Essential oil blends for meditation

Throughout history essential oils have been used in many religious ceremonies, healing rituals and blends, and as a personal oil or perfume for royalty. For example, when a person would pass away their body would be anointed with oil in order to prepare the body for burial.

There are many different oils available and many different uses for oils but it is important that if you are going to use oils, you do a little research first. Some oils can be dangerous on their own or mixed with other oils. For example, orange essential may burn the skin if not properly diluted with a base oil.

It is important that you keep in mind that most oils are made from plants and flowers and if you are prone to allergies you will need to be especially careful when working with oils or practicing aromatherapy in general.

Most oils need to be diluted with a base oil and some workers will use oils such as sweet almond, grapeseed, canola, and olive. Again, if you have allergies it is important to find out what is in the oils that you are using on and off of your skin. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant you should discuss these practices with your doctor before trying them. Some oils and massage techniques can cause early labor. Some scents may also cause increased nausea in pregnant women.

Essential oils can lose their strength when exposed to light and  they should never be exposed to sunlight. Store them in a cool, dry, and dark space. You should store them in amber or cobalt bottles if at all possible and mix them in small amounts as you need them to ensure that they do not lose their healing or magickal properties. Always be sure to properly label your oil blends and store them out of reach of pets and children.

Do not measure or mix oils with plastic utensils for two reasons; plastic will hold the scent of oils and some oils, like orange, cinnamon, lavender, and rosemary will actually dissolve the plastic. Glass or metal will work well for measuring, glass is best, however.

When blending oils it is a good practice to have several glass eye droppers on hand to mix the oils with. Glass is easiest to clean and will not hold the scent of the oil after cleaning. You should have several so that as you are using your essentials you are not blending them in their bottles. Mixing them this way could ruin expensive essentials for use later.

For the purpose of meditation different mixtures of oil can be used to experience different results. If the meditation is for relaxation you may want an oil that is blended for that purpose. One example of this is the oil below.  

Relaxation Oil Blend

• 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil (base oil)
• 5 drops of lavender essential oil
• 10 drops of chamomile essential oil
• 10 drops of ylang- ylang essential oil

Tightly cap the bottle after mixing and roll in palm of your hands to blend gently. This oil has a soft flowery scent and can be used as a personal anointing oil, a bath or massage oil, or it can be used like a perfume. It only takes a drop or two since this oil is made with essentials. If you want to heat the oil slightly just sit the bottle in a small container of hot water for a minute being careful not to get it too hot. Never heat oils on the stove or in the microwave!

When applying any essential oils or oil blends to the skin, be sure to test a small patch of skin near the inside of the elbow and wait 24 hours to make sure that you do not have an allergic reaction to the blend. If you have any rash, redness, or tenderness discontinue use immediately and contact a physician.

If you are meditating in order to connect or communicate with Spirit you will want to have an oil blended for that purpose.

Meditation and Anointing Oil Blend

• One tablespoon of olive oil (base oil)
• 10 drops of sandalwood essential oil
• 5 drops of frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops of myrrh essential oil

Tightly cap the bottle and roll gently in the palm to blend. This blend has a somewhat earthy smell but is not too spicy when applied to the body. The oils within this mixture are strong oils used in many religious ceremonies to honor Spirit. This oil is intended to be applied to the third eye chakra and the soles of the feet. It can also be applied to the wrists as well.

Do not take ingest essential oils. If the oils or oil blends are accidently swallowed contact poison control immediately. Do not get in eyes or eye area, nostrils, or mouth. If oils do come in contact with eyes flush contact a physician immediately.  Do not  blend in areas where food is stored or prepared.

Suggested Reading

• The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews by Scott Cunningham
• The Magick of Aromatherapy by Gwydion O'Hara
• Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville and Mindy Green

Aromatherapy for Insomnia and Sleep Problems

1. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is said to ease tension and induce relaxation. In studies done by Britain’s University of Southampton, they found that participants who diffused lavender oil at night ranked their sleep an average of 20% better than the placebo group. Newer research done by Wesleyan University confirms these findings. When combined with roman chamomile it delivers a knock-out punch for insomnia.

2. Valerian Essential Oil

Too bad valerian smells like stinky feet, because it really does the trick when it comes to getting a good nights rest. Valerian has been used in many different ways for centuries to reduce stress, tension and instill a sense of peace and tranquility. You’ll definitely want to mask this scent with a blend. While it is pricey, and a bit of an acuquired smell, this is definitely one of the most effective essential oils for insomnia.

3.  Neroli Essential Oil

Neroli, also known as orange blossom, is great for calming the nerves and helping you ease into a slumber. Unlike valerian this oil smells wonderful and has been used in perfumes for hundreds of years. It calms hypertension, nervous stress and helps you stay calm and relaxed.

