Why Psychics, Healers And Empaths Use Essential Oils

Essential oils have long been sacred allies in spiritual and healing traditions around the world. Extracted from the aromatic essence of plants, these oils carry more than just fragrance; they carry the energetic blueprint and vibrational frequency of their botanical origins.

In spiritual practice, essential oils are potent tools for emotional alignment, energetic cleansing, and deepening our connection to the self, spirit, and earth, far surpassing their role as mere pleasant scents.

Essential oils act as bridges between the tangible and the intangible. They provide sensory cues that encourage relaxation of the body, focus of the mind, and openness of the spirit. While they don’t replace deep inner work or professional guidance, they provide gentle, supportive energy that enhances existing practices.

The use of essential oils in spiritual practices is anything but modern. Prophets, priests, shamans, and oracles across the ancient world worked with aromatic oils and resins as sacred tools to facilitate divine connection, purification, and inner vision.

In ancient Egypt and the Near East, frankincense and myrrh were revered not just for their fragrance, but for their ability to open spiritual gateways. Frankincense, often referred to as “liquid gold,” was burned in temples and used in rites of passage. Myrrh featured in sacred anointing blends and was considered essential for emotional release and spiritual attunement.

The Hebrew Bible details specific blends of holy anointing oils that included ingredients like olive oil, galbanum, and cedarwood — each carrying unique spiritual symbolism and energy. Galbanum, for example, was known for its bitter scent and was thought to represent the acknowledgment of human sin, helping worshippers approach the divine with humility.

Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived ~ Helen Keller

Similarly, cedarwood offered grounding and protective energy, anchoring the spiritual seeker in ritual space. These oils weren’t used frivolously — they were consecrated tools, employed by prophets and seers to prepare the body, mind, and soul for receiving divine insight.

Even the famed Oracle of Delphi engaged with sacred botanicals. Bay laurel, sacred to the god Apollo, was used to induce prophetic visions; the priestesses would chew its leaves or inhale its smoke before delivering their divine messages. In other traditions, oils such as spikenard and agarwood were used to prepare bodies and minds for spiritual ecstasy and healing.

By incorporating these time-honored essences into our modern spiritual self-care, we link ourselves to a lineage of sacred wisdom. Each drop becomes a bridge to the past—a way to anoint ourselves not just with scent, but with the sacred echoes of those who walked the mystical path before us.

In my spiritual practice, I often incorporate essential oils into sessions, whether through anointing, diffusing, or guiding clients in breathwork meditations with specific oils. One particular experience with a spiritually sensitive client stands out.

He came to me feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and energetically “all over the place.” Despite his exploration of meditation and journaling, he often felt unmoored, as if his energy were floating too high above his body. This is a common challenge for empaths and intuitive individuals.

During one of our sessions, I introduced him to vetiver essential oil. Vetiver is known for its grounding and stabilizing properties. It has a deep, smoky, earthy scent that comes from the roots of the plant.

I guided him in placing a drop of vetiver oil on the soles of his feet and the back of his neck while we practiced slow, mindful breathing. Then, we engaged in a short visualization exercise, imagining roots extending from his spine and feet deep into the core of the Earth.

Essential oils tap into our subconscious and can evoke emotional responses that promote healing without the interference of overthinking ~ Margarita Alcantara

The transformation was immediate and profound. He said he felt “heavier—but in a good way,” as if he had finally returned to his body after months of feeling disconnected. Over the following weeks, he incorporated vetiver into his daily spiritual routine. Using it before meditation and during stressful situations helped him stay focused and emotionally balanced. He even reported improved sleep and a greater sense of connection in his everyday life.

Grounding is a foundational concept in spiritual and energetic work. It’s the feeling of being fully anchored, present, and connected to your body and the earth. In today’s fast-paced, digitally overstimulated world, many people struggle to stay grounded. It’s not uncommon to feel scattered, anxious, or disconnected.

This is where essential oils derived from roots, resins, and woods become invaluable. Their earthy vibrations naturally support the grounding process, helping us feel safe, centered, and fully embodied. Oils such as sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, and frankincense are particularly effective for grounding. Their deep, earthy aromas resonate with the lower chakras, drawing our energy downward and rooting us in the present moment.

Frankincense, with its sacred history and meditative aroma, is often used for connecting with the divine and offers a calming, centering effect. Cedarwood brings a sense of stability and protection, which is ideal for creating a safe energetic space during meditation or spiritual rituals.

I also use essential oils in my personal life. For instance, I have been using peppermint essential oil since the beginning of spring. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get rid of the ants. I tried natural remedies and cleaning methods, but nothing worked. Then, I remembered reading that peppermint oil is a natural ant deterrent. I tried it, and to my surprise, it worked like magic! The ants disappeared, and the fresh scent of peppermint lifted the energy of my space, providing a sense of mental clarity and spiritual rejuvenation.

This experience reminded me that the answers we seek are sometimes within reach; we just have to stay curious and open. Like our spiritual journeys, essential oils often work in layers. They meet us where we are, offering insight, support, and healing exactly when and where we need it most.

Absorbed through the skin and via the olfactory-brain connection through inhalation, they have been considered among the most therapeutic and rejuvenating of all botanical extracts throughout the ages ~ Valerie Gennari Cooksley

Whether you are just beginning your spiritual journey or are an experienced practitioner, essential oils can be a valuable addition to your self-care rituals. Here are ten essential oils that I recommend for spiritual self-care:

Essential Oils For Spiritual Self-Care

Frankincense: Enhances meditation, deepens spiritual connection, and calms the mind.

Sandalwood: Promotes inner peace and grounding. Ideal for sacred rituals.

Vetiver: Deeply grounding and stabilizing; perfect for empaths and anxious minds.

Cedarwood: Offers protection and grounding. Great for creating a sacred space.

Lavender: Soothes the nervous system and enhances spiritual clarity.

Myrrh: Anchors the spirit and supports emotional release.

Peppermint: Refreshes the mind, clears energetic debris, and uplifts the mood.

Patchouli: Balances the root chakra and supports embodiment.

Rose: Opens the heart chakra and promotes self-love and compassion.

Clary Sage: Supports intuition and balances emotional energy.

May your path be fragrant with intention and your journey be rooted in the nurturing embrace of the Earth.