This article is the April installment concerning the importance of Mental Health and Christianity, researched and written by Mrs. Andrina Jordan (MA, LPC, NCC, CPCS). For more information about her practice, visit 712 Q.A.C.C. Counseling For The Soul, LLC.

Essential oils used for the benefit of health can be a controversial topic. While much research supports the positive effects that essential oils have on health, other research states that there needs to be more in-depth studies to validate their healing properties. I myself, being a firm believer in Christ, tend to believe that God has given us everything that we need to properly care for our bodies here on Earth. This includes essential oils. It is up to us to seek out the purpose of all his creations. To gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of how to properly use each creation for the purpose God intended. Although there are many essential oils that offer a multitude of overall health benefits, we will focus primarily on those oils that are mentioned in the bible and their benefits on mental health.

What exactly is an essential oil? Essential oils are oils that are typically distilled compounds derived from plants (stem, bark, flower, root or seed). It is said that essential oils are 50 to 70 percent more potent than herbs contingent on their purity and source. With that said, if you choose to begin using essential oils to reap their benefits, please make sure to read the entire label (suggested use, warnings, contraindications, etc.) before using. You will also want to make sure that you are using a certified pure therapeutic grade, not a synthetic.

The bible makes mention of several oils used for healing, both in the new testament and the old testament. If God is the same yesterday, today and always then shouldn’t those same healing properties apply in today’s time? Absolutely!

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” – Hebrews 13:8, KJV

“And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.” – Mark 6:13, KJV

In the bible oils were also used for cleansing purposes and sweet aroma.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” – Psalm 51:7, KJV

“I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.” – Proverbs 7:17, KJV

Sandalwood, (also known as aloes), cinnamon, frankincense and myrrh were a few of the most valued commodities in the bible and at times more valued than gold. This is why the wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These were gifts used to honor kings. Even king Solomon mentions these spices as the chief (or head, or leading) spices in his time.

“Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:” – Song of Solomon 4:14, KJV

It makes sense that these spices were valued so highly because of their healing properties. After all, Solomon was the wisest and richest king ever known.

There are several ways to use essential oils, topical, aromatic and consumption (read labels to ensure the oil is consumable). When using as a topical you may need to dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil such as, jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or sweet almond oil. *Read the label for suggested use. Apply to a small area of the skin externally, as a test. Discontinue if skin responds adversely. Essential oils can also be used as household cleaners, hygiene products, bath soaks, and in oil diffusers.

Now that I have shared some background and ways to safely use essential oils, let’s look at some of the specific oils mentioned in the bible and their impacts on mental health.

Here in Exodus 30:34, God instructs Moses to take galbanum and frankincense along with other spices and make them into a holy perfume.

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:”

 – Exodus 30:34-35, KJV

Galbanum

• Reduces depression
• Reduces symptoms of shock and trauma
• Reduces inflammation in the brain
• Improves memory
• Reduces potential for Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Frankincense

• Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
• Improves memory
• Balances hormones that reduce mood swings
• Improves the nervous system

Moses was instructed by God to make a holy ointment to be used for anointing with cinnamon, calamus and other spices.

“Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.”  – Exodus 30:23-25, KJV

Cinnamon (very potent use caution)

• Reduces depression and anxiety
• Aids with better sleep

Calamus (extremely potent, avoid oral intake, use with caution)

• Improves memory
• Reduces potential for epileptic seizures and hysteria
• Aids with insomnia

In Leviticus 14:49 cedarwood and hyssop are being used for cleansing.

“And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:” – Leviticus 14:49, KJV

Cedarwood

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Aids with better sleep

Hyssop

• Aids the nervous system
• Assist with avoiding nervous disorders
• Assist with vertigo, convulsions and nervousness

In the following scripture, you will see spikenard being used both as an ointment and a sweet aroma.

“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” – John 12:3, KJV

Spikenard

• Reduces depression and  stress
• Reduces anxiety, panic, nervousness and anger
• Relaxes the mind
• Aids with better sleep
• Improves learning, memory and induced amnesia
• Reduces inflammation which improves the nervous system

In Exodus 30:24 the Lord instructs Moses to take cassia along with other spices and make a holy ointment to be used as holy anointing oil.

“And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:” – Exodus 30:24, KJV

Cassia (similar to cinnamon)

• Reduces depression and stress

Psalm 45:8 speaks of myrrh and sandalwood (aloes) being used for a sweet aroma to make one glad.

“All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” – Psalm 45:8 KJV

Myrrh

• Relaxes mood
• Stabilizes emotions

Sandalwood (AKA Aloes)

• Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
• Promotes mental clarity
• Improves attention and focus
• Improves mood

The cypress tree is mentioned in Isaiah 44:14 along with the cedar and oak, all of which are very strong. The cypress is also known for its’ ability to resist decay.

“He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.” – Isaiah 44:14, KJV

Cypress

• Reduces stress, anxiety, depression
• Reduces symptoms of trauma
• Aids with insomnia

Rose of Sharon is mentioned in Song of Solomon 2:1 as a metaphor to represent Jesus. However, the flower itself offers healing properties.

“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” – Song of Solomon 2:1, KJV

Rose of Sharon

• Reduces stress, anxiety and depression

These are just a few benefits of the oils mentioned in the bible. Remember these oils along with others also offer physical health benefits and can be used for multiple purposes. Now, if you so choose you may begin using essential oils to reap the benefits of improved mental health. Again, a reminder to read all labels and use with caution. Know that everyone’s body is different and may respond differently to different oils. Here’s to enjoying the journey to improved mental health using biblical oils of the bible!