Essential oils are plant extracts that are super concentrated and capture the plant’s scent and beneficial properties. These oils can have many therapeutic properties from aromatherapy and relaxation to support for digestion and even hormone balance. While I do not recommend essential oils as a first line therapy, you can use essential oils to support healthy female hormone balance.
Oils can be inhaled, diffused, applied to the skin, or taken internally (use CAUTION taking oils internally!) to rebalance your system. Because they are so concentrated, only a drop or 2 is needed for an effect. The oils do not contain hormones but have properties that may support hormone balance.
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands (like your thyroid and ovaries, for example) that give your body directions and signaling to regulate your weight, fertility, mood, and sex drive. Having balanced hormones means your cycle Is regular, you don’t have trouble maintaining your weight, and you feel pretty good generally.
The female endocrine system (hormonal system) is very sensitive to stress. That could be dietary stress (eating the wrong foods for your body, or too many processed foods), emotional stress, too much work and not enough sleep, environmental toxins, or pain and inflammation. Under chronic stress, your cortisol levels rise, which over time causes problems with your main sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. This can cause menstrual irregularities, weight gain, estrogen dominance, and infertility.
My nutrition consulting practice focuses on women’s health, and that means I spend a lot of time focusing on healthy hormone balance with my clients. Most of the women with whom I work experience the following:
- overweight, find that they’re gaining weight, or can’t lose weight
- struggle with anxiety and/or depression
- have irregular digestion
- have irregular periods
- experience fertility challenges
- menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia
Symptoms that indicate your hormones are haywire include the following:
- irritability, anxiousness
- PMS
- menopausal symptoms that interfere with day to day life
- heavy periods, irregular cycles
- inability to lose weight
- breast tenderness
- hair loss
- fatigue, insomnia
- hypothyroidism
- lack of sex drive
- increase in belly fat
- PCOS
I have many resources to help you balance your hormones naturally by changing your diet and lifestyle habits (see resources section, below). Supporting your liver, which is in charge of metabolizing hormones, is a great place to start. I also recommend diet changes, stress relief, adaptogenic herbs and nutrients to support hormone production. But did you know essential oils can also support protocols used to balance hormones?
How to use Essential Oils for Healthy Hormone Balance
NOTE: I’ve used both Young Living and DoTerra oils. I also like Floracopeia.
The following oils have been shown to exhibit therapeutic effects similar to that of phytoestrogens, meaning they balance estrogen levels:
- Clary Sage: Stimulates the pituitary gland, which regulates ovulatory and sex hormone function. Clary sage is also a uterine tonic pairs well with geranium. Great for cramp relief & PMS.
- Fennel: used to balance cycles. Also a wonderful digestive aid.
- Basil: recommended for delayed menstruation or scanty periods.
- Cypress: useful for circulation, can relieve stagnation associated with heavy bleeding or mid-cycle bleeding
- Geranium: has an overall balancing effect on female hormones
These oils would be useful for those with low estrogen levels or dropping estrogen levels, as is the case in peri-menopause or menopause. Stress can cause low estrogen in menstruating women, but I recommend hormone testing so you’ll know your estrogen and progesterone levels.
There are certain Young Living blends that support hormone balance (use these topically):
- Sclar Essence combines phytoestrogenic oils like clary sage, peppermint, fennel, and sage. Useful for menopause, hysterectomy.
- EndoFlex supports overall endocrine function. I’ve recommended it for thyroid and adrenal support, both of which positively influence female hormone support.
- Dragon Time is a favorite! This blend relieves PMS, cramping, and irregular periods. Contains clary sage, fennel, lavender, jasmine, yarrow, and marjoram.
- Lady Sclareol has a divine fragrance and can improve mood and positively influence low estrogen. Great for menopause. It’s a blend of rosewood, vetiver, geranium, ylang ylang, jasmine, and more.
- Progressence Plus boosts progesterone. I love this one to balance the effects of estrogen dominance and promote regular cycles with fewer PMS symptoms.
Practical Applications
You can use all these oils topically with a carrier oil (like coconut oil or avocado oil), and in some cases, take them as a supplement. You can also mix up your own blends for use depending on your unique physiology.
For menopause: try clary sage, Dragon Time, SclarEssence, Lady Sclareol topically.
For cramps: try Dragon Time, valerian, ginger (few drops internally), clary sage, lavender
For PMS: try Dragon Time, EndoFlex, fennel, clary sage
Make Your Own Blends
Irregular Periods: Use topically daily.
