Last updated on May 24, 2023
What are essential oils and how can they benefit women’s health in midlife?
Essential oils have grown in popularity in recent years, but are they actually a holistic remedy that can benefit women’s health in midlife or just a hyped-up magic elixir? If you have been wondering what they have to offer, this blog post is for you. We will dive into their holistic benefits and how they can support women during this stage of life. So, if you’re curious about essential oils and how they can help support your overall health and wellness, keep reading!
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated natural plant extracts. They are made by extracting the essences of plants through steam distillation or cold pressing, and are 50-70 times more potent than dried herbs. Since ancient times, essential oils have been used in alternative medicine. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including aromatherapy, massage and in cooking. Essential oils are nature’s essence in a bottle, providing unique benefits from each plant.
How To Use Essential Oils
There are three ways to use essential oils; topically, aromatically and ingestion. For this blog post, we will focus on the first two. For safety, ingesting essential oils should only be done with guidance from a trained herbalist.
Topically means applying essential oils directly to the skin or in combination with a carrier oil. Topical application offers many advantages for a healthy complexion and a variety of skin care concerns. It is recommended to dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, until you know how your body will respond to the oils.
Aromatically means to breathe in the oils. The simplest way to use essential oils is by diffusing them. Another way to experience their essences is with aromatherapy spray mists. Just by breathing in their aromatic scents you can improve your mood and foster a sense of well-being.
Benefits of Essential Oils
Pure undiluted plant-based essential oils have many health and wellness benefits:
- When used topically, reach every cell in your body within 20 minutes
- Assist your body in getting rid of toxins
- Assist in supporting the body’s various systems, including the digestive, neurological, muscular, and more.
- Encourage cellular regeneration
- Cross the blood-brain barrier
- Help support emotions by using your brain’s limbic system
- Help support clean, breathable air
Which Essential Oil Brand Is Right For You
With so many essential oil brands on the market today, it can be overwhelming how to choose a brand that will best meet your health and wellness needs. As a Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Instructor, and midlife Mom in my 50s, essential oils have personally helped support my physical and emotional health for over a decade. They have also helped eliminate toxins in my home and promote healthy habits for my family. Learn how to choose essential oils that are pure, safe, and effective to support your wellbeing.
What is the Difference Between Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils?
Essential oils vary in terms of purity and quality. It is important to know the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils, in order to choose essential oils that are non-toxic and free of synthetic ingredients.
Essential oils are made by harvesting the parts of plants (petals, leaves, roots, barks, stems, and seeds) through the processes of steam distillation or cold pressing. Pure essential oils are natural essences in a bottle and are 50-70 times more potent than dried herbs.
Fragrance oils have been artificially diluted and are synthetic, despite the fact that they may smell nice, they do not contain any healthy natural ingredients.
Organic, Wildcrafted And Therapeutic Grade
Organic refers to whether or not pesticides have been used on plants. It is vital to diligently search for essential oil companies to find out where and how they are sourcing their ingredients. A good essential oil company is transparent about its sourcing policies and will have this information easily accessible. A reputable essential oil company will also conduct thorough testing to determine the quality and purity of its oils and will publish the results. It is important to remember that just because an essential oil is not labeled as organic, does not mean it isn’t pure.
Many plants are wildcrafted, meaning they are grown in the wild without the use of pesticides. If an essential oil bottle doesn’t bear the USDA organic seal, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the essential oil inside isn’t organic. The organic certification process can be costly for companies. Many essential oils are wildcrafted and sourced outside of the United States where there is no certification process.
Therapeutic Grade is a term that is not regulated by the FDA, but rather is a phrase created and used by some essential oil companies to refer to the high quality of their products. Additionally, there are no requirements that must be met globally to qualify for the status of “Therapeutic Grade”. Many companies that label their essential oils as “Therapeutic Grade” perform rigorous third-party testing and publish this information.
