Essential Oils: The Good, the Bad, and the Occult
Scents are in everything from cleaners, air fresheners, cosmetics and lotions and even drawer liners. And in recent years, the big business of essential oils promises health and well-being through smells.
Who doesn’t like to breathe in a good smell? Taking a deep whiff of chocolate or lavender is pleasant. But if you want to use them for aroma therapy there are two issues to consider: Do they really help with health and well-being and is there a downside?
Scientific Studies
Time Magazine reported that Dr. Edward Ernst, former chair of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter in the U.K., published two review studies examining the health effects of aromatherapy. He found no “convincing” evidence that it does any good when it comes to calming hypertension, depression, anxiety, pain and symptoms of dementia. Other medical experts voice similar misgivings.
On the encouraging side, some research has found that lavender oil improves pain tolerance and ginger oil lowers levels of nausea following surgery, and lotion with lemon balm eased agitation among severe dementia sufferers. Research from the University of Vienna’s Gerhard Buchbauer suggests some oils might have the power to activate your central nervous system to increase attention and improve sleep.
Even the authors of pro-aromatherapy studies, however, say that other factors could be attributed to the results such as the placebo effect when your brain and body comply with expectations. Some studies also show that essential oils could cause unwanted side effects. According to the Time article: “A New England Journal of Medicine report linked some of the compounds in lavender and tea tree oil to gynecomastia—abnormal amounts of breast tissue—in adolescent boys.” Then there are occasionally rashes and allergies too.
Occult Connection
Regardless of studies, sensory delights are inherent in nature. Why not breathe deep and take it all in? And if someone experiences good affects from aromas coming from essential oils, again, why not? One person told me that a whiff of a certain oil takes away her migraines.
I have no issue with enjoying and even benefiting from aromas, but there is a consideration of the occult connection when purchasing or using the oils as if they are some sort of magic potion with powers.
The occult taps into powers not of God and some of the essential oils are promoted along these lines. Woman of Grace investigated the oils and reported that some (not all) are connected to witchcraft and the New Age. For instance, Gary Young, the founder of Young Living Essential Oils, admits he once dabbled in the occult, mixes oils and now offers them as potions with powers.
For example, a potion called ‘Earth’, combines myrrh, rose, patchouli and vetiver oils and is designed to bring prosperity and protection. The “Water” potion supposedly increases psychic ability, sensuality and emotions. The “Abundance” blend claims to “…enhance the frequency of the harmonic magnetic energy field that surrounds us. This higher frequency creates what is called ‘the law of attraction,’ which refers to the things we attract to ourselves. Abundance opens us to a wealth of possibilities.”
Women of Grace reported that in his lecture titled, “The 12 Oils of the Bible,” Young claimed that the oils are “blessed” by sharing “oil energy connections.” People are told they can direct their energy into the oil to enhance the substance to “do more and go further than it would ordinarily.”
Scripture is quoted as a cover, giving a false security that all is well, nothing to worry about here. But red flags abound. The aroma potions go beyond health and well-being into magical powers. Here are more examples:
Aroma Life “. . . Pulsing with life, this vibrant blend energizes your life force. It is best applied over heart energy – front and/or back.”
Humility offers “forgiveness and obtaining a deeper spiritual awareness” and “brings balance to your heart and mind.
Jasmine “has been used throughout history for romance and attraction and for balancing the feminine energy of the body.”
What exactly is “balancing feminine energy of the body”? I have never met a woman who felt her feminine energy was out of balance. If you want feminine energy, go to the Blessed Mother who leads us to her Son
Jesus and tells us to do whatever he tells us to do. Jesus tells us to come unto him all who labor and are weary and he will give us rest. He gives us life and salvation. That’s the best of the spirit world. Essential oils can’t give you that.
Powers attributed to these potions, goes against the First Commandment, seeking powers apart from God.
Our health and well-being might benefit but all spiritual benefits come from God, not from potions or spells.
I have no issue with pleasant smelling oils, but occult claims to tap into powers are from the devil and will ultimately will do you harm. As any exorcist has witnessed, when you open a door to the occult, you invite the devil in, and he does not leave willingly. Stay away from any occult connections to essential oils and don’t fall for claims of Christianity alongside potions claiming to have powers.
