Hormones are complicated stuff, and it seems they have the ability to control every aspect of our lives from our skin to mood swings and energy levels, our hormones have a say.
There’s so much going on in our bodies that we don’t even know about.
In a perfect world, our hormones would always be perfectly balanced and well-behaved. We’d never have to deal with negative feelings, have a bad day and deal with any symptoms caused by our hormones. Unfortunately, the reality is that we do have to deal with hormonal imbalances and hormonal problems on a fairly regular basis.
The good news is we don’t have to suffer through these changes and there are natural aids that can make life just a little easier. And while it is important to always seek advice from a doctor for any persistent issues if you’re looking for a natural way to help balance your hormones essential oils can be a very helpful tool. They can help to reduce negative feelings and keep us feeling at the top of our game.
Here are 5 essential oils that can be very effective in maintaining hormonal balance.
Geranium – Helps balance the release of hormones in the body, soothes stress and anxiety
Lavender – Helps reduce stress and is an excellent choice for menopausal symptoms
Clary Sage – Proven in clinical studies to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) and helps balance oestrogen. Excellent choice for PMS
Rose – Helps keep female hormone levels in check
Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) – Excellent oil for balancing progesterone levels and can promote the production of progesterone
This wonderful essential oil has many uses, Lavender has been used by many to aid relaxation and a restful night’s sleep. What you may not know is that lavender can help relax your muscles as well as your mind! Research has found that massaging lavender oil onto your abdomen can help to relieve menstrual cramps, and can also help to balance your mood during this time of the month. Making it a useful oil to have if you regularly suffer from period cramps and mood swings. Dilute a few drops of the oil in another carrier oil (such as coconut or olive oil) and massage it onto your stomach to relieve cramps.
Clary sage is another calming essential oil that can be beneficial if you suffer from PMS and one that can be helpful later in life when you reach menopause, too! The oil can help to relieve cramping pains in your stomach, as well as reduce backache that can come along with PMS. Massaging in a diluting blend into affected areas can help.
“Clary sage is also thought to help balance hormone levels in the body so this essential oil can be great for mood swings too.
This is an invigorating and energising oil, which can be exactly what you need if you’re suffering from fatigue and lack of motivation during PMS. If you’re feeling down in the dumps, inhaling some peppermint oil can give you a nice little mood lift. Peppermint is also traditionally used to relieve nausea and bloating, which makes it extra useful for those who struggle with digestive issues during their period. I’d recommend massaging some diluted peppermint oil onto your stomach or drinking some soothing peppermint tea.
Eucalyptus can be another energising essential oil thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Often, inflammation can be lurking behind many PMS symptoms, including stomach cramps, achy muscles and skin flare-ups. So, this is an important thing to tackle if you are looking to reduce the severity of your PMS symptoms, and eucalyptus may be able to help.
Both are lovely oils and are calming and can work to reduce stress and anxiety by soothing the central nervous system. Using these individually or incorporating them into a blend can be helpful if you suffer from stress and anxiety. Stress can make PMS symptoms worse and make day-to-day life even more difficult at this time of the month.
Another good combination of essential oils for PMS. Clove and Roman chamomile are considered to be anti-inflammatory. Clove has traditionally been used to reduce pain, while Roman chamomile is an anti-spasmodic which can help to ease nasty period pains.
Here are some of the ways you can use the oils
Diffusing a few drops for 15 – 20min each day
In massage by blending the oils into a carrier oil or even as a daily face or body oil. The essential oils must be blended into carrier oil as per a recipe provided by an aromatherapist. For free recipes please visit our Facebook Group by clicking here
Or add 10 drops of Lavender, 10 drops of Geranium or any other oil from the list above, a tablespoon of carrier oil or full-fat milk to a warm bath and disperse well. Relax and enjoy.
If you’re wondering where to buy pure, good quality essential and carrier oils why not try Enlighten Through Nature’s range of therapeutic grade tested, soil certified, 100% pure natural oils?
