Peri/ Menopause & the benefits of using dōTERRA Clary Calm

It's womens health week so a perfect time to explore one of my favourite essentials oil blends.

A simple application of dōTERRA Clary Calm 3 plus times a day applied to your occipital region and pulse points can help nourish your body, mind, hormones and spirit through this major milestone change in our lives .

Our Hormonal WellCare always starts at home and with simple low risk tools from nature

Essential oil blends have been studied widely with regards to peri/menopause

A 2018 review and meta-analysis concluded that treatment with neroli or lavender or a combination involving lavender, fennel, geranium, and rose “significantly improved human sexual function.”

Areas that saw improvement included sexual desire, arousal, pain during sex, and difficulty experiencing orgasm.

Another study showed that salivary oxytocin concentrations increased significantly more after exposure to lavender, neroli, jasmine absolute, roman chamomile, clary sage, and Indian sandalwood than after exposure to the control odor. Conclusions: The aroma of certain essential oils may elicit increased secretion of oxytocin in postmenopausal women. This study suggests that olfactory stimulation with any of a number of essential oils increases salivary oxytocin concentrations, which may inhibit aging-induced reduction in muscle mass and function in women.

Its not surprising then that Clary Calm is a clever blend of

Clary Sage

Lavender

Bergamot

Roman Chamomile

Ylang Ylang

Cedarwood

Geranium

Fennel

Carrot Seed

Palma Rosa

Vitex essential oils

Let’s remind ourselves of the major

Menopause Symptoms and Issues

In reality, most women will experience some kind of symptoms due to reduced oestrogen. In every 10 women, about 8 will have some kind of symptoms and 2 of those will have severe symptoms.

Everybody is different and for sometimes this will last for a few months, but it can take a few years, importantly, Clary Calm can help with your symptoms if needed.

Hot flushes:

They usually last for minutes and you feel a sudden hot sensation rising up your body. They may make you feel sweaty, giddy or weak. Sometimes you’ll feel your heart racing or anxiety when they happen. They can happen at any time of the day and sometimes you can have more than 15 a day. This may be the first or only sign of the menopause and can go on for a few years.

Sweats:

Sweat waking you at night are common and may mean you need to change your bedding and clothes. (nothing worse )

Changing periods:

Periods can be very different for each woman. Some will find they gradually tail off, often they will become more unpredictable and can even become a lot heavier as you go through the menopause.

Other common experiences are:

* Headaches.

* Tiredness.

* Sleep disturbance.

* Depression and changes to your mood.

* Anxiety.

* Palpitations.

* Joint aches and pains.

* Loss of sex drive (libido).

* Feelings you’re not coping.

* Finding it hard to concentrate or feeling ‘fogged.’

* Urine infections, frequent urination and leakage.

Your body also changes as you go through the menopause:

* Skin and hair: Your skin becomes drier, thinner and more likely to itch.

* Vagina: These tissues also become drier and thinner and your vagina can become slightly smaller and tissues move less during sex which may make it more painful

* Bones: Bones usually thin as we get older and this makes us more prone to fractures if we fall. This thinning happens faster after we go through the menopause and our oestrogen levels fall.

Cardiovascular disease: Oestrogen helps to protect us against heart disease and stroke because it is thought to delay fatty changes in the blood vessels. Once our oestrogen levels fall this benefit is lost.

Following are the major properties and evidence based effects of all ingredients in Clary Calm and you’ll soon see how important this oil is to us for multiple reasons and for multiple use throughout our day

Clary Sage

Clary sage affects the hormones of the body because it contains natural phytoestrogens, which are referred to as “dietary estrogens” that are derived from plants and not within the endocrine system. These phytoestrogens give clary sage the ability to cause estrogenic effects.

Hot flashes are a quick sensation of heat that pulsates throughout your body. These may be naturally remedied by rubbing three drops of dilutedclary sage oil across the back of your neck or all over your feet.

