There are so many things we can blame on hormones! Having a bad day? What about fatigue, migraines, mood swings, all types of aches and pains, weight gain.... it must be hormones. Once a month or all month long, hormones. 

We may not be able to prove it, but we know. We may not be able to solve it, we can explain it - hormones!

What if we could access a couple tools from nature to resolve some of our issues - and bring us back into a state of hormone balance? 

Hormones are always at work, affecting a such a wide spectrum of physiological processes  that is is difficult to trace the original source. Two of the main hormones that women deal with are estrogen and progesterone. When these two hormones are in harmony, so are we. When they are not, that is when we experience cravings, unexplained weight gain, migraines, temperature fluctuations - hot flashes, mood swings, tears, fatigue -  and more. 

What are those tools that I was referring to?
Diet, exercise, natural high quality supplements and personal products, and if you want to start with he simplest of all of them - consistent usage of essential oils.

First, there are SO MANY OPTIONs here. Just like if you were trying a medication that was prescribed by your Provider, you don't just give up if you don't get the exact outcome you were hoping for. You may change dose, or schedule or try a different option all together - same thing with essential oils. I am confident that there is an option here for you. It may take a little tweaking to find what is right for you.

Let's start with 3 of the most popular options that may help you to create hormonal synergy: Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, and Clary Sage. All know for their calming and soothing abilities, and have been used for centuries to improve the lives of women.

BERGAMOT ESSENTIAL OIL

Combining it with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil and using it to massage your abdomen during times of hormonal imbalance or just massaging your body when you are feeling levels of high stress can leave you feeling more relaxed and calm. You can also add it to your favorite moisturizer or some raw coconut oil and use it as a mood-boosting, skin cleanser and purifier. A quick trick for a restful night’s sleep is to apply Bergamot to your feet before bedtime. It is also prized for its amazing powers when diffused. During times of high tension and stress, diffusing Bergamot can lessen these feelings, leaving you with a sense of self-confidence. Also try adding Lavender or Lime in with your Bergamot diffusion for an extra-relaxing effect. And one final tidbit – adding Bergamot to regular tea transforms it into Earl Grey tea, and who doesn’t love a spot of tea when they are feeling extra stressed?

YLANG YLANG ESSENTIAL OIL

Pronounced EE-lang EE-lang – it is not only fun to say, it has an amazing calming, floral scent that can change the mood on a most gloomy day.. Massaging Ylang Ylang on a daily basis into the back of their neck and heart can reduce the effects of stress in their lives. It's also an amazing addition to your hair care routine – massage it into your scalp or adding a drop to your shampoo or conditioner. Make washing your hair an aromatherapy experience! Of course, diffusing this oil can be very powerful too. Ylang Ylang has been noted for its antioxidant support on the body,

CLARY SAGE ESSENTIAL OIL

Clary Sage is extremely effective for supporting estorgen and progesterone balance. Application of this oil to the abdomen during that special time of the month both soothes and calms hormonal symptoms. Applying it to your pulse points can definitely help reduce stress, increase cognitive function and improve sleep. We all need our beauty sleep, and Clary Sage promotes a restful night’s sleep when applied at bedtime to the feet or on pulse points, and, like Ylang Ylang, it can also be added to your hair products for shiny hair.  Need some heavy duty calm in your life?

If you are pregnant – Clary Sage has been known to promote contractions in a woman’s body, so it is one of those oils that we avoid while pregnant until you are ready to give birth. Once those contractions start or if you are overdue, go ahead and make use of this amazing oil! It is also particularly helpful in balancing your hormones post-birth as well!

CLARY CALM WOMEN’S BLEND

Ok, I may have saved the best for last. This blend is nothing short of miraculous! If this got out to women everywhere, it seriously could change the world. I am not even exaggerating! doTERRA has specifically formulated Clary Calm Monthly Blend for Women, using a blend of Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Palmarosa, and Vitex. They give this to us in a ready-to-use rollerball bottle for super-easy application right to your pulse points or on your abdomen. Clary Calm is a nothing short of a miracle! 
​
I use this daily, applying to my belly every morning. I find that when I am consistent with this - I don't get the symptoms. Why wait to experience the symptoms before reaching for the solution, if you can avoid them all together? 

 dōTERRA describes the benefits of this blend as the “best oil for your worst week.”

