OIls of the Bible

“Take also for yourself the finest of spices: of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, two hundred and fifty, and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty, and of cassia five hundred, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin. You shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume mixture, the work of a perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.”
Exodus 30:23-25

"Aromatherapy is the use of therapeutic grade essential oils to improve ones wellness.  According to the FDA essential oils are not drugs, therefore claims cannot be made that essential oils can cure or treat diseases. Terms such as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal etc. are medical terms and cannot be used in conjunction with essential oils."

However, there is significant scientific evidence that essential oils are very affective, and there are thousands of years of clinical and personal evidence to support aromatherapy!
As Christians we have a higher authority. God commanded the Moses to make holy anointing oil and incense. Jesus sent his disciples out into the country to preach and anoint. And in the letter James wrote he recommended that if any Christian is sick to call for the elders in order to be anointed.

"The trouble now is that most literature that you read about aromatherapy is often steeped with New Age, Hindu and Buddhist philosophies. As Christians we should be able to weed out the other religious philosophies and concentrate on the biology of aromatherapy and the Biblical refernces."

Pray, ask God to help you discern the truth. Use this site for Biblical refernces and other resources.
Why should you believe me? Well I am a collge leveled trained aromatherapsut, progressive nature led Christian
I believe there is one all-knowing God above all demi-beings, The Holy of Holy -The Elhiom- The All , who created this world with all of its plants, knowingly designed exactly what we humans would need for healthy living. It is our duty to partake of the abundance of the Creator's Pharmacy.

 

12 Anceint Oils of the Scriptures

 

Aloes/Sandalwood —( Santalum album) It is believed that aloes of the Bible may have been fragrant sandalwood, a spice accessible to the residents of ancient Palestine.
“And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and
brought a mixture of myrrh and Aloes, about an hundred pound weight.” (John 19:39)

Cassia — (Cinnamomum cassia) Cassia was a key ingredient in the temple incense.
“All thy garments smell of myrrh, and ales, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces,
whereby they have made thee glad.” (Psalms 45:8) 

Cedarwood — (Cedrus atlantica) From the mighty “Cedars of Lebanon” came the fra
grant and long-lasting wood used to build Solomon’s temple. “And he spake of trees,
from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the
wall.” (1 Kings 4:33)

Cypress — (Cupressus sempervirens) This oil is extracted from the cypress tree, which has wood so durable that the cypress doors of St. Peter’s in Rome show no sign of decay even after 1,200 years.
“He herewith him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and
the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest.” (Isaiah
44:14)

Frankincense — (Olibanum — Boswellia carteri) The Hebrew word for frankincense,
Levonah (sometimes translated as “incense”), is in the Bible 22 times.
“Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?” (Song of Solomon 3:6)

Galbanum — (Ferula gummosa) This oil has a pungent, balsamic odor.
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum;
these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each there shall be a like weight.”
(Exodus 30:34)

Hyssop — (Hyssopus officinalis) In 1975 one writer suggested 18 different plants for
the biblical hyssop. While the exact variety may not be known, an anticeptic or cleans
ing property is suggested because it was employed in many purification rites.
 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalms 51:7)

Myrrh — (Commiphora myrrha) Myrrh was used in burial and was highly regarded by
David and Solomon. It was one of the ingredients of the holy anointing oil."
 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, and aloes, and cinnamon.” (Proverbs 7:17)

Myrtle — (myrtus communis) Myrtle branches are still used by Jews for the Feast of
Tabernacles.
“Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches,
and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.” (Nehemiah 8:15)

Onycha — (Styrax benzoin) Onycha (‘Oh-nigh-kah’) was an ingredient in the holy
anointing oil:
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and
onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight.” (Exodus 30:34)

Rose of Sharon/Cistus — Labdanum — Cistus ladanifer) This beautiful rose has a soft honey-like scent and may be the small shrubby tree called the rose of Sharon.
“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley.” (Song of Solomon 2:1)

Spikenard — (Nardostachys jatamansi) A very expensive oil, spikenard was sealed in alabaster boxes.
“And [Jesus] being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he
sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard,
very precious, and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.” (Mark 14:3)

**REVISED 2025  THAK YOU JESUS

“Take also for yourself the finest of spices: of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, two hundred and fifty, and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty, and of cassia five hundred, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin. You shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume mixture, the work of a perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.”
Exodus 30:23-25

 

"Aromatherapy is the use of therapeutic grade plant essence and aromatic oils to improve ones wellness.  According to the FDA essential oils are not drugs, therefore claims cannot be made that essential oils can promote wellness. Remember, terms such as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal etc. are medical terms and one should always use t hero discernment when employing any alternative wellness products”.

