Should Christians Use Essential Oils...

In order to make an educated decision as to whether Christians should utilize essential oils, it's always best to start with what, if anything, the Word of God says about it. We will also look at how they have been used historically and how they're currently being used today. 

From what I can gather, the term 'essential oils' is not actually used in the Bible, but there are plenty of times it references oils, spices, and aromatic substances. The term 'oil of Myrrh' is actually used in Esther (2:12 KJV) and it is used as a way to purify and prepare her for meeting the king. Myrrh was also a common anointing oil. Could this be why it was offered to Jesus as a baby? Or maybe the fact that myrrh was also used for embalming spoke something symbolically of His coming death? Either way, it was a kingly & costly gift. 

There seems to be a connection between anointing someone with oil and healing them. Could this have something to do with any sort of healing properties in the oil itself? I feel that this is worth pondering. Either way, there is definitely significance with utilizing oils in religious practices. If you'd like to get down to the science behind why/ how oils can actually be utilized for healing, I'd highly recommend the book below. I could go down a huge rabbit hole of vibrations & frequencies, but I just don't know enough about it yet to share where I'm at with it. 

My family utilized Melaleuca Tea Tree Oil long before essential oils became a trend, so I've never viewed them as off or scary as a Christian. I don't see them as having mystical power in and of themselves, but I do believe that God can bring healing through them just as we would utilize something like Tylenol or antibiotic ointments. Sticking with our myrrh theme, it was also offered to Jesus while He was on the cross because, at the time, it would be mixed with wine and utilized as a narcotic to help dull pain. This mixture was sometimes offered to people dying on crosses by women. 

We also want to investigate how essential oils have been used historically. In Egypt, they were used for religious rituals, cosmetics, and embalming the dead. When grave robbers would raid tombs, they would always take any oils available because of their usefulness and value. I believe that these were what we now know as essential oils. For a bit more info from someone who has been to Egypt and is an MD, take a look HERE.

In India, ayurveda (Indian system of medicine) utilizes them for calming and meditative purposes. 

In traditional Chinese medicine, they've been used for healing and balance of Qi (blog for another day). 

In Greece, Hippocrates (the father of medicine) utilized plant-based therapies (including essential oils) to treat various ailments. 

The Roman Empire utilized oils for their baths and skincare for relaxation. They also used them for massage and therapeutic purposes. 

During the Middle Ages, essential oils were utilized for hygiene and medicine (including during the plague). There's a great story about the YL Thieves blend (I believe in the book above) about how there were thieves that would go around during the bubonic plague that didn't catch it because they utilized masks with essential oils, namely cloves, lemons, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary!

In what I'd consider more modern times (the early 20th century), a French chemist is credited for founding modern aromatherapy and accidentally discovering that lavender oil could help with burns - leading to a resurgence of essential oil use today.  

In closing, I feel that due to the usage of essential oils for multiple important things in the bible as well as so many historical accounts of them being used in similarly helpful ways - I personally believe that they are safe for Christians to utilize today. They were created by God and can be used for God. I do think that they can also be misused and utilized for purposes that are ungodly, but if you know that your heart is postured in a place of worship and acknowledgment of God while using them, I truly believe that they are fine to use. 

I personally use them to anoint myself and others (even doorways) while praying, for perfume/aromatherapy, and for increasing my body's natural ability to heal (such as applying tea tree oil to an infection from an ear piercing or a peppermint mixture to an upset stomach). I would not encourage anyone to ignore the need to go to a doctor if needed. They're not going to fix a broken arm! They should be used alongside modern medical care, not in place of it. As always, I'd encourage you to use your own discernment regarding whether you should use them or not. This is just where I'm at. 

Please feel free to comment below if you have anymore thoughts on Christians safely utilizing essential oils and why it's acceptable for them to do so. My posts are fluid and may receive updates as I learn more about each topic - perhaps based on what you share! Blessings.