Can Essential Oils Ease Period Pain?

Women have come a long way in period care, from organic tampons and menstrual cups to period underwear and period tracking apps. While these products can give you the confidence to move about freely during your period, they cannot, however, prevent cramping.

Having cramps with your period is the absolute worst. While some women's period cramps are only a minor annoyance, for others, they can be so terrible that they interfere with work, school, and other activities.

Drinking more water, using a heating pad, taking over-the-counter pain medication, getting a massage, acupuncture, acupressure, and exercising are all options for dealing with annoying cramps. You can also sip on some chamomile tea or add a pinch of cinnamon to your oatmeal or hot cocoa.

Another option is to try chamomile or cinnamon in essential oil form. Research suggests that essential oils can help relieve period cramps when massaged on the abdomen and lower back. Aside from reducing pain, essential oils can also take care of many other PMS symptoms, including bloating, headaches, nausea, anxiety, mood swings, and trouble sleeping.

How to Use Essential Oils to Ease Period Pain

There are three ways you can try using essential oils to soothe your period pains and improve your mood.

Aromatherapy

You don’t always need a diffuser when using essential oils aromatically. Simply place a drop of essential oil in your palm, rub your hands together, and breathe in deeply.

For an extra boost of energy even during that time of the month, rub a few drops of peppermint essential oil on your wrists and inhale before starting an easy home cardio workout. Essential oils will not only make you feel better but also breathe better during exercise.

To relax after a light workout, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your bath. The steam from the water will combine with the oil, creating a natural vaporizer.

Massage

Your skin readily absorbs the essential oil with this method. Just remember never to apply the essential oil directly to your skin. Always dilute any essential oil with a proper carrier oil before applying it to the affected region.

Massaging your lower abdomen with cinnamon or lavender essential oil may help reduce inflammation and symptoms of menstrual cramping.

Ingestion

Another option is to add essential oils to your water, a cup of tea, or your favorite drink for a burst of flavor and fragrance. You can also add a drop of lavender or peppermint to a bowl of ice cream or cinnamon to a batch of brownies.

Some essential oils should only be used for aromatic or topical purposes, so be sure to know which ones are safe for cooking and how much to use.

It’s easy to treat period cramps at home with essential oils. However, if you are taking certain medications, receiving medical treatment, attempting to conceive, or currently breastfeeding, you should first consult your doctor before using essential oils.

Essential Oils for Period Pain

Here are some of the best essential oils to help you deal with painful period cramps and other PMS symptoms.

Chamomile

Chamomile essential oil has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antispasmodic properties that can effectively ease menstrual cramps and reduce muscle spasms. Chamomile also contains antioxidants to help combat symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Aside from easing abdominal discomfort and reducing PMS-related mood swings, chamomile helps balance your hormones. Adding a drop of chamomile to your daily cup of tea can help lead to more regular cycles.

Cinnamon

The essential oil form of this fragrant, powdered spice has strong anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries to treat various conditions, from bacterial infections to menstrual cramps. Massage a few diluted drops on your lower abdomen to help reduce inflammation and uterine contractions that cause much of the pain during your period.

Clary Sage

This is one of the most commonly used essential oils for menstrual cramps because it's easy to come by and largely regarded to be an antispasmodic agent. Aside from reducing uterine spasms, clary sage helps balance hormones and reduce other PMS symptoms, such as bloating and mood swings.

Lavender

The anti-inflammatory properties of lavender essential oil help improve blood flow and reduce cramping. Furthermore, the calming, relaxing mental benefits of this oil make it so effective in managing PMS.

Relax your muscles and reduce those painful cramps by inhaling some lavender oil or stirring a few drops into a carrier oil before massaging it on your abdomen and lower back.

Peppermint

From headaches to painful menstrual cramps, peppermint essential oil has a wonderfully refreshing and bright fragrance that leaves you feeling more relaxed and balanced. Taking deep breaths of peppermint oil also helps reduce nausea.

When applied topically, the minty, tingling sensation on your skin helps stimulate blood circulation to the affected area and effectively reduces cramping.

Ylang-Ylang

Ylang-ylang is a powerful antidepressant that can help alleviate period-induced depression, irritability, and mood swings. It has sedative qualities that can completely relax the mind and help with anxiety and stress. If you're looking for an oil that can soothe both your body and mind, ylang-ylang oil is an excellent choice.

Conclusion

You don't have to wait until you're experiencing terrible period cramps to reap the benefits of essential oils. Use essentials oils to pamper your mind, body, and spirit. Essential oils can help you turn those dreadful cramps into an opportunity to relax and focus on your physical and emotional well-being.