HORMONE BALANCE: Section Four

February 6, 2025

RAVENSCROFT ESSENTIAL OILS

Hear founder/owner Ginger Ravencroft speak about HORMONE BALANCE.

Ginger Ravencroft has spent over 25 years studying and researching the medicinal properties of botanical oils and their usefulness in our lives today. Hormone Balance Body Drops include all of the therapeutic grade essential oils shared below, meticulously blended into a powerful, beautiful, botanical blend that can change your life.

An affordable way to balance hormones, Hormone Balance is a lovingly and intelligently crafted blend of meticulously sourced, therapeutic grade, organic essential oils to gently help with both Menstrual and Peri/Menopausal symptoms.

Now it’s time to learn how our beautiful planet has naturally provided complimentary plants and flowers which, when used in properly blended Therapeutic Grade Organic Essential Oils, have been shown in various studies to help relieve symptoms related to the Menstrual Cycle in all of its phases, as well as through each stage of Peri/Menopause!

Lavender:

Lavender oil is widely recognized for anxiety and mood regulation. Because its scent can influence the limbic system, which regulates emotions, lavender has a calming effect on the nervous system. This occurs by increasing parasympathetic nervous activity, which promotes relaxation. A randomized crossover trial found that inhaling lavender oil for just ten minutes significantly reduced emotional symptoms like depression and confusion in women experiencing PMS. The study indicated improved heart rate variability, reflecting a shift towards parasympathetic dominance, which can alleviate stress and anxiety. For this reason, it is also particularly beneficial to alleviate hormonally induced mood swings during perimenopause.

Lavender has demonstrated potential benefits for cognitive function during perimenopause, particularly in improving memory and attention span as it stimulates olfactory pathways closely tied to memory and emotional regulation. Studies have shown that lavender oil inhalation can enhance task accuracy, and improve working memory and cognitive flexibility. Research involving brainwave monitoring (EEG) found that “lavender aromatherapy enhanced attentional shifting and cognitive flexibility, which are crucial for multitasking and adapting to new information. Participants showed increased focus and clear-mindedness after inhaling lavender oil”
UCLA Life Sciences
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Lavender’s Neuroprotective Effects may help mitigate age-related cognitive decline by reducing neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress, and enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein associated with learning and memory. This suggests a role in protecting against cognitive impairments during hormonal transitions like perimenopause

This essential oil also contains compounds including linalool and linalyl acetate, which have both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. These compounds can help reduce the intensity of cramps and muscle tension often experienced during the luteal phase of the Menstrual Cycle, while lavender can also reduce swelling and tenderness in the breast tissue that's common before your period or during early perimenopause, and alleviate hormone-induced headaches or migraines.

Research has suggested that lavender aromatherapy can also decrease menstrual pain, likely due to its ability to act on the opioid receptors in the brain, enhancing pain relief naturally. Studies have also shown that period pain was significantly reduced when a blend containing lavender and clary sage oils was massaged on the abdomen for five minutes.

Additionally, according to the National Library of Medicine, “Findings have shown the positive effect of lavender inhalation in reducing pain severity during menstruation. Because there were no side-effects reported by subjects, aromatherapy can be regarded as a safe and effective treatment for menstrual pain.”

Due to hormonal fluctuations, insomnia, and restless sleep are common symptoms during both the luteal phase of the Menstrual Cycle and the Perimenopausal Stage. Most of us are already aware of lavender’s sedative effects, which can improve sleep quality. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, it can help alleviate the sleeplessness that many women face during these times. One study revealed that ‘participants who used lavender oil showed improved sleep patterns, enhanced sleep efficiency, and a reduction in sleep onset latency. These participants also reported fewer hot flashes and decreased symptoms of depression compared to baseline levels.

Further studies have indicated that ‘lavender can help regulate the autonomic nervous system, potentially easing mood swings and sleep disturbances linked to hormonal changes. Inhaling lavender before bedtime has been noted to decrease wake after sleep onset (WASO), contributing to a more restful night’.

Lavender For PMS

Reduce Anxiety & Stress
Ease Mood Swings & Irritability
Reduce Menstrual Cramps
Improve Quality of Sleep
Support Hormone Balance
Improve Quality of Sleep

Lavender For Peri/Menopause

Boost Mood & Reduce Depression
Ease Mood Swings & Irritability
Relieve Joint & Muscle Pain
Improve Quality of Sleep
Enhance Cognitive Function
Support Hormone Balance

Lavender is one of the most effective essential oils for those experiencing a single or a combination of symptoms due to hormonal imbalances, but blending lavender oil with other medicinal plant oils such as Clary Sage, Geranium, Myrtle, Sage, and Spearmint?

Clary Sage/Sage:

One of the most nurturing and beneficial essential oils for women’s special needs, Clary Sage is commonly referred to as a “gift to the female” or “woman’s oil” due to the plethora of ways its compounds specifically address feminine needs. Packed with phytoestrogenic properties such as sclareol, which mimics estrogen and helps to balance hormones. This is especially useful during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when estrogen levels drop and during perimenopause when they can be erratic. This mimicking effect, along with clary sage’s antidepressant and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties, can help alleviate symptoms such as mood swings by increasing serotonin levels, and its ability to reduce cortisol (a hormone linked to stress) helps with anxiety, irritability, and fatigue. Additionally, it has been shown to regulate menstrual cycles and body temperature, which can reduce hormone-related hot flashes & night sweats with its cooling effect.

This amazing essential oil is also known for its antispasmodic properties which can relax the muscle contractions in the uterus. Studies have shown that clary sage can reduce autonomic symptoms associated with PMS and, when used topically, significantly reduces the severity of menstrual cramps as well as aches and pains associated with perimenopause.

