Losing someone close to you can be a crippling emotional time. It could be the death of a loved one, friend, or family member which can leave us feeling helpless and low. Best essential oils for grief can help lift your mood, aid with restful sleep, and comfort you in times of bereavement.
Find out below how essential oils can bring focus and clarity to troubling times and discover the best essential oils for grief.
Best essential oils for grief lavender, chamomile, and valerian soothe bereaved minds, heartache, and sorrow. Clary sage rose and frankincense comforts and heals, ylang-ylang soothes trauma and shock, lavender helps with despair, rejection abandonment, and vulnerability. Sandalwood and myrrh bring inner peace, vetiver protects fragile emotions.
In this article, we will explore many more essential oil properties which can help you through the emotional rollercoaster of grief and bereavement.
So now let’s see an overview of some of the best oils for grief and look at some of my favorites to dispel negative emotions, reduce feelings of guilt and sadness amongst other feelings of loss.
- Rose oil: invokes self-love and helps to heal a breaking heart
- Clary sage oil: reduces feelings of isolation, melancholy, and sorrow
- Myrrh oil: helps with feelings of abandonment and rejection by restoring inner peace
- Frankincense: come to terms with loss, reconnect with loved ones, strength and courage
- Melissa oil (Lemon balm): calming and sedating qualities helps to ease shock and trauma
- Rosemary oil: uplifting herby fragrance removes worry, confusion, and depressive thoughts
- Patchouli oil: grounds, centers, and supports the relaxation of emotional centers of the brain
- Ylang ylang: Soothes anger, shock, and emotional disharmony after a traumatic effect such as bereavement or grief
- Chamomile oil (Roman and German): Soothing, calming sedative effect helps with racing thoughts
- Lavender oil: powerful healing properties which remove negative emotions, helps to aid restful sleep
- Cypress oil: refocus your attention, removes nervousness and excessive thoughts
- Helichrysum: ( Immortelle) oil comfort, reassurance, loving memories
- Fragonia oil: reduces feelings of fragility, focuses on new ways of thinking, and heals physical and emotional wounds.
- Sweet orange oil: Offers hope for the future and a re-connection to joy
- Cinnamon oil: properties that help to lift mood, enliven the spirit, and reduce brain fog and exhaustion
- Vetiver oil: Helps to build a new connection with the present and invokes fresh healthy energy
- Neroli oil: stimulates and invigorates, invoking a feeling of normality and helps to bring control and focus
- Sandalwood oil: Releases negative emotions, silences the mind, and promotes stillness, meditation, and calm
- Jasmine oil: A powerful antidepressant while supporting decision making and optimism
Now let’s look into each of the best essential oils for grief in a little more depth and find out some wonderful room sprays, diffusers, pillow, and massage blends, along with relaxing and calming bath blends to help at this distressing time.
Best essential oils for loss and grieving
Loss can bring many distressing and uncomfortable feelings which can be extremely painful.
Many people go through a huge range of emotions and it’s very common at such a time of mental strain such as grief to suffer from issues such as guilt, anger, fear, abandonment, isolation, rejection, and depression.
Sadness and melancholy along with a feeling of overwhelming loss can make life seem virtual, not worth living for those suffering.
Some of the best essential oils for grief can help to reduce some of these powerful feelings.
Let’s start our essential oils for the grief journey by looking at the beautiful and aromatic rose oil.
Rose Oil
Rose oil can be one of the most delicate and ultimate oils for grief for many reasons. Firstly rose oil enhances a feeling of self-love and relates to the heart.
The feeling of a ‘breaking heart’ can be overwhelming when you have suffered any kind of bereavement or grief.
The floral aroma of this oil helps in healing any feeling of despair or loss associated with bereavement.
Grief often manifests itself in feelings of anger and trauma, which rose oil can help to release. While reducing negative emotions and invoking feelings of calm, helping to restore and revive.
Clary sage
Clary sage oil is a powerful oil that can help to alleviate feelings of isolation that come from losing someone or something close to you.
It has anti-depressant qualities and can help to reduce feelings of melancholy associated with grieving.
It has properties that can revitalize and restore, helping to relieve sorrow.
Heartbreak and loss pillow spray blend
- 3 drops sweet orange
- 3 drops clary sage
- 3 drops lemon
- 4 oz spray bottle filled with diffused water ( boiled and cooled from a kettle)
Mix all ingredients thoroughly by shaking the bottle. Spray on pillows and a fluffy blanket ½ hour before bed
Myrrh
Myrrh has many associations with grief and sorrow.
The smell of myrrh has been traditionally seen as a symbol of suffering, burned at funerals or other solemn events.
Myrrh is often blended with citrus oils for an uplifting aroma.
The uprooting aroma of myrrh can help with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Grief can cause our emotions to detach from our physical presence. It can almost seem that we feel our body is separated from our thoughts because of overwhelming emotions.
At such stages of grief, inner peace is the single most element that can balance your mental state of mind.
Inner peace creates stillness, calmness, and focus that is beneficial when you feel rejected, lonely, isolated, or abandoned in a grieving period.
