About 80% of women report having some symptoms just before their periods. In this article, learn how to use essential oils for PMS and a few great recipes that work to physically and mentally provide relief.
PMS, known as Premenstrual Syndrome in full form, is a term used to describe the physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the one to two weeks before a woman’s period. PMS symptoms go away at the start of a period but for many women, they remain present until the period is over. For some women, these symptoms start right when the period begins. The exact cause of PMS has not been pinpointed but it is known that a diet rich in sodium, high salty foods, alcohol and caffeine can worsen symptoms.
The following are some of the most common symptoms of PMS:
- Changing moods
- Irritability
- Tender breasts
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Sensitive skin
- Acne
- Cramps
- Lower back pain
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Fatigue
How Do Essential Oils Help PMS?
Essential oils are aromatic volatile liquids extracted through steam distillation or mechanical expression of the leaves, tree barks, roots, flowers, fruit rinds, seeds and resin of plants. Their potent scents have therapeutic properties which are proven to relieve stress, promote positive feelings, reduce food cravings and more!
What makes essential oils powerful medicinal substances is their chemical composition which consists of hundreds of natural chemicals including terpenes, ketones, ethanols, among others.
Below are some of the ways essential oils help PMS:
- Reducing food and sugar cravings
- Boosting mood
- Fighting acne
- Balancing hormones
- Calming irritability
- Soothing painful and sore muscles
- Curbing nausea
- Increasing energy levels
- Detoxifying the body
- Reducing menstrual cramps
- Combating constipation
- Relieving bloating
- Soothing sensitive skin
- And more
Top 10 Essential Oils for PMS
1. Clary Sage (where to get it)
2. Geranium (where to get it)
3. Lavender (where to get it)
4. Lemon (where to get it)
5. Patchouli (where to get it)
6. Cedarwood (where to get it)
7. Frankincense (where to get it)
8. Ylang Ylang (where to get it)
9. Roman chamomile (where to get it)
10. Cypress (where to get it)
11. Vetiver (where to get it)
12. Peppermint (where to get it)
13. Eucalyptus (where to get it)
14. Neroli (where to get it)
15. Sweet Orange (where to get it)
Below, find 3 effective essential oil recipes for PMS:
3 Essential Oil Recipes for PMS
1. PMS Roller Blend
The PMS blend below prevents painful menstrual cramps and helps with bloating as well.
What you need
- 10 drops geranium
- 10 drops clary sage
- 10 drops roman chamomile
- 5 drops vetiver
- 5 drops peppermint
- Fractionated coconut oil (where to get it)
- 10 ml roller bottle (where to get it)
Method
- Remove the roller ball from the bottle and add the essential oils, drop by drop.
- Top with fractionated coconut oil.
- Roll over your uterus and ovaries one week before your expected period date. This reduces inflammation and will help lessen the severity of menstrual cramps when your period begins!
2. Calming Diffuser Blend Recipe
What you need
- 4 drops sweet orange
- 3 drops frankincense
- 1 drop ylang ylang
- Non-plastic cold air diffuser (where to get it)
Method
- Add the oils to your cold air diffuser with the required amount of water, following your manufacturer’s instructions.
- Diffuse for at least 15 minutes.
3. Soothing Bath Recipe
Beat bloating, depression, body aches, tender breasts, constipation and more with this relaxing and detoxing bath recipe. It uses Epsom salts which are rich in magnesium, which is an important anti-cramping mineral for all sorts of pain, that is better absorbed through the skin.
What you need
- 2 cups Epsom salts (where to get it)
- 10 drops peppermint
- 10 drops lavender
- 10 drops lemon
- 2 cups of whole milk
Method
- While running a hot bath, throw in 2 cups of Epsom salts and let them disperse.
- Once your bath is drawn, mix the essential oils in the whole milk and pour it into the bath.
- Stir your bath with your hand and immediately immerse yourself in the therapeutic water.
- Relax in the bath for at least 15 minutes.
Will you try out any of the above essential oil recipes for PMS? All of them work so effectively and are my favorite blends to help with mild to severe PMS!
