Dealing with grief can be extremely difficult, especially when it feels like your emotions are out of your control. As you go through the stages of grief, you may experience waves of emotion that require healing.
Essential oils can offer certain properties that will help you cope with these emotions and begin healing. So, we wanted to share some more information about using essential oils to help cope with grief, as well as certain essential oils that may help through the healing process.
How Essential Oils Can Help With Emotional Healing
Essential oils are used for all kinds of healing and therapy, but they are often associated with certain emotions. There are essential oils commonly used for emotional symptoms such as stress, while others are used to help boost mood for a positive feeling. But the list doesn’t end there, as there is an entire library of essential oils that can be used for emotional healing.
Essential oils are often used through aromatherapy, which is a method that allows you to inhale the scent of essential oils. So, how can a scent help with emotional healing? Well, there’s a science behind it. When you inhale essential oils, the aroma travels to the part of your brain known as the olfactory nervous system. From there, the aroma continues to interact with your limbic system. Your limbic system is a part of the brain that helps process, respond, and store emotions (among other physical aspects).
That being said, when the aroma of essential oils reaches your limbic system, it will trigger an emotional response. All essential oils have their own properties which will affect your response in a certain way - sometimes, this might be calming, focusing, energizing, uplifting, and more.
In terms of dealing with grief, there are plenty of emotions and confusion that may arise unexpectedly. Sadness, despair, and even anger are common. This can lead you through a journey of negativity that you might find difficult to navigate on your own. However, essential oils can help you deal with these emotions as they arise, allowing you to heal from the emotions of the grieving.
The experience of sorrow can feel lonely, but essential oils can offer a helping hand as you go through the motions. Through the power of essential oils and other healing practices, you can find a sense of peace and tranquility amidst your grief.
10 Essential Oils to Help With Grief
Grief isn’t something that you can work through overnight. It’s a long process filled with emotions and challenging moments. Essential oils won’t be able to “cure” your grief, but they may be able to help you cope with the waves of negative emotions. So, we wanted to share our top essential oil recommendations to help you navigate your feelings while grieving.
1. Lavender
When you lose someone special in your life, it’s hard to find comfort with them gone. There are stages of grief that are often referred to, two of which are anger and depression. Lavender oil can help you feel more in control of these emotions.
There have been endless studies over the years that show the comforting effects of lavender oil. However, a 2013 study noted that it could provide therapeutic results that reduce anxiety, symptoms of depression, and even mental health in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.
2. Ylang Ylang
The emotional pain from grief can take a significant toll on your mental well-being. Ylang-ylang oil has been shown to help when used in aromatherapy to provide an uplifting effect.
One study, in particular, showed that ylang-ylang oil could improve mood and promote a sense of harmony with its relaxing scent.
3. Rosemary
During the process of grief, you may find yourself in states of emotional stress. Losing a close friend or family member requires the difficult task of readjusting to life without that person, which may trigger high-stress levels.
However, studies show that inhaling rosemary oil can reduce cortisol levels, otherwise known as the stress hormone. Therefore, it may be a helpful method when you are experiencing stressful episodes or feelings of anxiety.
4. Lemon
One of the most prominent stages of grief can be depression. You may begin to feel unmotivated or unable to think clearly. When you are dealing with grief, many things can weigh heavily on your mind, but lemon oil can help provide clarity.
Research shows that using lemon oil aromatherapy can improve your cognitive function, improve focus, and encourage mental clarity.
5. Chamomile
Grief may lead to unexplained feelings of anger, anxiety, or irritability. Chamomile oil is a great option to help restore balance & peace of mind during these times.
This 2017 study showed that using chamomile oil was able to reduce the severity of anxiety and depression in most patients.
6. Mandarin
In many cases, our grief is a result of a traumatic event. This can result in increased stress, nervousness, and even trouble sleeping.
Studies show that mandarin oil aromatherapy can provide therapeutic benefits that promote relaxation and good sleep for patients who experience stress/trauma.
7. Vetiver
Grief can make you feel disconnected from the world around you, making it difficult to focus or function normally.
Researchers have found that vetiver oil can help reduce mental fatigue and allow you to feel more grounded and connected to your surroundings.
8. Sandalwood
Sandalwood essential oil has been shown to provide benefits for people with mental health and mood disorders. People who are grieving may struggle mentally, with symptoms such as insomnia or irritability.
One study evaluated sandalwood aromatherapy and its effect on behavioral health. The study showed that it provided a calming effect that can prevent intense emotional responses (anger, stress, etc.) and improve mood & mental function.
9. Frankincense
While grief will have a more significant impact on your mental health, it can also affect your physical health. Sometimes, when grieving, it can be challenging to focus on taking care of yourself, leading to physical symptoms you need to help treat.
Frankincense essential oil can help improve your health in many ways. Studies show that it can help improve digestive function, oral health, asthma symptoms, pain relief, and more.
10. Jasmine
There are multiple benefits that jasmine oil can offer for your physical and mental well-being. When you are looking to cope with your grief, reaching the final stage of acceptance is important. Jasmine oil can be used through aromatherapy inhalation to help you finally achieve this peace of mind.
Studies show that jasmine oil has a sedating effect that can help ease your worries and promote harmony while also encouraging a sense of energy and focus. That being said, jasmine oil can be helpful as you learn to accept your loss and get back on track to living in harmony after grief.
If you are interested in finding ways to heal through the use of essential oils and aromatherapy, we have a wide variety of options for you to look into. Check out our collection for products that contain essential oil blends that can help you begin healing.
