My 5 Favourite Essential Oils for Emotional Support
I’ve been asked what my favourite essential oils are and I struggle to answer this question.
I feel they’re all very special due to each of their own unique compositions and to be respected for how powerful and supportive each one can be.
Like people, each essential oil is an individual. They have their own strengths due to the plant, (tree or fruit etc.) they’ve originated from, what botanical species they’ve come from and how their essential oil is extracted.
All these factors affect their chemical makeup, what strengths they bring and how we can utilise each essential oil to support our wellness.
Even though I’m a qualified aromatherapist, I don’t endorse using essential oils on a daily basis. For me they are way too powerful and special to use ‘here and there’ for no particular purpose. They are a concentrated mix of chemicals directly taken from a plant. Way too important to use without intention and for a specific reason.
I think of essential oils as a form of complementary therapy that can play a beneficial role in our health and wellbeing especially when we need support with a particular condition or in times of stress.
My favourite essential oils can change over time.
I find it changes according to the seasons, how I’m feeling and what is happening around me.
But if I had to choose essential oils for emotional support only, I do have some constants that I immediately go too.
Over time these essential oils have now become my support crew when life feels hard or a little overwhelming. I find their aromatics extremely comforting, reassuring and grounding especially when I take the time to slow down, smell and breathe in their special compounds.
There’s are my constant top 5 essential oil support crew …
NEROLI
“… reaching down into the soul to stabilise and regenerate.
It provides relief and strength for long standing psychological tension, exhaustion, and seemingly hopeless situations.”
virtues:
There is something very special about neroli. Her aromatics manage to reach deep down to help ease grief, sadness and emotional heaviness.
Her scent is associated with purity, spirituality and enhancing creativity. A very beautiful and emotionally supportive essential oil.
Neroli is an expensive essential oil as it takes a lot of orange blossom to create a single drop. The good news is her aroma is quite powerful and you only need 1 drop or 2.
botanical name:
Citrus aurantium var. amara
parts used:
blossom
energetics:
cool in temperature and neutral in moisture, neroli essential oil clears heat, relaxes the nerves and uplifts the spirit.
actions:
antibacterial, anti-depressive, astringent, antiseptic, nervine
aroma:
floral, bitter-sweet, distinctive, rich, orange-like
safety note:
Neroli essential oil is a very safe oil when used correctly. Only need a few drops as can be easily overpowering.
See further down for extra safety tips.
Neroli essential oil is in the following Chickweed Apothecary products
CYPRESS
“The cypress tree, standing dark and silent, is like a finger pointing to heaven!
It does not indulge in needless movements, like other trees that stretch out limbs, allowing them to sway in the wind.”
virtues:
Cypress essential oil not only helps with blood circulation but also helps to circulate Qi-energy. A helpful oil in times of transition and when there are big changes in life. Cypress helps us to flow with life, release fears and blocks, have courage and stand strong and tall. The Cypress tree’s Latin word for its botanical/scientific name ‘sempervirens’ means “lives forever” and the essential oil is made from its leaves.
botanical name:
Cupressus sempervirens
parts used:
fresh leaves + twigs
energetics:
cool + dry
actions:
antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, styptic, venous decongestant, tonic
aroma:
fresh, balsamic-pine, sweet, slightly citrus
safety note:
Cypress essential oil is a safe oil when used correctly.
See further down for extra safety tips.
LAVENDER
“When deep sadness covers the spirit like a suffocating blanket, lavender gently lifts the weight.
And for those with worries that trouble the spirit, lavender lifts the veil of despair.”
virtues:
An aromatic ‘rescue remedy’. Today, lavender can often be overlooked which is a shame because it has a vast range of therapeutic properties that are extremely beneficial both physically, emotionally and spiritually. I find the aromatics of lavender have a way of helping me come back to my soul and let go of what is not true for me while restoring emotional balance and calm inner strength. Even just taking a gentle sniff from a bottle of lavender essential oil has the ability to soothe and bring reassurance.
botanical name:
Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender)
Lavandin x intermedia (hybrid of English lavender + spike lavender)
parts used:
blossom + stalks
energetics:
cool + dry
actions:
analgesic, anti-depressive, adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hypotensive
aroma:
sweet floral herbaceous
safety note:
Lavender essential oil is a very safe oil when used correctly.
See further down for extra safety tips.
You will find lavender essential oil is in the following Chickweed Apothecary products
SWEET ORANGE
“Sweet orange’s warm, sunny, sweet aroma conveys joy and positivity, dispersing the moodiness and irritability that can take hold.”
virtues:
The essential oil of sweet orange is gentle, uplifting and yet calming. It helps to lighten our emotions when feeling burdened, stressed or irritable. A wonderful sunny oil to help us relax and encourage feelings of positivity to come through. Breathing in the aromatic of sweet orange essential oil can also help soothe digestion and an unsettled tummy particularly if caused by nervous tension.
botanical name:
Citrus sinensis
parts used:
rind
energetics:
neutral
actions:
anti-depressive, antiseptic, digestive, sedative, lymphatic stimulant
aroma:
light, sweet freshness
safety note:
Sweet orange essential oil is a very safe oil when used correctly.
See further down for extra safety tips.
Sweet orange essential oil is in the following Chickweed Apothecary products
FRANKINCENSE
“On a day-to-day level, it may be called upon for states of mental agitation and worry, or whenever the mind is distracted or overwhelmed by a cacophony of thoughts.”
virtues:
Frankincense essential oil is steam distilled from the resin of the Boswellia spp. tree. There is something very special about the scent of Frankincense. In my experience of working with this unique essential oil it has a very special ability to transform a hurried, scattered mind towards a more centred and calmer place. The aromatics seem to soothe busy mental chatter, centre our mind, deepen our breath and help ground and reconnect us back to ourselves.
A wonderful oil to assist in meditation.
botanical name:
Boswellia spp.
parts used:
resin
energetics:
cool + dry
actions:
analgesic, antibacterial, expectorant, immune tonic, antidepressant
aroma:
resinous, balsamic, rich, green, slightly citrus
safety note:
Frankincense is a very safe oil when used correctly.
See further down for extra safety tips.
special note:
Unfortunately there are now sustainability concerns with the Boswellia tree from the harvesting of Frankincense essential oil in some parts of the world. Please always check with your supplier that you are purchasing a frankincense essential oil that has been sourced following best practices of ethical harvesting. If you’re interested in finding out more, there is some information here and here.
This highlights how very special these oils are and how mindful we need to be when purchasing and using them.
Frankincense essential oil is in the following Chickweed Apothecary products
AROMATHERAPY RITUAL
Add 4-8 drops of your favourite essential oil / blend to water in a burner or diffuser.
Slow down. Take 5 – 10 minutes to take notice of the scent. Have your favourite music playing, or…. immerse yourself in a good book in a sunny spot in your favourite room, or …. pick yourself some flowers to place beside you.
Take a couple of long, slow, deep breaths, relax and enjoy the soothing aromatics.
Or
Place a drop of essential oil on a tissue to carry around with you and inhale at regular intervals. Use whenever you need support to ease feelings of overwhelm that may be experienced throughout the day.
extra safety tips:
The best advice is to diffuse essential oils intermittently. Why? Find out more here.
Do not use the above essential oils during the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Do not use around children under 3-years.
I do not endorse internal use of essential oils.
Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin or to bath water. They need to be diluted in a carrier oil first.
resources:
Mojay, Gabriel. 1997. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont.
Battaglia, Salvatore. 2021. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy: Vol III – Psyche + Subtle. Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, Australia.
