DISCLAIMER: This post is written for educational and/or inspirational/metaphorical purposes only and is not to be substituted or conceived as medical and/or prescriptive advice. Please refer to your licensed healthcare professional for questions and concerns. Please refer to your licensed healthcare professional for chronic health and mental health issues. Never ingest essential oils, never place them in your mucus membranes, and always keep essential oils out of the reach of children and pets. Always practice essential oil safety best practices and always check each oil’s contraindications before use. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. The statements in this post have not been evaluated by the FDA. Sacred Heart blend is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, illness, or imbalance. Avoid use if pregnant. Avoid use with children.
Months ago, a good friend asked me to create a blend for her. I knew enough of her story and medical history – she wanted me to whip up whatever I felt was “right.” I was honored to be entrusted with such a creative experience, though I’m not one to tell anyone, “You need this. This will fix you.” Who am I to say that? As I’ve written in the past, nobody needs “fixed.” Anyway, I meditated on what I knew of her, her trauma, and her brave, compassionate heart. She was in a state of Healing (capital letter totally intended) and transition. I wanted to honor and encourage her. And then, the oils came into focus.
Around this same time, I was exploring an obsession with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Of Christ consciousness. The painful and ecstatic story of Jesus and Mary’s sacrifice and transitions on many levels and how their story has survived and inspired so many for millennia. I was raised Episcopalian, not Catholic, but I’ve always been captivated by the imagery of these iconic winged, crowned, and bleeding hearts and what they mean for so many in the faith. I’ve travelled a bit off the beaten path, as far as my approach to spirituality goes, and yet, Christ wouldn’t let me be. My friend IS at home in the Christian faith, however. Perhaps this is why. Who knows. Sacred love knows no bounds, right?
The oils:
Rose Otto (Rosa damascena) came first to 
mind. It’s the ultimate scent and symbol of love. All kinds of love. Big love. Divine love. It’s been reported an overwhelming scent of rose often follows a vision of the Virgin Mary. How lovely, can you imagine? And it’s an oil that is dedicated to the heart chakra. Rose also has many therapeutic actions, including, but not limited to: tonic, cicatrisive (wound healing), cytophylactic (cell rejuvenating) antidepressant, and calmative.
Aromatherapist and author Valerie Ann Worwood writes in Aromatherapy for the Soul, “Rose otto vibrates with the energy of universal love, operating in the light of unconditional love and giving.”
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) followed. Helichrysum is often used in healing skin ailments. Like rose, helichrysum is known as an effective skin cell rejuvenator, stimulating the production of new cells. It’s said that helichrysum may be effective in healing scars from wounds long after they’ve “healed.” Also, this essential oil helps soothe inflammation and upper respiratory issues, aiding the breath.
Aromatherapist and author Margaret Ann Lembo suggests helichrysum is an oil for transitions (The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing, 2016). And Valerie Ann Worwood writes, “It has a special purpose for “the walking wounded” – those who cannot reminisce for fear of the painful emotions that may be remembered.” (Aromatherapy for the Soul, 2009).
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) was the last oil to round out this blend. I felt something stimulating in the midst of this emotional healing would be beneficial for my friend. Something to help refocus her purpose. Something to gently help encourage forward momentum, even just one little step at a time, which can be so challenging during a time of deep healing (there’s something to be said for just sitting and being for a good spell, too). I was focusing on peppermint’s stimulating properties for this blend, but peppermint has a host of other therapeutic properties, too: antiseptic, stomachic, antispasmodic, expectorant, analgesic (pain relieving), digestive, and more.
Worwood writes of peppermint, “Peppermint raises the spirit to fuller understanding and appreciation of the mysteries that will eventually fully unfold to us.” Indeed.
This trinity of oils became Sacred Heart. I think of my friend and her brave journey, her courageous transitions in life, and her deep, compassionate, sacred heart every time I smell this blend. It reminds me to live and love bravely, like her. To take the time to heal, however long that may be. To begin again. That’s what I hope for you, too, if that’s what you need today.
You may find Sacred Heart at Prairie Star Botanicals.
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