Using Essential Oils During Meditation: Top 10 Essential Oils for Meditation
Last Updated on April 14, 2024 by Pegura Chad
In hectic modern life, meditation is more important than ever. Meditation helps calm your mind, refocus your energy, and promote healthy, positive contemplation. However, with all the stresses and distractions in our lives, it can be hard to not only start a meditation routine, but to focus enough to get all the amazing benefits. Essentials oils can help.
Essential oils can enhance the meditation experience, promote relaxation, encourage spiritual openness and elevate your self care. By using essential oils during meditation, you can get the clarity and peace of mind that we all need to stay present in these hectic times.
Key Points on Essential Oils for Meditation
Unlock the Power of Essential Oils For Meditation Practice
In the quest for mental clarity and inner peace, meditation emerges as a vital tool to alleviate modern-day stress. Yet, the challenge of silencing the mind’s chatter often demands more than mere focus—it requires an environment that promotes profound tranquility. Essential oils, known for their potent aromatic and therapeutic properties, prove invaluable in this endeavor, transforming meditation into a deeply restorative practice.
A groundbreaking study by Soto-Vásquez & Alvarado-García (2016) underscores the significant impact of aromatherapy combined with mindfulness meditation on anxiety reduction. The research involving 108 participants highlighted that essential oils from Satureja brevicalyx and Satureja boliviana1—with their rich profiles akin to thyme and oregano—contributed to a marked decrease in anxiety levels, with reductions ranging from 20% to 47%. These oils, replete with phenolic compounds like thymol and carvacrol, offer strong antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities. They foster a soothing atmosphere, reducing stress and enhancing the meditation experience.
Furthermore, the inhalation of these oils engages the limbic system, pivotal in managing negative emotions and stress responses, thereby facilitating a serene meditative state. This interaction amplifies the effects of meditation, making each session more effective in cultivating focus, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being.
In this article, we delve into the top essential oils that can help deepen your meditation sessions, creating a sanctuary of calm and spirituality that nurtures both mind and body. Whether you are a seasoned meditator or just beginning your journey, discover how these natural essences can transform your practice and lead you towards profound peace and heightened mindfulness.
10 BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR MEDITATION AND RITUAL
There are so many amazing essential oils that can help guide your meditation. Here are some of our recommendations:
Sandalwood is possibly the best essential oil for meditation. It is extremely cleansing and can break up the most negative energy, thoughts and stress that cloud your mind. It is also a hypotensive which can help lower your blood pressure so you can also physically relax during your meditation.
However, sandalwood essential oil is also very expensive and is considered endangered. Therefore you could consider: Copaiba – Known for its calming effects and ability to help reduce stress and soothe anxiety, making it suitable for meditation; or Ho Wood – High in linalool, excellent for reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting a profound and peaceful meditation experience.
Clary sage has been used by cultures all over the world for thousands of years to remove negative energies from a space. It contains both Linalyl Acetate and Alpha-Terpineol known for its anti-stress and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. Clary sage is also an antidepressant so it can help lift your mood, so that you have a positive meditative experience.
Frankincense is widely regarded as one of the most powerful essential oils for the spirit. It promotes grounding, balancing, and openness. Frankincense can help you connect with your spiritual self. Frankincense can also help stabilize your root chakra, so that your energy can flow through your chakras. α-Pinene, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, the primary active compound in frankincense. Palo santo essential oils are also popular as it and Frankincense both belong to the Burseraceae family,
Lavender is an antianxiety, antidepressant, and relaxant. Lavender is one of the best essential oils for meditation because its calming properties can put your mind in the right frame to achieve clarity and enlightenment from meditation. It contains linalool, known for its ability to reduce anxiety and promote calmness.
Eucalyptus helps meditation as it requires focusing and controlling your breathing. Both eucalyptus and rosemary contain 1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol), a compound linked to increased cognitive performance and reduced mental fatigue. Eucalyptus is also an expectorant and can help clear the airways and release chest tightness, enabling easy breathing, deeply and steadily while you meditate.
Neroli is an extremely spiritually transformative essential oil. Used during meditation, it can help promote self-love and acceptance, reduce your fears, and inspire creativity. In the body, Neroli reduces pain and inflammation, decreases blood pressure and cortisol levels, and is an anticonvulsant. It contains Nerol, which can potentially enhance the action of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation.
Ylang-Ylang is renowned for its rich, floral scent and is excellent for uplifting the mood and reducing stress, making it ideal for meditation. This oil helps regulate adrenaline flow and relax the nervous system, fostering harmony and peace. Key components like Germacrene and Benzyl Acetate enhance its soothing and mood-balancing properties, aiding in a deeper meditative experience.
