Aromatherapy for Women From puberty to autumn years

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Aromatherapy for WomenFrom puberty to autumn
years

• Penny Price M.Ed(Oxon.)

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Topics for discussion

• Overview of hormones and aromatherapy
• Problems in puberty
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Menopause
• Old age

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Volatile essential oil molecules and aromatherapy

• Hormones are a group of substances of greatly
  varying composition which are produced in most
  living things. They are produced by the
  endocrine glands and can be in the form of
  steroids, polypeptides or amino-acid derivatives.
  Hormones have the following job description!
• Regulate metabolism, growth, development,
  reproduction
• Govern the stress response
• Chemical messengers within the body
• Co-ordinate groups of organs

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Volatile essential oil molecules and aromatherapy

• Using essential oils that supplement oestrogen
  will not stop the menopause but will regularise
  the body as is loses the natural oestrogen and
  progesterone so that the effects of the hormonal
  changes are buffered and the body is given help
  to adjust to the different levels.

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Volatile essential oil molecules and aromatherapy

• Volatile molecules that are hormone-like include
  the following
• Anethole (methyl ether)
• Citral (aldehyde)
• Eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, gingerol (phenols)
• Matricaria methyl ester (ester)
• Viridiflorol (sesquiterpenol)
• Sclareol (diterpenol)

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Anethole

• Anethole is found in aniseed, fennel, star anise
  is oestrogen-like, emmenagogic and lactogenic.
  In other words it is used to regulate periods,
  stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers and help
  control hormone deficiency during the menopause.
• Because anethole is to be used with caution, it
  is not recommended for internal or intensive use,
  but can form a small part of a blend for
  application to the skin in a carrier.

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Citral

• Citral can be found in many different oils
  characterised by their lemon-drop smell.
• It has a slight oestrogenic effect on the body
  and can be used long term without side effects
  for helping to control the menopausal symptoms.
• Citral is found in eucalyptus staigeriana,
  citronella, litsea, lemongrass, geranium, true
  melissa, palmarosa and many others.

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Eugenol, carvacrol, thymol and gingerol

• Eugenol, carvacrol, thymol and gingerol are found
  respectively in clove, origanum, red thyme and
  ginger and have an effect in the production of
  prostaglandins.
• Therefore they are not usually used for women in
  the menopause.

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Matricaria methyl ester

• Matricaria methyl ester is used in the delay of
  puberty and is not usually used specifically
  during the menopause, although because it is
  found in German chamomile and yarrow, it is used
  as part of the whole oil for helping to control
  inflammation and irritation.

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Viridiflorol

• Viridiflorol is found in Niaouli and is
  oestrogen-like, influencing both ovaries and
  testicles. It is used to help regulate periods
  and to help the body to cope when there is a
  deficiency of oestrogen as in menopause.

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Sclareol

• Sclareol is found in clary sage and is very
  similar in shape and size to oestrogen, helping
  the body to cope with hot-flush and aging skin as
  well as other menopausal symptoms.
• It is also an aphrodisiac!

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Other oils

• Other oils that are hormone-like include vetiver,
  cypress, sage, Spanish sage, sweet orange and
  rose otto, sweet basil, cajuput, sweet marjoram,
  Roman and German chamomile, sandalwood, rosemary,
  peppermint and pine.

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Hormonal oils - summary

• Salvia sclarea
• Melaleuca leucadendron
• Melaleuca viridiflora
• Salvia officinalis
• Pimpinella anisum
• Chamaemelum nobile
• Foeniculum vulgare

• Pelargonium graveolens
• Thymus mastichina
• Mentha x piperita
• Pinus sylvestris
• Rosmarinus officinalis
• Rosa damascena
• Santalum album

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Oestrogen-like oils - summary

• Salvia officinalis
• Salvia sclarea
• Foeniculum vulgare
• Pimpinella anisum
• Melaleuca viridiflora
• Ocimum basilicum

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Oestrogen and Progesterone
There are some essential oils that have
oestrogen-like properties and some that can mimic
the actions of oestrogen in the body Hydrolats
have oestrogens in larger quantities Progesterone-
like molecules are only found in hydrolats not
essential oils as they are too large to distil
but do dissolve in water
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Hydrolats

• The molecules in hydrolats are cortisone-like and
  so resemble the human hormonal structure.
• Hydrolats have beneficial effects on all types of
  hormonal imbalance, particularly hot flushes,
  menopausal symptoms and irritation

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Essential oils

• All essential oils can be helpful when attempting
  to balance the hormonal system as essential oils
  help to balance the whole person mind body and
  spirit

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Puberty

• Irregular periods
• Haemorrhage
• Painful periods
• Acne

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Irregular periods

• Drink hydrolats of sage and cassis to help to
  normalise the blood flow and regularity
• Use essential oils of clary sage, sage, Niaouli,
  fennel and rosemary all of which are
  emmenagogic and some help balance oestrogen
  levels

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Haemorrhage

• Drink immortelle (helichrysum) and cypress
  hydrolat to try and control blood loss on a daily
  basis.
• Use essential oils of cypress, helichrysum,
  juniper and sweet marjoram in the bath and as a
  body lotion regularly to help with blood loss and
  to back up the hydrolat treatment.

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Period pains

• Suggest drinks of chamomile hydrolat before the
  pains start (if this is possible to assess) and
  use the chamomile in the bath
• Make a compress of chamomile German and Cornmint,
  5 10 drops of each onto the abdomen, cover with
  film to exclude the air and apply heat for 40
  minutes. This can also help in the small of the
  back.

