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Essential oils do not produce hormones. They support our bodies to get their hormone-balancing systems back into a stable balance.
When we combine the magic of oils with a healthy diet, proper sleep and regular exercise, our body functions at its best. Here are the top 14 essential oils for hormone balance.
Where to apply essential oils for hormone balance?
Apply essential oil directly where it is needed or somewhere close to it. For example, when dealing with menstrual cramps, you can massage diluted lavender Essential oil in the sore spot or close to it.
Pulse points are located behind the ears, on the neck, temples, wrists, ankles, and over your heart. They allow the essential oils to get absorbed into the bloodstream quickly.
Some spots enable quick absorption like feet, ears, and wrists.
Best essential oils for hormone balance
BASIL (Ocimum basilicum)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Linalool
It is used in Far Eastern medicine, especially in the Ayurvedic tradition, where it is called tulsi. It can treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis, coughs, colds, asthma, flu and emphysema. Basil is considered an antidote for poisonous insects or snake bites.
It is also used against epidemics and fever, such as malaria. Basil improves blood circulation, digestive system and hormone imbalance.
In China, it is used for stomach and kidney ailments.
In the West, it is considered a ‘cooling’ herb and is used for rheumatic pain, irritable skin conditions and those of a nervous disposition.
It is a popular culinary herb, especially in Italy and France.
Properties: Calming/Soothing Safety
Note:
Avoid if you are epileptic, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
May affect blood clotting. So, avoid if being treated for this disorder
BERGAMOT (Citrus bergamia)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Limonene, linalyl acetate
Bergamot is named after the Italian city of Bergamo in Lombardy, where it was first sold. The oil has been used in Italian folk medicine for many years, primarily for fever (including malaria) and worms.
Due to recent research in Italy, bergamot oil is now known to have a lot of benefits, being particularly useful for balancing hormones and for mouth, skin, respiratory and urinary tract infections.
Properties: Uplifting/Energizing
Note:
It is phototoxic. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for at least 72 hours after topical application.
Avoid using if on medication that increases sensitivity to sunlight.
May lower blood sugar levels, so use caution if diabetic.
CEDARWOOD (Juniperus virginiana)
Primary Chemical Constituents: α-cedrene, cedrol, thujopsene
The North American Indians used it for treating respiratory infections, especially those involving an excess of catarrh. Decoctions of leaves, bark, twigs and fruit were used to treat several ailments: menstrual delay, rheumatism, arthritis, skin rashes, venereal warts, gonorrhoea, pyelitis and kidney infections.
It is an excellent insect and vermin repellent (mosquitoes, moths, woodworm, rats, etc.) and was once used as a commercial insecticide.
Properties: Grounding/Balancing
Note:
Avoid using during pregnancy.
CLARY SAGE (Salvia sclarea)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Linalyl acetate, linalool
This herb, highly esteemed in the Middle Ages, has now largely fallen out of use. Clary sage was used to treat digestive disorders, kidney diseases, uterine and menstrual complaints and ulcers.
The mucilage from the seeds was used for treating tumours and removing dust particles from the eyes.
Like garden sage, it cools inflammation and is especially useful for treating throat and respiratory infections.
It was also considered a nerve tonic.
Properties: Calming/Soothing
Note:
It causes uterine contractions.
Avoid during pregnancy.
GERANIUM (Pelargonium graveolens)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Citronellol, citronellyl formate, geraniol
Since antiquity, geranium has been the most widely used type in herbal medicine. It is used for treating dysentery, haemorrhoids, inflammations, metrorrhagia and menorrhagia. The root and herb of cranesbill are indicated in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for curing diarrhoea and peptic ulcer and is one of the best essential oils for hormone balance.
Properties: Calming/Soothing
JASMINE (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate
China uses it to treat hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and dysentery. It is also used for treating conjunctivitis, skin ulcers and tumours.
Its root is used to treat headaches, insomnia, pain due to dislocated joints and rheumatism.
In the West, it is said that common jasmine warms the womb and facilitates birth. It helps in treating cough, difficulty in breathing, etc. Jasmine was also used for treating hard, contracted limbs and problems in the hormonal, nervous and reproductive systems.
Properties: Calming/Soothing
Note:
May cause mild allergic reactions.
LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Linalool, linalyl acetate
Lavender is a folk remedy. It treats stomach problems and is an insect repellent. It is also a tonic for faintness, palpitations of a nervous sort, weak giddiness, hormonal issues, spasms and colic. A few drops of lavender in a hot bath relieve fatigue. When applied, it relieves toothache, neuralgia, sprains and rheumatism. In hysteria, palsy and similar disorders of debility and lack of nerve power, lavender acts as a powerful stimulant.
