This post is a bit more on the personal side for me, but something I wanted to share because my grandmother is in her final days of life.
Over 4 years ago I began caring for my husband’s grandmother in our home. She had been bed-ridden for some time and needed daily care. With being in bed constantly, her moods tended to rotate from depressed to anxious, and she rarely seemed happy.
At this time, I was still just learning about essential oils, and had just started using them for her needs. Two of the oils that I was using were Lavender and Frankincense oil. Though they were being used for another concern, I found that they had one strong side effect. Fortunately, that side effect was a good one, as they generally are with essential oils. Her mood had gone from gloomy and solemn to cheerful and talkative. After the need for the Lavender and Frankincense had subsided in the first area of concern, I continued to use it for her daily, and even she noticed how it helped her.
As she worsened in her condition, other oils were added to her daily routine.
Frankincense and Lavender oil were placed on her temples and feet to help calm her anxiety
Deep Blue was applied to painful areas to relax her tense muscles and aching joints
Marjoram and Lemongrass oils were used to help her arthritic hands and arms
AromaTouch and Serenity blends were used on her spine to help her relax before bed
Her fidgeting and sensitivity were visibly lessened, sometimes entirely. I was grateful to have a way to ease her pain and suffering before she passed away, and to help her improve the quality of her life, especially in those final months.
Now my own grandmother is about to pass away. I have been very close to this grandmother, seeing her even on a weekly basis for several years as I lived near her when my family was just starting out in life, and as my grandfather passed away. My children remember her and my grandpa, and can bring up memories that I myself had forgotten about. She is getting the utmost care from a medical standpoint, and I am grateful to see it, but it’s hard not to wonder, as I was able to see her one last time, how a bit of essential oils could help ease her pain as she makes her final journey here.
I know they will help me as I grieve. Though she has not yet passed, emotions are high, and it can be challenging to work through them while going through daily routines.
Essential oils that have helped me when grieving are:
Rose
Frankincense
Geranium
Cypress
Melissa
Bergamot
Try adding of any of these essential oils, by themselves or blended together, to a diffuser, or you can also add them to a warm bath, or to unscented body lotion.
If you are experiencing a terminal illness or death of a loved one, or going through the difficult process yourself, my hope is that you will take advantage of essential oils to help bring you and your loved ones more peace and calming as you go through your own journey.
Many blessings to you, your grandma and your family during this time. Thank you for sharing such a personal, beautiful, informative and touching post about a difficult topic. I’m sure many will benefit from knowing that essential oils can help bring ease to this difficult time.
Thank you Janice. That is my hope. I truly have been blessed by the benefits of oils in my life, and feel a responsibility to share that knowledge with others, especially those I love.