We love using essential oils for period pain relief. But I get it if you feel unsure or overwhelmed about how to use oils to relieve your specific period issues.
I believe that essential oils are NOT a cure-all for period pain. But they are an essential (haha) and feminine part of the method we use to get our clients relief from their terrible cramping and PMS as well as heavy periods, cysts, fibroids, endometriosis and adenomyosis.
If you’re here, I know you’re looking for alternatives to pain relief medications. And I’m here to tell you that certain essential oils can be MORE effective than medications for menstrual pain (yes!). I’ll explain why, but first, my story.
My Experience With Essential Oils
I was introduced to essential oils in the early years of my nutrition business; over 8 years ago now. They smelled amazing and I heard other women talking about the results that were possible from using certain oils. But I couldn’t just take their word for it; I had to understand how they worked for myself.
I did a whole bunch of research and started testing the oils out on myself. I remember one day I had to go in to work even though my cramps were super painful. I was wearing my ‘period pants’ because I was so bloated… I felt gross. I remember being so anxious sitting in front of my computer; I desperately wanted to go home to lay down. Honestly, I would have laid down on the floor if it was acceptable.
But I remembered that in my purse was a special essential oil blend of peppermint and chamomile designed for pain relief. I quickly went to the bathroom, put a couple drops right on my lower belly and started to massage it in… and the pain started to go away. The scent of the oils was so soothing and just then a light bulb went on in my head. This actually works.
Once I started working with clients, I suggested that they use specific oils to help them get results with their hormones. One of my clients was struggling with agonizing period pain each month and she would often call in sick to work. She began to use an essential oil blend religiously and she felt that it cut her pain in half come period time. This enabled her to come in to work on her period which was a game-changer for her.
So you can see why my experience with essential oils has earned them a spot in my hormone balance ‘tool kit’. Because I want you to take a closer look at essential oils, I’ve included need-to-know background info about essential oils, along with info on the specific oils I recommend to my clients. Ultimately, I hope this article provides the information you need to confidently include them in your ‘tool kit’ too.
Essential Oils and Hormone Balance
OK so how do essential oils help to reduce period pain? And how could they be more effective than ibuprofen?
It’s because essential oils directly and quickly affect the limbic system, a set of brain structures that supports a variety of functions including emotion, behavior, motivation, and long-term memory.
When an essential oil is inhaled, the volatile organic compounds go directly to the brain. There, they act on the main parts of the limbic system:
#1 They hippocampus- the memory centre of the brain
#2 The amygdala- controls our emotional responses, including feelings like pleasure, fear, anxiety and anger
#3 The hypothalamus- the master controller of the endocrine (hormone) system
This is the key. If you want to treat the root of your hormone imbalance (a component of your painful periods), you need to address the hypothalamus, one reason being reproductive hormones FSH and LH are produced here. And because essential oils directly affect the hypothalamus, inhalation of essential oils is more powerful than the majority of people give it credit for!
With this being said, essential oils are potent. So many people are using essential oils now and because of this widespread use we forget that they need to be used with care. Beyond this article, do your research and make sure you are referencing quality sources.
Medical Disclaimer
The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have or regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article. Consult your doctor before you use any of the essential oils recommended in the following text. This is especially important if you are taking any medications.
Essential Oils for Period Pain Relief
Using the specific essential oils below is part of the most effective protocol we’ve found to reduce period pain and heal endometriosis. Some oils are meant to be used daily for healing and prevention, and others are used as needed when pain arises.
Note that we only recommend doTERRA® oils because they have been tested for consistency and quality and are safe for internal use. Do not use cosmetic grade oils internally.
Clary Sage
We like to refer to Clary Sage as ‘the queen’ of essential oils for hormone balance. This perennial herb reduces nervous tension, which lightens the mood and can contribute to a good night’s sleep.
Clary Sage has phytoestrogens which levels out your estrogen production and helps maintain a healthy balance of estrogen and progesterone. It also limits the negative effect cortisol can have on your hormones by decreasing stress.
Recommended Use
Diffuse into the air or apply 1 drop to the palm of your hand, rub your palms together, cup your hands over your nose and take 3 deep breaths.
Dilute 1-2 drops in 1 Tbsp fractionated coconut oil and rub directly on your abdomen daily to prevent period pain.
Copaiba
Copaiba essential oil is made from steam-distilling the resin of a tree found in South America by the same name. Due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties, just a few drops under your tongue can help ease menstrual discomfort. Research has shown that copaiba essential oil can decrease endometrial growths over time.
Recommended Use
Add 1-2 drops to water, apply under your tongue, or take in capsule form daily or as needed when pain arises.
Dilute 1-2 drops in 1 Tbsp fractionated coconut oil and rub directly on your abdomen daily to prevent period pain.
Frankincense
One of the most precious essential oils, frankincense has extraordinary health benefits. It supports healthy cellular function when used internally. When inhaled or diffused, frankincense promotes feelings of relaxation, satisfaction and overall wellness. Its anti-inflammatory and hormone-balancing qualities are what make it effective for healing endometriosis and preventing pain.
Recommended Use
Add 1 drop to water, under your tongue or take in capsule form daily or as needed when pain arises. You can combine it with copaiba essential oil.
Dilute 1-2 drops in 1 Tbsp fractionated coconut oil and rub directly on your abdomen daily to prevent period pain.
Blends
Why blends? They can be used to get the benefits of many essential oils all at once, kind of like a multivitamin.
ClaryCalm® Blend
ClaryCalm® is a proprietary blend of essential oils that provides a soothing, calming effect. A topical blend of Clary sage, lavender, bergamot, Roman chamomile, cedarwood, ylang ylang, geranium, fennel, carrot seed, palmarosa and vitex, ClaryCalm® helps balance estrogen and progesterone, decreases stress response and helps with menstrual pain when applied to the lower abdomen.
Recommended Use
Use daily to prevent pain or to reduce pain you experience in-the-moment. Roll ClaryCalm® over your abdomen and add 2 tsp of fractionated coconut oil.
Roll on to your abdomen right before you apply your castor oil pack.
Roll on to the back of your neck, temples, and the bottoms of feet.
AromaTouch® Blend
AromaTouch® is another proprietary blend of essential oils that combines the unique benefits of oils known to provide relaxing and comforting effects that can relieve pain when you’re on your period. It contains cypress, peppermint, marjoram, basil, grapefruit and lavender.
Recommended Use
To reduce the level of pain you experience in-the-moment, dilute 1-2 drops in 1 Tbsp fractionated coconut oil and rub directly on your abdomen.
Conclusion
Essential oils have a direct effect on the limbic system, which make them a great tool for balancing hormones. They have the added benefit of being easily accessible and beautifully feminine to work with. There are a few key oils and oil blends that our clients have used to reduce inflammation that causes cramps and get in-the-moment relief from pain and elevate their moods. It feels so good to understand and form a relationship with a particular oil, and when this happens you will feel like you have more control over your body and your symptoms.
Let us know if you have any questions in the comments or if you’ve found other essential oils that work to relieve your period symptoms.
If you need to purchase essential oils and have them shipped to your home, or if you want to work with us one-on-one to get relief from your period pain, please get in touch with us here.
