Ancient Oils, Timeless Power: The History of Essential Oils and Their Biblical Roots

Christopher Opfer • April 29, 2025

Hey Young LivingFamily! Have you ever opened a bottle of essential oil, taken a deep breath, and thought, “Wow...that smells ancient!” Well, it’s not just your imagination! Essential oils have been used for thousands of years—long before diffusers and roller bottles were a thing.

Today we’re diving into the rich history of essential oils, how they were used in ancienttimes (especially in the Bible!), and how you can still experience their benefits with YoungLiving’s Oils of Ancient Scripture Kit.

Let’s take a fun walk back in time together—scroll and sniff, YLFamily-style!

The Ancient History of Essential Oils

Long before we had modern medicine, people turnedto plants—God’s original wellnesstools—for healing, anointing, worship, and everyday life. Ancient Egyptians, Chinese,Greeks, and Romans all used aromatic botanicals in some form.

But it wasn’t just about smelling good. Essential oils were used to:

Support the immune system-Clean wounds
Aid digestion-Promote emotional and spiritual wellness
Prepare bodies for burial
Anoint kings, prophets, and priests

Fun fact: Oils like myrrh, frankincense, and cedarwood were considered more valuable than gold in ancient times!

Essential Oils in the Bible

If you’ve ever read the Bible and thought, “Wait, did they just say 'cassia'?”—you’re not wrong! The Bible mentions essential oils, resins, and aromatic plants over 500 times, often in deeply meaningful ways.

Oils were used for:

Anointing and consecration
Purification rituals
Healing the sick
Burial preparations
Acts of worship and prayer

Meet the Oils of Ancient Scripture Kit

Young Living created the Oils of Ancient Scripture Kit to help us experience the same precious oils that were treasured thousands of years ago. Here’s a little history lesson + modern usage combo on each oil:

Frankincense
Biblical reference: Matthew 2:11—One of the gifts brought to baby Jesus
Ancient use: Used in temple rituals, prayer, and burial
Modern use: Promotes spiritual grounding, skincare, and deep meditation. Use it during prayer, in your diffuser, or added to your skincare routine.

Myrrh
Biblical reference: John 19:39—Used to prepare Jesus’ body for burial
Ancient use: For skin health, embalming, and as a perfume
Modern use: Hydrates skin, supports emotional balance, and is great for meditation

Hyssop
Biblical reference: Psalm 51:7—“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean”
Ancient use: Purification rituals and temple cleansing
Modern use: Supports respiratory health and emotional release

Cedarwood
Biblical reference: 1 Kings 6—Solomon’s temple was built with cedar
Ancient use: Used for protection and spiritual strength
Modern use: Great for sleep, focus, and grounding

Spikenard
Biblical reference: John 12:3—Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with spikenard
Ancient use: Used for honoring the divine, calming, and burial
Modern use: Deeply relaxing, grounding, and emotionally supportive

Cassia
Biblical reference: Psalm 45:8—“Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia”
Ancient use: One of the oils in the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:24)
Modern use: Uplifting and warming—similar to cinnamon

Cistus (Rose of Sharon)
Biblical reference: Song of Solomon 2:1—“I am the Rose of Sharon”
Ancient use: Used in perfumes and spiritual rituals
Modern use: Emotionally calming and great for skin

Aloes (Sandalwood)
Biblical reference: John 19:39—Used with myrrh in Jesus’ burial
Ancient use: Honoring the dead, calming the spirit
Modern use: Deep relaxation, skin care, and spiritual connection
Galbanum
Biblical reference: Exodus 30:34—Part of holy incense
Ancient use: Used in sacred rituals and incense blends
Modern use: Emotionally balancing and supportive during transitions

Why It Matters Today

There’s something incredibly powerful about using oils that have been part of spiritual practices for thousands of years. When you diffuse, apply, or pray with these oils, you're connecting with the same plant wisdom and spiritual reverence that has supported people for generations.

Final Thoughts: Ancient Oils for Modern Life

It’s pretty amazing to think that we can open a bottle of frankincense or myrrh and experience the same aroma that filled temples, anointed kings, and marked sacred moments in scripture.

So if you haven’t yet explored the Oils of Ancient Scripture Kit,or even these oils individually, we highly recommend it—whether you're deepening your spiritual walk, adding richness to your devotional time, or just curious about how the ancients supported their health and faith.

Let’s keep the tradition alive—with hearts full of gratitude and bottles full of divine aroma.

Blessings and beautiful scents,️