4. Clary Sage Essential Oil

Ever heard of comfort food? Well imagine a comfort scent-that is clary sage! It is a scent that both smells and warm and makes you feel the same. The nutty aroma works because it contains thujone which is none to be a muscle relaxer and anti-stress agent.

5. Vetiver Essential Oil

Calm your nerves with the earthy smell of vetiver. Known to be grounding, this essential oil benefits and grounds your nerves through its relaxing properties. If your sleep issue is due to hormonal stress, vetiver may be your solution.

6. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Make sure it is Roman! There are several varieties of chamomile. This essential oil benefits a restful night and is best when combined with lavender. It has been used since ancient times in both tea and oil form to help people get adequate sleep. It is one of the most popular essential oils for sleep.

7.  Patchouli Essential Oil

Patchouli is not just for hippies, I swear. And, if you are a hippy, way to let the out the secret! With its romantic and fragrant smell, patchouli essential oil really does make you feel at peace. Maybe that is where that whole “peace” thing came from! So light up…your diffuser, and put your mind at ease!

8. Sandalwood Essential Oil

Real sandalwood is hard to come by these days, because the Indian governments export limitations, but if you can get your hands on it, and suffer from insomnia-snatch it up! This delightful aroma really helps reduce anxiety and stress all while promoting relaxation. It has been used for over 4 millenia all over the world for its comforting, therapeutic properties and wonderful smell.

9. Cedarwood Essential Oil

Nothing helps  you fall asleep like the chirping of crickets and the fresh smell of cedarwood while camping under the stars (or in your favorite cabin). Cedarwood essential oil has a very famous place in the history and even in the bible! Catching a whiff of this oil will obliterate nervous tension and anxiety in minutes.

10. Marjoram Essential Oil

Not just for cooking, marjoram also helps you get shut eye. If you are in desperate need for a siesta, look no further than marjoram essential oil. It will calm and warm your soul while helping you ditch any emotional stress or trauma. It also has a slightly spicy, warm smell that the Greeks have used for millenia!

11. (BONUS!) Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil

Everyone knows that this oil helps you relax. Plus it blends well with so many other oils. It’s also known to be a strong aphrodisiac, so be careful when using as a sleep aid if you have a significant other in the bed with you!

Essential Oils for Sleep Instructions

Using essential oils for insomnia or even just helping you fall asleep on a restless night  is easy as pie!Here are several ways:

• Put a few drops on your pillow
• Waft the odor straight from the bottle
• Mix into a warm steamy bath
• Put in a diffuser
• Mixed with a carrier, massage into the skin

Super Sleep Blend

1. 3 drops lavender essential oil
2. 2 drops roman chamomile essential oil
3. 1 drop ylang-ylang essential oil
4. 1 drop clary sage essential oil
5. 1 drop marjoram essential oil

Remember to always consult your doctor before starting any essential oil treatment!

UPDATE: This post has become pretty popular, and a lot of people have been messaging me asking if there is a blend they can buy.

Healing Natural Oils makes an insomnia blend (H-Insomnia) that has some really great reviews(4.4/5 stars). It has lavender, cedar, lemon balm and a few other natural, homeopathic active ingredients.

7 Facts About Aromatherapy

1. The use of plant oils can be traced back over 6000 years. The Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all recognised the therapeutic properties of essential oils and plant extracts.
2. Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.  It is an art and science that seeks to explore the physiological, psychological and spiritual realm of the individual's response to aromatic extracts as well as to observe and enhance the individual's innate healing process.  Source: National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy www.naha.org.
3. Smell is a potent brain trigger. In biological terms, the neural networks of our sense of smell bypass our thinking brain and take a direct route to our emotion and memory centers.
4. There is no certification for aromatherapists in the United States. However, there are over 2,000 clinical aromatherapists who prescribe aromatherapy for all kinds of ailments, including acne, fungus, asthma, allergies, and constipation.
5. The term aromatherapy was coined by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a Frenchman from a family of perfumers. Gatefosse researched the healing powers of plant oils following an accidental discovery that Lavender oil quickly healed his badly burnt hand
6. Research out of France, published in January in the journal Pediatrics, indicated that pleasant odors (the researchers used vanilla) help premature infants in incubators with the breathing disorder apnea.
7. Dr. Alan Hirsch of the Smell & Taste Research Foundation in Chicago found that the combined scent of lavender and pumpkin pie was the "nasal Viagra", increasing median blood flow to the penis by 40 percent. Runner-up scents were doughnut and black licorice (31.5 percent) and pumpkin pie and doughnut (20 percent).