For centuries, people have been using essential oils to treat conditions like stomach ache, heartache, and back pain. Funny as it may seem, people have started to look backward to find traditional remedies for their maladies.
Modern medicine uses chemicals for treatments, but wouldn't it be great to treat medical conditions with natural therapies? You may know that aromatherapy can provide you with a relaxing or invigorating scent, but there is much more to the story.
Best Essential Oils For Menstrual Cramps
If you find yourself reaching for all the remedies you can during your moon cycle, like chocolate, painkillers, and hot water bottles, read on. Learn how to use essential oils for menstrual cramps and better prepare yourself for that time of the month!
Lavender
Lavender essential oil has a rich and crisp floral scent and can be brilliant for making the toe-curling aches go away due to its anti-inflammatory properties. During your period, the uterus and surrounding blood vessels become inflamed.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, lavender essential oil can help the muscles relax. The soothing scent will help promote mental relaxation (which is much needed when your hormones are haywire).
A suitable alternative to lavender oil would be Clary Sage or Hyssop essential oil if you are allergic or react poorly to lavender oil. Combine lavender and chamomile essential oils to provide enhanced relaxation for a good night's sleep, which can be hard to come by when your period doesn't subside at night.
You can apply lavender oil topically to the stomach by mixing it with a carrier oil, or you can diffuse it. To receive the full benefits of this relaxing aroma, add a couple of drops to your bath and let the warm water and oil do their magic on your aches and pains.
Do not apply lavender oil to the skin without a carrier oil, as it is highly concentrated and will cause damage to the skin. If you experience diarrhea or constipation, this may be a side effect of the lavender oil, and you should cease using the oil.
Rose
Rose essential oil is a floral must-have for when your period arrives. Rose essential oil helps comfort the mind, fighting off stress and anxiety. It can be pretty difficult to fight off the anxiety and low mood menstruation causes, so try diffusing this essential oil while performing some self-care and practicing self-compassion (you're not in a foul mood, your body is). Rose essential oil also contains emmenagogues that can help to trigger your period if you suffer from irregular periods.
When diffusing this essential oil, it will travel into your lungs, soothing the mind and acting as an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant. You can use geranium essential oil as a substitute for rose oil, as both have similar properties and aromas.
Be careful when applying rose essential oil topically around the eyes, as this can irritate. Rose essential oil can cause skin irritation, so we recommend diffusing it rather than applying it to the skin. Try combining rose essential oil with lavender to create the ultimate floral mind and body remedy.
Clove
Clove essential oil is known for its spicy and warm aroma. It is one of the most fast-acting remedies for those SOS period pain moments. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is known to provide pain relief for toothaches. In addition to pain relief, it can lower blood pressure caused by your period.
You can substitute clove essential oil for the lavender essential oil to receive the anti-inflammatory effects. Or, try creating a blend with cinnamon or orange essential oil to create a richer and deeper aroma.
Clove can irritate when used on the genitalia, so avoid using it internally or externally in that area. Clove has been known to cause mouth sensitivity and irritation when orally ingested, so be sure to discontinue ingesting the oil if you experience these side effects.
Clove essential oil is known to irritate when applied directly to the skin, so we recommend that you diffuse it rather than apply it topically.
Ylang-Ylang
This essential oil has a rich, exotic, and floral scent. Ylang-ylang essential oil is beneficial for those who suffer from the lows of menstruation. It can be challenging to remember that it's just your period making you feel low, particularly if the low mood arrives before your period. You can use ylang ylang essential oil during these low periods to alleviate depression and calm the mind to soothe anxiety symptoms.
In addition to being a natural anti-depressant, this ylang-ylang essential oil also acts as a natural bug repellent. Who doesn't love a multi-purpose item?
This essential oil works well with citrus scents like lemon and orange and can be substituted for bergamot oil to receive mood-lifting benefits.
Be sure that you do not apply ylang ylang oil topically, as it can cause contact dermatitis. For this reason, you would be better off diffusing this essential oil.
Peppermint
Peppermint is known for its soft minty aroma. The cooling properties of menthol can assist in blocking pain receptors, which makes peppermint effective in relieving period pain. Peppermint is also effective in relieving constipation, which can be caused by the swelling of the uterus and cause further discomfort during the menstrual cycle.
You can switch out peppermint essential oils for spearmint essential oil, which is slightly milder and better suited for sensitive skin. Try blending peppermint and lemon to create a refreshing and awakening aroma; this can be helpful if you suffer from brain fog during your period.
Peppermint oil contains a toxic substance called pulegone, which can be harmful when taken in high doses, so do not consume large amounts of this oil. The side effects of peppermint oil include nausea, abdominal pain, and heartburn when orally ingested.
You can diffuse peppermint oil or combine it with a carrier oil like rapeseed oil and use it for an aromatherapy abdominal massage to relieve menstrual cramps with its pain-relieving benefits.