Many of my friends tell me that they don't enjoy the smell of this blend all month long. Did you know that oils tend to smell good to you when you need them the most? It is not unusual that once a month, this blend is simply irresistible and the rest of the month, not so much.  Strange, but true! This is part of the amazing nature of essential oils.

I have one of these in my bathroom - put it where you use it so you don't forget! I also carry it with me everywhere! Trust me when I tell you - if you or someone you know suffers from any intensified symptoms once a month - you will love having this in your life! 

OK, one more tip, a recipe really...another option for how to use this amazing tool: 

MOOD SPRITZ

• 2 oz. Glass Spray Bottle
• Distilled water
• 30 drops dōTERRA Clary Calm Monthly Blend for Women

Blend together, shake, and spritz for a cooling effect on the skin, especially during those moments of heat in a woman’s later years!

Sometimes it is the simplest, smallest actions that we take that make the biggest impact. Once we tackle those things, we are more empowered to take on the more involved changes, like diet, incorporating daily exercise and relaxation techniques,. Working on developing a daily regimen of hormone-supportive oils into your life can do wonders for your overall emotional and physical well-being, and it can be really fun. 

Once you have the tools that you need, I will help you every step of the way to make sure you get the results you are looking for - less of all the crappy symptoms that come with   hormone imbalance. 

...Laurel Leaf essential oil is one for every home, let's put it to work for us. 

Laurel leaves have been regarded highly sacred in both the ancient Greeks and the Romans. Their value being in the their symbolism for victory and high status. The Greeks also considered it to be a potent medicine that was capable of protecting them against plague and various diseases.  To the Romans, it was a symbol of wisdom, peace, and protection.

Bay laurel was used to fashion the laurel wreath of ancient Greece, a symbol of highest status. A wreath of bay laurels was given as the prize at the Pythian Games because the games were in honor of Apollo, It is also the source of the words baccalaureate and poet laureate, as well as the expressions "assume the laurel" and "resting on one's laurels".

Today, some of that carries over in the way we can value the Bay Laurel tree for its benefits for those who seek natural solutions for health care. I think you will love what you learn about this oil, as you read it - and even more so as you experience it. 

Bay Laurel Leaf essential oil is derived from the Bay Laurel tree, which is also botanically known as Laurus nobilis, through a process of steam distillation. This oil is commonly confused with Bay oil, which comes from Pimenta racemosa instead. Although these two oils share similar qualities and have similar properties, they come from two very different plants. This is why it is so important to notice the Latin name on any bottle of oil that you purchase. You don't have to remember all of the names, just be sure that you are getting what you are intending to. Names of oils can be closely related and there can be very different chemistry profiles involved. 

Health Benefits of Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil:

1.  Respiratory Support

You can diffuse bay laurel leaf oil aromatically in a diffuser or personal inhaler. ​The essential oil of the bay laurel leaf is known to be an expectorant, clearing up excess phlegm and mucus and relieving nasal congestion. This oil is a valuable part of doTERRA Breathe respiratory blend as well. This, as a single oil or in a blend is one that is great to have handy when needing relief from coughs and congestion. The properties in this oil are credited for being antispasmodic, and thus able to provide relief from even the really uncomfortable cough. 

We love how essential oils do not only address and soothe the symptoms, but are also equipped for the root cause. Laurel leaf also has antibacterial and antiseptic properties to aid the body in fighting off the threat that caused the problem in the first place. 

TIP: 
Another nice way to use this oil is by making a steam inhalation. Add a few drops of the oil into a bowl of hot, steaming water and inhale the vapors, You can even mix it in combination with eucalyptus, lemon and oregano essential oil to produce optimum results!


2. Regulates Menstrual Flow

Extracts of the bay laurel leaves have been used to stimulate menstrual flows, making the essential oil a good, natural remedy for irregular and improper menstrual cycles.  

Remember we said there are antispasmodic properties, this also can help to menstrual cramps - relaxing the uterine muscles. Added benefit may be the relief of commonly associated problems, such as nausea and fatigue.

