Healing from emotional trauma—especially heartbreak—can feel like an overwhelming journey. Some days you’re deep in grief, other days you may feel numb, and then there are moments of hope that remind you brighter days are ahead. I know how heavy it feels to carry these emotions, and I want to remind you that it’s okay to take it slow and give yourself grace.
Essential oils can be such gentle and supportive companions on this path. They’re like little drops of nature’s love, helping you release emotions, calm your nervous system, and invite lightness into your heart. Whether you diffuse them, apply them topically (always with a carrier oil), or simply inhale their soothing scents, these oils can bring a sense of peace and hope while you move through this difficult time.
Here are 10 essential oils that will support you emotionally—helping you release pain, find calm, and rediscover your strength as you heal and rebuild your life.
1. Lavender – For Calm and Rest
Lavender is a classic go-to for emotional healing. Its calming scent helps quiet a racing mind, ease anxiety, and improve sleep—something that can feel nearly impossible when you’re processing trauma.
How to Use It:
- Diffuse lavender before bed or during moments of overwhelm.
- Add a few drops to a warm bath with Epsom salts for a deeply relaxing soak.
Why It Helps: Lavender reduces stress and gently soothes the nervous system, allowing you to rest and reset emotionally.
2. Bergamot – For Emotional Release
Bergamot is uplifting yet calming, and it’s wonderful for releasing pent-up emotions. If you’ve been holding onto sadness, resentment, or guilt, bergamot can help you let go and breathe easier.
How to Use It:
- Place a few drops in your palms, rub them together, and inhale deeply.
- Mix with a carrier oil and apply over your heart or wrists when feeling weighed down.
Why It Helps: Bergamot encourages emotional release and inspires optimism—perfect for those moments when you need to lift your spirits.
3. Frankincense – For Grounding and Healing
Frankincense has been used for centuries to promote emotional and spiritual healing. It helps ground you during turbulent times and encourages inner reflection, giving you space to process your pain.
How to Use It:
- Diffuse during meditation or journaling sessions.
- Add to a carrier oil and apply to your temples or chest for calm and clarity.
Why It Helps: Frankincense connects you to your inner self, fostering feelings of safety, strength, and peace.
4. Rose – For Comfort and Heart Healing
Rose essential oil is like a soft hug for your heart. It comforts feelings of grief, loss, and loneliness, helping you open up to love again—first for yourself, then for the world around you.
How to Use It:
- Add a drop to your moisturizer and gently massage it over your heart space.
- Inhale rose oil when you feel emotional waves rising.
Why It Helps: Rose oil vibrates at a high frequency, symbolizing love and compassion—exactly what your tender heart needs during this time.
5. Ylang Ylang – For Releasing Sadness
Ylang ylang has a sweet, floral scent that helps dissolve feelings of sadness, stress, and tension. It’s especially helpful when you feel overwhelmed by waves of emotion.
How to Use It:
- Diffuse ylang ylang during moments of quiet self-care, like reading or journaling.
- Add a drop to your pulse points to uplift your mood.
Why It Helps: Ylang ylang promotes emotional balance and inspires joy when your heart feels heavy.
6. Vetiver – For Grounding and Stability
Vetiver is earthy and grounding—a perfect support when you feel scattered, anxious, or disconnected from yourself. It brings a sense of calm and stability, helping you feel more present in your body.
How to Use It:
- Diffuse vetiver during meditation or deep breathing exercises.
- Dilute with a carrier oil and apply to the bottoms of your feet before bed.
Why It Helps: Vetiver anchors your energy and calms emotional overwhelm, making it easier to process your feelings.
7. Grapefruit – For Releasing Negativity
Grapefruit oil is bright and refreshing, helping to release negativity and invite light back into your life. Its energizing scent lifts you up, especially on days when you feel stuck or uninspired.
How to Use It:
- Inhale grapefruit oil in the morning to boost your energy and mood.
- Diffuse during activities that inspire you, like cooking, dancing, or creating art.
Why It Helps: Grapefruit clears emotional heaviness and promotes joy as you focus on rebuilding your life.
8. Chamomile (Roman) – For Inner Peace
Chamomile is incredibly calming and soothing. It’s ideal when you feel anxious, restless, or need a gentle reminder to slow down and nurture yourself.
How to Use It:
- Add a few drops to a cup of hot water or tea for a soothing aroma.
- Diffuse before bed or during quiet reflection to calm your mind.
Why It Helps: Chamomile promotes emotional stability, helping you release tension and invite inner peace.
9. Clary Sage – For Emotional Clarity
Clary sage helps clear emotional fog and invites clarity, making it perfect when you feel lost or unsure about your next steps. It also reduces anxiety and promotes a sense of calm confidence.
How to Use It:
- Diffuse during journaling or goal-setting sessions.
- Combine with a carrier oil and apply over your heart for emotional grounding.
Why It Helps: Clary sage lifts emotional blockages and helps you reconnect with your intuition and purpose.
10. Orange – For Positivity and Hope
Orange essential oil is like a burst of sunshine on cloudy days. Its sweet, cheerful scent helps you focus on hope, optimism, and the new possibilities ahead.
How to Use It:
- Diffuse in the morning to start your day with a positive mindset.
- Add a drop to a warm shower for an uplifting and energizing experience.
Why It Helps: Orange oil encourages joy and positivity, helping you look forward to the bright future you’re creating.
How to Incorporate Essential Oils into Your Healing
- Diffuse Daily: Use a diffuser to fill your space with calming or uplifting scents.
- Topical Use: Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) before applying to the skin. Focus on your pulse points, heart space, and temples.
- Inhale Directly: Place a drop in your palms, rub them together, and inhale deeply to find instant relief.
- Add to Baths: Combine a few drops of essential oil with Epsom salts for a relaxing, therapeutic bath.
Final Thoughts
Healing your heart takes time, and that’s okay. Essential oils are beautiful tools that can support you emotionally, but remember, they’re just part of your healing journey. Pair them with other self-care practices—like journaling, therapy, meditation, or long walks in nature—and give yourself permission to heal at your own pace.
You are stronger than you know, and with each small step, you’re moving toward peace, joy, and a future filled with possibility. Let the scents of nature guide you, comfort you, and remind you of the beauty that still exists within and around you.
Take a deep breath, my friend—you are healing, one moment at a time.
If you’re ready to start using essential oils, you can explore blends or single oils from trusted brands like doTERRA, Young Living, or Plant Therapy. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you—you deserve every bit of comfort and peace on this journey.