Properties: Calming/Soothing
LEMON (Citrus limon)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Limonene, β-Pinene, γ-terpinene
Lemon is very nutritious. It is rich in vitamins A, B and C. In Spain and other European countries, lemon is a cure-all, especially with regard to infectious illness. It was used for treating fever, malaria, typhoid, acne, hormonal imbalance and scurvy.
Lemon juice is invaluable for treating acidic disorders such as arthritis and rheumatism.
Properties: Uplifting/Energizing
Note
Phototoxic—dilute before topical application and avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying.
NEROLI (Citrus x Aurantium)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Linalool, linalyl acetate, nerolidol
Neroli is named after the princess of Nerola in Italy, who loved to wear it as a perfume. They were used in bridal bouquets to calm the nerves before the couple retired to the marriage bed.
It is used as a mild stimulant of the nervous system and blood cleanser.
Properties: Calming/Soothing
Note:
Avoid if you are taking an MAOI medication for depression or another issue.
ROMAN CHAMOMILE (Anthemis nobilis)
Primary Chemical Constituents: 4-methyl amyl angelate, isobutyl angelate, isoamyl tailgate
It has been used in Europe and especially in the Mediterranean region for over 2000 years, and it is still in widespread use. Also called maythen, it was one of the nine sacred herbs of Saxon. It is also known as ‘plant’s physician’ since it promoted the health of plants nearby.
It is currently in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a treatment for hormonal imbalance, dyspepsia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting in pregnancy, dysmenorrhoea and specifically flatulent dyspepsia associated with mental stress.
Properties: Calming/Soothing
Note
Avoid using if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Primary Chemical Constituents: 1,8-Cineole, α-Pinene, camphor
Rosemary is regarded as sacred in many civilizations. It was used at shrines in ancient Greece and Middle Ages to drive away evil spirits and protect people from plague and infectious illness.
It has been used for several complaints like respiratory and circulatory disorders, liver congestion, digestive and nervous complaints, muscular and rheumatic pain, skin, hair and hormonal problems.
Properties: Renewing and Grounding/Balancing
Note
Avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Use caution if you have epilepsy, high blood pressure, or a bleeding disorder.
SANDALWOOD (Santalum paniculatum)
Primary Chemical Constituents: α-santalol, β-santalol, lanceol
Sandalwood is one of the oldest known perfume materials, with at least 4000 years of uninterrupted use.
Chinese medicine calls it a solution for stomach aches, vomiting, gonorrhoea, choleraic difficulties and skin complaints.
According to Ayurveda, it can treat urinary and respiratory infections and acute and chronic diarrhoea.
Properties: Grounding/Balancing
THYME (Thymus vulgaris)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Thymol, para-cymene, γ-terpinene
Thyme is one of the earliest medicinal plants employed throughout the Mediterranean region, well known to Hippocrates. Its name derives from Greek thymos (to perfume). It was used by the ancient Egyptians and by the ancient Greeks to fumigate infectious illness. Thyme is also a long-established culinary herb used for the preservation of meat.
It has a wide range of uses, though, in Western herbal medicine, it is mainly used to treat respiratory problems, digestive complaints and the prevention and treatment of infection.
Properties: Grounding/Balancing
Note:
Dilute with a carrier oil owing to high thymol content before topical application.
Avoid using it if you have a blood-clotting disorder-it may increase the risk of bleeding.
YLANG YLANG (Cananga odorata)
Primary Chemical Constituents: Germacrene, caryophyllene
Ylang ylang is used in the Molucca Islands. The ointment is made from ylang-ylang and cucuma flowers in a coconut oil base for cosmetic and hair care, skin diseases, to prevent fever (including malaria) and fight infections.
In the Victorian age, the oil was used in the popular hair treatment Macassar oil due to its stimulating effect on the scalp, encouraging hair growth. It has a regulating effect on cardiac and respiratory rhythm. And, it was also used to soothe insect bites and maintain hormonal balance.
Properties: Calming/Soothing
- Make sure that you do a patch test before applying anything.
- Dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil before applying.
- Use high quality and organic oils.
- Do not use them during pregnancy.
It will not help balance the hormones, but the combination of everything will definitely promise you results! And using the essential oils for hormone balance is one of the easiest things you can do for your self-healing journey.
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