Women with endometriosis need helpful options as they work on their recovery. Essential oils and aromatherapy are excellent choices to promote the body’s natural healing response, relieve pain, and encourage normal hormone balance.
Essential oils are best combined with a complete natural fertility program for endometriosis. They can be used for symptom management and can encourage recovery.
This article discusses some of the best essential oils for endometriosis, how they work, and ways to use them for the best results.
Essential Oil Allies for Endometriosis
Essential oils in the following categories may be useful for symptom relief and improved well-being if you have endometriosis.
Relieve pain and inflammation
Many women with endometriosis battle chronic pain. For pain relief, most oils are best used diluted in a massage oil.
- Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)– Well known as an herbal analgesic (pain reliever) for nerve pain, Roman chamomile can ease abdominal, back and leg pain related to endometriosis.
- Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) and Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)– A power combination for pain relief. Boswellic acid in Frankincense has similar action as NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) but without side effects like GI discomfort. Myrrh helps to move the blood, disperse stagnation and decreases reproductive swelling.
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)– Marjoram relaxes spasms, eases inflammation, and has natural antiseptic action for minor infection.
Promote circulation and disperse reproductive stagnation
Endometriosis is worsened by poor circulation or stagnation in the body.
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale)– Ginger is one of the strongest oils to promote circulation and disperse stagnation in the reproductive or digestive system.
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)– A primary oil for healthy circulation, rosemary also has estrogen-balancing activity.
- Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)– A tonic for the circulatory system, cypress encourages normal blood flow and helps release toxins from the body.
Improve hormone balance
Hormone imbalance can trigger and worsen endometriosis. Hormone balancing oils can be used in a diffuser, diluted in a massage oil, or in a roller ball.
- Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)– Clary sage helps balance estrogen, relaxes the nervous system, and calms PMS cramps and mood swings.
- Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)– Frankincense has cortisol balancing activity and supports balanced immune response.
- Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens var. roseum)– An adaptogenic oil, geranium encourages more balanced hormones and a happier mood.
Relax stress and enhance mood
Women with endometriosis are often under high stress or suffer from depression or anxiety. Stress relieving oils can be used topically diluted in a massage oil, in a diffuser or in a roller ball.
- Rose (Rosa damascene)– One of the best oils for problems of the heart, grief and loss.
- Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)– A wonderful happiness oil. Ylang ylang relaxes stress and can quickly improve your mood. Tip: Try adding a few drops of ylang ylang in a diffuser while doing a Fertility Meditation or practicing positive affirmations.
- Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)– A potent anti-inflammatory, lavender oil is well known to fight stress reactions, promote better sleep, and relieve chronic pain.
In fact, A 2018 in vivo, randomized single-blind controlled trial published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine proved that a 1:1 essential oil (EO) blend of Lavender and Ylang ylang reduced stress (at 10 minutes and 30 minutes post EO inhalation), sympathetic nerve activity , serum cortisol levels (30 minutes post inhalation), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure for 33 humans in the experimental group of 95 study participants. These measures were tracked prior to and after participants were asked complete mathematic subtraction problems while hearing white noise for two minutes.
Notes On Essential Oil Use:
Use essential oils with respect and care! It’s important to note that essential oils are extremely potent. A little goes a long way. Large doses are actually counterproductive. Unless you are otherwise recommended by a clinical aromatherapist, use them in very small amounts (1-4 drops) diluted in a carrier oil (like almond oil, Castor Oil or jojoba oil), in a high-quality massage oil, in an aromatherapy diffuser or roller ball. Consult with a clinical aromatherapist if you’re unsure about how to use an oil. For women who are trying to conceive, be aware that some oil blends are used up until ovulation only.
Feel Better and Heal With Aromatherapy
Essential oils and aromatherapy can facilitate recovery and symptom relief if you’re addressing endometriosis naturally.
If you don’t want to make your own essential oil blend, high-quality choices are available at most natural food stores. Radiant Womb – Therapeutic Fertility Massage Oil uses herbal extracts blended with oils like clary sage, rose and ginger for support of pain relief, circulation and normal hormone balance.
Additional resources:
Aromatherapy for Fertility
Increasing Fertility Through the Use of Essential Oils
How to Enhance the Benefits of Castor Oil with Essential Oils
- Tillett, J. and Ames, D. (2010, July/Sept.). The uses of aromatherapy in women’s health. The Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing; 24(3):238-45. doi: 10.1097/JPN.0b013e3181ece75d. Retrieved from: https://insights.ovid.com/pubmed?pmid=20697241
- Top 5 Essential Oils For Endometriosis (2018). Retrieved from: https://heartmindandseoul.com/essential-oils-for-endometriosis/
- Bae, I. et al (2018) Effects of aromatherapy essential oil inhalation on the stress response after exposure to noise and arithmetic subtraction stressor: randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. 11(1):275-284. Retrieved from http://www.ijcem.com/files/ijcem0051785.pdf
- The 10 Best Essential Oils For Women’s Health. (2015, July). Retrieved from: https://helloglow.co/10-best-essential-oils-womens-health/
- Mercola, J. (2017, Jan.). Roman Chamomile Oil: Ancient Soldiers’ Secret Weapon. Retrieved from: https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/roman-chamomile-oil.aspx
- Burgess, S. (2015, June). The Use of Aromatherapy for Chronic Pain. Retrieved from: https://naturalhealthcourses.com/2015/06/the-use-of-aromatherapy-for-chronic-pain/
- Bowman, C. (2015, June). 9 Essential Oils For Hormonal Imbalance & How To Use Them. Retrieved from: http://www.naturallivingideas.com/9-essential-oils-for-hormonal-imbalance-how-to-use-them/
- Top 10 Essential Oils For Hormone Balance. (2018, April). Retrieved from: https://www.gurunanda.com/blogs/aromatherapy/top-10-essential-oils-for-hormone-balance
Sarah has worked in the field of natural foods and herbalism for over 20 years. She’s the Co-Author of “Healthy Healing” with over 1 million copies sold, a Certified Herbalist, and a health and wellness consultant. Sarah Graduated from the Professional Herbal Studies program at East West School of Herbology, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from St. Mary’s College. Working with women on their journey to wellness is her passion and she loves to share what she has been blessed to learn from naturopaths and other herbalists over the years.
