Essential Oil Recipes Using Chaste Tree Berry

Perhaps it’s that time again—the monthly appearance of irritating mood swings and puffiness from water retention. Or perhaps you’re well past all that, and exhausted from dealing with sleepless nights caused by your own personal summer.

Whether a woman is just learning to cope with PMS or is post-menopausal, she can experience similar annoying bouts of moodiness, fatigue, bloating, even insomnia. Essential oils can help alleviate the symptoms of hormonal and emotional vagaries that strike at each stage of a woman’s life. Read more about Chaste Berry Tree Health Benefits.

If the essential oil of angelica sounds soothing, you’re right. Angelica root (Angelica archangelica) is a grounding herb that calms the mood while stimulating the immune system and encouraging the body’s natural elimination of toxins. When combined with cypress, angelica is noted for dispelling depressive thoughts. Include the deeply complex essential oil of blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum), and you’ll create a powerful blend to battle the grumps and fight off anxious thoughts that fuel insomnia.

Indeed, the lilting, woodsy aroma of essential oil of cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) helps gently steady erratic moods and enrich any calming blend. Massage several drops of cypress with a carrier oil, such as evening primrose or rosehips, on the abdomen to spot-treat menstrual cramps. Cypress offers astringent properties that boost circulation, and along with grapefruit, helps provoke a natural diuretic process.

Like essential oils of geranium, sage, and ylang ylang, grapefruit is often cited as a “female oil” due to its powerful chemical constituents that help balance hormones. The sweet-tart tang of uplifting Citrus paradisi helps assist with flushing excess water from the body and is a refreshing ingredient in a home spa blend to treat periodic bloating and cellulite. Aromatic bonus: Just inhaling the crisp citrus aroma is said to help curb hunger cravings!

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is especially effective for women, as it supports the reproductive system from puberty to menopause. It also helps maintain healthy adrenal levels and relieves fluid retention, often a side effect of PMS. Offset its pungent aroma with the scents of zesty grapefruit or sweet, heady ylang ylang for a powerful blend to soothe rattled nerves.

Sage (Salvia officinalis) may be familiar as a culinary star, but the essential oil is a fresh, stimulating addition for any blend created to treating symptoms of PMS, post-menopausal fatigue, even emotional exhaustion. Historically, sage has been used to treat hysteria and negativity, generate wisdom, and promote healing. The essential oil can help stabilize menstrual cycles and related symptoms. Spritz a simple body spray of distilled water mixed with herbaceous sage to reset a toxic mood.

Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata var genuina) is an intoxicating floral that allays nervous tension. Choose either “extra” or “complete” distillations of ylang ylang, the preferred essential oils for therapeutic use. Not just an antidepressant, ylang ylang is also known as a female aphrodisiac with its desire-boosting aroma, which is especially helpful for post-menopausal women coping with a loss of libido. It’s euphoric scent, however, will lift the spirits of any woman seeking relief from daily stress.

Slumber Blend

Blend essential oils with 2–3 oz. of distilled water for a body or pillow mist or add to a cool mist room diffuser for extended aerial application. Vary the amount of lavender with other oils for your scent preference.

• 6 drops Angelica
• 6 drops Blue Tansy
• 18 drops Cypress
• 32 drops Lavender

Goddess Synergy

Prepare essential oils in 4 oz. Epsom salts for soaking in a hot bath, or in 2 oz. carrier oil, such as rosehips or evening primrose oil, for massaging into affected areas.

• 12 drops Geranium
• 24 drops Grapefruit
• 12 drops Ylang Ylang
• 12 drops Sage

Mood Booster

Blend essential oils with 2–3 oz. of distilled water for a handy aromatic mist. This blend will also work well as a rollerball application using 1 oz. carrier oil.

• 15 drops Angelica
• 10 drops Blue Tansy
• 16 drops Sage
• 12 drops Lavender

Home Spa Tonic

Blend essential oils with 4 oz. lavender hydrosol or distilled water; spritz liberally after shower or bath.

• 32 drops Cypress
• 36 drops Grapefruit
• 44 drops Sage
• 10 drops Ylang Ylang

As always, test oil sensitivity by using a skin patch test. If ill or pregnant, consult your family physician prior to using essential oils, and avoid cypress, blue tansy, and sage oils. Keep oils out of reach of children and pets.