I venture a guess that most reading this have heard of aromatherapy, or perhaps smelled essential oils before. Essential oils have been used therapeutically for centuries. A recent resurgence has brought their therapeutic use to the mainstream. Essential oils are commonly used for relaxation, stress relief and for many other reasons, during a massage, “rain drop” sessions, and even in hospital settings. They often have an effeminate or unmanly connotation, but truly can impact overall male health and male fertility health.
If you’re concerned about your fertility health, you hopefully know how important it is to eat a nutrient-dense Male Fertility Diet, limit or avoid exposure to toxins/xenohormones, manage stress, and exercise regularly. You know not to smoke, to limit caffeine and alcohol, and consume adequate amounts of zinc for sperm health – for creation of the outer membrane and tail of a sperm, for maturation, mobility and strength, and for hormone balance. But guys, have you considered trying essential oils as a part of your natural fertility program?
There are many essential oils that are “tonic”, or healing, rejuvenating, and regenerating, to the reproductive system, whether male or female. We know the impact that trying to conceive with difficulty can have on a man, his libido, sexual function, not the mention his emotional health when battling a fertility health issue. Essential oils have the potential to help with all of that.
Essentials Oils Men Might Consider and Why
This is a list of several essential oils for men to consider learning more about. This is by no means a complete list of any essential oil a man can use. I’ve chosen several essential oils that support common male fertility health concerns we hear about at Natural-Fertility-Info.com. Each has many more benefits than listed here and may benefit females as well. I encourage you to continue your research to decide which might be right for your needs.
You’ll see there are several on this list that are members of the citrus family. Essential oils from members of the citrus family are often light and bright, invoking feelings of happiness and joy. They are commonly used to lift the mood, instill confidence and release anger. They are also known to support healthy liver function and digestive system function for proper detoxification and elimination, both important for hormonal balance. Many others are more woodsy, perhaps more masculine scents, many of which are known to support healthy endocrine and immune systems, as well as healthy adrenal and kidney function.
- Bergamot (Citrus aurant bergamia) – helps balance energy flow or Qi to and from the liver
- Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica & Cedrus deodora) – tonifying to the kidneys and supports healthy adrenal function
- Cyprus (Cupressus sempervirens) – stimulates circulation and energy flow or Qi throughout the body which boosts energy and invokes feelings of stability
- Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) – “Geranium is a stimulant of the adrenal cortex, which contains hormones that are essentially of a balancing nature. Consequently, it is indicated when the hormonal system needs balancing,” Ananda Apothecary. – is a tonic to the kidneys, helping them function optimally
- Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) – supports healthy liver function, is stimulating to the lymphatic system, and can help release bottled up emotions that need to be released
- Juniper (Juniperus communis) – helps to relieve the pressure and worry that some experience when battling infertility
- Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum, Jasmine officianale) – is strengthening for the male sex organs
- Sage (Salvia officinalis) – has a restorative effect on the reproductive system; “Massage with Clary Sage (in carrier oil) can be helpful in cases of sexual dysfunction, frigidity (females) and impotence (males) – partly due to its hormone balancing effects, and partly because of its usefulness in relieving stress and fear,” Ananda Apothecary
- Spruce (Tsuga canadensis) – has an affinity for the endocrine and immune systems, helps the body deal with stress, and may support testosterone levels
- Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) – helps relieve stagnation in the liver, stomach and intestines
- Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) – is known as an aphrodisiac and is a tonic to the reproductive system, stimulating to the circulatory system and endocrine glands to support healthy hormone production, and may gently stimulate healthy circulation
- Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) – widely used as an aphrodisiac in aromatherapy to enhance sexual relationships
Using Essential Oils
Essential oils are aromatic compounds, i.e. compounds that you can smell, that occur in nature and are distilled from plants. They are volatile meaning they easily evaporate. Most essential oils are best diluted in a carrier oil (olive, sweet almond and jojoba oils are popular) before application to the skin, yet they can also be diffused into the air and breathed in. We do not advocate ingesting essential oils unless you are receiving specific guidance from and being monitored by a trained aromatherapist.
Essential oils can be used individually or in a blend. There are no real strict rules for personal use, but Herbalist Dalene Barton-Schuster shares, “Fill glass bottle ½ of the way full with a carrier oil. Add the desired amount of drops of essential oils. Fill the rest of the bottle with carrier oil until almost full (allow room for the cap). Cap tightly and shake gently to mix oils. Let sit for at least a day before using.” For additional help with blending essential oils, there are many resources, but a few online resources follow:
Aromatherapy for Fertility | Natural-Fertility-Info.com
Measuring Essential Oils | Ananda Apothecary
Aromatic Blending of Essential Oils | AromaWeb
Aromahead Institute | Andrea Butje
- Essential Oils of the Highest Therapeutic Quality, from Ananda Aromatherapy. (n.d.). – Retrieved from: http://www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.html
- Kandola, A. (n.d.). 6 essential oils for erectile dysfunction (ED): What works and what doesn’t. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320258.php
- Mercola, J. (n.d.). Herbal Oil: Spruce Oil Benefits and Uses. Retrieved from: http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/spruce-oil.aspx
