1. Aromatherapy for Women From puberty to autumn years
Penny Price M.Ed(Oxon.)
Sunday, 28 April 2019

2. Topics for discussion Overview of hormones and aromatherapy
Problems in puberty
Pregnancy and childbirth
Menopause
Old age

3. Volatile essential oil molecules and aromatherapy
Hormones are a group of substances of greatly varying composition which are produced in most living things. They are produced by the endocrine glands and can be in the form of steroids, polypeptides or amino-acid derivatives. Hormones have the following ‘job description’!
Regulate metabolism, growth, development, reproduction
Govern the stress response
Chemical messengers within the body
Co-ordinate groups of organs

4. Volatile essential oil molecules and aromatherapy
Using essential oils that supplement oestrogen will not stop the menopause but will regularise the body as is loses the natural oestrogen and progesterone so that the effects of the hormonal changes are ‘buffered’ and the body is given help to adjust to the different levels.

5. Volatile essential oil molecules and aromatherapy
Volatile molecules that are hormone-like include the following:
Anethole (methyl ether)
Citral (aldehyde)
Eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, gingerol (phenols)
Matricaria methyl ester (ester)
Viridiflorol (sesquiterpenol)
Sclareol (diterpenol)

6. Anethole
Anethole is found in aniseed, fennel, star anise is oestrogen-like, emmenagogic and lactogenic. In other words it is used to regulate periods, stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers and help control hormone deficiency during the menopause.
Because anethole is to be used with caution, it is not recommended for internal or intensive use, but can form a small part of a blend for application to the skin in a carrier.

7. Citral
Citral can be found in many different oils characterised by their ‘lemon-drop’ smell.
It has a slight oestrogenic effect on the body and can be used long term without side effects for helping to control the menopausal symptoms.
Citral is found in eucalyptus staigeriana, citronella, litsea, lemongrass, geranium, true melissa, palmarosa and many others.

8. Eugenol, carvacrol, thymol and gingerol
Eugenol, carvacrol, thymol and gingerol are found respectively in clove, origanum, red thyme and ginger and have an effect in the production of prostaglandins.
Therefore they are not usually used for women in the menopause.

9. Matricaria methyl ester
Matricaria methyl ester is used in the delay of puberty and is not usually used specifically during the menopause, although because it is found in German chamomile and yarrow, it is used as part of the whole oil for helping to control inflammation and irritation.

10. Viridiflorol
Viridiflorol is found in Niaouli and is oestrogen-like, influencing both ovaries and testicles. It is used to help regulate periods and to help the body to cope when there is a deficiency of oestrogen as in menopause.

11. Sclareol
Sclareol is found in clary sage and is very similar in shape and size to oestrogen, helping the body to cope with hot-flush and aging skin as well as other menopausal symptoms.
It is also an aphrodisiac!

12. Other oils
Other oils that are hormone-like include vetiver, cypress, sage, Spanish sage, sweet orange and rose otto, sweet basil, cajuput, sweet marjoram, Roman and German chamomile, sandalwood, rosemary, peppermint and pine.

13. Hormonal oils - summary
Salvia sclarea
Melaleuca leucadendron
Melaleuca viridiflora
Salvia officinalis
Pimpinella anisum
Chamaemelum nobile
Foeniculum vulgare
Pelargonium graveolens
Thymus mastichina
Mentha x piperita
Pinus sylvestris
Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosa damascena
Santalum album

14. Oestrogen-like oils - summary
Salvia officinalis
Salvia sclarea
Foeniculum vulgare
Pimpinella anisum
Melaleuca viridiflora
Ocimum basilicum

15. Oestrogen and Progesterone
There are some essential oils that have oestrogen-like properties and some that can mimic the actions of oestrogen in the body
Hydrolats have oestrogens in larger quantities
Progesterone-like molecules are only found in hydrolats not essential oils as they are too large to distil but do dissolve in water

16. Hydrolats
The molecules in hydrolats are cortisone-like and so resemble the human hormonal structure.
Hydrolats have beneficial effects on all types of hormonal imbalance, particularly hot flushes, menopausal symptoms and irritation

17. Essential oils
All essential oils can be helpful when attempting to balance the hormonal system as essential oils help to balance the whole person – mind body and spirit

18. Puberty
Irregular periods
Haemorrhage
Painful periods
Acne

19. Irregular periods
Drink hydrolats of sage and cassis to help to normalise the blood flow and regularity
Use essential oils of clary sage, sage, Niaouli, fennel and rosemary – all of which are emmenagogic and some help balance oestrogen levels

20. Haemorrhage
Drink immortelle (helichrysum) and cypress hydrolat to try and control blood loss on a daily basis.
Use essential oils of cypress, helichrysum, juniper and sweet marjoram in the bath and as a body lotion regularly to help with blood loss and to ‘back up’ the hydrolat treatment.

21. Period pains
Suggest drinks of chamomile hydrolat before the pains start (if this is possible to assess) and use the chamomile in the bath
Make a compress of chamomile German and Cornmint, 5 – 10 drops of each onto the abdomen, cover with film to exclude the air and apply heat for 40 minutes. This can also help in the small of the back.

