Role of Essential Oils In The Treatment of PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS (PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome) is a common metabolic and hormonal disorder that affects up to 12% of women around the world. It can develop in women during adolescence and childbearing, causing excess hormonal imbalance and insulin in the blood, leading to the formation of cysts in the ovaries.
PCOS is characterized by a set of signs and symptoms. However, one patient may have entirely different symptoms from another. If you have two or more of the following symptoms, I would suggest that you get yourself tested for PCOS:
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Infertility
- Excess or unwanted facial hair
- Hair loss on the scalp
- Weight issues, which often include weight gain around the waist
- Skin diseases including darkening of the skin skin tags and acne
Facts About PCOS
The two images below show 12 facts about PCOS:
Why Aromatherapy Is Useful For Conditions Like PCOS?
Aromatherapy is an alternative healing practice that uses essential oils and other aromatic compounds from plants to improve overall health and well-being of an individual. Essential oils, which are generally used for their medicinal properties, are formed naturally in plants, flowers, fruit, roots, etc.
These essential oils can be used with massage oil, used in a cold or warm compress, heated in an oil burner, applied topically on the skin or hair, or inhaled in the form of steam.
Dealing with PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) may be stressful and requires a lot of patience before you witness any positive results. Whist science is yet to find a cure for PCOS, alternative healing modalities like aromatherapy can be used successfully to alleviate the symptoms of PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome. It is believed that the fragrance of essential oils stimulates the olfactory system of the brain that controls our sense of smell. Because of the smell of these essential oils, the limbic system of the brain releases chemicals that work to restore hormonal balance, release emotional stress and impart the feeling of relaxation and wellbeing, thus easing the symptoms of PCOS.
6 Best Essential Oils To Use To Ease The Symptoms Of PCOS
1. Beat stress with lavender and geranium essential oils
Dealing with PCOS can be stressful and the more stressed you are, the more serious your symptoms become. There are many essential oils to help you relax. The next time you feel stressed, one of the best things you can do is add a few drops of Lavender to your bath water and soak yourself in for half an hour. Doing this a couple of times a week will improve your overall perception of life, help your body relax and reduce the chances of development of PCOS related depression.
Lavender is also great circulatory and immune system stimulant that is very useful for the mood swings associated with premenstrual syndrome or hormonal imbalances.
Geranium is a stimulant of the adrenal cortex; helping to regulate and balance hormones. While helping to detoxify the lymphatic system, Geranium can also act as an antidepressant that relieves anxiety. It also acts as a uterine and ovarian tonic. Having a bath with a combination of these oils can relieve stress.
2. Regulate your hormones with the help of essential oil of geranium
With all its health benefits, geranium is one of the best oils you can incorporate in your daily routine. While helping the body to combat variety of skin illnesses, one of the first things geranium does is helping the body to reduce its tendency of water retention. In addition to that, geranium will help you control all the stress and help adrenal cortex to release the required amount of hormones in your body system. With these hormones regulated, dealing with PCOS will be easier.
3. Clary Sage as a uterine tonic
Clary Sage is beneficial for a variety of reasons. While being good for the female reproductive system due to its property of stimulating the production of estrogen in the body, Sage can be used for reducing the menstrual cramps during the PMS and as the treatment for anxiety and depression experienced during PCOS. It is also among few good essential oils that can control hormonal imbalance in the body. Clary Sage is also a tonic for the uterus that can play a role in regulating the menstrual cycle.
4. Improving reproductive health with German Chamomile
Fertility problems are one of the most devastating problems associated with PCOS. However, the good news is that most of the doctors have learned to work closely with their patients to design a mechanism that can help them conceive. The essential oil of German Chamomile has been traditionally used to help people with conditions like inflammation, but recent studies show that it can be used for more. Some women with PCOS have found that German chamomile helps them handle their anger and depression, which is often a side effect of PCOS. More importantly, this essential oil can help with ovarian cysts that make conception difficult for a woman.
5. Rose Otto
This oil is useful in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cycle regulation. As it relaxes the uterus, it can be helpful for women who have conception related troubles. In addition, it is very helpful in helping a PCOS patient get rid of depression and sadness.
6. Sweet Fennel
Sweet Fennel helps regulate the menstrual cycle and reduces the hormonal fluctuations.
Few Other Essential Oils That Can Help To Treat The Symptoms Of PCOS
- Jasmine can fix the low levels of low libido in the body, emotional stress, feelings of depression and low self-esteem.
- Cypress, Cinnamon, Coriander and Dill can regulate levels of blood sugar in the body, helping to control the weight and appetite.
- Eucalyptus oil can regulate the hormone associated with fluid retention and pain. It can actively reduce the levels of blood sugar in the body.
- Fennel helps regulate hormone levels and menstrual cycles.
- Sandalwood is a well-known tonic for the female reproductive system.
- Rose can regulate the irregular menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalances.
- Ylang Ylang can relieve mood swings, feelings of depression, anxiety and hypertension.
While there are many benefits of using essential oils for conditions like PCOS, it will take a while to find oils that work best for you. I always keep Lavender and Clary Sage handy at all times because they are my absolute favorites.
6 Essential Oil Recipes To Help You With PCOS
1. Blend of Lavender and Geranium
Lavender can be used to relieve stress and geranium is the best oil you can use for the normalization of hormone secretions in your body and as an antidepressant. Here are a few of the best ways to use lavender and geranium for maximum relief in PCOS:
Detoxification bath
Here is how to create a detoxification bath using a combination of these two oils:
- 10 drops of geranium
- 15 drops of lavender
- 1 cup sodium bicarbonate
- 4 cups of Epsom salt (useful because of its magnesium content, which is easily absorbed into the skin and creates a soothing effect).