- 10 drops chamomile combined with 10 drops fennel
- Endoflex
Menstrual Cramps: Apply topically daily.
- 10 drops Dragon Time combined with 5 drops hops
- EndoFlex, Progressence Plus
Heavy Bleeding: diffuse or apply topically.
- 10 drops geranium, 5 drops helichrysum, 5 drops cistus combined
Resources
Top Tips for Hormone Balance
4 Easy tips to balance hormones right away
Adrenal health
Estrogen Dominance
My recommended 21 day detox program for hormone balance
How to cut the cramps
Solutions for hair loss
Mary Vance is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and author specializing in digestive health. She combines a science-based approach with natural therapies to rebalance the body. In addition to her 1:1 coaching, she offers courses to help you heal your gut and improve your health. Mary lives in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe in Northern California. Read more about her coaching practice here and her background here.
Hi! Topically where are the best places to apply these oils?
Thank you!
Great question. It differs depending on use. For acute use (meaning using them to get rid of menstrual pain, etc), apply directly over uterus, abdomen, lower back. Can be used with warm compress. Otherwise, they can be applied 2-4 drops on bottoms of feet daily, or with EndoFlex, over thyroid or adrenals.
I’m really thankful for this info! For irregular periods…the 10 drops of fennel combined with 10 drops of chamomile…should that be applied on the bottoms of the feet? And the endoflex over the adrenals?
I am 57, went through menopause at 53. I have a few symptoms but the most frustrating is the inability to lose weight now. My weight has always fluctuated but I could easily get it off. The things that worked before no longer work. I gave up sugar, dairy, grains and bad carbs, still nothing. A friend told me about Endoflex, I just started it about a week ago. I also use bio identical progesterone cream. Will the Endoflex balance my hormones or should I add other oils? Should I keep using the progesterone cream with the oils? I had my hormones checked a couple years ago. It was very expensive and I can’t afford to keep going back. I also didn’t get any relief from all the crreams he recomended. I’m getting desperate!
I cannot give you specific health advice unless you are a client of mine.
I have purchased the SclarEssence and Endoflex, but unsure how to use them as a supplement, can I just put a few drops in a capsule (I purchased the capsules from Young Living as well as the oils) or does it have to be combined with a carrier oil?
I forgot to order the carrier oil and I live in Canada so shipping usually takes up to a month and I really do not want to wait that long before using the oils
Your help is appreciated
I do not use Sclar or EndoFlex internally. You can apply neat or use a carrier oil to help absorption– if you have coconut oil or even olive oil, those would work. Jojoba and almond oil are my favorite carrier oils.
Came here looking for female hormone support. Thanks! I also wanted to say that your sweet labradoodle looks just like mine. They are the sweetest dogs!
My 17 year old daughter still does not get a regular period, what oil (oils) would be best for her to try to have regular periods? I personally just started progressive plus for premenopausal symptoms at age 39, could this also benefit her and what is the best way to apply it to the body?
Aside from what is mentioned in the article (clary sage can be useful for the first half of the month; she may be too young to use progessence in the second half), i’d recommend this article: https://www.maryvancenc.com/how-to-regulate-period/
I am new to YL and just bought clary sage and Basil. I read Basil is great to start your periods as I don’t get them anymore without the help of Medroxyprogesterone. It has horrid side effects. Any thoughts on how often, when to take, how many drops and where to put the oils? Does it take a few days or weeks to work? I can’t seem to find info anywhere on this. Thanks!!!
Hi, I hope that you can give me some advice about which oil I should use to treat my hormonal acne.
I am 25 and have had acne since I was 11. My skin condition was acceptable during my high school but then it got worse when I was in college (even worse after I took Evening Promise Oil pill for a few times. Massive breakout! And my skin did not return to normal since then.)
I now have big acne on my chin which usually clusters together. They are red, swollen. Sometimes they have pus sometimes they don’t. Those without pus are really annoying as they took ages to heal and tend to go from here to there. One heals, another one appears close to it. Always like this. I have a mean supervisor who always comments my skin conditions loudly in office. It makes me sad and frustrated.
I am from Hong Kong so I grow up visiting Chinese medicine doctors. I go for natural remedy to cure my acne. So far I have visited 5-6 doctors for my acne and one of them for 2 years, using acupuncture. All did not completely cure my skin. There is nothing I can think of to improve my diet anymore. I drink at least 2-3 liters of water every day. I try my best to get 7 hours sleep every day (sometimes I don’t). I still suffer from breakout every month; sometimes it starts even during my fertile period.
