Essentials of Healing: God’s Gifts in Essential Oils

Essential oils are more than just lovely scents—they’re part of God’s creation meant to support our health and well-being. The plants He made hold powerful healing properties, and through essential oils, we can tap into those gifts in a gentle, natural way.

In Scripture, we see oils used for anointing, healing, and even celebration. It’s clear that God intended for these plant extracts to be a blessing to our bodies and spirits. Whether it’s lavender to calm the mind, peppermint to refresh, or frankincense to encourage prayer and focus, each oil carries a piece of His creativity and care.

But not all oils are created equal. Be sure to choose pure essential oils—not synthetic fragrance oils, which often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can harm your body’s natural hormone balance. Look for oils labeled 100% pure therapeutic grade and sourced responsibly, ideally from companies that offer transparency about their farming and distillation practices.

Using essential oils alongside prayer practices reminds us that healing is holistic. It echos a biblical truth: God’s creation was made to sustain and bless us. They don’t replace God’s power, but they can help open us to His peace and presence.

If you’re curious, start small: diffuse some oils during quiet time or apply a calming blend before bed. Let the aroma be a reminder that God’s creation is rich with tools to nurture us, all designed with love and intention.

Quick Reference: 8 Essential Oils & How to Use Them

1. Lavender – Calming, supports sleep and stress reliefApply to: wrists, temples, bottom of feet

2. Peppermint – Energizing, helps with headaches and digestionApply to: temples, back of neck, stomach

3. Frankincense – Grounding, supports prayer, inflammation, and skin healthApply to: over heart, chest, or crown of head

4. Eucalyptus – Clears sinuses, boosts breathingApply to: chest, under nose, or diffuse

5. Tea Tree (Melaleuca) – Antibacterial, supports immune system and skinApply to: blemishes, cuts, or bottoms of feet

6. Lemon – Uplifting, cleanses and purifiesApply to: wrists, behind ears, or diffuse for a mood lift

7. Copaiba – Anti-inflammatory, calming to the nervous systemApply to: jawline, neck, or spine

8. Roman Chamomile – Soothing, supports emotional balance and sleepApply to: temples, behind ears, or soles of feet

Here are some bible passages to check out!

🌿 Oils for Healing & Refreshment

• James 5:14 – “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”

• Mark 6:13 – “They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.”

• Psalm 104:14–15 – “He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”

🌿 Oils in Worship & Holiness

• Exodus 30:22–25 – God gives Moses a recipe for sacred anointing oil, blending myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. (This is essentially a biblical “essential oil blend”!)

• Exodus 37:29 – The holy anointing oil and fragrant incense were prepared as God commanded.

• Psalm 141:2 – “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”

🌿 Oils as Medicine & Comfort

• Isaiah 1:6 – “…From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil.” (implying oil was used medicinally)

• Luke 10:34 – The Good Samaritan “went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.”

• Esther 2:12 – Esther underwent beauty treatments including “six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.”

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🌿 Oils as Gifts & Blessings

• Matthew 2:11 – The Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor Jesus.

• Song of Solomon 1:3 – “Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out.” (During these times, there were no synthetics, so we can safely assume these were pure).

• Ecclesiastes 9:8 – “Let your garments always be white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.”

  (In Hebrew culture, oil was a symbol of blessing, abundance, refreshment, and God’s favor).

Lord, help me not to walk through life weary and burdened, but to embrace the joy You offer. Refresh me with Your Spirit and remind me of the simple blessings You’ve woven into creation. May I live anointed—with Your favor, Your joy, and Your peace. Amen.