Hormones aren’t something anyone gives much thought, but when they aren’t balanced, they may lead to serious health problems.
In part, hormones regulate growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, and mood (1).
Michael Lam, MD, MPH, ABAAM is a specialist in Nutritional and Anti-Aging Medicine,
describes hormones as “very powerful chemicals that profoundly control and affect our body” (2).
Sex hormones, like testosterone and estrogen, regulate fertility, food, and sexual function.
Because of hormone-laced meat, pesticides, medications, and pollutants, many women and men now suffer form estrogen dominance. Not only can this cause headaches, hair loss, bloating, and poor memory, too much estrogen is also a risk factor for breast cancer. But that’s far from the only effects.
3 Effects Of Hormone Imbalances
1. Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue is heavily related to stress. Not surprisingly, it’s one of the most common condition to affect working adults. Adrenal fatigue is typically triggered by a long period of stress or several stressful situations as well as emotional or physical exhaustion (3).
Adrenal fatigue may also lead to Addison’s disease, which causes significant damage to the adrenal cortex (4).
Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include (5):
- Low blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
- Depression
- Low blood pressure
- Joint aches and pains
2. Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen dominance, which is explained above, is known to cause (6,7):
- Water retention
- Breast tenderness
- PMS
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Loss of libido
- Erectile dysfunction
If you suspect that your may be suffering from too much estrogen, talk to your doctor and consider going in for some tests.
Left untreated, estrogen dominance may also cause thyroid dysfunction.
3. Thyroid Problems
The American Thyroid Association explains that your thyroid makes thyroid hormones, which make their way into your blood and affect nearly every tissue in your body. Hence, a healthy thyroid is essential for a healthy body (8).
The Thyroid Foundation of Canada estimates that “About 200 million people in the world have some form of thyroid disease…There are many types of thyroid disease. However, the main conditions present in most thyroid illnesses are hypothyroidism (thyroid under activity) and hyperthyroidism (thyroid over activity)” (9).
Hypothyroidism can lead to impaired metabolism, weak heartbeat, muscular weakness, sensitivity to cold, and constant fatigue. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is characterized by weight loss, increased appetite, excess sweating, heat intolerance, restlessness, anxiety, and sleeplessness.
5 Essential Oils For Hormones
1. Basil Oil
Basil essential oil has a calming effect for both men and women experiencing stress. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that the oil worked well throughout the six-week study period. Better yet, researchers found that the oil was 39% more efficient than the placebo drug at relieving symptoms of stress (10).
How to use it: Rub basil oil directly on your forearms and on the adrenal pressure point on your ears. In doing so, basil oil will reduce your anxiety and improve exhaustion (11).
2. Lavender Oil
Stress is one of the biggest obstacles to getting a good night’s sleep and lavender oil is perfect for tackling both insomnia and stress (12).
Studies have proves time and again that the herb has “relaxation effects” that improve sleep quality and reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. By improving your sleep, lavender helps your body overcome adrenal fatigue and estrogen imbalance (13).
How to use it: Place a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow (it may stain your pillowcase) just before heading to bed. If you have an essential oil diffuser, use lavender in your diffuser overnight.
3. Myrtle Oil
Myrtle essential oil is particularly good for managing low thyroid function and ovary-based imbalances. It also soothes the respiratory system in the case of asthma or a cold (14).
How to use it: Apply organic myrtle oil to acupuncture points related to your thyroid, including the base of your neck and under your big toe.
4. Licorice Oil
Licorice may not be your favorite flavor, but it has its uses. For one, it works as an excellent antidepressant while also combating adrenal fatigue, estrogen dominance, and thyroid problems (15).
In Chinese Medicine, the root is used to treat gastric ulcers and boost metabolism, but western traditional medicine uses it to treat Addison’s disease (16).
How to use it: Place a few drops of licorice oil into the palms of your hands, rub together and inhale! Your mood will improve instantly (17)!
5. Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage has been used for hundreds of years, to improve PMS symptoms in women as well as balance female hormones (18).
How to use it: Add a few drops to a hot bath and feel your cramps and pains melt away.
Essential oils can have incredible results, but they should not be used alone. Instead, they should be used alongside plenty of sleep, proper diet, and daily exercise. If you take any medication, if you have allergies, or if you’re pregnant, speak to your doctor before using essential oils.