Why Spiritual Babes Use Essential Oils During Meditation (+ Why Quality Matters)
If you've ever walked into a yoga studio, meditation class, or spiritual gathering + smelled Frankincense, Patchouli, or Lavender floating through the air, you already know something is happening in that room before anyone says a word.
+ it's NOT just because they smell good.
Like so many practices that get labeled "woowoo," this one has thousands of years of history behind it.
Ancient Roots
Long before diffusers existed, aromatic plants played an important role in spiritual traditions around the world.
Frankincense was burned in temples throughout the Middle East + North Africa as an offering during prayer + sacred ceremony.
Sandalwood has been used for centuries in meditation + devotional practices throughout India, where its warm, grounding aroma became closely associated with contemplation + presence. Have you ever smelled it? UGH it’s so buttery + you’ll know exactly what I mean when you bring that bottle to your nose.
Myrrh appeared in religious rituals across multiple civilizations + has long been valued for its symbolism, rarity, + connection to sacred space. Like hellloooo literal gift to Jesus!
Different cultures, different plants, same intention: slow the mind, create a sacred atmosphere, mark the transition from ordinary life into something more intentional.
Why Scent Is So Powerful
Today we also understand something our ancestors couldn't explain scientifically: Your sense of smell has a direct connection to the limbic system, the part of the brain involved in emotion, memory, + learning.
Have you ever smelled something + instantly felt like you were somewhere else entirely? Fresh cookies at your grandmother's house, sunscreen on a beach vacay, fresh bread being baked at my college’s student union Subway. Scent shifts how we feel before we've even consciously thought about it.
When you consistently diffuse the same oil before meditation, prayer, journaling, or breathwork, your brain starts associating that aroma with slowing down + becoming present.
Eventually, just smelling that oil becomes part of the ritual itself.
The scent becomes a cue that says: we're safe + we can slow down now.
Why I Personally Chose Young Living
If you've been around here for a while, you know that when I talk about essential oils, I'm almost always (read: ALWAYS) talking about Young Living.
I could just tell you they're the best, but let’s be honest: it's more helpful to explain why I actually trust them.
I've used essential oils for years, but it wasn't until I started visiting Young Living farms that I understood HOW MUCH happens before an oil ever reaches a bottle. I've had the opportunity to visit their Finca Botanica farm in Ecuador, + later the Lavender Farm in Utah multiple times. Seeing it firsthand completely changed how I think about this whole thing.
Seed to Seal
YL's quality commitment is called Seed to Seal, which means they oversee every step of the process, from selecting plant material through cultivation, harvesting, distillation, testing, + bottling.
Every batch is tested to verify identity, purity, + consistency before it ever reaches a customer. If a batch doesn't meet their standards, it doesn't get bottled as a Young Living oil. Full stop.
That matters because essential oils are incredibly complex. A single oil can contain hundreds of naturally occurring plant compounds, + things like soil health, climate, harvest timing, + distillation all affect what ends up in the bottle; all affect the soul of that plant.
Healthy Plants Make Better Oils
One of my favorite things about visiting the farms was seeing the care that goes into growing the plants themselves.
At Finca Botanica (+ all YL farms), regenerative farming practices support healthy soil, biodiversity, + long-term sustainability. The goal isn't just to produce more oil, but to produce healthy plants in healthy ecosystems.
You can feel the difference in the product + that matters to me.
Why This Matters Spiritually
Whether you're meditating, praying, journaling, or just taking five quiet minutes before your day starts, essential oils become part of the environment you're intentionally creating.
For me, that means I want oils I actually trust. Not because I think oils are required for spiritual growth, but because if I'm inviting plants into one of my most intentional practices, I want to know those plants were grown with care, harvested thoughtfully, + distilled without shortcuts.
The ritual isn't really about the oil, it's about creating space to become present. The oil just helps mark the moment.
Oils I Love for Meditation
If you're looking for somewhere to start, these are some of my favorites.
Frankincense for presence, prayer, and quiet reflection.
Sacred Mountain when I want to feel grounded and supported.
Believe for moments of self-trust and personal growth.
Awaken when I'm seeking deeper intuition and spiritual connection.
Lavender whenever my nervous system needs a reminder that it's okay to soften.
You can find all of my favorite oils for meditation and spiritual practice right here.
You don't need a perfect meditation practice + you don't need an elaborate ritual.
Sometimes all it takes is one deep breath, an oil you love, + letting that familiar scent remind your body that it's time to come home to yourself.
Muah muah muah!
Suzy
