11 Best Essential Oils for Meditation (by an Aromatherapist)

Are you looking to reach a new level of bliss and tranquility in your meditation practice? Look no further than the power of essential oils. These natural wonders have been used for centuries to promote relaxation, clarity, and a deeper connection to the self. As a spiritual teacher and certified Aromatherapist, essential oils for meditation are kind of my jam! So today, I’m sharing the best essential oils to enhance your meditation practice, based on years of experience. 

Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or just starting out on your journey, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to infuse essential oils into your meditation practice.

Each oil has unique properties to support your mind, body, and spirit during meditation. So, get ready to elevate your meditation sessions to new heights with these aromatic treasures.

Try them and see what happens!

Safety Tips Before We Start

Before we dive into the world of essential oils for meditation, it’s important to understand some safety precautions. While essential oils are generally safe when used correctly, they are highly concentrated and should be used with reverence. Essential oils are powerful little helpers!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re planning to apply your oils to your skin. If you’ll just be diffusing these, you’re good to go:

1. Dilute properly: Essential oils should always be diluted before applying to the skin or using in a diffuser. A general rule of thumb is to mix 1-2 drops of essential oil with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil.

2. Patch test: If you’re using a new essential oil topically (applying to your sin) for the first time, it’s a good idea to perform a patch test. Apply a small amount of diluted oil to a small area of your skin and wait 24 hours to check for any adverse reactions.

3. Avoid sensitive areas: Some essential oils may cause skin irritation, especially when applied to sensitive areas such as the face or genitals. Be cautious and avoid these areas when using essential oils.

Remember, everyone’s body is different, so it’s essential to listen to your own body and adjust your usage accordingly. Now that we’ve covered the safety precautions, let’s explore why essential oils are a powerful tool for enhancing your meditation practice.

Why Use Essential Oils When Meditating?

Essential oils have been used for centuries in various healing practices, and meditation is no exception. When combined with meditation, essential oils can help create a more immersive and transformative experience. Here’s why you should consider incorporating essential oils into your meditation practice:

1. Enhanced relaxation: Certain essential oils, such as lavender and chamomile, have calming properties that can help relax the mind and body. When used during meditation, these oils can deepen your relaxation and promote a sense of tranquility.

2. Heightened focus: Essential oils like peppermint and rosemary are known for their stimulating properties, which can help improve mental alertness and focus. Using these oils during meditation can sharpen your concentration and enhance your ability to stay present and mindful.

3. Emotional support: Essential oils have the power to evoke emotions and memories, which is why they’re so great for energy/emotional healing. By using oils like bergamot or ylang-ylang during meditation, you can tap into their uplifting and mood-boosting qualities, helping you cultivate positive emotions and a deeper connection to yourself.

4. Spiritual connection: Many essential oils, such as frankincense and sandalwood, have been used in spiritual and religious ceremonies for centuries. These oils have a grounding effect that can facilitate a deeper connection to your spiritual self during meditation.

5. Manifesting power. Yes, using essential oils during meditation can help you manifest. Each oil vibrates at a unique frequency. When your own vibration rises to meet it, you become a stronger magnet for your desires. This is how the law of vibration works.

Now that you understand why essential oils are a valuable addition to your meditation practice, let’s explore the different types of essential oils and their unique properties.

11 Best Essential Oils for Meditation

Essential oils are derived from various plants and have distinct aromas and therapeutic properties. It’s essential to choose the right oils for your meditation practice based on their intended effect. Here are my favorite meditation oils and their properties.

I’m including links to all of the oils below for your convenience. I trust Rocky Mountain Oils quality, and their customer service is awesome:

1. Lavender

Known for its calming and relaxing properties, lavender is perfect for creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere during meditation. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to enter a deeper state of relaxation.

I call it the Swiss army knife of oils, because it has so many purposes and benefits. If you can only choose one oil for meditation, choose lavender.

If you’re focused on soothing anxiety and stress, these anxiety affirmations will help you, too. You can choose one and repeat it as a mantra during meditation.

2. Frankincense

Often referred to as the “king of oils,” frankincense is known for its grounding and spiritual properties. It can deepen your connection to the divine and promote a sense of inner peace and tranquility. If you’re focused on spiritual growth, this is a powerful oil to work with.

3. Sandalwood

Sandalwood has a mild, woody and earthy aroma. It’s a top pick as an essential oil for meditation, because it raises your vibration while also helping you to feel grounded. It can help quiet the mind, enhance focus, and create a sacred space for your meditation practice.

Sandalwood is a precious resource and can be pricey. So, if your heart is set on this one, but you aren’t ready to invest, I recommend this At Peace oil blend. It contains sandalwood, as well as citrus fruit oils. It smells amazing and will still give you the energetic properties of straight sandalwood, at a fraction of the price.

4. Bergamot

Bergamot is uplifting and has mood-boosting properties. It can help alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety while promoting a sense of joy and positivity during meditation.

RMO bergamot oil

5. Peppermint

If you’re looking to enhance your mental clarity and focus during meditation, peppermint oil is an excellent choice. Its invigorating scent can help stimulate the mind and improve concentration. This one is my husband’s favorite. As an added bonus, its especially helpful if you have sinus issues!

6. Rosemary

Rosemary is one of the best essential oils for meditation because it helps to increase mental alertness and memory function. It can be especially beneficial if you’re practicing meditation in the morning or when you need a little extra mental boost!

7. Roman Chamomile

Roman Chamomile oil has a calming and soothing effect on the mind and body. It can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of peace and relaxation, making it perfect for evening or bedtime meditation. Its aroma is light, and slightly herbal. Just breathing it in feels soothing.

