Essential Oils for PMS Relief

As women, we know how unpleasant that time of the month can be. From mood swings to headaches, fatigue to acne breakouts, bloating, cramps and more, women can experience PMS symptoms up to 14 days before their periods. While over-the-counter remedies (and indulging in the occasional sugar fix!) can sometimes help, this blog takes a look at a holistic approach to dealing with PMS symptoms: essential oils.

Scent is strongly tied to mood, and essential oils are no exception. These powerful all-natural compounds distilled or cold-pressed from citrus, plants and flowers are known for their plethora of uses. When applied topically, essential oils can uplift mood, promote relaxation, and even be incorporated into beauty regimens to help balance and tone sensitive skin.* Below are a few go-to favorites to help make PMS less of a pain.*

Lavender Oil

One of the most recognized essential oils, lavender oil is well-known for its calming, therapeutic properties. If cramps and bloating are leaving you tossing and turning at night, try adding a few drops of this relaxing essential oil to your diffuser to help promote relaxation and restful sleep.* Additionally, try adding ten drops of Lavender Essential Oil with 8 ounces of water in a spray bottle for a relaxing lavender pillow spray. Simply spray sheets and pillows before bedtime to further surround yourself with this calming aroma.

Lavender also has antimicrobial properties, which may make it great to help promote balanced skin during breakouts and other hormonal changes. Try adding 1-2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil to your favorite nighttime moisturizer to combat chin breakouts and soothe irritated skin.* Also, shop our Paradise Springs Lavender Roll-On for on-the-go stress relief.*

Looking for more DIY Lavender Oil recipes? Try a few of the following:
Lavender Oat Face Mask
Lavender Oil Lotion Bars
Moisturizing Lavender Bath Melts

Peppermint Oil

Another go-to for essential oil enthusiasts, Peppermint Oil has a refreshing, cooling scent that makes it perfect for occasional nausea, headaches and upset stomachs.* One of the most versatile essential oils, the main components of Peppermint Oil are Menthol and Menthone, which can act as invigorating anti-inflammatory agents with added antimicrobial properties.*
To use Peppermint Oil to help combat PMS symptoms, try adding a few drops with a carrier oil (such as Jojoba Oil) and apply to temples, wrists, back of neck and other pressure points to alleviate occasional headaches and nausea.* Because Peppermint Essential Oil is such an uplifting scent, it can also support mood and energy levels, so use this if you need a mid-day mood boost by adding a few drops to your favorite diffuser.*

Sweet Orange Oil

Sweet Orange Oil is known for its cheerful, uplifting aroma. This happy citrus scent can help combat stress and anxiety and mood alterations that may come along with PMS.* Start your day off with a Sweet Orange and Honey Body Wash or simply diffuse this uplifting oil in your diffuser first thing in the morning. Sweet Orange Oil also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making it a great essential oil for natural cleaning recipes (such as our Uplifting Sweet Orange Oil Furniture Polish) to fill your entire home with this cheery scent.

Ginger Oil

Ginger Essential Oil has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it the perfect essential oil for occasional nausea, muscle cramps and other physical distress brought on the body during PMS.* Try adding a few drops of Paradise Springs Ginger Essential Oil to your favorite lotion or massage oil and rub on the abdomen to help topically relieve cramps.*

Additionally, you can try a few of the following DIY recipes featuring this grounding, uplifting oil:
Revitalizing Ginger Oil Muscle Salve
DIY Digestive Blend Tummy Salve (replace oil with Ginger Oil, or give our Digestive Blend Essential Oil a try!).

Geranium Oil

While Geranium Oil is often known for its sweet, floral scent, it also has excellent balancing properties. Geranium oil affects the adrenal cortex, which makes it an ideal essential oil to help hormonal imbalances like skin breakouts and fluid retention associated with PMS.* Try adding a few drops of this balancing essential oil to a relaxing bedtime bath, or mix 1-2 drops with a few pumps of your favorite moisturizer to combat hormonal breakouts.*

Looking for more essential oils? Click here to shop Paradise Springs.