I just had my premium starter kit to alleviate my hay fever. It will be great if you can advise if there is anything I can use to balance my hormones. There are quite a few oils I can search online but not sure how I should choose among them.
Thank you very much for your help
I came to your site looking for hormonal support and found great, beneficial information! Thank you! I have one question regarding the information below. What exactly is 5 drops hops?
Menstrual Cramps: Apply topically daily.
•10 drops Dragon Time combined with 5 drops hops
•EndoFlex, Progressence Plus
Thank you for such valuable, thorough information!
Karen
When it speaks about menstrual irregularity does that mean skipping months? Or in my case every 23 days! I bleed for 8-10 of those! I’m suspected of endometreosis. I have hashimotos also. Don’t know if one is causing the other or vs versa. Don’t know where to start with the oils. I have endo flex but don’t use it often, i do use Doterra clary calm when I ovulate bc that’s when I hurt worst!
Hops essential oil.
When or how do I use EO as supplement? Tks
Great article. I really appreciate your professional credentials… Makes it very easy to have an open mind 2 using these oils therapeutically. My question is about determining and balances… Before treating for estrogen dominance or general tonic Etc is it necessary to have a blood test? My acupuncturist is currently treating me for estrogen dominance so I don’t know if using something like sclaressence is helpful, or endoflex,… If I really need to know actual levels before using oils. Can you comment on that? Thank you!
I always recommend testing hormones before any type of protocol. That way you know exactly what to take. You probably don’t need to test just to use essential oils, but it is always a good idea to continue testing/follow-up to make sure levels are heading in the right direction.
My problem due to menopause is vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse due to lower estrogen levels. I am a Young Living eo user. Can any of the oils you mentioned in article above be used on the vaginal wall internally?
No. I recommend PhytoB for what you’re describing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7H08V0?ie=UTF8&tag=maryvancnutrc-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B00H7H08V0
This post may also help: https://www.maryvancenc.com/remedies-for-menopause/
I just went through a full hysterectomy and would like to try oils to suppliment my hormones. I have no ovaries any longer so I am really unsure where to start. Which oils do you recommend?
You’d want to use oils that support both estrogen and progesterone. From the Young Living line, I’d try Clary sage and geranium and progessence plus.
My daughter is 25. She had a pituitary mass surgically removed in 2015. The pituitary and hypothalamus were both damaged from the surgery. She rarely had a period before, but definitely has not had one since then. Her thryroid and adrenal glands do not function properly either. She’s been on prednisone for over five years for secondary adrenal insufficiency. We have reduced it recently from 5 mg daily to 2.5. Her hormone levels have been tested and are all very low. We’ve done the artificial hormone route and that seems to just make things worse. I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give us. Thank you
I have very heavy periods . Is there an oil to help make it lighter?
The formula I use for heavy flow is this one (not an oil): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W6W8OO?ie=UTF8&tag=maryvancnutrc-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B004W6W8OO
I’d also recommend hormone testing to make sure estrogen and progesterone are balanced.
Oils to support both estrogen and progesterone you said are from the Young Living line (which I use), You said to try Clary sage and geranium and progessence plus. Do you mix them or pick one & try it? Clary Sage Has worked Awesome for many of my sysptoms. I’m wanting to make a roller blend for all month balance.
If estrogen is high, is it recommended to still use clary sage or dragon time? Will they raise my estrogen?
My provider is not super on board with lots of hormone testing…Do you know of online labs that can provide this? Or how do you reocmmend getting these tests done?
Thank you very much I’m going through menopause and I had a total hysterectomy and I was wondering if these are the ones I should take.
here are certain Young Living blends that support hormone balance (use these topically):
Sclar Essence combines phytoestrogenic oils like clary sage, peppermint, fennel, and sage. Useful for menopause, hysterectomy.
EndoFlex supports overall endocrine function. I’ve recommended it for thyroid and adrenal support, both of which positively influence female hormone support.
Lady Sclareol has a divine fragrance and can improve mood and positively influence low estrogen. Great for menopause. It’s a blend of rosewood, vetiver, geranium, ylang ylang, jasmine, and more.
I also hav low testerone and should I be taking progesterone plus also. i just want to start using this to get my hormones in balcance. if you can please let me know if those are the ones that I should put on and how do you recomended putting it on .
Is it safe to mix with a career oil, and put a couple drops in capsule to take orally?