This oil has been well-known over the centuries for generating inner peace which is an essential emotion to get over grief.
Frankincense
Frankincense has been used for over 2000 years to bring the bereaved closer to loved ones and as a symbol of grieving.
Frankincense helps those mourning in coming to terms with their loss, by protecting and encouraging courage and fortitude.
Protection diffuser blend
- 2 drops frankincense oil
- 2 drops myrrh oil (or Rosemary oil)
- 3 drops sweet orange
- 2 drops ylang ylang
- 250 mL water from a boiled and cooled kettle
Add all ingredients to a 250 mL or larger diffuser. If using a smaller diffuser, ( 150 mL) simply half the quantities
Melissa oil (lemon balm)
Melissa oil (more commonly known as lemon balm) has a lemon-like fragrance and is known for helping to ease negative emotions while grieving such as shock and trauma.
Another reason Melissa oil is one of the best oils for grief is its gentle citrus scent.
It has calming and sedating properties, along with an uplifting aroma promoting hope after a bereavement or any kind of grief.
Rosemary
Rosemary has a beautiful herby fragrance which is well known for helping with feelings of worry and confusion and depressive feelings associated with grieving or loss.
Feeling unable to focus and that the world is standing still after any kind of loss can be helped by Rosemary oils properties which can start your world in motion again and remove feelings of lethargy often associated with later stages of bereavement or other loss.
Patchouli oil
This oil helps to ground sad and sorrowful feelings following a bereavement and helps to center and balance those suffering from feelings of grief.
Patchouli is rich in sesquiterpenes, which deliver oxygen to cells. This best oil for grief works by relaxing the emotional center of the brain by balancing negative thoughts and helps to re-energize and focus the mind.
Ylang ylang
Ylang-ylang helps to reduce feelings of shock and emotional disharmony after a traumatic experience, such as a bereavement or while grieving.
Ylang ylang can also soothe anger and rage which can be a symptom of losing a loved one.
Its floral uplifting fragrance helps to dispel negative thoughts and relax both the body and mind.
Moonlight bath blend for loss
- 3 drops lemon balm
- 2 drops Rosemary
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
- 2 tablespoons of olive or grapeseed oil
Mix thoroughly in a small glass jar or a saucer and add to a warm evening bath
Best essential oils for comfort while grieving
Grief can manifest itself in a myriad of ways and each person is individual.
However, everyone who suffers a bereavement whether it be losing their spouse or a family pet will feel a need for comfort at such an emotional time.
Let’s continue with the best essential oils and blends to help with feelings of and comfort while grieving.
Chamomile Oil
Both types of Chamomile oil, Roman and German have similar properties which have a soothing, calming, and sedative effect.
This oil can bring about a relaxed environment in which to have much-needed calm sleep at times of grief and sadness.
Chamomile oil can help to quieten racing and disturbing thoughts. This can help with the feelings of abandonment which is a common theme of anyone suffering from grief.
Most importantly, grief can easily cause those who have suffered a loss to fall into depression. Chamomile has antidepressant qualities which can help those suffering from grief.
Nurture massage blend
- 3 drops lavender
- 3 drops chamomile
- 2 drops cypress
- 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil ( baby oil is a good substitute )
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a small jar or saucer. Apply to the temples, neck, and throat area half an hour before bed or after a warm bath
For more essential oils and blends to help you feel calmer and more relaxed while going through the grieving process, pop along and checkout 21 Best Oils and Blend Recipes for Calm and Relaxation
Lavender Oil
Grief is a powerful energetic response that can be triggered by guilt, pain, or unresolved shame.
Along with lavender’s proven anxiolytic and mood stabilizing properties, lavender can calm and promote restful sleep when grieving.
It has a gentle and uplifting healing property, which will avoid powerful negative energetic responses and help to bring peace to the bereaved.
It also enhances a calm feeling that encourages you into a healthy mental recovery phase.
Lavender has a very delicate aroma and its well-loved soft floral scent is a gentle oil option for grief if you don’t particularly like overwhelming fragrances.
Cypress
Cypress is one of the best oils for restoring calm amid nervousness and negative emotions, Perfect for times of upheaval related to grief and sorrow.
It can help you refocus your attention and help you tune back into your truth when you may have lost touch with the inner ‘you’.
Helichrysum ( Immortelle) oil
This sweet and ‘fruity tea-like oil helps to heal emotional wounds, comforts, and soothes the nerves of those who have suffered a loss or bereavement.
It blends well with lavender chamomile and sweet orange.
Its aroma invokes loving memories and provides comfort and reassurance at times of grief.
Gentle bath blend
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- 2 drops of chamomile oil
- 2 drops cypress or add 2 more drops each of lavender and chamomile
- 2 tablespoons avocado or jojoba oil ( if you don’t have these, then olive oil will work perfectly)
Mix oils thoroughly in a small glass jar or saucer and add to a warm running bath
Fragonia oil
A little-known oil Fragonia can help the bereaved and those grieving to look at things in a new way, bringing hope and balance.
