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:
- 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.
- 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.)
I love essential oils! There are so many benefits to using essential oils, I am surprised more people don’t use them daily. My personal favorite use is as part of my skincare routine (I use them on my hair though too). Oils work wonders and I would never go back to using a cream! One of my favorite products is called “Defend” (it’s a blend of argan oil and essential oils – found at purelementnaturals.com). Usually my skin feels dry in the winter, but I have been really pleased with how much tighter and hydrated my skin has been this time around. Great post! Very informative!
I love using essential oils. Thank you for this post! Did you feel the the fertility oil blend helped you at all?
I do think it was one piece of the puzzle.
why do you recommend not to use essential oils when pregnant please? is it because of the pcos? I`m an aromatherapist and you can use oils just not in the first trimester
I was taking my information from Aura Cacia the brand of oils that I use.
Hi,
I just came across your blog post and wanted to chime in. You can use essential oils during pregnancy as long as they are organic and not emmenagogues or abortifacients. And I agree with Michaela to some degree that CERTAIN essential oils shouldn’t be used during the first trimester of pregnancy. There are a lot of safe oils you can use during pregnancy, even the first trimester. I think a lot of aromatherapists say that just to be cautious because there are so many oils out there that have been adulterated. There’s a great book called Aromatherapy for Health Professionals by Shirley Price that has wonderful information in it. Thanks!
Thanks for your input Andriana.
If you’re having a hard time with the hair loss oil recipe, try this instead:
5 drops lavender EO
2 drops rosemary
1/2-1 tablespoon aloe gel
Mix together and apply to the scalp out of the shower 3x/week.
This recipe is a bit cheaper and women over on soulcysters have had success with it when the original recipe from the study is too cumbersome (oil causing trouble with oiliness or being unable to wash it out the next morning) or expensive (this requires only two cheap oils and one bottle of gel).
Hi Amy –
Have you tried the recipe for hair loss on your eyebrows or eyelashes? Just wondering if it’s safe to use in those areas. If you have used it there, have you noticed any difference?
Thanks…
I haven’t tried this for my eyelashes or eyebrows.
I’ve read that basil essential oil helps with ovarian cysts. Have you known anyone to try that and have success? Thanks!
Using essential oils while pregnant is fine, however, if they are of medicinal grade. Such as Young Living. Why would you recommend anything other than medicinal grade essential oils. Essential oils you can get at a health food store are still made with synthetic ingredients. Wouldn’t recommend those at at, considering anything synthetic can compromise health, fertility, and PCOS. If you need some better information on proper essential oil use, I can help you out with that.
Hi do you recommend any specific essencial oil for acne on someone with polycystic ovarian syndrome?
Thanks
Kim
A diluted tinture of tea tree oil works well.
Can you tell me what kind of thyme essential you’re using? I see that there’s red and white, but I’m not sure what the difference is.
I honestly don’t know if it is white or red.
I have PCOS & the metformin i am currently on is taking a toll on my liver. I would love to try a natural approach but am kind of skeptical & don’t really want to spend $70+ on Frankincense Oil if the treatment doesn’t help. Is there anyone that has this condition & has tried the natural approach with doTERRA? Thanks for the help!
Hi Heather,
I’m dealing with the above symptoms from PCOS that Chelsea wrote about and I’m in contact with a rep from doTerra. I am wondering if that’s a good route to go? I have tried A-Z and my hair loss is getting aggressive and depressing as well as the bloating/inflammation. I would love some guidance as I am new to essential oils. I am pretty nutrition savvy, exercise and run a health blog yet I can’t find the right solution. I’ve come to a crossroads and I’m exhausted with trying this and that. Thank you 🙂
I think essential oils can be helpful, but is sounds like you are dealing with some major inflammation. Healing your gut is an important step to reducing inflammation. In terms of hair – I’ve have loved the Morocco Method Hair care system and will be writing about my experience with it later this month.
Silly question, but how can someone tell the difference in synthetic or medicinal essential oils with Aura Cacia brand?
Can you clarify if the sage in the Hair Loss recipe is just Sage or should I get Clary Sage? I just ordered some EO last night and I hope I bought the right one. I don’t want to mix it before I know for sure. Thanks!!
Sorry, it is clary sage.
Hi Healther, I hope you have found a helping hand since this post?if you are still looking for some help, please let me know…I am a Doterra Welleness Advocate and can help you if you still need it. Best wishes FARAH
Hi, I am dealing with PCOS I was just wondering if i were to use the fertility blend of essential oils and i didn’t have the fennel would it still be beneficial? thanks
I have an ovarian cyst. Doctor keeps sending me for vaginal ultrasounds but hasn’t told me what else I can do:( !!! What essential oils are good to shrink the cyst????
I am having a hard time finding the rose otto?
Few effective points I have found in this article which really increases my knowledge… Good post for those who have thin hair.