Hi Mary. My name is Rochelle and I am only 23 years old. I work a steady three jobs with about 12 day stretches in between, however it does change weekly. I have a daughter who was born September 1, 2015 and since then, my entire body has never been the same. :[
I have looked into young living oils for an estrogen “helper” but they only sell the blend of Progessence Plus and I can’t find the list of blends to make the estrogen ones (one of my family friends has a young living book that gives blends for almost everything. After having my daughter, my spine is shifted and doesn’t allow me to sit or lie down on hard surfaces for longer than a minute at most, I have very low estrogen levels which cause super dryness in the vaginal area, and I also have an area there where skin has grown up too far that it’s not possible to have intercourse. These are some gruesome details, but I am hoping that any information you can give me, will help someone else as well.
I received prescription estrogen from the pharmacy and of course prescribed by my doctor, but it says on the label that this product can lead to cancer, dementia, and one other horrible thing that I would never want. I need another route and taking or topically applying an oil that works would be a much safer for me.
Thanks a bunch!
Hi Rochelle, the key here would be to figure out why your hormone levels are low. Typically it has to do with adrenal fatigue/HPA axis dysfunction where the brain isn’t communicating properly with the endocrine system because of chronic stress. And certainly working 3 jobs and taking care of a toddler would be a cause of chronic stress. Taking hormones and/or essential oils isn’t a long term sustainable solution until you figure out the underlying cause. This article may help: https://www.maryvancenc.com/adrenal-fatigue-healing-a-hormone-imbalance/
What would you recommend for periods that come every 22 days . I tried clary sage. Made my period come 24 days and I barely had it. Then about a week later I started spotting
I’d recommend hormone testing to check estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid levels. The cause may be low progesterone.
I recently had a full hysterectomy (no ovaries left) what oils and suggestions do you have?
What do you recommend for PCOS or if I haven’t had a period in 9 months? Already did hormone testing and everything came back fine!
My daughter has just informed me that her 2 year old has labia adhesion; would Endoflex be approriate? Doctor prescribed an estrogen cream 🙁 I understand from everything I have read that it can be a result of low estrogen level, but please in a baby of 2 years old to introduce an estrogen cream, I believe is over the top. Would appreciate your opinion on this matter. Thank you.
I don’t have experience with this, sorry.
Is sclaressence safe for someone who is in their 30s? I see that you recommend it only for the menopausal symptoms and I don’t want to do anything to hurt my body.
Hi! Thank you so much for all the information! I have irregular periods and saw your blend: 10 chamomile, 10 fennel. Do I mix this with carrier oil? And where do I apply?
Do I need endoflex too?
Thank you once again!
Which oil is good for very thick hair thinning and breaking more so at the crown area. I have thyroid issues and hormones out of balance. Is Clary Sage also helpful to help hair regrowth?
Castor oil, rosemary, and ylang ylang are good for hair loss, but these are only temporary solutions and may not even work until you normalize thyroid and hormones and correct deficiencies.
Is it possible that Endoflex oil has made my period come early? I have been using faithfully for 3 weeks on my thyroid, lower back and ankles. I feel much better, losing weight but have started my cycle two weeks early. I currently take levothyroxin 175 mcgs daily.
Hello am 24 yrs old i have harmone imbalance problem and a cyst in right ovary which oil i should use how and when i shall start please say ..i need help please
This is great! I love love essential oils! My hormones have proved to be difficult since i very first hit puberty. That alone was stressful, not to mention sever traumatic episodes throughout my life. i got to the point i didnt want to get up out of bed in the morning anymore. i finally started correcting my hormones by actually using all natural ways to heal my body starting with my adrenals (which were apparently over stressed to the max) and it really did work wonders for my body. heres a good read on the whol adrenal/hormone/thyroid (yes thyroid is mixed in there!)
I just had a full hysterectomy. One of the reasons a doctor prescribes estrogen is for bone health. Apparently losing your ovaries causes your bones to deteriorate faster. Do these oils aid in helping that or is there a YL supplement/oil for that? And/or should you still take prescribed estrogen in addition to these oils/supplements?
Hi Cassie, I only use oils to support other therapies, NOT as a standalone treatment. You should absolutely work with your doctor and adhere to any recommended prescriptions, and you can use oils as an adjunct therapy. You could work with a naturopath and use bio-identical hormones, as synthetic hormones carry risks.
