We are cyclical, as a woman, we transition through 4 phases during every 29.5 days. Our hormones may cause so many ups and downs in our life. We know that they have a powerful influence over the functioning of our bodies. Our hormones run the show. The endocrine system influences every cell, organ, and function of our body.
Hormones travel to every organ and tissue to give orders to our cells to do a specific function. The regulate our mood, guide our growth and development, and metabolism. Our hormones are the reason we age (testosterone, progesterone, estrogen), sleep and wake up (melatonin) and feeling hungry (thyroid), stressed (cortisol) or fear (adrenaline).
Many women has great success with using essential oils for hormone balancing and to alleviate cramping, PMS and other symptoms. Please don’t use essential oils if you are pregnant without consulting a healthcare practitioner)
We know that hormonal imbalance can have a drastic effect on the body, ranging from serious disorders such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome to haphazard signs and symptoms that something may be out of balance;
- Memory problems
- Chronic fatigue
- Mood swings and depression
- Weight gain
- Sleep disorders
- Headaches and migraines
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Loss of libidoPersistent breakouts
Keeping your body’s hormones balanced can be challenging given how many physiological functions the endocrine system has a hand in.
Here is a list of essential oils I can highly recommend for balancing hormones
1. Clary Sage Oil
Studies show that clary sage reduces PMS and menstrual cramps. In fact, it is so effective at relieving pain, another study showed clary sage to be quite effective in also relieving pain in childbirth. A study in 2014, published in the Journal of Phytotherapy Research found that inhalation of clary sage oil had the ability to reduce cortisol levels by 36% and improved thyroid hormone levels (TSH). The study was done on 22 postmenopausal women in their 50’s, some of which were diagnosed with depression and at the end of trial the researchers stated that “Clary sage oil had a statistically significant effect on lowering cortisol and had an antidepressant effect improving mood”. Just one of the many studies showing that clary sage oil benefits hormones.
The greatest benefit of clary sage is that it assists in balancing out estrogen production in the body. Many health issues today, even things like infertility, PCOS, and estrogen-based cancers, are caused by excess estrogen in the body — in part, because of our consumption of high-estrogen foods.
Thus clary sage assists in balancing out those estrogen levels, it’s an incredibly effective essential oil in the wide array of hormone imbalances. So, whether you’re looking for natural remedies for PMS cramps during the month, or possibly already know you have excess estrogen in your body, clary sage is a great essential oil to consider adding to your essential oil regime.
2. Lavender
Lavender is one of my favorite and most researched essential oils. It has so many beneficial properties including helping balance hormones, offering pain relief (particularly abdominal cramps associated with PMS), as well as decreasing feelings of stress and depression, and relieving headaches. Research shows that inhalation of lavender can alleviate some of the depression and emotional symptoms of PMS. Simply inhaling lavender for 10 minutes can begin to lessen these symptoms.
3. Thyme Oil
Research discussed in the Proceedings of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine discovered thyme essential oil has progesterone balancing effects.
Thyme oil benefits the body by improving progesterone production. Both men and a lot of women are low in progesterone, and low progesterone levels have been linked to infertility, PCOS and depression as well as other imbalanced hormones within the body.
Improved progesterone makes thyme a great essential oil you can use to naturally balance out hormones in your body. Plus, it’s far better than turning to synthetic treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy, which can make you dependent on prescription drugs, mask symptoms while developing diseases in other parts of the body and often causing serious side effects.
4. Sandalwood Oil
Of the three essential oils for hormones, sandalwood essential oil is very effective at balancing out testosterone levels in both men and women. Sandalwood has actually been used as a natural aphrodisiac, making it a desired ingredient in men’s cologne, as well as certain perfumes, for years.
Also, it really has an amazing smell. For men with low testosterone, adding a few drops of sandalwood oil into your homemade deodorant or your own homemade lotion isn’t just a great way to smell good — it’s also a great way to get some extra health benefits of improving your libido and hormones.
5. Peppermint
While peppermint isn’t a typically used oil for PMS or menstrual issues, many women suffer from headaches during the premenstrual or menstrual periods of their month. Peppermint oil is known to significantly reduce the intensity of headaches.
In fact, in one study, peppermint oil was found to be as effective in relieving headache pain as 1,000 mg of acetaminophen but without any adverse reactions. It can also help to lift the brain fog that many of us have during some of our more hormonal times of the month.
Holistic Ways to Maintain balanced hormones and Healthy Adrenal Function
- First thing in the morning add 1/2 teaspoon of Himalayan salt to a glass of lukewarm filtered water.
- Make vegetables a key component of your diet daily.
- Eat real whole foods in their natural state.
- Organic Coconut Oil is an excellent source of fat that can help to stabilize your blood sugar levels.
- Add chia seeds to your meals, its great source of Omegas and provide fiber
Originally published on TCRN