There is significant scientific evidence that essential oils are very affective, and there are thousands of years of clinical and personal evidence to support the use plant aromatics !

As Christians we have a higher authority. God commanded the Moses to make holy anointing oil and incense. Jesus sent his disciples out into the country to preach and anoint. And in the letter James wrote he recommended that if any Christian is sick to call for the elders in order to be anointed.

The trouble in our currently worldly culture most literature that you read about the use of aromatics, essential oils, plants, and herbs is often steeped with New Age, Hindu ,Buddhist and even witchcraft traditions and philosophies. As Christians we should be able to weed out the other religious philosophies and concentrate on the biology of aromatherapy , the use of healing oils and the Biblical references.

Pray, ask God to help you discern the truth. The enemy has perverted the use of God’s of medicine cabinet. Throwing out God’s creations completely because a group or culture is misusing and perverting the use is not the answer either.   

Paul encouraged believers, saying, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). When using essential oils, aromatics, herbs, and plants, we should do so in a way that honors God as the sovereign Creator and the ultimate source of healing. It is important to avoid practices that contradict biblical teachings. Those who incorporate essential oils, plants essences and armotaics into their lives should ensure their motives align with Scripture, using them with a heart of gratitude and worship, always trusting in God for true health and restoration.

Supporting Bible Verses:

1. Ezekiel 47:12 – “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”
2. Revelation 22:2 – “Down the middle of the great street of the city, on each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
3. Genesis 1:29 – “Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.’”

 

12 Ancient Oils of the Scriptures

 

 Aloes/Sandalwood —( Santalum album) It is believed that aloes of the Bible may have been fragrant sandalwood, a spice accessible to the residents of ancient Palestine.
“And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and
brought a mixture of myrrh and Aloes, about an hundred pound weight.” (John 19:39)

Cassia — (Cinnamomum cassia) Cassia was a key ingredient in the temple incense.
“All thy garments smell of myrrh, and ales, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces,
whereby they have made thee glad.” (Psalms 45:8) 

Cedarwood — (Cedrus atlantica) From the mighty “Cedars of Lebanon” came the                                          fragrant and long-lasting wood used to build Solomon’s temple. “And he spake of trees,
from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the
wall.” (1 Kings 4:33)

Cypress — (Cupressus sempervirens) This oil is extracted from the cypress tree, which has wood so durable that the cypress doors of St. Peter’s in Rome show no sign of decay even after 1,200 years.
“He herewith him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and
the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest.” (Isaiah
44:14)

Frankincense — (Olibanum — Boswellia carteri) The Hebrew word for frankincense,
Levonah (sometimes translated as “incense”), is in the Bible 22 times.
“Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?” (Song of Solomon 3:6)

Galbanum — (Ferula gummosa) This oil has a pungent, balsamic odor.
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum;
these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each there shall be a like weight.”
(Exodus 30:34)

Hyssop — (Hyssopus officinalis) In 1975 one writer suggested 18 different plants for
the biblical hyssop. While the exact variety may not be known, an antiseptic or cleansing property is suggested because it was employed in many purification rites.
 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalms 51:7)

Myrrh — (Commiphora myrrha) Myrrh was used in burial and was highly regarded by
David and Solomon. It was one of the ingredients of the holy anointing oil."
 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, and aloes, and cinnamon.” (Proverbs 7:17)

Myrtle — (myrtus communis) Myrtle branches are still used by Jews for the Feast of
Tabernacles.
“Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches,
and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.” (Nehemiah 8:15)

Onycha — (Styrax benzoin) Onycha (‘Oh-nigh-kah’) was an ingredient in the holy
anointing oil:
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and
onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight.” (Exodus 30:34)

Rose of Sharon/Cistus — Labdanum — Cistus ladanifer) This beautiful rose has a soft honey-like scent and may be the small shrubby tree called the rose of Sharon.
“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley.” (Song of Solomon 2:1)

Spikenard — (Nardostachys jatamansi) A very expensive oil, spikenard was sealed in alabaster boxes.
“And [Jesus] being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he
sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard,
very precious, and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.” (Mark 14:3)