- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 1 | Sandalwood
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 2 | Cassia
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 3 | Cedarwood
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 4 | Cypress
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 5 | Hyssop
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 6 | Galbanum
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 7 | Myrtle
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 8 | Onycha
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 9 | Cistus
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture Part 10: Spikenard
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture Part 11: Myrrh
- Healing Oils of Ancient Scripture: Part 12 | Frankincense
Last week we talked about some of the science behind how essential oils heal our bodies. We explored the phenylpropanoids, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes contained within them and looked at how they work together to impact our bodies on the cellular level.
In addition to their effectiveness in healing disease, essential oils regulate hormones, immune system, and metabolism within their plants. If the plant is injured, the oils and resins rush to heal the plant quickly. Essential oils are the lifeblood of their plants! It’s no wonder that they work so well when applied to our body’s ailments.
Essential oils perform a variety of functions, making them applicable for an extensive list of health problems. Their usefulness is compounded by the fact that, although they are unfriendly to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, they are incredibly friendly toward our bodies. They prevent infection; and, remarkably, they are able to do this without damaging the body’s natural functions. Indeed, they only serve to strengthen our body’s natural functions and heal on the cellular level.
Another incredible aspect of the healing properties of essential oils is their ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) score, or their antioxidant ability to eliminate free radicals in our bodies. All essential oils act as antioxidants. Clove essential oil has the highest ORAC score, making it 40 times more powerful than wolfberries, the highest scoring food on the ORAC scale. According to David Stewart, author of Healing Oils of the Bible, an ounce of clove oil has the same antioxidant power of 320 lbs of carrots or 10 gallons of beet juice (18). The high ORAC scores of many essential oils make it easier to get the antioxidants our bodies need to heal, prevent disease, and slow the aging process.
Aside from clove, all the highest scoring essential oils on the ORAC scale are mentioned in the Bible. Sandalwood was an expensive and sought after perfume and was used in the embalming of Jesus (Psalm 45:8, John 19:39). Frankincense is referenced several times in the Old Testament, but is most well known as one of the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus in Matthew 2. In Isaiah 53, Jesus is compared to cistus, or the Rose of Sharon. Cinnamon, spikenard, and myrrh are all mentioned several times as valuable essential oils—they’re even mentioned together in Song of Solomon 4:14!
There are so many incredible essential oils mentioned in the Bible, one of which is cypress. Although it is only mentioned once (Isaiah 44:14), it was used widely as a great wood for building boats and buildings at the time. It was also used as material for coffins and was often planted in graveyards. It is suspected that the cross of Jesus was made of cypress. In addition to its incredible properties as a building material, it is anti-infectious and strengthens circulation. It also works to calm, soothe, and heal emotional trauma when used in aromatherapy. It also serves as a sanitizer for cleaning, as we discussed above!
To use cypress, dilute 1 part essential oil with 1 part high-grade olive or coconut oil. Apply on location or to Vita Flex points, diffuse, inhale directly, or take as a dietary supplement. As always, if you are pregnant, please consult your doctor before using.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I am here to help you on your journey toward a healthier life.
Photo Credit: whollyhemp.com