The Menopause is a stage of womanhood that can give rise to a mix of feelings and emotions, some positive and others can be negative. However, this is a natural phase of a woman’s life that is often over looked.

We associate the menopause with hot flushes, mood swings and a change in our menstrual cycle. The physical symptoms of the menopause can vary, below is a list of what some ladies experience:

• Sleep disturbances
• General feelings of anxiety
• Low energy
• Migraines and headaches
• Changes in skin texture and hair
• General aches and pains
• Mood swings
• Poor concentration and mental focus
• Weight gain
• Loss of libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Changes to menstural cycle
• Osteopinoea – loss of bone density

The list could go on…. These symptoms can be experience individually or several together. I have put together a list of aromatherapy oils that may be beneficial and help ease any discomfort.

Dysmenorrhoea – painful periods, cramping and PMT
Angelica* / Clary Sage** / Carrot Seed / Cypress / Roman Chamomile / Peppermint / Melissa.

Mood Swings
Ylang Ylang / Rose / Neroli / May Chang / Jasmine / Melissa / Damiana / Cypress / Cedarwood Atlas / Frankincense / Clary Sage** / Geranium / Grapefruit* / Bergamot* / Sandalwood / Roman Chamomile.

Fatigue
Peppermint / Angelica* / Sweet Fennel / May Chang* / Frankincense / Grapefruit* / Nutmeg / Neroli / Black Spruce / Basil.

Hormone Regulator
Geranium / Clary Sage** / Cypress / Lavender / Rose / Jasmine / Damiana / Black Spruce / Sandalwood / Thyme.

Irregular Menstruation
Damiana / Cypress / Sweet Fennel / Frankincense/ Geranium / Jasmine / Sweet Orange*.

Night Sweats/Hot Flushes
Bergamot / Cypress / Geranium / Clary Sage** / Lemon* / Lime* /  Roman Chamomile / Peppermint / Eucalyptus.

Sleep Disturbances
Carrot Seed / Roman Chamomile / Lavender / Clary Sage** / Neroli / Rose / Valerian / Cedarwood Atlas / Sweet Marjoram.

Head Aches/Migraines
Helichrysum / Eucalyptus/ Roman Chamomile / Lavender / Peppermint / Rosemary.

Stimulate Libido
Ylang Ylang / Black Spruce / Cardamon / Cedarwood Atlas / Damiana / Jasmine / Nutmeg / Rose.

Mental Clarity/Poor Concentration
Cardamon / Basil / Rosemary / Nutmeg / Melissa.

*Phototoxic: use a weak dilution (1-2 drops per 20mls of oil/cream) and avoid UV rays for 12-18 hours.
**Avoid for 24 hours if you are drinking alcohol.

Application: the easiest way is to add a few drops of essential oil to a bath, vaporizer/oil burner, unscented body lotions and a carrier oil. Please read about essential oil safety.