Physical Wellness
Essential Oils For Hormone Balance
By Caryn Gehlmann
Hormones coordinate your body’s metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth, and development. They also play a role in how you respond to injury, stress, and of course, your mood. Hormone imbalance can be triggered by chronic stress, sleep deprivation, menstruation, menopause, and more. And when just one of your hormones is out of balance, it can affect the proper functioning of other hormones in your body. So it’s no surprise that many individuals are searching for natural ways to ease discomfort and one way is the safe appropriate use of essential oils.
Can essential oils help? Yes, and it’s important to learn more so you can make safe, educated decisions specific to your health and wellness.
Let’s begin with a brief overview of your endocrine system. It’s one of the primary control and communication systems of the body! Its main function is to maintain homeostasis (internal stability in the body) and produce the hormones that are necessary for normal functioning, as well as mental and emotional health.
A key player in your endocrine system is the hypothalamus. It is located at the base of the brain and interacts with your nervous system. It helps maintain homeostasis by secreting hormones that regulate the pituitary gland.
Now here’s where it gets interesting…when an aroma is inhaled messages are sent to your hypothalamus. This is one of the reasons why aromas impact our emotions. When you feel that deep sense of relaxation from your favorite essential oil, your endocrine system is at work communicating to your nervous system!
Here are essential oils that may support the endocrine system and hormone balance:
Black Pepper
Cardamom
Clary Sage
Frankincense
Geranium
Neroli
Orange
Patchouli
Rose
Rosemary
Sandalwood
We also have created a blend of essential oils to help support your body’s internal harmony, e3’s Endocrine Blend. It was designed by our team of clinical aromatherapists to promote deep breathing for oxygenation, ease stress, and help support your body.
You can find more information on aromatherapy and the endocrine system in Joni Keim’s book, “Practical Aromatherapy for Self-Care.” Here are 3 essential oil applications Joni recommends to help maintain or improve the performance of the endocrine system:
Foot Bath — Mix 3 drops of Geranium in /2 a teaspoon of Fractionated Coconut Oil. Add this mixture to a tub of warm water deep enough to immerse your feet and ankles. Agitate the water to mix well. Massage your feet and inhale the aroma. Soak your feet for about 10 minutes. When done, pat dry. Option: You can use Frankincense in place of Geranium.
Full-Body Massage — Mix 8 drops of Geranium and 4 drops of Rosemary in 1 ounce of Sweet Almond Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, or fragrance-free Moisturizing Lotion. Massage your feet, legs, hands, arms, torso, back of neck, and shoulders. Breathe in the aroma from your hands. Option: You can use Frankincense in place of Rosemary.
Direct Inhalation — Put 3 drops of Geranium on a tissue and inhale the aroma through your nose. Pause and inhale again. Repeat as needed. (Avoid touching the tissue to your nose or mouth.) Option: You can use Frankincense, Neroli, or Rosemary in place of Geranium.
Please note that all of these application methods will work with e3’s Endocrine Blend as well.
Now that we’ve reviewed essential oils that support hormonal balance and your endocrine system in general, you might be wondering about specific issues such as adrenal fatigue, PMS, and menopause. Please take a look at blog posts on those topics:
Essential Oils for Adrenal Support
Essential Oils for PMS, Menstrual Cramps & More
Essential Oils for Menopause — Experience The Calm!
If you have a specific question and you can’t find the answer in our blog, reach out to us and let us know! We’re passionate about helping our customers find answers to their questions. If you’re new to aromatherapy, download our free introductory ebook, Listen to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy. Or if you want to do a deep dive, order Joni Keim’s book, “Practical Aromatherapy for Self-Care.