There has been much new information appearing about the female menstrual cycle in recent times – and it’s about time with all the suffering we women can so often go through. A favourite book of mine recently, ‘Wild Power’ (Pope and Wurlitzer, 2017), talks about menstruation as ‘magical’ – which is interesting, given that many of us wouldn’t describe it that way when struggling with pre-menstrual tension and other physical symptoms! But what if we could help ourselves unlock our menstrual power by understanding that our cycle offers us a natural wisdom and that we can support ourselves back to balance with nature’s finest essential oils?
‘Wild Power’ talks of four ‘seasons’ of the cycle – distinct phases, likened to the four seasons of the year, representing each week of the overall cycle. There are also other theories that show this cyclical inference to be useful for our wellbeing. Traditional Chinese Medicine talks of the 5 ‘elements,’ which have a similar cyclical alliance (with an addition of ‘late’ summer) – and we can see many different ways that life is so cyclical, in this way. This all seems to point to the fact that we are more like nature than we think, and that when we use nature’s gifts to get through our challenges, we can reconnect to a wisdom that helps us navigate life. So, in this blog, we explore how we can support the natural monthly cycle during each weekly ‘season’.
What are the four seasons of the menstrual cycle?
Pope and Wurlitzer (2017) describe the menstrual cycle as having ‘inner seasons,’ in the following ways:
- Inner Winter – this season is from approximately day 27 to day 5, covering the end and the beginning of the female cycle, including menstruation – a time of listening for wisdom as we release all we thought we were and become more authentic.
- Inner Spring – this is the days that follow menstruation, approximately days 6 – 11, and is described as a time of growth, where we hold our uncertainty.
- Inner Summer – approx. day 12-19, the energy peak of ovulation, where we step into our power.
- Inner Autumn – approx. day 20-26, a time for diving inwards, where we withdraw and reflect on our journey.
The idea is that this seasonal cycle holds the essence of our power, healing and creativity if we learn how to harness it, which can help us balance our wellbeing. When we look at what each of the seasons represents – shedding – growth – power – reflection – we can clearly see how this relates to not only to our female cycle, when we move through pre-menstrual tension and our energy levels go up and down as the hormones surge through our bodies, but also throughout the themes of nature’s seasons – winter, a time of bareness and destruction – spring, a season of new growth and change – summer, the season of action – and autumn, the season of letting go.
So, I’d love to explore how we could combine this with essential oils to support these four seasons – very much akin to the Traditional Chinese Medicine methods – and really embrace our menstrual cycle to become more balanced and step into our power!
Using the wisdom to empower ourselves with essential oils
When we use essential oils in alignment with the seasons of our cycle, we can really help to reconnect to our wisdom, and create powerful harmony. But how do we do that for each element of our cycle?
Blends for Inner Winter – Days 27-5
In any time of inner winter, we can feel quite like going inwards into a retreat. This is a time of rest and reflection, and around menstruation this is the perfect time to be honouring this in our bodies and minds, so that we can stay in our natural rhythm.
Essential oils that will encourage us to do this include really calming oils that will allow us to physically rest. Likewise, because we are working with the cycle, we want to use those essential oils that will balance us hormonally and work with our natural rhythm. These include relaxants and hormonal balancers, such as:
All these oils will help us at this time of the month, and the best way to use them is in blends that encourage us to embrace this time of retreat, so this includes things like massage oils or bath time blends. Here are my favourite aromatherapy blends for days 27-5 of the menstrual cycle:
- Relaxing Massage – Mix 3 drops Rose, 2 drops Geranium and 1 drop Ylang Ylang in to 15ml of Sweet Almond oil and give yourself a nice relaxing body massage before bed – stroke into the skin in a direction towards the heart and sit back and enjoy the beautiful feeling.
- Blissful Bath – Run a nice warm bath, and mix 3 drops Lavender and 3 drops Rose with 15ml Bath & Shower Gel or Bath Oil. Close all windows and doors, and enjoy a nice soak to really restore your balance.
Blends for Inner Spring – Days 6-11
Spring is a time of new growth and change and can really be a good chance to embrace uncertainty. It can also be a time when we are wary of uncertainty, but essential oils that remind us of our true capacity for hope and flow are useful in this ‘inner season’.
Essential oils that will help us embrace uncertainty include calming, meditative oils that will allow us to open up to change. These include:
All these oils will help us embrace change and uncertainty in this second week of our cycle when we might be feeling sensitive. The best way to use them is in recipes which help us reconnect to change being positive, so we might want to diffuse some oils whilst meditating or create a spritz for a regular reminder. Here are my recommended blends for days 6-11 of the menstrual cycle:
- Meditative Diffusion – Mix 3 drops Bergamot, 2 drops Geranium and 1 drop Rosewood with water in a candle burner or aromatherapy diffuser, and enjoy the beautiful aroma of peace as you meditate.
- Inner Spring Spritz – Mix 15 drops Bergamot, 10 drops Cypress and 5 drops Geranium with 100ml of Lavender Hydrolat, and spray yourself as required to remind yourself that change is okay.
Blends for Inner Summer – Days 12-19
We can quite enjoy our inner summer – it’s usually a time of action and energy; the peak of life, the year, and our cycle. This is a time of power, so it’s useful to use aromatherapy blends which enliven us and allow ourselves to stay in that energy.
Essential oils that will help keep our energy balanced in a natural rhythm include:
- Lemon
- Sweet Orange
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
The best way to use these oils is in blends that encourage us to re-energise, so try a revitalising diffuser blend in the morning to remind your body of its natural rhythm, and take a blend out and about with you to refresh throughout the day. Here are my favourite blends for days 12-19 of the menstrual cycle:
- Energising Diffusion – Mix 3 drops Lemon, 2 drops Sweet Orange and 1 drop Rosemary with water in a candle burner or aromatherapy diffuser, and use in the morning to kick start your day.
- Stimulating Inhalator – For an energising blend on the go, add 2 drops of Rosemary and 1 drop Lemon into an aromatherapy inhaler and sniff throughout the day.
Blends for Inner Autumn – Days 20-27
Autumn is a time of letting go, as we watch the leaves fall away and begin to get quiet. Within us, it’s a time of reflection, so it’s useful to use blends which allow us to be peaceful and reflective in order to examine what needs to be allowed to fall away or be taken forward from this cycle.
Essential oils that will encourage us to feel peaceful, inwardly reflective and balanced include:
- Myrrh
- Sandalwood
- Frankincense
- Patchouli
All of these oils will help support us in this last part of our cycle, pre-bleed, and again the best way to use them is in blends which encourage us to rest, restore and reflect, so it’s always nice to have a beautiful meditation or bath blend in this ‘season’ too. Here are my top blends for days 20-27 of the menstrual cycle:
- Reflective Diffusion – Mix 3 drops Patchouli, 2 drops Frankincense and 1 drop Myrrh with water in a candle burner or aromatherapy diffuser, and enjoy the peaceful aromas as you meditate.
- Relaxing Massage – Mix 3 drops Patchouli, 2 drops Sandalwood and 1 drop Frankincense with 15ml of Grapeseed oil and give yourself a nice relaxing body massage – massage into the skin in a direction towards the heart then take some time to relax.
Using these aromatherapy blends in accordance with where you are feeling in your cycle can really help you to restore your natural wisdom throughout your menstrual cycle. It’s not an exact science because we are all unique and individual, but why not try it on your next cycle – use a different blend for each week and see if you have a smoother ride!
Nicole Barton
Consultant Aromatherapist
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