22. Acne Frankincense, lavender, chamomile and tea tree Carrot carrier oil
Naturally Pure Cleansing Milk
Naturally Fresh Toning Lotion
Naturally Balancing Moisture Cream

23. Pregnancy Do oils cross the placenta Oils for the body
Oils for the mind
Oils for labour
Aftercare

24. Essential oils balance the body
Mild diuretics and emmenagogues cause no damage to pregnant women
Pregnant women develop an extra layer of fat for protection – this gives a slow release effect of the essential oils into the blood stream and gives proper time for metabolisation

25. Relaxed mothers have relaxed babies
Essential oils DO CROSS the placenta
The placenta is not fully formed until at least 10 weeks
Essential oils can be present in breast milk but only in very small amounts

26. Body oils Backache Lavender true, Chamomile Roman Breast – for milk
Fennel, lavender true
Breast – to stop milk
Cypress, geranium
Cervix
Lavender, neroli, wheatgerm
Headaches
Clary, lavender true, peppermint
Heartburn
Peppermint, sandalwood
Insomnia
Sandalwood, ylang ylang
Labour
Clary, neroli, lavender true
Perineum
Cypress, lavender true, neroli
Sickness
Petitgrain, rosewood, sandalwood, orange sweet
Stretch marks
Frankincense, lavender true, neroli, chamomile Roman
Varicose veins
Cypress, frankincense, lemon

27. Mind oils
Geranium a cleanser for the lymphatic system and mind. Balances emotions, anti-depressant. Safe and gentle
Melissa true deeply balancing, can cross blood/brain barrier. Deals with deep depression, emotional and hormonal imbalance. Safe to use

28. Mind oils
Roman chamomile balancing, antifungal, good for skin, stress and insomnia. Safe to use
Rose otto antiviral, antiseptic, balancing. Good for skin, stress and insomnia. Very safe and gentle

29. Oils for relief of labour pain
Basil
Uterine tonic
Clary sage
Analgesic (gas and air)
Melissa true
Nervous system
Nutmeg
Sage
Orange sweet
Analgesic
Tea tree

30. Post-natal care Fatigue Lactation Mastitis Perineum Skin/hair care
Mandarin, sweet marjoram, rosemary
Lactation
Fennel, geranium, rose otto
Mastitis
Cypress, fennel, geranium
Perineum
Cypress, lavender, neroli, rose otto
Skin/hair care
Chamomile Roman, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang ylang
Uterine tonic
Cypress, sweet marjoram
Circulation
Rosemary, mandarin, black pepper, geranium

31. Menopause Hot flushes Vaginitis Irregular periods Lack of sex drive
Haemorrhage
Dry, wrinkled skin

32. Hot Flushes Pelargonium graveolens Citrus bergamia Mentha x piperita
Salvia sclarea
Pimpinella anisum
Chamemelum nobile
Lavandula angustifolia
Eau de rose, cassis and peppermint hydrolats

33. Vaginitis/dry vagina Calendula Santalum album Almond Canaga odorata
Avocado
Wheatgerm
Evening primrose
Jojoba
Santalum album
Canaga odorata
Rosa damascena
Pogostemon patchouli
Chamaemelum nobile
Lavandula angustifolia

34. Use in borage or evening primrose oils
Irregular Periods
Salvia sclarea
Salvia officinalis
Melaleuca viridiflora
Foeniculum vulgare
Rosmarinus officinalus
Use in borage or evening primrose oils

35. Haemorrhage Bath Massage Compress Cupressus sempervirens
Pelargonium graveolens
Juniperus communis
Lavandula angustifolia
Thymus mastichina
Bath
Massage
Compress

36. Lack of Sex-Drive Salvia sclarea Pimpinella anisum
Pelargonium graveolens
Syzigium aromaticum
Rosa damascena
Santalum album
Cananga odorata

37. Dry, wrinkled skin Use calendula for steroid damaged skin
Use macadamia for cracked skin
Use essential oils of rose, neroli, ylang ylang, geranium and palmarosa
Naturally Soft moisture cream
Naturally Velvet feeding mask
Naturally Renewing night cream
Naturally Delicate eye and neck cream

38. Autumn years Incontinence Memory Loss Arthritis and aches and pains
Chest infections
Emotions

39. Incontinence Bath Massage Compress Cupressus sempervirens
Thymus mastichina
Lavandula x intermedia
Bath
Massage
Compress

40. Memory loss
Rosmarinos officinalis – is the very best oil to use for this distressing condition
Nepeta cataria is also helpful
Apply oils undiluted to the wrists and elbows
Use in the bath
Inhale during the day (if you remember!)

41. Aches and pains Oregano majorana Use in a light lotion
Juniperus communis
Zingiber montana
Cymbopogon citratus
Lavandula angustifolia
Use in a light lotion
Or in the bath
Very helpful in a blend for massage using sesame carrier oil

42. Chest infections Eucalyptus smithii Boswelli carteri Oregano majorana
Santalum album
Use in a light lotion
Or in the bath
And as inhalations during the day and the night

43. Enhance the Happiness Aromatise the memory - Rosemarinus officinalis
Uplift the spirit Citrus reticulata
Help sleep Lavendula angustifolia

44. Conclusion Aromatherapy can help
Hydrolats are very important for hormonal issues
Dosages need to be adhered to for the vulnerable
Thank you for listening