I finally found some information about using aromatherapy for menopausal symptoms. I'm repriting the article in tact that was taken from
www.50connect.co.uk Aromatherapy For The Menopause
Hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disturbances and headaches are just some of the menpausal symptoms that can be eased with aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is one of the most accessible and pleasurable alternative medicines around. Just one smell of the rich heady fragrance of jasmine oil, or the pure and cleansing fragrance of pine will make you wonder why you ever used artificial air freshners or took aspirin to relieve your headaches.
Aromatherpy is also one of the safest alternative medicines to be found. The only rules are never apply any essential oil directly onto the skin, except in the case of lavender and tea tree oil, and never ingest internally. The safest methods of use are in an oil burner, in the bath or as a massage oil. To make massage oils, place 4 teaspoons of a carrier oil like almond oil in a saucer or bottle. Add 10 drops in total of one or up to three different aromatherapy oils and massage into the affected area. Alternatively add six drops of essential oil to a run bath.
Quality & Price
Scientific research has proved that the quality of the essential oil is paramount to it's healing properties. Only purchase oils which state they are 'pure essential oils' as opposed to a man-made fragrance which is engineered to smell the same. These fragranced oils have no therapeutic value whatsoever and are not worth buying. Tisserand is a long established company which sells quality essential oils and these can be found in Superdrug stores.
Essential oils are relatively expensive but when you consider how much oil a single pressed flower yields their cost becomes justified. What's more, you only use a few drops at a time so the investment is worth it. When starting out it's best to choose three or four oils to experiment with but do remember you will also need to purchase a carrier oil. I prefer to use almond oil because it is rich in vitamin E which nourishes the skin amd has anti-ageing qualities. A large bottle of almond oil usually costs around four pounds.
Specific Oils For The Menopause
Hormone Helpers
Sage OilThe herb sage is renowned for it's beneficial effect on hormones and the same is true for the essential oil. It regulates and balances hormones and can also be used to treat of PMS. Roman ChamomileRoman chamomile (as opposed to German chamomile, another plant of the same family) also help regulate hormones and has a long history of helping menopausal symptoms.GeraniumThis floral scent is uplifting, healing and balances the hormones. The Egyptians have used this oil for centuries to heal body, mind and spirit.
Hot Flushes
Peppermint OilAnyone who has tried mint shower scrubs or shampoos knows the cooling tingly effect peppermint has. Peppermint feels cool as soon as it touches your skin and will ease hot flushes and night sweats if dabbed on the pulse points behind the ears, on the wrists and back of the knees. However, it should always be diluted in a carrier oil first.
In a bottle or saucer make the massage oil by combining 5 drops of peppermint oil with 4 teaspoons of a carrier oil. You can add up to 10 drops of essential oil in this quantity of carrier oil, but dab a bit on your skin first before adding any more to check that the effect isn't adequate for your skin already. Alternatively, add a few drops to a bath or shower gel. Peppermint oil can also be used in a spritzer and is perfect in the summer months. Add six drops of peppermint oil to approximately 500mls of water.
Insomnia & HeadachesLavender oil eases headaches, relieves tension and it's calming qualities promote sleep. It is an uplifting oil and research has shown that it encourages the brain to release happy endorphins throughout the blood stream. Other oils to treat insomnia include valerian and mandarin, where as headaches can also be treated with marjoram.
Besides the dilution, there is no limit to the amount of aromatherpy you can use, so bathe in it, fill your rooms with their wonderful fragrances in oil burners and keep some peppermint massage oil by the bed for those disturbed nights.
Aromatherapy For The Menopause
Hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disturbances and headaches are just some of the menpausal symptoms that can be eased with aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is one of the most accessible and pleasurable alternative medicines around. Just one smell of the rich heady fragrance of jasmine oil, or the pure and cleansing fragrance of pine will make you wonder why you ever used artificial air freshners or took aspirin to relieve your headaches.
Aromatherpy is also one of the safest alternative medicines to be found. The only rules are never apply any essential oil directly onto the skin, except in the case of lavender and tea tree oil, and never ingest internally. The safest methods of use are in an oil burner, in the bath or as a massage oil. To make massage oils, place 4 teaspoons of a carrier oil like almond oil in a saucer or bottle. Add 10 drops in total of one or up to three different aromatherapy oils and massage into the affected area. Alternatively add six drops of essential oil to a run bath.
Quality & Price
Scientific research has proved that the quality of the essential oil is paramount to it's healing properties. Only purchase oils which state they are 'pure essential oils' as opposed to a man-made fragrance which is engineered to smell the same. These fragranced oils have no therapeutic value whatsoever and are not worth buying. Tisserand is a long established company which sells quality essential oils and these can be found in Superdrug stores.
Essential oils are relatively expensive but when you consider how much oil a single pressed flower yields their cost becomes justified. What's more, you only use a few drops at a time so the investment is worth it. When starting out it's best to choose three or four oils to experiment with but do remember you will also need to purchase a carrier oil. I prefer to use almond oil because it is rich in vitamin E which nourishes the skin amd has anti-ageing qualities. A large bottle of almond oil usually costs around four pounds.
Specific Oils For The Menopause
Hormone Helpers
Sage OilThe herb sage is renowned for it's beneficial effect on hormones and the same is true for the essential oil. It regulates and balances hormones and can also be used to treat of PMS. Roman ChamomileRoman chamomile (as opposed to German chamomile, another plant of the same family) also help regulate hormones and has a long history of helping menopausal symptoms.GeraniumThis floral scent is uplifting, healing and balances the hormones. The Egyptians have used this oil for centuries to heal body, mind and spirit.
Hot Flushes
Peppermint OilAnyone who has tried mint shower scrubs or shampoos knows the cooling tingly effect peppermint has. Peppermint feels cool as soon as it touches your skin and will ease hot flushes and night sweats if dabbed on the pulse points behind the ears, on the wrists and back of the knees. However, it should always be diluted in a carrier oil first.
In a bottle or saucer make the massage oil by combining 5 drops of peppermint oil with 4 teaspoons of a carrier oil. You can add up to 10 drops of essential oil in this quantity of carrier oil, but dab a bit on your skin first before adding any more to check that the effect isn't adequate for your skin already. Alternatively, add a few drops to a bath or shower gel. Peppermint oil can also be used in a spritzer and is perfect in the summer months. Add six drops of peppermint oil to approximately 500mls of water.
Insomnia & HeadachesLavender oil eases headaches, relieves tension and it's calming qualities promote sleep. It is an uplifting oil and research has shown that it encourages the brain to release happy endorphins throughout the blood stream. Other oils to treat insomnia include valerian and mandarin, where as headaches can also be treated with marjoram.
Besides the dilution, there is no limit to the amount of aromatherpy you can use, so bathe in it, fill your rooms with their wonderful fragrances in oil burners and keep some peppermint massage oil by the bed for those disturbed nights.