TIP: Dilute the oil with a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oils) in a 1:1 ratio and gently massage onto your abdominal area for pain relief and to stimulate menstruation.


3. Relieves Discomfort

The analgesic properties in Laurel Leaf make  it an option for addressing muscular and joint discomfort. This is great news for those with ongoing issues as well as for those who are looking for relief after an intense workout session. Another time to consider Laurel Leaf essential oil is for the relief of  head tension. 

This oil is very calming to the nerves as well and may help with discomforts related to disturbances of the nervous system. 

In the presence of discomfort, we are usually looking for fast relief. Essential oils work fast and have additional benefits that are not offered by more conventional approaches that may also have unwanted side effects and may be harmful to your overall health in the long run. So, reach for the oil first. You will know quickly if it is going to be effective. If you don't experience the outcome you are looking for within 20 min, then you can always move to a different approach (a different oil or a more conventional approach). 

TIP:
When addressing pain, topical use may be best approach, simply dilute the oil with a carrier oil and gently massage onto the affected areas. Diluting is going to add to benefits of the oils by improving absorption and creating a little heat as you massage it in. You can also add a few drops of the oil in a warm compress and press gently onto the affected areas.

4. Helps to Support Wound Healing

This oil is also a great addition to your first aid kits as it helps to clean bacteria out from wounds, cuts, bruises or scrapes incurred. It may also help to speed up the healing process.

TIP: 
Apply around the wound, not directly on an open wound. Apply diluted bay laurel leaf oil onto the affected areas using a cotton swab, 


5. Supports Digestive Health

Gently massaging diluted laurel leaf oil onto your abdominal area to suport your digestive health! This oil may boost appetite, so great for those who suffer from loss of appetite due to various reasons, Not only that, it also may help to remove excess gas from the stomach and intestines, and prevents the formation of gases in these digestive organs as well, This is going to be supportive in relieving any symptoms of indigestion, bloating or pain. Its antispasmodic qualities at work! 


6. Insect Repellent

Diffusing Laurel Leaf essential oil or adding few drops of the oil to a spray bottle containing water, and spraying it all over surfaces and cracks to may prevent those little creatures from taking up residence.   

Like so many of our essential oils, one of their purposes is to protect the plant from pests. This oil is no different, containing  potent insect repelling qualities, If you eliminateing toxins from your environment is important to you, this is an added perk 

Commercial pesticide bottles are detrimental not only to the environment, but to your health as well if you breathe in too much of it. Using essential oils as insect repellent has that extra benefit of eliminating yet another toxin from your life!

 
7.  Promote Hair Growth

I am excited about this use! Laurel leaf oil is also thought to be a good tonic for the hair. If you are looking for a natural way to boost hair growth and prevent excessive hair loss, this is one to give a try. Because it is also an astringent, it helps to tighten the grip of the hair follicles and the hair roots, preventing loss of hair. It helps to moisturize the scalp too, preventing dandruff and flaky scalp. Healthy scalp means healthy hair. 

Simply dilute the oil with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and apply onto the scalp and hair. Rinse off after a few minutes.


Safety Precautions:  Bay laurel leaf essential oil, when used in aromatherapy, is often mixed with other essential oils such as rose, rosemary, thyme, lavender, ylang-ylang, juniper berry, coriander, ginger and eucalyptus essential oils, 

When applying bay laurel leaf oil, it is important that you dilute it heavily with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and perform a skin patch test first to ensure you do not have any sensitivity. I would also recommend starting at higher dilution 1-3% when applying it topically. Because of its  high concentration of eugenol, it has been known to irritate the skin. 

There is not much reason to consume bay laurel leaf oil internally and as always, discuss it with your doctor or a medical expert if you are going to uslaurel leaf oil as a form of treatment, because the oil can interfere with your pre-existing prescribed drugs to produce unwanted side effects.


Chemistry, for those of you who are a little more curious about how we think we know how these oils work: 

The main constituents of bay essential oil are alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, beta pinene, chavicol, geranyl acetate, eugenol, limonene, linalool, methyl chavicol, myrcene, and neral.