by Alison Angold | Qualified Aromatherapist | CIDESCO ITEC
Using essential oils to balance hormones could be the natural and aromatic way to help relieve and alleviate the symptoms of unbalanced or fluctuating hormones.
The best essential oils to balance hormones
- Bergamot
- Jasmine
- Melissa
- Chamomile
- Cedarwood
- Geranium
- Clary sage
- Fennel
- Cypress
- Rose
How to use essential oils to balance & regulate hormones
Depending on your specific needs, essential oils to balance hormones can be used in the following ways;
- Body oil
- Bath oil
- Rollerball
- Diffuser
Symptoms of hormone imbalance
Hormone imbalance or fluctuating hormones can come with many different symptoms – everyone will experience different issues and conditions.
- Mood swings
- Hot flushes (during perimenopause & menopause)
- Difficulty sleeping &/or night sweats
- Skin issues, such as acne or very dry skin
- Brain fog and confusion
These can all be a sign of unbalanced hormones, that we may experience at any time during our lives but particularly around puberty, perimenopause and menopause.
During menopause, HRT is an option for some, to balance those hormones, but if you are looking for a more natural way to ease the symptoms of menopause, essential oils to balance hormones could be your saviour! I love aromatherapy and use it for lots of different issues, including different oils in my skincare.
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Essential oil recipes for balance hormones
Body massage oil for hormone balance
This is probably the most effective way to use essential oils to balance hormones. Blend an oil to apply to your skin using a carrier oil and 2 or 3 essential oils. Massaged in regularly the oils can help to keep hormones balanced, skin supple and smooth and you smelling beautiful!
- 50 ml of Sweet Almond oil
- 5 drops of Fennel
- 5 drops of Bergamot
- 5 drops of Chamomile
Bath oil for balancing hormones
- 50ml Soybean oil
- 5 drops Rose
- 5 drops Cedarwood
- 5 drops Clary sage
These oils are not only effective at helping to rebalance hormones, but they are also relaxing and calming on the body and the mind – ideal for use at night to induce a good night’s sleep.
Rollerball blend for balancing hormones
An ideal way to keep your hormones in check on the go. Bergamot and clary sage help to calm the mind and nervous system and uplift the mood while bergamot, along with peppermint help to cool hot flushes too!
- 10ml Sweet almond oil
- 2 drops Bergamot
- 2 drops Clary sage
- 1 drop Peppermint
Diffuser blends for hormone balance
Using oils in a burner or a diffuser will allow the aromas to scent your room. Inhaling the oil will enable the molecules from the oils to penetrate through the membranes in the nasal passage. Diffusing the oils is an ideal way to help to banish or minimise the symptoms of hormone imbalance. Any of the oils we have listed above can be used but the following combinations work particularly well.
Bergamot & Cedarwood
Jasmine & Cypress
Clary sage, Bergamot & Melissa
Geranium & Fennel
Rose & Cypress
How can essential oils help balance and regulate hormones?
Essential oils are the pure oils extracted from the leaves & flowers of plants, herbs, fruit or even the bark, resin and roots of trees. The molecules in essential oils are so fine that they can penetrate the skin when applied topically.
They can be absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin and from there can enter the bloodstream and travel around the body to have a positive effect where it is needed.
Or the molecules can travel through the membranes in the nose when inhaled.
And in addition, the smells of the oils have a relaxing, uplifting or nostalgic effect on us, so can instantly make us feel better.
Essential oils to balance and regulate hormones
The following oils are generally good for treating some of the symptoms that come with hormone imbalance, including some oils that are specifically thought to actually balance hormones.
Bergamot
A lovely citrus oil that is uplifting for the mood and is also known to reduce anger! This citrus oil is great for emotional issues, whether it be mood swings, feelings of highs and lows or any sort of depression. So, if you just don’t feel ‘right’ and off balance emotionally, then bergamot oil is great for you.
Avoid sunlight if bergamot is applied to the skin
Jasmine
A beautiful-smelling oil that balances hormones during PMT and menopause. Jasmine is also useful for warming emotions and lifting depression, so a good all-round oil for balancing hormones and everything that goes with it!
Do not use during pregnancy
Melissa
Otherwise known as lemon balm, this oil eases depression associated with fluctuating hormones. Also helps regulate the menstrual cycle.
Do not use during pregnancy
Chamomile
Chamomile is a very soothing, calming oil that is relaxing, thus relieving stress, anxiety and insomnia. It is also thought to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual tension and menopause – both of which are caused by imbalanced hormones.
Do not use during pregnancy
Cedarwood
Has a woody, sweet and almost musty aroma that is known to calm anxiety. It has a grounding effect, which will then lead to more rational thinking and behaviour, so ideal for differing moods that result from hormone imbalance.
Do not use during pregnancy
Geranium
Geranium is a tonic, which means it gives a feeling of well-being and vigour. This oil will lift the spirit, relieve anxiety and depression, and is thought to naturally balance hormones in the body. It has a highly floral fragrance, but it is not ideal for use on very sensitive skin.
Clary Sage
Clary Sage balances hormones and relieves the symptoms of PMT. This oil gives a feeling of well-being and euphoria so a really uplifting oil if you feeling low, depressed or tense from hormone fluctuations.
Do not use during pregnancy or before or after alcohol as it increases the effect of alcohol
Fennel
Fennel is oestrogenic, meaning that it helps promote the production of oestrogen, so particularly useful during perimenopause and menopause to regulate hormones.
Do not use during pregnancy. Epileptics should not use fennel
Cypress
Cypress oil comes from the leaves and cones of the cypress tree and if used in small quantities regulates issues related to hormones and menopause.
Do not use during pregnancy
Rose
A soothing, calming oil, good for ensuring a restful night’s sleep. Rose is also thought to balance hormones. Burn in your bedroom or add a drop to your night cream. You will inhale the scent while sleeping, and your skin will benefit too!
Do not use during pregnancy
Products to try
While blending your own oils is great to do, you can also buy ready-made oils to help balance hormones, relieve stress and anxiety and feel better!
E’spa Positivity Pulse Point Oil. A handy roll-on oil to use at any time when calm is needed or spirits need lifting – contains Jasmine & Rose
Neals Yard Remedies to Roll – Women’s balance. This is a blend of patchouli, geranium, rose and frankincense to balance, uplift and nurture. The blend works together to relax, calm and restore balance to your body and mind. The rose and geranium help take the edge off emotions to support inner clarity and poise.
Evolve Skin Savour Body Oil – An oil that has been formulated to revive and revitalise mature skin. It nourishes skin prone to scars and stretch marks. It contains Chilean Organic Rosehip oil, high in bio retinol, to enhance cellular turnover and improve the appearance of scarred skin. Organic Baobab oil nourishes whilst Mandarin essential oil helps to prevent stretch marks.
Disclaimer; I am a qualified, experienced aromatherapist. All these oils are safe to use in small quantities. However, if you are in any doubt of oil suitability for you or if you have any medical conditions or are pregnant, please either consult your local practitioner or contact me for a consultation.
| About the Author Alison Angold is a fully qualified (certified) beauty therapist, massage therapist, and aromatherapist from the UK. She has over 25 years of experience in this industry and has worked in a variety of beauty salons, spa’s as well as running her own successful beauty and massage business. Her career has allowed her to treat many, many clients, with skincare concerns, medical conditions, and a whole variety of other ailments and issues, which has enabled her to work closely with essential oils, prescribing specific blends for these clients to help with these conditions. Her qualifications in the use of essential oils and aromatherapy, allow her to share this knowledge with others, in a safe, reliable way. |
Lovely article, thank you