For even quicker relief, consider adding a few drops to a tissue or napkin and inhaling and exhaling softly. This allows the oil to enter your body through your nose. This process can also produce antidepressantlike effects

Clary sage is thought to help slow the development of osteoporosis. Women experiencing menopause have an increased risk for osteoporosis due to a decline in estrogen. During this time, bone breakdown overtakes bone development.

Clary sage also supports thyroid function, skin health and can lower pulse rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels

Sage plants seem to be associated with improved memory, greater alertness, and potential Alzheimer’s-fighting effects.

Studies have shown after inhalation of clary sage oil, cortisol levels were significantly decreased while 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concentration was significantly increased. Thyroid stimulating hormone was also reduced.

Studies also support Clary sages anti spasmodic properties, nerve tonic and sedative, sleep promoting  properties

Lavender

Lavender remedies hot flashes, headaches, and heart palpitations in some people.

In 2016, researchers looked at the effects of lavender aromatherapy on hot flashes. Fifty participants smelled the aroma of lavender for 20 minutes twice a day for 12 weeks. Another 50 inhaled a placebo.

Those who received the lavender treatment reported a significant reduction in hot flashes. The researchers suggested the lavender may have reduced hot flashes by lowering stress levels.

Lavender may help balance your hormones and soothe perineal discomfort. If the area around your perineum feels tight or otherwise uncomfortable, you may consider placing a cold compress on the area. You can add one drop of diluted lavender oil to the compress for additional relief.

It’s recommended that you only use the compress for up to 30 minutes. If you experience any stinging or burning, you should remove the compress and rinse the area with water.

Lavender can also promote feelings of relaxation and help improve the quality of your sleep. During this time, insomnia and other sleep-related problems are common.

Bergamot

A small 2015 done on women in Japan found that inhaled bergamot oil mixed with water vapor reduced feelings of anxiety and fatigue.

Similarly, a 2013 article published in the journal reported that aromatherapy with bergamot (among other essential oils) can relieve depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders by signaling the brain to release dopamine and serotonin.

Citrus oil aromatherapy is said to have a number of health benefits for women experiencing symptoms of menopause. Researchers in a 2014 study found the postmenopausal women who inhaled this essential oil experienced fewer physical symptoms and an increase in sexual desire.

In addition to a decrease in systolic blood pressure, they also experienced an improved pulse rate and estrogen concentrations.

Citrus also has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help with any aches and pains.

Bergamot in particular lifts mood, feelings of wellbeing and self worth.

Roman Chamomile

Traditionally used for

• digestive upset, such as indigestion, nausea, or gas

• wound healing, including ulcers and sores

• anxiety relief

• calming the nervous system

• easing skin conditions like eczema or rashes

• anti-inflammation and pain relief for conditions like back pain, neuralgia, or arthritis

• promoting sleep

They found that it had muscle-relaxing properties. This could help explain why chamomile oil has been used for digestive conditions like indigestion and cramping.

A 2017 study assessed the short-term treatment of generalized anxiety using chamomile extract. Researchers found that after eight weeks, 58.1 percent of participants reported a reduction of their anxiety symptoms.

Low morning levels of a hormone called cortisol have been linked with anxiety disorders.

A small 2018 study found that chamomile therapy helped reduce anxiety symptoms and increased morning cortisol levels.

Depression and anxiety often occur together. One study used oral German chamomile extract in people with anxiety and depression.

Researchers observed a significant reduction in depression symptoms after eight weeks of treatment in the group that were given chamomile extract.

A 2015 study investigated the effectiveness of applying diluted chamomile essential oil to the skin for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The participants were asked to apply the oil three times a day for three weeks.

Researchers found that when compared to participants who didn’t use this treatment, chamomile essential oil significantly reduced the need for pain relief medication.

Another study looked at the effectiveness of topical chamomile oil forcarpal tunnel . After four weeks, symptom severity scores in the chamomile treatment group were significantly lower than the placebo group.