Offers balance on all levels and is one of the best oils for grief as it can help the grieving to look at things in a new way.
It also has unique properties which can increase dignity and self-esteem and reduces feelings of fragility.
It helps to heal wounds and remove both physically and mentally.
Best essential oils for hope beyond grieving
You might recognize the following symptoms of grief. Pacing the bedroom floor night after night in utter disbelief, angry for that person leaving you, blaming yourself, or unable to let go after many years of grief.
Using the best essential oils for grief can help with the healing process which encourages your subconscious to release negative patterns and bring hope.
Using the best essential oils for grief along with perhaps starting a journal, speaking with a therapist or a counselor specializing in grief, increasing your daily exercise, and sometimes simply crying can be a way to find hope in the future.
Sweet orange oil
Sweet orange has a beautifully uplifting scent that can help to bring hope and reconnection to those suffering from grief. It’s is a calming oil with a sweet, tangy, and citrus aroma.
It can reduce nervous exhaustion while uplifting the spirit and brings a sense of hope and joy for the future.
Cinnamon oil/Cinnamon leaf oil and cinnamon bark oil
The smell of cinnamon alone is comforting and warm making it undoubtedly ideal for grief. The comfort and warmth from this Clove energize the mind and enlivens the spirit.
It is especially well known in aromatherapy for its invigorating and neuroprotective qualities that can help fight against exhaustion or mental fogginess.
So cinnamon leaf oil can help lift you out of debilitating feelings of grief while encouraging you to venture back into your daily routine.
Cinnamon bark oil is a great protector. Using this oil can protect and shelter you from thoughts of a loss or other extreme emotions related to grief.
This shielding property can guide you when you navigate with your life and emotions while experiencing a stage of grief. It can also be helpful when resuming your life after recovering from grief.
Vetiver Oil
Vetiver is well-known for its aroma that is more grounding to the earth and its emotions. Holding to the meaning of its fragrance this oil helps in grounding yourself to the purpose of life, thereby easing your grief.
Sometimes grief can make you feel like everything is floating away or getting out of control because of a loss, this oil can easily ground you back to an earthy connection.
As a result, this will help you rebuild a connection with the earth and the present, thereby slowly spreading healthy energy into your life.
Neroli Oil
According to studies neroli oil can reduce stress levels and stimulate the endocrine system. Neroli oil may also reduce blood pressure by acting on the autonomic nervous system.
Neroli’s impression of the nervous system is how it can help to bring a sense of comfort and peace to those struggling with grief and loss.
Along with its antidepressant properties, Neroli oil offers strong emotional support to those who might be grieving.
Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood indeed has a unique calm, delicate and gentle aroma that helps in releasing any negative emotions let alone grief.
Its aroma can trigger the ability of your mind to silence the chaotic and racing thoughts of grief.
When such thoughts are silenced it brings peace and clarity to the mind.
As a result, it becomes easy to focus on the present and hope for positive energies to come along.
Sandalwood oil also enhances a stillness that can support you with meditation when coping with grief.
Jasmine
Jasmine is a powerful anti-depressant and is one of the best oils for helping people who lack confidence.
It supports decision-making and optimism – and is perfect if your self-esteem and confidence worries are exhausting you as it restores harmony.
Renew diffuser blend
- 3 drops sweet orange oil
- 2 drops Fragonia or Neroli
- 2 drops sandalwood
- 1 drop Jasmine
- 259 mL of boiled distilled water from a kettle
Add oils to an electronic diffuser and run for an hour in the morning upon waking
So now we’ve taken a look at some of the best oils for grief, and how oils can help with loss, comfort, and hope for those bereaved.
Let’s finish by taking a look at some scientific studies and research as to why essential oils can help with grief.
Why can essential oils help with grief?
Recent developments and studies in the field of olfaction ( sense of smell) show that it may be a useful addition in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing or witnessing it.
Symptoms of PTSD can be very similar to those relating to grief and loss.
This new research goes a long way into showing evidence that our sense of smell which is important in essential oils and aromatherapy can help to control symptoms of grief such as flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about a suffered loss.
Science is now discovering that trapped emotions are stored in every cell of our body, and the trauma stored in the “amygdala gland of the limbic system does not respond to sound or sight or touch, but ONLY releases emotional trauma through the sense of smell,” according to Carolyn L. Mein, a Registered Aromatherapist and the author of Releasing Emotional Patterns With Essential Oils.
According to a scientific study, essential oils have been proven to counteract feelings of depression, which can be a long-lasting symptom of grief and loss.
Alongside medical research, essential oils can relax and help with low moods associated with grief and those suffering the complex emotions associated with loss.
And finally…
I hope you’ve found some comfort in my list of best essential oils for grief and will try some of the diffuser and massage blends.
For those new to diffusers, pop by other articles to help with How to Use A Diffuser and How Much Oil in a Diffuser? Sizes and Drops, a Guide
This content has been checked and verified by a medical professional or aromatherapist The article has been reviewed by our editorial board and has been approved for publication by our editorial policy.
