Many essential oils have been used in
order to treat a variety of ailments for centuries. They are able to
reinforce your immune system, treat various ailments and can even
restore the balance of your hormones. These are quite versatile, and are
also nowadays commonly used to treat menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms
in women.
There are a number of ways in which you can use essential oils, you can either rub them topically on your skin, diffuse them or mix them with Epsom salts for a relaxing bath. Which ever one you choose, these essential oils certainly have a positive effect on menopause.
Menopause and hormone replacement therapy
The menopause is a period in women’s life when they lose the ability to reproduce and their ovaries stop producing estrogen. In general, it occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. The most usual treatment for menopausal symptoms nowadays is hormone replacement therapy, but in the past women didn’t have this kind of therapy at their disposal, so they relied on natural remedies in order to reduce the symptoms. According to some made studies, the hormone replacement therapy isn’t even the most effective solution against menopause – in fact, it is possible to increase the risk of several serious diseases and conditions including stroke, breast cancer and dementia as well.
The menopause manifests through a variety of symptoms which include hot flashes, mood changes, muscle loss, night sweats, voice changes, sleeping problems, hair loss, irregular periods, weight gain, brittle bones, vaginal dryness and pain during sex. Besides hormone replacement therapy, doctors recommend a variety of drugs which can treat specific symptoms during menopause, but instead of relying on them, you should definitely try to take on menopause whole.
Essential oils vs conventional menopause treatments
In case you’d like to skip the side-effects of hormone replacement therapy, you can safely use essential oils to get through menopause easier. Even though they certainly require more research before anything can be concluded, these oils are certainly able to soothe your body and mind during this difficult period. We suggest consulting with a naturopathic doctor first in order to see which essential oils work best in your case.
Below mentioned is a list of essential oils that can help reduce the symptoms of menopause and calm down your body and mind. These oils are going to restore your hormonal balance and regulate the production of certain hormones in your body, which in turn will help you get through menopause easier.
Vitex agnus-castus
This is the so-called Abraham’s balm oil (chaste berry) that can improve your mood and stop the irregular periods.
Rose oil
Pine oil
The oil from pine is able to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and prevent bone loss.
Lavender oil
The lavender oil has impact to improve your mood, promote relaxation,reduce hot flashes, balance your hormones and reduce the risk of heart palpitations and headaches.
Geranium oil
Geranium is able to balance your hormones and treat most of the symptoms related to menopause. It has in itself some anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties which can calm down your brain.
Clary sage oil
The oil from clary sage can lower the stress, treat PMS pain, as well as reduce hot flashes and balance your hormones.
All of these mentioned oils can be diffused in order to get the most benefits out of them. You will be able to find essential oil diffusers in any online health store. The oils can as well be used topically, but they will first need to be diluted with a carrier such as jojoba or coconut oil. In case you’re dealing with everyday headaches, you can massage peppermint oil on your forehead in order to soothe the pain.
Here we have a list of essential oil blends that can regulate your menstrual period and treat PMS symptoms:
Menstrual massage blend
Mix ten drops of peppermint, five drops of cypress, ten drops of nutmeg and five drops of lavender oil with 30 ml. of coconut or jojoba oil, and then proceed to massage the blend on the painful areas of your body for some much-needed relief.
PMS hormonal balance blend
Mix one drop of geranium and ylang ylang oil each with 2 drops of clary sage oil and massage the mixture on your back and abdomen to balance your hormones.
PMS bath blend
Make a mixture of 2 drops of geranium, 3 drops of chamomile, 3 drops of lavender and 5 drops of clary sage oil with a bit of Epsom salt and a tablespoon of coconut or jojoba oil and add the blend to your bath. Soak inside it for 40-50 minutes in order to relieve the symptoms of PMS.
Cautions and risks
Even though the essential oils are natural, they are actually not safe for everyone. The quality as well as the dosage vary from person to person, and taking them orally could result in various problems. Some of the essential oils can irritate your skin, and that is why you need to try them on a smaller area first. In order to prevent allergies and potential problems, we are suggesting including an essential oil in your routine one by one, or contact your doctor for best results. You shall definitely avoid using more than the recommended dosage provided by the manufacturer, and always consult with a doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tips on balancing your hormones
Your lifestyle has a quite significant impact on your overall health and your hormones. The quality of the food you are consuming, as well as your physical activity and the amount of time you rest can positively or negatively affect your hormones, which is why it is quite important to lead a healthy lifestyle. You should get a sleep of 7-8 hours overnight, and also learn how to relax, be more active and eat a healthy diet in order to keep your hormones in balance and treat the symptoms of menopause.