Known for its bright, citrus aroma, Bergamot is excellent for mood enhancement and emotional balance, making it a superb choice for meditation. It purifies the environment while uplifting the spirit. Rich in Limonene and Linalyl Acetate, Bergamot effectively reduces stress and anxiety, and its ability to boost dopamine and serotonin levels supports a deeper, more fulfilling meditative state. Lemon, orange and lime could be useful stand-in’s.
Cedarwood, with its warm, woody scent, is grounding, relaxing and stabilizing, ideal for deepening meditation (vetiver essential oil is also useful as for grounding and centering). It enhances concentration and calms the mind and body through Cedrol and β-Cedrene, which have sedative properties. This oil is excellent for minimizing distractions and promoting a comforting, earthy atmosphere conducive to meditation. Roman chamomile essential oil can also help ease the symptoms of anxiety while promoting a calm and relaxing effect.
Myrrh, reverred in historic texts for its purifying and healing properties, has a warm, slightly musty aroma that promotes grounding and emotional balance. It is excellent for meditation, enhancing spiritual awareness and emotional insight. Containing Furanoedudesma-1,3-diene, meditation myrrh has calming effects that aid in releasing past traumas and deepening self-connection during meditation.
Oregano and thyme are rich in phenolic compounds like Carvacrol and Thymol, known for their antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and calming properties. Oregano and Thyme enhance meditation by clearing mental distractions and easing physical discomfort, fostering a focused and profound meditative state. Their uplifting effects also boost mood and cognitive function, aiding in sustained mental clarity during a meditation session.
How To Use Essential Oils For Meditation
You can use essential oils two different ways during meditation.
The first is by diffusing the oil into the air using an essential oil diffuser to promote aromatherapy inhalation. During meditation, aromatherapy inhalation can help stimulate the senses, promote relaxation, and create an ambient space so you can really focus. Deep breaths can center you and help reset your mind.
The second is by direct application of the essential oils to your skin. There are several ways to do this during meditation. You can apply the essential oil to sore areas that can distract your mind, you can apply it to your palms for self-directed inhalation, or you can apply it to your pulse points so it can quickly reach the targeted areas.
DIY ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR MEDITATION
Creating your own DIY essential oil blend for meditation can significantly enhance your practice. Here’s a well-balanced combination, that focuses on grounding, calming, and focusing the mind. If you plan to use this blend on your skin, remember to dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil and always conduct a patch test first to ensure there is no allergic reaction.
Production Time 20 minutes
Prepare the Bottle:
Ensure your dropper bottle is clean and dry before use.
Add Essential Oils:
Carefully add the Frankincense, Cedarwood, Lavender, and Sweet Orange oils to the dropper bottle.
Add Carrier Oil:
Fill the remainder of the bottle with your chosen carrier oil to dilute the essential oils, making the blend safe for topical use.
Mix the Blend:
Cap the bottle tightly and gently roll between your hands to mix the oils thoroughly.
Label Your Blend:
Label your bottle with the contents and date so you can keep track of your blends.
Estimated Cost: 5 USD
Supply:
- Ingredients:
- Frankincense oil: 6 drops (Enhances deep breathing and brings a sense of peace)
- Cedarwood oil: 4 drops (Provides grounding and stabilizing effects)
- Lavender oil: 5 drops (Promotes relaxation and stress relief)
- Sweet Orange oil: 3 drops (Adds a refreshing, uplifting aroma)
- Carrier oil (like jojoba, coconut, or almond oil): 30 ml (Used to dilute the essential oils, making them safe for topical application)
Tools:
- Dark glass dropper bottle (30 ml)
Materials: Label for marking the bottle Carrier oil for dilution
Usage:
- Diffusion: Skip the carrier oil and add a few drops to your diffuser to set a calming atmosphere before or during meditation.
- Topical Application: Apply a small amount to your temples, wrists, or behind the ears. Ensure it is well diluted to avoid skin irritation.
- Palm Inhalation: Place 1-2 drops in the palm of your hands, rub them together, and inhale deeply for an instant calming effect.
- Spray Bottle: You could easily turn this recipe into a Meditative Room Spray by mixing the essential oils for meditation with grain alcohol, witch hazel and distilled water in a spray bottle.
This blend retains the soothing and grounding properties needed for effective meditation, with the added citrus note of Sweet Orange to help uplift and refresh the spirit.
Meditation Essential Oils
Incorporating essential oils into your meditative routine can help your mind focus and center. It can also clear the negative feelings, energies and mind talk that can distract you from achieving mindfulness and achieve spiritual opening. Essential oils can also help soothe your body and connect you to your spiritual self. Essential oils are a truly amazing way to enhance your meditation experience.