Clary Sage
Clary sage is a Mediterranean herb that can act as a cure-all for PMS symptoms. Clary sage is known for being a natural antidepressant and mood lifter. Studies have shown that this essential oil effectively alleviates menstrual pain when used in an aromatherapy massage. Low mood and abdominal pain are two of the most bothersome PMS symptoms, so we can’t stress the usefulness of this essential oil enough!
Clary sage essential oil also provides stress relief and can calm the mind. Try substituting clary sage for clove if you need pain relief or ylang-ylang if you are suffering from a low mood. Clary sage works well with citrus essential oils to create a refreshing odor when diffused.
Due to the sedative effects of clary sage oil, you should avoid using it before driving or operating heavy machinery. Clary sage oil's side effects include vomiting and dizziness when consumed in large amounts.
Clary sage oil can be diffused or applied to the body topically when mixed with a carrier oil. When performing your self-care rituals, use it in your bath or for an aromatherapy massage.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon oil has a rich and spicy aroma. If you like pumpkin spice lattes during the fall, you will love this essential oil! Cinnamon oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the swelling and inflammation of the uterus during your moon cycle. Cinnamon is also effective for weight loss, as it speeds up the metabolism.
Substitute cinnamon essential oil for clove, which has a similar spicy aroma and can provide pain relief. Or, mix the cinnamon oil with clove and ginger to create your pumpkin spice blend!
You should never ingest pure cinnamon essential oil, or put it into your bath, as it doesn't blend with water and will clump into beads that can be harmful to the skin. Some side effects of cinnamon oil include skin rashes.
Because it can cause skin rashes, we recommend that you diffuse this essential oil rather than apply it directly to the skin.
Fennel
Fennel smells like licorice and can help treat irregular periods. It can balance the hormones and promote ovulation. If you suffer from irregular periods, using Fennel essential oil may be just the ticket! Fennel essential oil can also help decrease constipation symptoms and aid in regular bowel movements.
Substitute fennel for rose oil if you are looking to regulate your periods. Fennel blends well with sage, basil, and dill.
Topical use of fennel oil isn't recommended, as it may cause skin sensitization. Some other side effects of fennel oil include chest pain and nausea when consumed in large amounts.
Since this oil can irritate, we recommend you diffuse it rather than apply it topically to the skin.
Geranium
Geranium is a rich floral scent known for reducing overall tension. It can help fight the mental symptoms of PMS, like stress, anxiety, low mood, fatigue, and tension. Geranium balances the emotions and hormones. This oil is also known to promote the healing of wounds.
You can switch out geranium essential oil for rose essential oil for grounding and mood-stabilizing effects. Or, try mixing the geranium essential oil with a pain-relieving oil like lavender.
Avoid sun exposure when applying geranium oil topically, as this may increase potential sun damage. Geranium can cause allergic reactions and isn't recommended during pregnancy due to its stimulation of hormones.
Geranium essential oil can be diffused, ingested, or applied topically to the skin to receive its benefits, relaxing and grounding you during this tumultuous time.
How To Use Essential Oils For Menstrual Cramps
There are several ways you can use essential oils to fight off your PMS symptoms, including:
Massage
A massage is exactly what you need during your moon cycle and can help to alleviate the stomach cramps and anxiety you are feeling. To perform an aromatherapy massage, you must first place a few drops of your essential oils into a carrier oil. Rapeseed oil works well for massage. There are plenty of resources to show you how to perform an abdominal massage, including all the moves and techniques you need!
Aromatherapy
You can use a diffuser to provide you with aromatherapy, providing a pleasant aroma. As you breathe in the essential oil, you will receive all benefits. Simply place a few drops of your chosen essential oils into the diffuser, and switch it on!
Ingestion
Essential oils make a great addition to any recipe! Try adding essential oil to your desserts to enhance the flavor and provide you with all the health benefits to relieve your PMS symptoms. (Ensure you only use food-grade essential oils for your food!)
Risks And Warnings
There can be some side effects to using essential oils. If you experience any side effects, discontinue your use of the oil.
When applying an essential oil to the skin, you must always perform a patch test first, applying a small amount of the oil (mixed with a carrier oil) to the skin and waiting a day to see if there's a reaction. If there's no reaction, you can safely apply the product to your skin.
You should also inform your doctor when you start using essential oils to ensure that they won't interact with the medications you are currently taking. Providing your doctor with this information also allows them to keep it in mind should you encounter any issues down the line.
Conclusion
So, when that time of the month comes, don't just reach for the comfort food! Consider adding the benefits of aromatherapy and essential oils to your PMS self-care toolkit. Relax, unwind, and be kind to yourself while the essential oils work their magic.
At BluZen, we are a family-run business that takes pride in providing customers with natural resources for wellness and relaxation. Our high-quality essential oils are designed to help you on your holistic health journey.