then the will to express. Autonomy also means not being dependent on others (especially emotionally in this case we are discussing) and feeling we can take our own decisions.

Pine is an amazing oil that helps restore boundaries and dissipate a negative self-image. Rosemary is also great at boosting confidence and self-worth, instilling courage and strength. Eucalyptus has an opening effect on those who feel suffocated and constrained. Cedarwood has the power to help us hold our ground and fortifies our will.

5. Attachment

Frankincense can help us break free when we have formed unhealthy attachment bonds. It brings clarity, tranquility, and insight. Sandalwood also is indicated for states of over-attachment, anxiety, and worry. Palmarosa is another good oil for people who feel needy and have the tendency to cling or become possessive. It instills a sense of security and adaptability.

6. Assertion

If Cedarwood gives us the strength to hold firm, then Ginger is the one who stimulates initiative and pushes us to act. It enhances the vital fire and leads to sustained activity. Cardamom is the oil that restores our appetite for life. It promotes mental clarity and earthy realism. Tea Tree and Black Pepper will also invigorate the mind and help build confidence to assert ourselves.

7. Affirmation

 As stated previously, affirmation is mainly about connecting to Divinity and finding purpose. The best oils are Sandalwood and Frankincense.

Geranium is also an excellent oil for nourishing creativity, and imagination and is particularly good for workaholic perfectionists. Jasmine enhances intuition and bolsters the potential for originality and fertility of ideas. It helps us be more in touch with our true desires and values.

Be kind to yourself,
Daniela