ASK AMY: Essential Oils and PCOS

Ask Amy:  Are there any benefits of essential oils for PCOS? – Rachael L.

For centuries, essential oils of plants have been used for their  healing properties. These oils are pure, concentrated, volatile essences, which are naturally present in plants, flowers, herbs, fruits, grasses, roots, etc. They are 75 to 100 times more concentrated than the oils in dried herbs.

Essential oils are easy to use and may be purchased at most health food stores or can be found online. I suggest Young Living and doTerra.

There are two types of essential oils, synthetic and medicinal. The medicinal oils will cost more than than the synthetic, but the medicinal oils will be the only ones that will have any type of medicinal effect on your body.

It is also very important to note: Do not use essential oils while pregnant!

Essential oils are absorbed into the body a couple of ways:

1. When massaged into the skin, essential oils are quickly absorbed into the pores. From there they move rapidly through the cells and are diffused into the bloodstream.
2. When the scent is inhaled, it enters the nose, moves to the lining of the lungs, where it is then absorbed into the bloodstream.

If you are going to use essential oils on your skin, you must first add them to a carrier oil. Good choices for carrier oils include sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, avocado, apricot kernel (add grapefruit seed extract as a preservative, this oil goes bad easily), jojoba, hazelnut, olive, macadamia, sesame, grape seed and castor. Note: Always test one or two drops of oil on a small patch of skin first to be sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to it.

You can also add essential oils directly to a hot bath or for a hot compress. For a compress add the drops of essential oil in to 2 ounces of water, soak a cotton cloth in water mixture for a compress.

I have used essential oils in a variety of ways to help manage my PCOS.

STRESS REDUCTION

Essential oils for aromatherapy is a tool for relieving stress and anxiety. Lavender is most commonly used for stress relief and relaxation. Geranium, a hormonal normalizer, is used to helps to alleviate anxiety and is antidepressant. Bathing in a combination of these oils may alleviate stress.

Detox Relax Bath

2 cups Epsom Salt

1/2 cup baking soda

10 drops lavender

5 drops geranium

Soak for 20 minutes. Epsom salt contains magnesium and will absorb through skin, calm your nerves, and help you to relax.

FERTILITY SUPPORT

There are many essential oils that may help enhance fertility. I actually used an oil when I was TTC that contained these oils:

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender, in addition to being wonderful for stress reduction and inducing sleep, it is a great circulatory stimulant, immune stimulant, balancing for all body systems and is very helpful for mood swings associated with PMS or hormonal imbalance.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclaria)
Clary sage is said to produce a “narcotic like high,” helping to reduce pain. It is effective in reducing menstrual cramps. It is also a uterine tonic and may help to regulate the menstrual cycle. It is also very effective in treating depression and anxiety.

Rose Otto (Rosa centifolia, Rosa damascena, Rosa gallica)

This oil is helpful in treating PMS, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and has been shown helpful for women who have trouble conceiving. This oil relaxes the uterus. It is extremely effective in treating depression and grief. It is also great for libido.

Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare, Foeniculum officinale, Anthum foeniculum)

Helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, may help reduce hormone fluctuation

Geranium (Pelargonium gravolens)
This oil is an adrenal cortex stimulant; helping to regulate and balance hormones. It also helps to detoxify the lymphatic system, helps to alleviate anxiety, and is antidepressant.  Works as an uterine and ovarian tonic

When I was trying to get pregnant I used the following oil combination :

Fertility Oil Blend

10 drops Clary Sage

10 drops Sweet Fennel

7 drops Geranium

3 drops Lavender

3 drops Rose

4 oz. Carrier Oil

Rub on your abdomen.

HAIR LOSS

I also found that essential oils can help reduce hair loss.  Rosemary is a great scalp stimulator. It seems to help minimize my hair loss and has helped with regrowth.

I have used a homemade hair oil at night. Here is my recipe:

Hair Loss Blend

3 drops thyme essential oil

3 drops lavender essential oil

3 drops rosemary essential oil

3 drops sage essential oil

3 drops cedarwood

1/8 c grapeseed oil

1/8c jojoba oil

Rub about 1/2 tsp into your scalp before bed.  You may want to cover your pillow case to protect it from damage.

Essential oils are strong medicine.

Start with tiny amounts and judge your ability to absorb their concentrated energies before using them in larger amounts or for long periods of time.

For more ways to use essential oils for PCOS, check our mini-course on Essential Oils for PCOS. I specifically address how to choose oils, and safely use them to manage:

• Insulin Regulation/Blood Sugar Control & Cravings Detoxification
• Liver/Gallbladder Support
• Hormone Balance
• Cortisol Balance/Adrenal Support
• Acne
• Hirsutism
• Increasing Hair Growth on the Head
• Fertility
• Infertility and Emotions
• Anxiety and Depression
• Thyroid Support
• Candida
• Increasing Progesterone
• Decreasing Estrogen Dominance

References

1. Aromatherapy A-Z; connie and Alan Higley, and Pat Leatham, Hay House, Inc., 1998
2. The Aromatherapy Bible, Gill Farrer-Halls, Sterling Publishing, 2005
3. The Complete Book Of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, Valerie Ann Worwoood, New World Library, 1998

4. Worwood, Valerie Ann. Aromantics.  New York, NY. Bantam Books. 1994

(This information is provided for informational purposes only. It is not approved by the FDA nor is it provided in order to diagnose, prescribe or treat any disease, illness or injured condition of the body. PCOS Diva LLC assumes no responsibility for such use. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness or injury should consult with a physician or health care provider.)