In a study of 60 elderly people, the participants were divided into two groups. One group was given capsules of chamomile extract twice a day, while the others were given a placebo.

At the end of the study, there was a significant increase in the sleep quality of those who took the chamomile extracts when compared to the group who were given the placebo.

Chamomile and fennel as phytoestrogens alleviate hot flashes strengthen the reproductive and urinary system, and to some extent increase sexual desires.

Ylang Ylang

Ylang ylang has been found in research to:

* Boost mood

* Reduce depression

* Alleviate anxiety

* Lower blood pressure

* Decrease heart rate

* Stimulate oil production in the skin and on the scalp

* Hormonal headaches

A small study found that ylang ylang reduced anxiety and boosted self-esteem when it was either applied to skin or inhaled.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood essential oil’s active compounds, including cedrol, beta-cedrene and thujopsene, are known to have natural diuretic abilities. This means that cedarwood oil may be able to increase the frequency of urination helping the body to remove toxins and excess water from the body.

Cedarwood oil greatly improves focus and learning capacity.

A study conducted with animal subjects found that cedarwood oil has “marked sedative effects.”This is why you may want to use cedarwood essential oil for sleep troubles. Try diffusing the oil before bed to take advantage of its sedative effects.

Cedarwood is specific as an anti inflam, for muscular pain, cramping, joint soreness, skin and hair health.

Geranium

Geranium  used as an essential oil has also been found to help menopausal women manage hormonal changes. One to two drops may be inhaled from a napkin for immediate stress relief. Geranium is also helpful for dry skin. Consider adding a few drops of the diluted oil to the water during a relaxing, hot bath.

Geranium may have similar benefits to rose oil, including balancing the hormones, supporting menstrual cycle regularity in perimenopause, and improving mood, having antianxiety and antidepressant effects.

Studies  have shown increase of salivary estrogen concentration induced by exposure to geranium

Fennel

The journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) – suggests that the phytoestrogens found in fennel help manage postmenopausal symptoms and pose no adverse effects.

Improving Metabolism, cramping,  ibs like symptoms, constipation, depression and anxiety

Carrot Seed Oil

Carrot Seed is specific for our Liver health

The liver regulates the balance of sex hormones, thyroid hormones, cortisone and other adrenal hormones. It transforms or removes any excess from the body. If the liver cannot do this properly, there is the risk of hormonal imbalances.

Hormonal imbalances can be associated with symptoms related to:

* Weight - unexplained weight gain or weight loss

* Mood - irritability, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, fatigue

* Physical - unexplained or excessive sweating, changes in sensitivity to cold and heat

* Skin - dry skin or rashes

* Heart - changes in blood pressure or heart rate

* Bones - brittle or weak bones

* Digestion - bloating, changes in blood sugar concentration

Palmarosa

* may help reduce cholesterol

* may help  liver toxicity

* may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

* May help support symptoms of anxiety and depression

* Calm the spirit

* increase focus

* Balance negative emotions such as jealousy

* Increase a sense of security

*  Calm Nerve pain and calm nervous system

* Nourish skin

Vitex

One of the most popular and well-researched attributes of Vitex agnus-castus is its ability to reduce symptoms of PMS.

These include:

* constipation

* irritability

* depressed mood

* migraines

* breast pain and tenderness

In one study, vitex oils were given to 23 women in menopause. Women reported improved menopause symptoms, including better mood and sleep. Some even regained their period

In a follow-up study 52 additional pre- and postmenopausal women were given a vitex cream. Of the study participants, 33 percent experienced major improvements, and another 36 percent reported moderate improvements in symptoms, including night sweats and hot flashes

Vitex is traditionally a pro progesterone and will assist with oestrogen dominant symptoms breast swelling, tenderness, anger, irritability

Vitex has been shown to act like a low dose antidepressant against PMS mood swings .

Just wow CLARY CALM

<3 Jackie x