Mix all the ingredients in the above mentioned amounts in your bath water and soak yourself in for at least 30 minutes.
2. Topical application
If used correctly, lavender and geranium can help with fertility issues. Simply combining the following essential oils in 4 ounces of carrier oil (such as vitamin E oil, for example) and rubbing the blend on your stomach is said to improve fertility. Here is a recipe I would suggest you to use:
- 10 drops clary sage (uterine tonic)
- 10 drops of fennel (regularizes menstrual cycle and reduces the fluctuation of hormones)
- 7 drops of geranium (useful for the toning of uterus and ovaries)
- 3 drops of lavender (circulatory stimulant)
- 3 drops of Rose (relaxes the uterus)
Blend all the ingredients in above-mentioned amounts in 4 ounces of carrier oil and massage your stomach twice daily.
3. Essential oil recipe to avoid hair loss in PCOS affected women
With infertility and PCOS, hair loss is something that many women have to face. If this is the case with you, here is the mix of oils essential oils you can use:
- 1 ounce jojoba oil
- 1 ounce grape seed oil
- 6 drops of cedarwood
- 4 drops of sage
- 10 drops of rosemary
- 4 drops of lavender
- 8 drops of thyme
Blend all these essential oils and apply over a clean scalp every morning and night.
In addition to the oils listed above, I have had a very positive experience with the use of Frankincense. Frankincense can be used for the treatment and prevention of fibroids and cysts in the ovaries. It can also help balance the endocrine system.
You can add Frankincense directly to a warm bath or hot compress or just add few drops of it in 2 ounces of water and soak a cotton cloth in this water mixture for a tampon.
4. Recipe for Detox Bath
Ingredients
- 5 drops of geranium
- 10 drops of lavender
- 1/2 cup of sodium bicarbonate
- 2 cups of Epsom salt
Add all the ingredients to the bath water and soak in for 20 minutes. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which is easily absorbed into the skin to soothe the nerves and help you relax.
5. Essential oil recipe for fertility support
When I was trying to get pregnant, I used the following combination of essential oils to help my conception:
Ingredients
- 12 drops of Clary Sage
- 10 drops of geranium
- 12 drops of sweet fennel
- 5 drops of Rose
- 5 drops of lavender
- 5 oz. carrier oil
Some essential oils are quite strong. Start with small amounts before using them in larger quantities. Rub the abdomen with the blend of abovementioned essential oils to help your conception.
6. A synergistic blend
Ingredients
- 10 drops of clary sage
- 10 drops of fennel
- 7 drops of geranium
- 3 drops of rose
Add these essential oils in above-mentioned amounts in 2 tablespoons of carrier oil and add 6 drops of this blend in your bathwater.
5 Superfoods That Restore The Hormonal Balance In The Body
No. 1 Fermented Cod Liver Oil
If you are unable to afford cod liver oil, you can use flaxseed oil as its supplement. However, I took flaxseed oil a few years ago, but never had the results similar to fermented cod liver oil. The reason why both these oils help with conditions like PCOS is the presence of high amounts of Vitamin C.
No. 2 Coconut oil
I take 4-5 tablespoons of coconut oil per day in order to keep conditions like PCOS at bay. Caprylic acid and lauric acid present in coconut oil plays a vital role in protecting the gastrointestinal tract, and preventing the intestinal inflammation from happening.
No. 3 Magnesium
Try 600-900 mg of magnesium per day. Magnesium helps with hundreds of things with the body including keeping your gut healthy and helping you to sleep easily.
No. 4 L-glutamine
It is recommended to take about 20 g of L-glutamine per day in the form of powder. This keeps my gut healthy and hormonal problems at bay.
No. 5 Niacin
Niacin has helped me with my inflammation and acne on the face. You can take niacin in the form of pills or use it as a spray to make your skin look healthy and beautiful.
5 Foods To Avoid If You Are Suffering From PCOS
No. 1 Soy
Soy is a phytoestrogen (false estrogen) that has estrogen like properties. Regular intake of Soy promotes hormonal confusion. However, if you still want to eat Soy, just make sure that it is coming from a good source.
No. 2 Flax
Flax is another food that is highly controversial due to the presence of the same phytoestrogens.
No. 3 Gluten (wheat)
Gluten slows down the absorption of nutrients in the body; I feel much better without it.
No. 4 Excess sugar
We all know that too much of sugar is bad for the overall health of an individual. Excess sugar present in the body encourages the formation of cysts.
No. 5 The bad fats
Excess consumption of trans fats can cause inflammation in the body.
Few Precautions To Bear In Mind
When using essential oils on the skin, you must first dilute them in carrier oil. Good choices for carrier oils include fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel, avocado, jojoba, olive, hazelnut, sesame, macadamia nuts, grape seed and castor. In addition to that, remember to use one or two drops of the oil on a small patch of skin first to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction to it.
Healthy Lifestyle As The Best Preventive Measure Against PCOS
The treatment for PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome is generally based on the symptoms, age and the future conception plans of a woman. One of the best treatments for PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome is following a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet that is low in refined carbohydrates can help regulate blood sugar levels. Exercise can also help the body to regulate insulin and in weight management.
Losing weight is a challenge with PCOS, but it can help to reduce levels of male hormones in the body, and make some women ovulate naturally. With the correct diagnosis of the disease and healthy lifestyle modifications, you can expect to get rid of this condition and the enormous health issues it can cause in future.