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Acne

• Frankincense, lavender, chamomile and tea tree
• Carrot carrier oil
• Naturally Pure Cleansing Milk
• Naturally Fresh Toning Lotion
• Naturally Balancing Moisture Cream

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Pregnancy

• Do oils cross the placenta
• Oils for the body
• Oils for the mind
• Oils for labour
• Aftercare

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Essential oils balance the body

• Mild diuretics and emmenagogues cause no damage
  to pregnant women
• Pregnant women develop an extra layer of fat for
  protection this gives a slow release effect of
  the essential oils into the blood stream and
  gives proper time for metabolisation

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Relaxed mothers have relaxed babies

• Essential oils DO CROSS the placenta
• The placenta is not fully formed until at least
  10 weeks
• Essential oils can be present in breast milk but
  only in very small amounts

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Body oils
Backache Lavender true, Chamomile Roman
Breast for milk Fennel, lavender true
Breast to stop milk Cypress, geranium
Cervix Lavender, neroli, wheatgerm
Headaches Clary, lavender true, peppermint
Heartburn Peppermint, sandalwood
Insomnia Sandalwood, ylang ylang
Labour Clary, neroli, lavender true
Perineum Cypress, lavender true, neroli
Sickness Petitgrain, rosewood, sandalwood, orange sweet
Stretch marks Frankincense, lavender true, neroli, chamomile Roman
Varicose veins Cypress, frankincense, lemon
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Mind oils

• Geranium a cleanser for the lymphatic system
  and mind. Balances emotions,
  anti-depressant. Safe and gentle
• Melissa true deeply balancing, can cross
  blood/brain barrier. Deals with deep
  depression, emotional and hormonal imbalance.
  Safe to use

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Mind oils

• Roman chamomile balancing, antifungal, good
  for skin, stress and insomnia. Safe to use
• Rose otto antiviral, antiseptic, balancing.
  Good for skin, stress and insomnia. Very
  safe and gentle

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Oils for relief of labour pain
Basil Uterine tonic
Clary sage Analgesic (gas and air)
Melissa true Nervous system
Nutmeg Uterine tonic
Sage Uterine tonic
Orange sweet Analgesic
Tea tree Analgesic
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Post-natal care
Fatigue Mandarin, sweet marjoram, rosemary
Lactation Fennel, geranium, rose otto
Mastitis Cypress, fennel, geranium
Perineum Cypress, lavender, neroli, rose otto
Skin/hair care Chamomile Roman, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang ylang
Uterine tonic Cypress, sweet marjoram
Circulation Rosemary, mandarin, black pepper, geranium
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Menopause

• Hot flushes
• Vaginitis
• Irregular periods
• Lack of sex drive
• Haemorrhage
• Dry, wrinkled skin

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Hot Flushes

• Pelargonium graveolens
• Citrus bergamia
• Mentha x piperita
• Salvia sclarea
• Pimpinella anisum
• Chamemelum nobile
• Lavandula angustifolia
• Eau de rose, cassis and peppermint hydrolats

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Vaginitis/dry vagina

• Calendula
• Almond
• Avocado
• Wheatgerm
• Evening primrose
• Jojoba

• Santalum album
• Canaga odorata
• Rosa damascena
• Pogostemon patchouli
• Chamaemelum nobile
• Lavandula angustifolia

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Irregular Periods

• Salvia sclarea
• Salvia officinalis
• Melaleuca viridiflora
• Foeniculum vulgare
• Rosmarinus officinalus

• Use in borage or evening primrose oils

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Haemorrhage

• Bath
• Massage
• Compress

• Cupressus sempervirens
• Pelargonium graveolens
• Juniperus communis
• Lavandula angustifolia
• Thymus mastichina

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Lack of Sex-Drive

• Salvia sclarea
• Pimpinella anisum
• Pelargonium graveolens
• Syzigium aromaticum
• Rosa damascena
• Santalum album
• Cananga odorata

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Dry, wrinkled skin

• Use calendula for steroid damaged skin
• Use macadamia for cracked skin
• Use essential oils of rose, neroli, ylang ylang,
  geranium and palmarosa
• Naturally Soft moisture cream
• Naturally Velvet feeding mask
• Naturally Renewing night cream
• Naturally Delicate eye and neck cream

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Autumn years

• Incontinence
• Memory Loss
• Arthritis and aches and pains
• Chest infections
• Emotions

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Incontinence

• Cupressus sempervirens
• Thymus mastichina
• Lavandula x intermedia

• Bath
• Massage
• Compress

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Memory loss

• Rosmarinos officinalis is the very best oil to
  use for this distressing condition
• Nepeta cataria is also helpful
• Apply oils undiluted to the wrists and elbows
• Use in the bath
• Inhale during the day (if you remember!)

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Aches and pains

• Use in a light lotion
• Or in the bath
• Very helpful in a blend for massage using sesame
  carrier oil

• Oregano majorana
• Juniperus communis
• Zingiber montana
• Cymbopogon citratus
• Lavandula angustifolia

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Chest infections

• Eucalyptus smithii
• Boswelli carteri
• Oregano majorana
• Santalum album

• Use in a light lotion
• Or in the bath
• And as inhalations during the day and the night

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Enhance the Happiness

• Aromatise the memory - Rosemarinus
  officinalis
• Uplift the spirit - Citrus reticulata
  
• Help sleep - Lavendula
  angustifolia

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Conclusion

• Aromatherapy can help
• Hydrolats are very important for hormonal issues
• Dosages need to be adhered to for the vulnerable
• Thank you for listening