Essential oils are useful to have in your toolkit for managing perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Discover the blends for balancing hormones, soothing skin, easing anxiety and supporting sleep…
You more than likely know how soothing and restorative essential oils can be, whether that’s through a massage, in a candle or in a diffuser. But, did you know that essential oils can also ease symptoms commonly associated with perimenopause and menopause, such as low mood and trouble sleeping?
A number of studies have shown that essential oils can help with the anxiety and mood swings that may occur during perimenopause and menopause.
A review, published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, found bergamot, geranium, lavender, orange and sweet orange essential oils among the most effective in reducing anxiety.
Other studies have found that clary sage, lemon, Roman chamomile, rose, ylang ylang and sandalwood have powerful, natural anti-anxiety effects.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite essential oil blends to help alleviate and soothe perimenopause and menopause symptoms. But first, we explore what makes an essential oil and how they work.
What is an essential oil?
Essential oils are not actually oils at all. They are lipophilic (fat-loving) and hydrophobic (water-hating) volatile organic compounds that dissolve readily in fat but don’t mix easily in water. The word volatile simply means they rapidly evaporate.
Each one is extracted from a single botanical source, such as aromatic flowers, leaves, seeds, grasses, roots and resins.
It’s the essence of the plant, a complex chemical compound that comprises hundreds of separate substances, which determine its distinctive aroma, flavour and unique therapeutic properties.
How are essential oils extracted?
Most essential oils are made by steam distillation. The still is packed with plant material, steam is pumped through at high pressure, the steam cools back to water and the essential oil floats to the top.
Citrus oils are cold pressed’ (oils are mechanically squeezed out), as heat would change their chemical composition.
How do essential oils work?
The oils can be used aromatically, such as through inhalation, topically, or, less commonly, internally. Molecules pass to the brain via nasal receptors in the nose, or are absorbed by the skin into the bloodstream, where they are dispersed throughout your system.
The chemicals within the oils bind with certain enzymes and receptors, creating physiological effects. Essential oils also act on the limbic area of the brain – the area to do with emotions and feelings
Your essential oils toolkit: best blends for menopause symptoms
Whether you’re in the perimenopause stage or further along, these essential oil blends can help you manage a wide range of symptoms, from anxiety to stress – and even help you burn fat more effectively!
Hormone-balancing serum
Try this balancing serum for PMS, perimenopause and menopausal symptoms.
Sniff this relaxing blend to alleviate anxiety.
Anti-ageing healing skin serum
Use this healing serum for skin that gets drier during perimenopause and beyond.
Body blend massage oil
Use this body blend to keep skin firm. It’s particularly useful if you want to lose menopause-related weight, but don’t want saggy skin. It promotes more effective fat burning, too.
Click here to discover the best essential oils for healthy weight loss!