essential oil blends for menstrual cramps rose

Even though menstrual cramps are very common, you do not have to put up with them.

And while pain medication can provide some relief, they also come with some nasty side effects.

That’s why this post gives you 6 essential oil blends for menstrual cramps that you can start using immediately for relief.

These blends are based on actual studies that have been done with women (not merely rats or cells in a test tube).

So, if you’re looking for a natural way to get rid of menstrual cramps, then keep reading to learn more.

Note: this post contains affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you use them.

ESSENTIAL OILS THAT HELP MENSTRUAL CRAMPS

Based on research, the following 6 oils are effective at relieving period pain:

  • Cinnamon oil
  • Clove oil
  • Rose oil
  • Lavender oil
  • Marjoram oil
  • Clary Sage oil

Now, let’s take a closer look to see what each oil has to offer.

1. Cinnamon oil

Cinnamon is already known as an effective, anti-inflammatory spice.

So, it’s no surprise that cinnamon oil also fights inflammation and reduces menstrual pain.

In fact, a 2013 study looked at the effects of an essential oil massage versus a basic massage on period pain.

  • The test group received daily massages using a blend of cinnamon, clove, rose and lavender oils (mixed into almond oil).
  • The placebo group received daily massages with almond oil only.

The study revealed that:

“the level and duration of menstrual pain and the amount of menstrual bleeding were significantly lower in the aromatherapy group than in the placebo group.” (source)

2. Clove oil

essential oil blends for menstrual cramps clove

Similar to cinnamon, clove oil is also a well known anti-inflammatory oil.

One reason why clove oil is thought to be effective at reducing menstrual cramps is because it contains beta-caryophyllene and eugenol.

Beta-caryophyllene is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound, found in other infamous, pain-relieving plants: cannabis and hemp.

As for eugenol, it is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that lowers the inflammatory response and reduces the intensity of pain.

And as I mentioned earlier, one particular shows that clove oil relieves menstrual cramps when combined with cinnamon, rose and lavender oils.

3. Rose oil

Don’t be fooled by the soft and delicate rose oil…it packs a punch when it comes to fighting pain!

One blend that has proven to be effective is a mix of rose, lavender and clary sage oils (source).

Another study has also compared the effectiveness of rose oil and the prescription pain med, diclofenac sodium.

In that study:

  • One group of participants were treated with diclofenac sodium only.
  • Another group was treated with diclofenac sodium, plus 2% rose essential oil.

The results showed that the group that was treated with rose oil had stronger improvements in pain levels, compared to the group that was treated with pain meds only (source).

So, whether you use rose oil in a pure essential oil blend, or you use it along with pain meds, rose oil comes with some serious pain-reducing properties!

4. Lavender oil

Lavender doesn’t just soothe the mind. It also soothes aches and pains.

A 2012 study combined lavender oil with clary sage and marjoram oils, in a 3% blend:

  • Study participants massaged the blend onto the lower belly every day from the end of their last cycle, until the start of their next cycle.
  • Participants were asked to evaluate their pain, both before and after the treatment.

The study concluded that there was a significant reduction in pain after just one menstrual cycle (source).

But that’s not all my friend 🙂

Doing a massage with lavender only (and skipping the clary sage and marjoram) has also been shown to relieve cramps!

In addition…if self-massage isn’t your thing, you can still get relief by inhaling lavender oil.

Yep! Science has shown that breathing in lavender oil all by itself is also effective at reducing period pain! 🙂

By the way…it is worth noting that lavender oil contains beta-caryophyllene. 

This is the same compound found in clove (though the levels in lavender are lower).

The presence of this compound is likely one reason why lavender works so well at reducing period pain.

5. Marjoram

essential oil blends for menstrual cramps marjoram

Marjoram essential oil is known for fighting pain and for reducing muscle spasms (source).

These two properties alone make it beneficial for cramps.

In addition, marjoram – particularly spanish marjoram – contains high levels of eucalyptol.

If eucalyptol sounds familiar, that’s because it’s also in eucalyptus oil…the same eucalyptus used to make pain-relieving vapor rubs 🙂

6. Clary Sage

When it comes to essential oils for menstrual health (and hormones) clary sage is one of the most famous!

