Essential Oils Applied Topically For Menstrual Cramp Relief
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It’s a cold fall morning, my dog is waiting impatiently for me to take her on a walk, and I am not good for anything. I am bent over, resembling a fetal position, clutching a heating pad to my hips and abdomen hoping to get relief from the intense discomfort I experience when it gets to that time of my cycle every month.
When it comes to menstruation, period havers commonly experience painful symptoms such as menstrual cramps, back pain, and overall tension in the body. They often look to over the counter pain pills like ibuprofen and Advil to relieve period symptoms, but as Versus Arthritis (2024) explains, NSAIDs and other over the counter pain pills can harm organs such as the liver, kidney, and heart with long-term use. Those with more severe menstrual conditions such as endometriosis even look to surgery for relief from their chronic suffering (Mayo Clinic, 2018). While these methods can help relieve the severity of these symptoms, they are more invasive, and can have adverse effects on the body. Holistic modalities offer treatments that are less-invasive, and even the use of aromatherapy can be a useful tool for addressing period cramps.
Aromatherapy is the use of plant or plant extracts including essential oils, hydrosols, and carrier oils to promote healing and relief on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels (NAHA, n.d.). Aromatics have been used as medicine for thousands of years across cultures to ward off sickness, enhance medical treatments, address cuts and wounds, and relieve pain (Pressimone, 2014). This paper intends to explore the possibility and efficiency of essential oils as a tool of relief for period symptoms.
Summary of Essential Oil Use for Menstrual Relief Research
Aromatherapy Massage Relieves Menstrual Cramps
In this 2006 study conducted by the Wonkwang Public Health College School of Nursing, 67 female college students who ranked their period cramps 6 or above on a scale out of 10 were test subjects to see how essential oils impacted their menstrual pain. They were divided into 3 control groups; one group received a 15 minute abdominal massage with essential oils lavender Lavandula angustifolia), clary sage (Salvia sclarea), and rose (Rosa damascena) blended into sweet almond oil; a second group received the massage with sweet almond oil and no essential oils, and a third control group received no treatment. Treatments were administered a week before their anticipated menstrual cycles up through the first day. Results showed a pain decrease in more than half of the group treated with essential oils, while the other groups showed no improvements in pain reduction (Research, 2007).
This study serves as an example that essential oils enhance other holistic treatments, and in this case, lavender, rose, and clary sage was effective in relieving menstrual pain.
Pain relief assessment by aromatic essential oil massage on outpatients with primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial
Gathered by Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, this study explored the effectiveness of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), clary sage (Salvia sclarea), and marjoram (Origanum majorana) oils blended and applied topically to ease menstrual cramps in patients experiencing primary dysmenorrhea. This blend was chosen for their high analgesic contents. With 48 participants, half received cream with essential oils, and half received cream with synthetic fragrance. Creams were applied to the lower abdomen starting at the end of the last menstruation through the beginning of the next. In the essential oil group, the duration of pain decreased from 2.4 days to 1.8 days (Ou et al., 2012). .
While there is some information missing in this study, it is clear that the essential oils played a role in reducing the duration of pain these patients faced.
The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on the Pain Severity of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Triple-blind Randomized Clinical Trial
200 students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences in Iran participated in a clinical trial to determine the effect of lavender aromatherapy on period pain. Randomly split into a control placebo group and aromatherapy trial group, participants spent 30 minute intervals smelling lavender daily during the first 3 days of menstruation, for two menstrual cycles– lasting a course of two months. The placebo group were given diluted milk in place of lavender. A visual analog scale was used to measure pain initially in the first three days of menstruation before the trial began, and two months later, when the trial ended. The pain severity of the treatment group decreased significantly after two months from 7.27 to 5.04, while the pain of the placebo group slightly increased from 7.03 to 7.04 (Karimollahi et al., 2016).
This is an example demonstrating that lavender, even used by inhalation, was effective in relieving dysmenorrhea. These studies illustrate how aromatherapy, no matter the method of administration, can contribute to relief in period cramps.
My Application
To effectively reduce the intensity of my cramps, I make and use a healing salve of shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), clary sage (Salvia sclarea), and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).
Because of the effectiveness of lavender on menstrual pain in my research findings, I chose this as an ingredient. Lavender has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and nervine actions, which contribute to pain relief and relaxation (Pressimone, 2015). It can be helpful for PMS, anxiety, stress, headaches, and moodiness– symptoms that can be present throughout the cycle as well. Contraindications include potential skin irritation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. The ester compounds present in lavender (linalyl acetate and lavandulyl acetate), sesquiterpenes (caryophyllene and farnesene), aldehydes (geraniol and neral), and ketones (octanone) contribute to these therapeutic qualities (Pressimone, 2015).
The next ingredient is clary sage essential oil, also present in many studies of essential oils relieving cramps. Emmenagogue, analgesic, antispasmodic, euphoric, and nervine properties of this oil make it a great candidate for menstrual pain relief and mood swings (Pressimone, 2015). Contraindications to note are estrogen-dominant cancers, pregnancy, epilepsy, and possible nightmares with overuse. The esters (linalyl acetate, geranyl acetate, neryl acetate), sesquiterpenes (germacrene and caryophyllene), ketones (thujone), aldehydes, and coumarins contribute to the analgesic, nervine, and antispasmodic characteristics in clary sage oil (Pressimone, 2015).
Cinnamon oil, with warming, analgesic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, and anti-inflammatory agents tie the blend together for a strong pain relieving, muscle relaxing formula. Cinnamon is also helpful for emotional strength, PMS, and mood swings. Contraindications are blood thinners, high blood pressure, skin irritant, pregnancy, and breastfeeding (Pressimone, 2015). The chemical components of aldehydes (cinnamaldehyde), phenols (eugenol), sesquiterpenes (caryophyllene), esters (benzyl benzoate and eugenol acetate), and coumarins are key for its menstrual relieving effects (Pressimone, 2015). These three oils have a strong synergistic effect with tripled analgesic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory actions. For a localized area, a 3% dilution rate is recommended. For every 10 ml of carrier oil, I will include 2 drops of clary sage as it has a dermal limit of 3%, three drops of lavender with the same dermal limit, and one drop of cinnamon as it has a smaller dermal limit of 0.7%. I chose more lavender than clary sage since the aroma isn’t as strong, and lavender can be a top or middle note, while clary sage is more of a middle or base note. This body butter is recommended to be applied daily on the lower abdomen with a gentle massage 3 days before the next estimated menstrual cycle, and then anytime menstrual cramps and period pain occur.
Conclusion
While there are some contraindications for specific conditions, when used properly, aromatherapy is a helpful and less invasive option for menstrual cramp relief than the traditional over the counter pain pill. In addition to providing pain relief, my soothing salve moistures the skin on the body and can be used in other areas of muscle pain.
You can find my Cramp Relief salve for sale in person at the Rivervescent studio, or contact me for an online purchase!
**DISCLAIMER- Essential oils can be harmful if not used properly, and have contraindications! They are the most concentrated form of a plant. Consult proper healthcare professionals before use.