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For most women, figuring out how to manage the milestone that is menopause is a learning process. While there are medications that help with symptoms such as hormonal changes, insomnia, and mood swings, a more holistic and natural approach is often successful. Using essential oils for menopause is a great way to tame your most troublesome symptoms.
Long touted as premier health boosters, essential oils have many different benefits, but can be especially useful when it comes to menopause. From blends that will fight off your hormone-induced insomnia to get the sleep you’ve been craving to others that will treat hair loss, eliminate hot flashes, and revive your sex life, these oils can work astounding magic for those in their peri and menopausal years.
How to Use Essential Oils
New to the world of essential oils? We’ve got you covered. If you’re unsure how to incorporate them into your daily routine, here are five tips on how to use them.
Diffuse them: One of the easiest ways to use essential oils is with an aromatherapy diffuser. Diffusers are machines that combine oils with water in order to dilute and control the strength of their aroma. The blend is then released into the air via water vapor to fill your home with its sweet scent.
Wear them. Another way women get their essential oil fix is by applying it directly to their skin. However, it’s important to note that essential oils are extremely concentrated, and many can lead to skin irritation. To wear them safely, always dilute pure oils with a skin-friendly “carrier oil” (like jojoba or sweet almond oil) or even your regular moisturizer.
Inhale them. For a truly relaxing way to enjoy essential oils, try dry evaporation, or the act of breathing oil in through a dry fabric such as a shirt, pillowcase, or cotton ball. Simply add a few drops to the material of your choice, hold it up to your nose, and inhale.
Bathe with them. Our favorite way to enjoy essential oils is by bathing with them. Whether you add a couple of drops to your nightly bath or rub some on your shower walls to create a steam room effect, it’s one habit we can definitely get used to.
Ready to try it? We’ve rounded up seven different oils to start with. Keep scrolling to shopFIRST for Women’spicks for the best essential oils for menopause.
One of the most frustrating side effects of menopause is the effect it can have on your libido. Thankfully, neroli oil can help. In a 2014 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers studied the effects that inhaling this oil had on 63 menopausal women over the course of five days. They discovered that by simply breathing it in for five minutes twice a day, participants saw a significant increase in desire, as well as a reduction in blood pressure. For a pure, high-grade neroli oil, pick up this intoxicating version from Gya Labs.
Easily the most popular essential oil on our list, lavender oil is well-known for its calming abilities. It's also great for those who suffer from sleep issues — a side effect many menopausal women experience. In fact, a 2013 study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggested that using lavender oil, like this organic and undiluted version from Cliganic, can improve your quality of sleep and help those who suffer from insomnia. Hey, if it means better shut-eye, it's certainly worth a shot!
Looking for something to help ease those blasted hot flashes? Pick up a bottle of pure clary sage oil, like this one from Edens Garden. Clary sage is loaded with sclareol, a chemical compound that's similar to estrogen. When used on the body, this oil works to ease menopausal symptoms caused by lowered estrogen levels — including hot flashes. In fact, research suggests that using clary sage alongside geranium oil can actually alleviate nighttime hot flashes altogether when applied to the bottom of the feet.
With aging and menopause often comes hair loss. A great remedy? Pure peppermint essential oil. Findings published in the journal Toxicological Research state that applying peppermint oil to your locks can help increase follicle production and overall hair growth, leading to a thicker, more luscious mane. Not to mention, it'll leave your hair smelling great!
The onset of menopause may mean relief from your monthly menstrual cycle, but residual cramping can still occur during the "change." To help ease the pain, try applying a basil essential oil, like Nature's Oil's pure therapeutic grade version. According to research by the Australasian College of Health Sciences, basil, along with fennel and tarragon oil, can be an antispasmodic — quickly putting post-menstrual cramps to bed.
In case you hadn't heard, menopause can cause mood swings, stress, and depression. Luckily, there's an essential oil that can help — citrus! To instantly lift your spirits, pick up this delectable blend from Healing Solutions, which features blood orange, grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, spearmint, and sweet orange.
Studies have shown that geranium oil can help balance out hormones, giving it the power to prevent a whole host of symptoms that can arise when your hormones are out of whack (think hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings). To enjoy the effects of this oil, pick up a bottle from Nature's Oil and blend it with your favorite carrier oil before applying to skin.
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