How EFT And Essential Oils Help To Release Stuck Emotions

November 2024

The Impact of Unprocessed Emotions on Health and Well-Being

Our emotional health can have a profound impact on our physical health. This is because we often retain negative emotional energy in our bodies due to the incomplete processing of emotional experiences. In fact, deep-seated emotional trauma is said to get encoded in our DNA and Dr Candace Pert (a research professor and the author of Molecules of Emotion) states that ‘repressed traumas caused by overwhelming emotion can be stored in a body part’. These trapped emotions cause the body to become imbalanced, which leads to physical, mental and emotional problems. This imbalance lowers our immune system, blocks the natural flow of energy in the body and prevents normal function of the organs and glands. Therefore, emotional trauma or woundings can produce conditioned emotional responses that can lead to unexplained pain, illness and psychological issues until released.

Effective Tools to Get Unstuck

The good news is that there are tools we can use to get unstuck, and we can even layer these tools to get even more profound results and reduce the risk of overwhelming our systems while healing. Two tools that I like to layer are Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT aka tapping) and essential oils. For those new to EFT, I provide an introduction to this evidence-based modality here (or if you prefer audio content, you can check out my talk - An Introduction to EFT Tapping).

How essential oils support our physical, mental and emotional health

Now I want to share a little about the power of essential oils in supporting our emotional state. Studies show that essential oils can help us to release trapped emotions via the brain’s limbic system, which is our emotional control center. This part of the brain plays a vital role in interpreting and channeling intense experiences, particularly memories of fear or trauma. Further, the amygdala, which is part of the limbic system, plays a major role in storing and releasing emotional trauma. When we inhale essential oil molecules, they are trapped by the olfactory membrane in our nose. This lining of nerve cells then triggers electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in the brain. From there, the electrical impulses are transmitted to the amygdala and to other parts of the limbic system. The limbic system is connected to the parts of the brain that control memory, stress levels, breathing, hormones, heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, inhaling essential oils can have a positive impact on our physical and mental health without us even having to think about it.

Studies have also shown that some essential oils can increase oxygen levels in the brain by up to 28%. This is because the biochemicals in essential oils, particularly sesquiterpenes, can increase blood oxygen levels in the brain. This increased oxygenation, along with the aroma, seems to facilitate the release of stored emotional blocks via the amygdala and its connection to other parts of the brain. Combining essential oils that boost blood oxygen levels in the brain with mental focus and intent to release emotional baggage is effective in resolving unexplained physical problems caused by past emotional trauma. Relaxation, which is promoted by essential oils containing aldehydes and esters, also assists in helping our bodies to release emotional blocks.

Some researchers also believe that inhalation of essential oils can increase the body’s energetic frequency. Emotional trauma creates a negative frequency that may be offset by using essential oils. These oils can elevate the entire frequency of the body, whether used topically or via inhalation. The measured vibrational frequency of high-quality essential oils have been shown to go as high as 320 MHz as seen with Rose oil. Lavender has a frequency of 118 MHz and Sandalwood has a frequency of 96 MHz. In comparison, a healthy human body has a frequency of 62-70 MHz. Guilt has a frequency of 30MHz.

Choosing an Oil or Oil Blend

When preparing for emotional healing work, essential oils can be a great support at a subtle energetic level. It is beneficial to prepare yourself to allow emotions to be released and to support yourself in the processing of released emotions. I have a couple of essential oil blends that I like to use when tapping or doing any other form of healing work.

Before a session I use a blend of sandalwood and cypress essential oils. I add 2 drops of sandalwood and 1 drop of cypress into a 10ml roller bottle and top it with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil. Sandalwood is helpful in quietening the mental chatter and helps us to connect to our inner wisdom. Cypress is supportive during times of change, giving us courage to heal, grow and move forward. I like to apply this oil blend to my inner forearms before I start tapping.

With all that in mind, I’d like to invite you into an experiment. Choose an essential oil or create a blend and inhale or apply it to your skin along with a carrier oil before you start tapping.  Another option is to diffuse your chosen oil or oils while tapping. You can choose your oil intuitively or you can tailor the oil to the emotion you are experiencing. Or you can use a blend similar to the one I use which is supportive for all healing work.

Sweet orange oil can be used for anger, anxious feelings, depression, irritability and frustration. If you are feeling guilty, sad, fearful or confused you can reach for bergamot. Peppermint can be used when you are feeling unmotivated or struggling with feelings of low self-worth. Eucalyptus can be used to clear negativity and feelings of overwhelm. Lavender can be used to address fear, depression, anxiety, anger and confusion.

Free Guided Tapping Meditations

And if you prefer to be guided when tapping, try this free guided tapping meditation for releasing unprocessed emotions once you know which oils you want to work with (you will still find this session helpful for releasing stuck emotional energy even if you don’t have any oils on hand).

And if you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, you might like to try combining one or more sleep promoting essential oils with one of these free guided tapping sessions (Tapping Into Sleep or Tapping For Insomnia). Sleep promoting oils include lavender, bergamot, frankincense, sandalwood, sweet orange, patchouli and vetiver.

Footnotes

Essential oils high is sesquiterpenes include cedarwood, patchouli, vetiver, copaiba, helichrysum, black pepper, myrrh and ginger.

Essential oils high in aldehydes include cassia, lemongrass, melissa and cinnamon.

Essential oils high in esters include wintergreen, clary sage, Roman chamomile, lavender, petitgrain, helichrysum and bergamot.