Hello! Thank you for writing this!! I have a quick question just in hopes of clarification. I am 31, and suffer from HIGH estrogen. (Coming off of a lifetime of processed foods, soy, dairy, etc.) I have made diet changes, work out regularly, etc., yet I still feel there is an imbalance. Or maybe it is thyroid, etc. (Which I also ease with Adrenal support and iodine, etc.) Anyway! Looks like I should stay away from the second set of oils as they are for women suffering from low estrogen? For example, Progessence Plus used during my period makes me nauseous but all other women my age cannot live without it!!
Symptoms that make me believe there is an estrogen overage would be weight gain, moodiness, sorrowfulness, etc. Again, I know the thyroid needs much support and iodine, etc help a lot!
Thanks!!
Hi Katrin, I would follow an estrogen dominance protocol using DIM and liver detox. I don’t really recommend oils other than in conjunction with a proper science-based protocol. https://www.maryvancenc.com/estrogen-dominance/
I am 43 and have been menopausal since 38. I have been on HRT for several years and am now using YL. Could you give me some guidance on how much and which oils would be best for supporting hormones? Since I am pretty new to using the oils, I am not certain what I should combine with what and how much. Thanks!
Do any of the above suggestions work if you have had a full hysterectomy and have no ovaries? That is me. Plus I am a breast cancer survivor and had to take hormone reducing drugs for 5 years. Now I am 9 years out, considered cured of breast cancer, and want to balance (not increase) hormones so losing weight is easier. Would also like an answer to vaginal dryness. Any suggestions on what to do?
Young Living doesn’t sell a hops eo. Did they in the past or is it under a different name?
I understand that you can NOT use Progressence Plus while on the pill, but can you use Dragon Time or Clary Sage instead to help with PCOS while on birth control?
I haven’t done any research on that, so I can’t say definitively.
Just recently got off birth control, what would be the best to oils to try to help regulate my hormones again. I do also have hypothyroidism.
Christen, this post may help: https://www.maryvancenc.com/stop-taking-birth-control-pills/
Oils alone will not be the magic pill in rebalancing hormones.
I suffer from PCOS and have low progesterone levels… I have severe acne on my back and face with hair growth on my neck and chin… I also have severe hair loss! I’m only 25 and I’m currently taking bio identical progesterone. Which oils would help me I am desperate to find a way to help myself… I’ve been told I have gig androgens as well! Please, any advice would be extremely appreciated !! Thank you!!!
Hi Chanel, you might check out dr Jolene Brighten’s work on PCOS: https://drbrighten.com/natural-solutions-treatment-of-pcos/
She also has a PCOS kit to help lower androgens (which cause the hair loss and acne) and balance blood sugar.
There are certain oils that help balance blood sugar (ocotea is one), but I haven’t seen much evidence that essential oils work without another solid protocol in place (meaning they can support other therapies).
Are you able to take dragon time orally? With that question, digging deeper can you take any oil orally? I’m sure a lot wont taste good and probably suck. But is there harm in taking these oils in a Capsule and swallowing them?
Kenny, no you cannot take Dragon Time internally, and in fact there is a lot of conflicting info out there on whether EOs are safe for internal use at all.
How do you mix clary sage and geranium and would it be a good mix for balancing Hormones overall and how do you use it new to oils
My friend is trying to get pregnant. They had to go to a fertility clinic. In Vitro is involved. I heard about Clary sage & Progessence plus and how it can help. Can anyone get more elaborate on the subject or any other oils?
Hi Dee, while oils can be a great addition to a main health program, the most important hormone regulating factors are a fertility diet, stress relief, thyroid balance.
There are certain oils that *may* support estrogen and progesterone balance, but there isn’t much science behind it, and I don’t recommend EOs as first line therapy.
Hello, I’m deaf and will be 31 in June. I found out I have a condition 8 eight years ago. Premature ovarian failed, low estrogen, didn’t have period for a long time, no eggs in my ovarian. I I was on BC since but I decided I want to use EO, supplements or other to support my conditions. I passed menopause when I was about 22-23 years.
I have been told that I can use Progessive Plus, Sclaressence, Clary Sage, Dragon Time, Endoflex, Endogize, Femigen, Ningxia, Lady Sclerasareol, and Prenolone. To be honest, Im really overwhelmed and not sure which one I should start using first. I’m not sure which one is match to support my conditions. I still want to get pregnant on my own in the future. So it’s time to start focus on my conditions in the natural way.
Can you please help me out?
Hi Amanda, I don’t recommend essential oils as stand-alone therapies for hormone balance. They *may* be effective in addition to diet changes, lifestyle, supplements or bio-identical hormones for hormone balance. I recommend working with a practitioner one on one to help you with this.