As many of these symptoms can easily affect sleep quality, research has shown that clary sage interacts with GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and reduces overactivity in the brain. Stress and high cortisol levels can suppress GABA activity, which can cause increased excitability in the brain, a common issue during perimenopause due to hormonal fluctuations. By reducing cortisol and enhancing GABA signaling, clary sage can help counteract the physiological effects of stress, improving sleep quality. A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry detailed how GABA promotes relaxation by decreasing neural excitability, thus helping with sleep disturbances. Click HERE to learn more about other oils which can be used specifically for trouble sleeping.

Clary Sage/Sage for PMS

Ease Menstrual Cramping
Reduce Mood Swings
Support Hormone Balance
Relieve Stress & Anxiety
Uplift Mood
Relieves Bloating

Clary Sage/Sage for Peri/Menopause

Reduce Muscle Tension
Reduce Mood Swings
Support Hormone Balance
Relieve Stress & Anxiety
Uplift Mood, helps with depression
Improves Sleep
Helps with Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

With all of the specific ways that Clary Sage can help with a myriad of symptoms related to the Menstrual Cycle and Peri/Menopause, we can now understand exactly why they consider it a “gift for the female” and a “woman’s oil”!!

Spearmint:

What comes to mind when you think of ‘Spearmint’? For most people, the refreshing, slightly sweet, and minty flavor of a breath mint, gum, or tea comes to mind! However, the essential oil of spearmint has many medicinal uses as well; several of which make it a wonderful addition to any blend used for PMS symptoms.

Studies have shown that spearmint has anti-androgenic compounds which can reduce excessive androgens, and antioxidant compounds which help to regulate hormone imbalances.
Spearmint contains anti-inflammatory properties which help with menstrual cramping
Shown to relieve stress and improve focus, the aroma of spearmint can help manage mood swings and irritability related to PMS

Geranium:

Geranium is another essential oil that works wonders for hormonal imbalances. This beautifully scented oil contains mild estrogenic properties which can aid in balancing the hormones during the menstrual cycle, where it can nourish the blood and regulate menstruation, and during the season of perimenopause, when estrogen levels are fluctuating or decreasing. This helps relieve symptoms of estrogen and progesterone deficiencies. Geranium promotes a sense of calmness and emotional stability as it behaves as a relaxant on the nervous system, which also helps aid in sleep quality, increases cognitive function, and relieves ‘brain fog’ associated with perimenopause.

Containing anti-inflammatory compounds such as citronellol, geranium oils can alleviate physical symptoms like menstrual cramps and breast tenderness often associated with PMS, while Studies have shown that the adaptogenic properties work to restore and regulate adrenal and cortisol functions, which help manage symptoms of stress, alleviate fatigue & afternoon energy slumps, and has been shown to aid in cravings for sugar, salt and simple carbs.

Geranium for PMS Geranium for Peri/Menopause

Eases Menstrual Cramping
Balances Hormones
Uplifts Mood
Relieves Anxiety & Irritability
Helps with Cravings
Increases Energy

Geranium for Peri/Menopause

Eases Muscular Pain
Balances Hormones
Uplifts Mood
Relieves Anxiety & Irritability
Helps with Cravings
Increases Energy
Helps with Brain Fog

Myrtle:

Used in phytomedicine for thousands of years, the Essential Oil of Myrtle is useful for relieving symptoms of both PMS and Peri/Menopause. With active anti-inflammatory compounds such as cineole, the use of this oil has been shown to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle aches, cramping, breast tenderness, and lower abdominal discomfort. Along with cineole, it contains myrtenol, another anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound that can protect against oxidative stress linked to hormonal changes, and which may help support hormonal regulation of estrogen and progesterone due to its gentle impact on the endocrine system.

Appreciated for its harmonizing and balancing effect via the olfactory system, Myrtle oil encourages feelings of serenity and strength as it helps to reduce mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and feelings of insecurity and despair. Its uplifting scent has been shown to enhance mental clarity and reduce brain fog.

Myrtle has a cooling effect that provides relief from hot flashes and night sweats, and combined with its mildly sedative attributes, helps with sleep disturbances during perimenopause.

Last, but not least, Myrtle Oil, with its warm, earthy, and sensual scent, has been used as an aphrodisiac since ancient times, especially for women. It has been shown to increase blood circulation, which in turn can enhance physical responsiveness, thus increasing libido. Ginger has also created a signature aphrodisiac pheromone blend specifically crafted to heat things up in the bedroom!

Myrtle for PMS

Menstrual Cramping
Breast Tenderness
Supports Hormone Balance
Mood Swings, Anger, Irritability

Myrtle for Peri/Menopause

Muscle Aches & Pains
Breast Tenderness
Supports Hormone Balance
Mood Swings, Anger, Irritability
Relieves Hot Flashes
Reduces Sleep Disturbances
Increase Libido

Click here for our Hormone Balance Body Drops

Learn More:

PHASES OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

EMBRACING ALL DIVINE FEMININE SEASONS OF LIFE

PERIMENOPAUSE / MENOPAUSE / POSTMENOPAUSE

Author: Lisa DeChavan

Lisa DeChavan is a professional freelance writer passionate about crafting stories that inform, inspire, and connect people. With a focus on Eco-Travel, Volunteering in Organic Farming, and Herbal Medicine, Lisa blends research, personal insight, and creativity to deliver articles that resonate. When not writing, you'll find her exploring the world, and nature, creating art, and volunteering. @LisaDechavan