However, if you are using essential oils for meditation, you need to ensure you are incorporating only the highest quality oils or you will not get the full therapeutic benefits. Organic Aromas’ essential oils are 100% pure, therapeutic grade, and derived from only the finest quality sources. So they are perfect for meditation. Plus with our gorgeous, hand carved diffusers, you can make any space ideal for meditation. So if you are looking to improve your meditation, check out our amazing products.
Very interesting .
I think this sounds like it would be beneficial not only to your skin, but also to help you sleep.
I need to start using Neuroli oil. It sounds fantastic!!
Love eucalyptus, I currently using some org body wash that has it in it. Definitely have to give the oil a try.
I have practice yoga for 20 years and have used multiple oil brands I can say for sure that organic aromas has one of the best selections I’ve tried.
oils are fabulous use them all the time!!!! I’m a fan
The best oils for my meditation sessions. has a lot of synergy.
My wife and i absolutely love minfulness therapy and use a lot of essential oils to meditate… great article!!!! Love organic aromas oils!!!!!!
Lavendar and Eucalyptus are my two favorite essential oils.
I spent hours searching for essential oil diffusers on Young Living and Amazon and long story short, purchased both your Radiance and Magnificent diffusers from Amazon. They arrived two days ago and when I opened the box, I knew I would not be disappointed. The packaging, the presentation, the delicate hand-blown glass… The diffusers are truly magnificently elegant and beautiful. After two days of use, I notice a huge difference in the mood within my home. With one set up in the great room and the other in the bedroom, we diffuse during dinner and at night. I’ve never been into meditation because I have ADHD and there’s no way I can just sit there and do nothing. But maybe your oils will help calm me down. Now I’m out of oil and am getting ready to purchase more.
I am loving Frankincense and Sandalwood lately. They have been truly helpful with my relaxation lately!
Love diffusing essential oils. I am relatively new to oils, but so far I am loving it. I can’t get enough of them! Anytime I am at home, I will always diffuse some kind oil. I truly feel so much more relaxed when I diffuse.
Wonderful article. Like many others, my favorite is Lavender. It is very soothing and relaxing to me. Sometimes I combine Lavender with Fir Balsam for a “walk through the woods and lavender fields”. Ha, ha. Works wonders.
The features of this diffuser/company, on their own, without any sales pitch, sell themselves:
– Uses no heat source, which might compromise the essential oil molecule’s structural configuration.
– Uses no water or carriage molecule, which when attached to the oil, can alter or dilute any part of the original form or aroma.
– No plastic touches the oil, which might contaminate it.
– The pure aroma is as it would come straight from nature, with no alterations to the fragrance. The tiny lightweight, unhampered molecules spread throughout the room. Walking into a diffused room is like walking into paradise; The aroma delivers immediate impact.
– The lowest rate of diffusion, from the range offered, is powerful and effective; Usually there’s no need to push more oil through.
– When the diffuser is turned off, the remaining oil remains fresh in its glass housing.
– Cleaning is simple; Run the diffuser with some alcohol.
– It’s an elegant piece of furniture. It also holds a one-year warranty.
– Oil supplied by this company can be trusted for its purity.
Love my lavender! Use it for many things.
great ideas to try out.
I’ve had many people comment on how my home smells wonderful and how it helps to make the place more inviting and relaxing. I feel that it is largely due to the essential oils I diffuse. I’ll keep these in mind for when I’m doing yoga or meditating afterwards. Maybe they’ll make my place even more calming 🙂
Thanks for this. I think I need some sandalwood oil in my home!
So many uses for so many oils. Your blog posts are very informative. Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to try Frankincense.
Thanks for telling us what oil is for what. I need some more peppermint for my diffusers.
Thanks for your explanation on the different essential oils to use for meditation!
So appreciate how helpful you are! Thank you
Nothing beats organic aromas’ Signature blend. The absolute best smelling blend of oils I have ever smelled.
I’ll have to give this a try with Neroli.
Thanks for the ideas
I’ve just purchased one of your diffusers 🙂 I can’t wait to use it. Great article!
I love your oils. They help reduce a lot of stress in our home. Thank you!
Can’t wait to get home and try lavender for sleeping or jet lag.
Would like to try Eucalyptus and Vivitar next. Love Lemon and Lavender oils.
I found the information about which essential oils helped with meditation and how they contributed to the experience very interesting. I can’t wait to try some francancense.
I have had a rough week…been having trouble sleeping but last night I put vetiver and lavender on bottoms of my feet… Had sweet dreams
I probably should learn to meditate, maybe that would also be helpful?
I’ve just ordered the Radiance and WAITING (impatiently) for it to arrive in the UK. Hoping to try out some relaxing oils such as vetiver, lavender and chamomile to help me sleep.
Lavender is by far my favorite EO to diffuser especially when trying to calm down after a stressful day! Thank you Organic Aronas for all the valuable information!