Lesson 3: Blending, Recipes and More!
Aromatherapy for “Women Only”
Female health is often related to the delicate hormonal balance in women’s bodies. Women produce hormones from puberty till menopause. The two most important hormones are estrogen and progesterone. They are responsible for our physical health and appearance; their fluctuation, if unregulated, may cause severe discomfort and even determine serious medical problems.
In the natural world, essential oils carry information between the plant cells and determine the hormonal response of the plant to stress. They protect the plant from diseases, determine biochemical reactions, play a vital role in the fertilization process, and control cell multiplication. Many plants contain hormone-like substances which can be used in aromatherapy to promote female health. Sage contains estrogen and has traditionally been used to regulate menstruation. Ginseng is a well-known aphrodisiac. Parsley and licorice contain estrogen-like substances.
Therapeutic essential oils can be utilized to provide relief to many women’s health problems such as water retention, mood swings, night sweats, anxiety, etc.
Given the potency of many essential oils, some necessary cautions need to be taken when using aromatherapy for female health. Some essential oils need to be totally avoided during pregnancy, others need to be used with particular caution and always diluted.
Also, hormone-stimulated cancers such as uterine, ovarian, and breast cancer may be influenced by essential oils like fennel, anise, and star-anise.
The same caution should be used in using essential oils with hormone-like properties in girls before puberty, since those oils may stimulate hormone activity.
There is not sufficient clinical research to demonstrate the interaction of certain essential oils with the female hormone cycle. It is prudent to refrain from using the following oils if you belong to one of the categories cited above:
ESSENTIAL OILS WITH POTENTIAL HORMONE-LIKE ACTIVITY
Aniseed
Basil
Roman Chamomile
Clary Sage
Cypress
Fennel
Geranium
Nutmeg
Star Anise
...and now, a few women’s blends...
Happy Bath
2 drops Chamomile oil
2 drops Geranium oil
2 drops Juniper oil
2 drops Marjoram oil
2 drops Ylang-ylang oil
Soak in the fragrant bath for 20 minutes.
Oils helpful in relieving menstrual symptoms include basil, fennel, nutmeg, anise, lavender, jasmine, and frankincense.
Women’s Balancing Body Blend
2 ounces carrier oil
8 drops Orange oil
6 drops Cypress oil
4 drops Geranium oil
2 drops Fennel oil
2 drops Patchouli oil
2 drops Chamomile oil
Among the most effective oils to be used during menopause, there are momile, basil, lavender, mandarin, neroli, petit-grain, rose, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang.
Compress for Early Morning Sickness
Four cups of warm water
3 drops Lavender essential oil
1 drop Peppermint essential oil
Mix the essential oils in the warm water. Apply a moist washcloth to your forehead for 10-15 minutes. Repeat as necessary.
Essential oils known to help with early morning nausea are lemon, peppermint, lavender, ginger, orange blossom, fennel, and spearmint.
