There is group
of essential oils called adaptogens that are unique because they have
opposing healing properties like being both stimulating and relaxing.
They adapt to your needs.
The use of adaptogen essential oils are pivotal for
hormonal imbalances where glands may be under-functioning in one
system, while over-functioning in another. Adaptogenic essential oils
are capable of balancing opposing conditions without creating further
imbalance, as many pharmaceuticals would cause. Using them together
further strengthens their healing properties.
Seven
Adaptogen Essential Oils For Hormone Balance
- Basil
- Clary Sage
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Myrtle
Balance the Adrenals with Basil and
Lavender
The adrenal glands are responsible for how people
cope with stress. In
trying to juggle a job, family and the demands of everyday life, people
are likely to have overworked adrenals.
Cortisol, the “stress hormone” is produced by the adrenal glands and
regulates the body’s response to stress. It works on a schedule — good
sleep, starting at 10 pm, maximizes adrenal hormone function. Out of
balance cortisol levels lead to:
• feeling exhausted upon waking even after a long
night’s sleep
• high energy late in the evening or waking up at 2
or 3 in the morning
• an inability to calmly deal with stress
• food cravings
• brain fog
Basil essential oil increases
the body’s natural response to both
physical and emotional stress while conditioning the system to cope
better.
Basil essential oil soothes feelings of anxiety,
overwhelm and
exhaustion. Rub a couple of drops of high quality organic basil oil
daily into forearms or the ear’s adrenal gland point at the tragus (the
cartilage above your ear lobe) to bring balance to the adrenals.
Life is demanding — the key to adrenal balance is to allow yourself
more restorative relaxation time and sleep. Improve the quality of your
sleep with
Lavender.
Thyroid Dysfunction and Myrtle and
Lemongrass
The thyroid controls important functions like the
body’s metabolism and
temperature regulation. Out of balance thyroid function symptoms
include:
• Depression
• Uncontrollable weight gain or loss
• Dry hair and skin
• Cold or heat fluctuations
• Insomnia
Myrtle oil is an adaptogen that
can stimulate thyroid activity. Myrtle
has the natural ability to balance and normalize hormonal imbalances of
both the thyroid and ovaries, regardless of whether they are under or
over performing.
Rub a few drops of organic myrtle oil into the big toe and the
reflexology point for the thyroid located at the base of the foot in
the fleshy area below the big toe. Another area where myrtle oil is
effective is the thyroid area below the Adam’s apple, at the base of
the throat.
Magnify the thyroid-healing effect of myrtle oil by
blending it with
Lemongrass oil, another
thyroid-boosting adaptogen, or alternate
between each.
Ovary Balance with Lemon, Clary Sage and
Geranium
While menstruation and menopause are natural
processes of womanhood,
some of the side effects are not. The ovaries produce the hormones
estrogen and progesterone, which when imbalanced, lead to several
symptoms including:
• PMS
• infertility
• difficult or irregular menstrual cycles
• lowered libido
• difficult menopausal symptoms like sweats and hot
flashes
Start the day with a simple liver detox to keep
hormonal imbalances
from wreaking havoc. The liver regulates the sex hormones, primarily
estrogen. Add 2 – 3 drops of
Lemon essential oil into a cup
of warm
water and drink it first thing in the morning.
A Dutch study has found that the compounds in lemon
peels, a large
component of lemon essential oil, improve liver functions like hormone
regulation by lowering liver cholesterol.
Clary Sage has been used since
Medieval times to treat the list of
symptoms above. It’s quite helpful in not only balancing hormones but
for also relieving pain. Dilute a few drops a carrier oil and rub the
dilution into the ankles daily. If menstrual cramps are painful, rub
the mixture on the stomach and ovary area for pain relief. Add the
adaptogen oil geranium to the blend to enhance pain relief.
To soothe PMS and other feminine discomforts, add a few drops of Clary
Sage and
Geranium to a warm bath and
enjoy a soak.
Hormonal imbalances can be treated with essential
oils safely and
holistically. As with all new health regimes, consult with a trusted
practitioner and start gradually. Using these eight essential oils is
an
enjoyable way to work toward hormonal balance and better body, mind and
spirit awareness.