High Quality Essential Oil Brands
There are three high quality essential oil brands that I use and trust both for my personal wellness and in handcrafting my aromatherapy products:
1. Edens Garden– Edens Garden was founded in 2009. It is a women owned and operated company. Their products are sustainability produced, non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free and made with 100% pure essential oils.
2. Mountain Rose Herbs– Mountain Rose Herbs was established over 30 years ago. It is founded on the principle, “People, plants, and planet are more important than profit.” They practice sustainable sourcing, are passionate about organics and fair trade.
3. Plant Therapy– Plant Therapy was founded as an online business in 2011. Its mission is to provide high quality, 100% pure and affordable essential oils. Their products undergo third part testing, are cruelty free, sustainable and certified organic.
6 Best Essential Oils For Women Midlife
When it comes to essential oils for women in midlife, there are 6 that standout as the best options that offer incredible benefits.
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage oil is often regarded as a go-to choice due to its hormone-balancing properties, which can help support symptoms of menopause and promote emotional well-being. It has a lovely, calming scent, but it also contains compounds that have been shown to help regulate hormones and reduce inflammation in the body. Simply add a few drops to your diffuser or mix with a carrier oil and massage it into your skin for best results.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense oil is another popular option, known as the “King” of essential oils for its ability to reduce stress and support healthy skin. Frankincense essential oil has been used since ancient times and comes from the resin of the Boswellia trees. You can incorporate Frankincense into your daily self-care routine by diffusing it, adding it to your bath or applying it topically with a carrier oil. Frankincense is a great oil to use in your Yoga and meditation practice. Try our True Self essential oil blend that includes Frankincense for added relaxation.
Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium oil is often favored for its balancing effects on hormones, helping to regulate mood swings and promote emotional stability. It’s gentle floral aroma adds a soothing touch to self-care rituals, providing a sense of comfort and tranquility. Whether you diffuse Geranium oil, apply topically, or use it in skincare formulations, geranium essential oil offers women in midlife a natural and holistic approach to managing hormonal changes and enhancing overall well-being.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is a versatile oil that comes from the lavandula plant. Its has a heavenly floral smell and can help with a variety of issues that commonly arise during midlife. Lavender oil can aid in relaxation, sleep quality and overall stress reduction. You can diffuse it in your home, apply it topically to your temples or wrists (dilute with a carrier oil) as an on-the-go perfume.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil is known for its invigorating and refreshing aroma that can help uplift the mood and promote mental clarity. Peppermint has also been used to soothe tired muscles, ease headaches and support digestion. Create a refreshing peppermint spray to help cool off during hot flashes and summer!
Citrus Essential Oils
Citrus oils such as grapefruit, bergamot, orange and lemon oil are known for their invigorating refreshing aroma. They are like sunshine in a bottle! Citrus oils can help combat feelings of low mood, fatigue, and mental sluggishness that can sometimes arise during midlife. It’s important to note that some citrus essential oils, like bergamot, can increase sensitivity to sunlight, so it’s best to avoid direct sunlight after application. Here is an organic sugar scrub recipe for glowing skin using citrus essential oils.
These essential oils can be a valuable addition to a woman’s midlife journey, providing support for both physical and emotional well-being.
Holistic Health For Women
Holistic health and essential oils can be a valuable addition to any woman’s midlife wellness routine. These organic remedies can assist symptoms related to hormone imbalances, stress, and anxiety, resulting in a happier and healthier living. By incorporating essential oils into your daily routine, you can experience the benefits of these powerful plant extracts. Consider arranging a free wellness plan session with me if you’re interested in learning more about how essential oils might enhance your general wellbeing. I am here to help you navigate the world of holistic health and find the solutions that work best for you.
Handcrafted Aromatherapy Products
Over 10 years ago, I developed a passion for handcrafting organic apothecary products that promote healing and empower women to find a deeper understanding of themselves and reconnect to their body, mind and spirit. Luna Aleia Organics was founded from this passion. I enjoy creating essential oil blends for my clients, family, friends and community. If you have further questions about choosing essential oils and want to schedule a FREE wellness session with me, I am 100% here for you.
