This is a blog I have been meaning to do for some time, but there was the small matter (NOT) of a pandemic to handle as well. Then a couple of months ago I sadly lost my Dad after a short illness. I thought this was definitely the right time for our remaining small family to gather our knowledge and experience together. My daughter Jo, a coach and fitness trainer, has done a fabulous blog on nutritional tips for menopause, and I wanted to add in my aromatherapy (and meditation) experience and knowledge, including my own journey with it so far. I hope that this can inform and support you in, and through menopause and peri-menopause.
Finding myself this past week arriving at 57 years (my mind maybe will catch up at some point, but it hasn’t yet! ha ha) and although I have not been period free for a year yet, so technically not in menopause yet, I have been experiencing some flushes and possible mood variations. However, it is difficult to tell with the pandemic, and two close family losses in the last 18 months.
Without it being a fear – I have been very aware approaching menopause since probably my late 40’s when a therapist told me that I was definitely peri-menopause, I knew changes were afoot. I have been incredibly lucky though – or was it awareness and some preparation and care? Everyone is different and unique with this, as in anything. That is how I treat my clients, and myself.
My Choices
I went pescetarian in my 40’s actually because of my beliefs around animals, but also very much in preparation for menopause. My initial plans were to only eat organic meat. However, I found that I just didn’t want any meat of any kind, and did not miss it. I eat very little fish now too. My body & mind is still happy with this choice.
A healthy balanced diet is extremely important to me and I do enjoy drinking Deeside Water (so not just for using in my Aloe Vera gel, Muscle Rub and Midge & Mozzie Balm, ha ha). I also keep my sugar intake modest. A glass of wine or two at the weekend used to be very fine, but I now find that alcohol and sugar can sometimes just cause hot flushes, so I don’t always now. I take a vitamin B complex vitamin from G & G Vitamins, who are a great company.
Exercise
I need fresh air, and at least a walk for exercise regularly before work (even in the bad weather). I do a fabulous weekly, outside (yes outside!) boot camp. Adding in swimming, yoga and the gym when I can too. For me personally exercise has always been a really important part of my life and I think it is incredibly helpful in this transition stage of my life.
I love, of course, also use essential oils and my blends a lot, as a fantastic support for me, alongside twice daily meditation (morning and night).
Now that is just MY chosen journey so far. Yours could be totally different and that is all absolutely fine and how it should be! I haven’t mentioned HRT, simply because I haven’t used it myself. So I cannot talk from personal experience, but I definitely work with many clients who are, or have. I have supported clients who experienced many different kinds of things in menopause and peri-menopause. Many various blends and treatments have been used to support my clients, working with each person individually.
Aromatherapy Blends to support you with menopause and peri-menopause
The main approach I am sharing in this part of the blog, is offering blends that focus more on hormonal and mood balance and alleviating anxiety or stress in menopause or peri-menopause .
I am using low levels of essential oils, it is definitely a case of ‘less is more’ . The first blend that I reach for is probably not a traditional blend for menopause, but right now its calling my name! With aromatherapy use your intuition, and go with what your body needs, it will talk if you let it, I believe. You must really be drawn to the blend for the best results.
The oils I would choose for use in menopause or peri-menopause generally are:
Clary sage, rose otto, cypress, frankincense, bergamot, jasmine, rose geranium , ylang ylang and neroli,
1 drop rose Otto, 2 drops geranium, 3 drops bergamot
Right now for me its 2 drops neroli , 2 drops frankincense, 2 drops geranium. I instantly feel calmer, more balanced. You can use this blend in a diffuser or burner with water, or blend with a vegetable oil (around 15ml – approx. a dessert spoon) for use on the body.
Other blends that I would recommend or have used, the top two maybe more specific for hot flushes, but they also more widely helpful too.
1 drop Clary sage, 3 drops geranium, 1 drops lime, 1 drop ylang ylang
2 drops jasmine, 1 drop cypress, 2 drops bergamot
How you can use these essential oils
All these can be used in a burner or diffuser with water, or blended with the vegetable oil (around 15ml) for use on the body. What I often recommend to clients and use myself a lot too is to put the oils blended in vegetable oil on your pulse points and on the upper chest area (where easily inhaled). Do this practice both during the day, if possible, and at night time before sleep.
For ease of use the ready made Roller Ball Pulse Points are also great for this. Next week a new range is being launched that I will be recommending for use in menopause and peri-menopause.
Alternatively you can use the blends above (without further blending in vegetable oil) – on a tissue by your pillow overnight.
You can also add these blends above once blended in vegetable/carrier oil in your bath too (just be careful with slips getting in and out of the bath and wipe down your bath afterwards). I most definitely have, as I bath almost every evening before bed. Or you can simply use them as an after shower body moisturiser and gain the benefit of the blends with a calm and more balanced mind – and nourished skin too!
Be Kind to Yourself Always
I hope that you find this blog helpful for you, just go with what is in tune with you right now, and be aware that this could well change either in time, or regularly. Use your inner guidance and if you use the blends enjoy them
Be kind to yourself always, and take regular time out for you – even 10-15mins twice a day. I cannot recommend enough the synergy of these amazing oils. Use alongside meditation, mindfulness and/or silent relaxation during menopause and peri-menopause
If you have a complex medical history/medications always check with your GP before using essential oils, or ask a qualified aromatherapist
