Essential Oils – What’s in a Recipe for a Holy Anointing Oil?
Have you ever wondered what constituted a “holy anointing oil” in the Bible? We know what Moses wore, but what did Jesus wear? That of course has been lost to history. One thing is for sure: he was not using cooking or lamp oil. For the early Christian church, olive oil played an important role, especially in Eastern Christian rites. However, they rarely used olive oil alone. It was mixed with a fragrant element. Until about the thirteenth or fourteenth century this fragrant element was balm. (Recent research shows that the balm may have been the “Balm of Gilead.”) Prayers were said over the oil asking God to ‘sanctify’ the oil, that is, make it sacred so that the Holy Spirit could act through it. This sanctified oil was known as the “anointing oil”, tea “oil of prayer”, “oil of grace”, “oil of joy”, gold “voyeur”. Once the oil was empowered through this prayer, it became a vehicle for sanctification, so the healing that came from the oil was the result of the power of the Holy Spirit.
What was in the recipe given to Moses?
God gave Moses a recipe for a holy anointing oil that contained four oils: myrrh, cinnamon, cassia and Quill with a very small amount of olive oil thrown in as well. This would have made the oil stay in the body longer since aromatic oils (essential oils as they are called today) evaporate quickly. Essential oils are the life blood of the plant and many are antimicrobial, relaxing or invigorating. Some common oils used throughout the centuries to scent holy anointing oils include: balsam, cinnamon, benzoin, frankincense, orange, jasmine, musk, ambergris, civet, and bergamot.
orthodox christian christianity
The sacred oil (chrism) in the Orthodox tradition consisted of pure olive oil to which was added a good proportion of wine and a host of other ingredients, plants and spices. This oil symbolized the multiple gifts of the Holy Spirit. Three days were necessary to prepare this holy chrism that was blessed on Holy Thursday by the patriarch or metropolitan of each Orthodox Church. Byzantine Chrism combined olive oil with between thirty-eight and fifty-seven aromatic substances, making it one of the most complex synergistic mixtures ever devised. If he has ever attended an Orthodox service, he knows that generous amounts of incense and sacred oils are used.
roman catholic anointing oils
In the Roman Catholic Church, there are three oils. The holy chrism, consecrated by the bishop, is used to anoint the newly baptized, to seal confirmation candidates, and to anoint the hands of presbyters and the heads of bishops at ordination. This oil is also used to dedicate churches and altars. The oil of the catechumens: it is used in the preparation of the catechumens for their baptism. Oil for the sick used to bring comfort and support to the sick. There is very little difference in the composition of these three oils. The base is pure olive oil with some fragrance provided by balm or a similar sweet-smelling oil.
Anointing in the Lutheran Church
The recipe for anointing oil used in the Lutheran church according to the Lutheran Book of Worship (1982) called for the oil to be “olive oil to which an aromatic ingredient such as synthetic cinnamon oil or bergamot oil may be added” . This is the only reference I have found of a church using a “synthetic” oil instead of an essential oil. The symbolism of the anointing has survived in this tradition, although not the true meaning of healing body/mind/spirit with the oil.
How can we today learn the ancient art of healing with aromatic essential oils as anointing oils? Educational courses based on Christianity can help us reclaim our rightful role in healing and anointing.