And for good reason.

Not only does it regulate estrogen, lower cortisol and support the thyroid, but it is also an antispasmodic.

This means that, just like marjoram, clary sage reduces painful uterine spasms.

ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES FOR PERIOD PAIN

Alrighty, now it’s time to take a look at some essential oil blends that you can use to soothe period pain.

The recipes below are all based on the studies that are referenced earlier in this article.

The ratios used are true to the ratios used in each study.

1. Roses and Spice Period Relief Blend

Ingredients

16 drops cinnamon oil

16 drops clove oil

6 drops rose oil

6 drops lavender oil

Almond oil

1 ounce glass bottle

How to Make

  1. Pour the almond oil into the glass bottle. Allow a little space for the essential oils.
  2. Add the essential oil drops into the bottle.
  3. Seal the bottle and shake vigorously to blend the ingredients.
  4. Massage onto abdomen or lower back.

NOTE: technically, you need 16.875 drops each of cinnamon and clove, plus 5.635 drops each of rose and lavender. Unless you happen to have lab equipment that measures to decimal point, I have approximated to whole numbers 🙂

2. Lavender, Clary and Marjoram Cramp Busting Blend

Ingredients

18 drops lavender oil

4 drops clary sage oil

4 drops marjoram oil

1 ounce glass bottle

Liquid carrier oil (like almond or jojoba oil)

How to Make

  1. Pour carrier oil into the glass bottle. Allow a little space for the essential oils.
  2. Add the essential oil drops into the bottle.
  3. Seal the bottle and shake vigorously to blend the ingredients.
  4. Massage onto abdomen or lower back.

NOTE: technically, you need 4.5 drops each of clary sage and marjoram, but measuring ½ drop is not easy, so I simplified it to 4 drops each.

3. Lavender, Rose and Clary Blend for Period Cramps

Ingredients

2 drops lavender oil

1 drop rose oil

1 drop clary sage oil

1 teaspoon almond oil

How to Make

  1. Pour the almond oil into the glass bottle. Allow a little space for the essential oils.
  2. Add the essential oil drops into the bottle.
  3. Seal the bottle and shake vigorously to blend the ingredients.
  4. Massage onto abdomen or lower back.

4. Lavender-Only Menstrual Relief Oil

Ingredients

27 drops lavender oil

1 ounce glass bottle

Liquid carrier oil (almond or jojoba)

How to Make

  1. Pour the carrier oil into the glass bottle. Allow a little space for the essential oils.
  2. Add the essential oil drops into the bottle.
  3. Seal the bottle and shake vigorously to blend the ingredients.
  4. Massage onto abdomen or lower back.

NOTE: The reference study for the above blend doesn’t give the exact dilution that was used. So I wrote this as a 3% dilution. Feel free to adjust based on your needs. If necessary, use this dilution chart as a reference.

5. Rose-Only Menstrual Relief Oil

Ingredients

27 drops rose oil

1 ounce glass bottle

Liquid carrier oil (almond or jojoba)

How to Make

  1. Pour the carrier oil into the glass bottle. Allow a little space for the essential oils.
  2. Add the essential oil drops into the bottle.
  3. Seal the bottle and shake vigorously to blend the ingredients.
  4. Massage onto abdomen or lower back.

6. Lavender Oil Diffuser Blend

  • Place 3 drops of lavender oil onto a cotton ball.
  • Inhale the aroma for 30 minutes, once a day, during the first three days of your cycle.

NOTE: an alternative to this is to place the lavender drops in a diffuser and diffuse for 30 minutes, once a day.

CONCLUSION

In summary, cinnamon, clove, rose, lavender, marjoram and clary sage oil are six oils that have been shown to relieve menstrual pain.

So, go ahead and experiment with any one of recipes in this post. 

Based on the research, you can start feeling relief by the time your next cycle comes around!

If you have any questions or feedback about these essential oil blends for menstrual pain, feel free to drop a comment below!


Related Posts:

Home Remedies For Menstrual Cramps (That Actually Work!)

How and Why You Should Use Basil Oil For Menstrual Cramps

Hormone-Balancing Smoothies for PMS: Recipes and How To Use

How to Get Rid of PCOS Naturally: 7 Steps To Start Following Today

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