8. Ylang Ylang

Ylang-ylang oil has a sweet and floral aroma that helps to uplift the spirit and promote a sense of joy and happiness. It can enhance your meditation practice by creating a positive and uplifting atmosphere.

RMO ylang ylang essential oil

9. Patchouli

Patchouli oil has a rich and earthy scent that is incredibly grounding and centering. It can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and create a sense of stability during meditation.

Just a little word of warning, this aroma is not for everyone. People usually either love or hate it. That said, it blends well with citrus oils like bergamot, as well as lavender. I’ll share more on creating your own blends, below.

10. Clary Sage

Clary sage oil has a warm and herbal aroma that can help ease tension and promote relaxation. It can also enhance your intuition and promote a deeper connection to your inner wisdom during meditation.

11. Enchanted Forest Blend

This blend is a perfect choice for grounding. Sometimes during meditation, your vibe can rise very quickly, so it’s important to keep your spirit anchored to the physical world.

Enchanted Forest is an amazing blend of Cedarwood, Lavandin, Sweet Orange, Douglas Fir, Rose, Damiana, and Geranium. So it smells both earthy and floral – just like you’re walking in the woods. This is a lovely way to ushers in clarity and tranquility, while connecting to mama earth.

How To Use Your Meditation Oils

Okay! Did you find a couple of oils that you’re excited to try? Now let’s talk about how to infuse them into your meditation practice.

1. Diffuse your oils. Essential oil diffusers disperse essential oils into the air. So you can just turn it on, and let it run as you meditate. There are several different types of diffusers available, including ultrasonic diffusers, nebulizing diffusers, and heat diffusers. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s the one I have. It’s reasonably priced and has a ton of 5-star reviews:

2. Massage into skin. Place a few dabs of your meditation oil onto your pulse points (wrists, neck), or a little on your third eye chakra. I like to add a couple drops to my palm, rub them together and cup my nose and mouth, taking a deep inhale. Then I rub what’s left into my wrists, or over my heart center. Don’t forget to read the bottle for dilution instructions!

3. Spritz your space. It’s super easy to create your own meditation spritz. Just fill a 4 oz atomizer bottle with water and a splash of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. Top off with about 25 drops of your favorite meditation oils, and shake. You can then mist yourself, and your meditation space at the beginning of your practice.

More Meditation Tools

In addition to using essential oils during meditation, there are various tools available to enhance your overall experience.

Meditation cushions provide support and comfort, allowing you to sit in a cross-legged position for an extended period (if you’ve ever meditated on a yoga mat, you may have ended up with a sore butt).

If you’re into transcendental meditation or like to repeat affirmations, then mala beads are your new best friend. They’ll keep your hands busy as you repeat your mantra, helping you to stay mindful, and keep count. Plus, different colored mala beads can help you manifest your specific intentions.

If you like to meditate before falling asleep, you can use a meditation eye pillow to block out external distractions and promote relaxation during your practice. These eye pillows are often filled with herbs or essential oils that further enhance the calming effect.

Speaking of meditation before sleep: have you tried listening to sleep stories as a form of meditation? Sleep stories are bedtime stories for grown-up, and we have created stories that focus on healing and wellbeing. Our sleep stories use guided imagery to raise your vibration while sending you off to sleep. Many of our stories are free! Just download the Insight Timer app and start listening.

Creating Your Own Meditation Blend

While single essential oils can be used individually during meditation, creating your own blends can be a powerful way to personalize your experience. Here’s a simple process to create your own essential oil blends for meditation:

1. Choose your intention: Pick a specific intention or goal you want to focus on during your meditation practice. Whether it’s relaxation, clarity, or emotional healing, clarifying your intention will guide your blend creation process.

2. Select your oils: Based on your intention, select essential oils that align with your desired outcome. Consider the properties and benefits of each oil, and choose oils that complement each other. For example, if you want to enhance relaxation, you might choose lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang.

3. Blend the oils: Once you’ve chosen your oils, mix them together in a small glass bottle. Start with a few drops of each oil and adjust the ratios until you achieve the desired aroma. Remember to write down the recipe for future reference!

4. Test and adjust: If you’re going to be using the oils on your skin during meditation, do a patch test first, to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions. If the blend feels too strong or overpowering, you can dilute it with a carrier oil lie coconut, jojoba, or olive oil.

5. Enjoy your personalized blend: Once you’re satisfied with the blend, you’re ready to use it during your meditation practice! Apply a few drops to your diffuser or dilute it in a carrier oil for topical application. Breathe in the aroma deeply and allow the oils to support your meditation journey.

You can also make a body or room spray out of your oil blend. This guide on how to create your own sleep spray will show you how to do it!

Conclusion

Essential oils are a natural and powerful tool to enhance your meditation practice. Each oil has unique properties to support your mind, body, and spirit during meditation. Adding essential oils into your practice will elevate your meditation sessions to new heights and deepen your connection to the self.

Here’s a recap of the list:

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different oils, create your own blends, and embrace the transformative power of aromatherapy in your meditation journey. Also, don’t over think the selection process. All of these oils will usher in healing and raise your vibration. So let your intuition lead the way.

Remember to always choose high-quality, pure essential oils and consult a certified Aromatherapist if you have any concerns or questions. Happy meditating!

XO, Andrea

11 Best Meditation Oils according to an Aromatherapist
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Andrea Scalisi

Andrea created The Haven Shoppe to help others manifest their dreams and live more empowered lives through spiritual self-care. She is a certified Aromatherapist and Reiki Master, with years of experience in Astrology, Numerology, and Tarot. When she’s not blogging, you can find her collaborating with her sister, Jen, crafting enchanted sleep stories to guide listeners into deep, restful sleep.

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