Keeping our Hormones Happy!

Written by Lisa Cadman, 27/08/2022

Many clients I have treated this month have talked about the challenge of ever-changing hormones and menopause, so I thought I’d write this months blog about the basic hormones we should all know about, and the Essential Oils, and other things that may help to relieve some of the symptoms of any imbalance. Most of the oils used for this are also wonderful for our skin, so there are additional benefits to using them too! Balancing our hormones is crucial to achieving good health.

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Hormones

These are the chemical messengers that travel around our bodies, to our tissues and our organs. They can affect our health in many different ways. The 10 main hormones that I think most of us would have heard of are as follows, with a very basic description of them and their functions.

Estrogen

This is one of the main female sex hormones. It is responsible for ovulation, breast development, menstruation, and increasing the density of bone and cartilage. Too much can increase the risk of certain cancers and can also be linked to weight gain, sleeping issues, depression, menstrual problems and anxiety. Too little can cause fertility issues, osteoporosis (weakened bones), and menopausal problems.

Progesterone

This is also linked with the female reproductive system, helping and preparing the uterus for pregnancy. Low levels can cause heavy periods and fertility problems. In very low levels it can occasionally cause miscarriage or premature labour. Too much of this hormone though, can sometimes be associated with breast cancer.

Testosterone

This is an androgen, which is a type of hormone associated with male reproduction. Women do also produce testosterone and other androgens, and this hormone contributes to muscle strength, red cell production, fat distribution in men and women. Too much of it in women can cause excess body hair, irregular periods and fertility problems.

Insulin

This is produced by our pancreas, and it’s main function is to convert glucose (sugar) from our food, into a form we can use for energy, and to regulate our blood sugar level. When the body isn’t able to do this effectively, it can lead to diabetes, which then needs to be controlled by diet or injections.

Cortisol

This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands, and is mainly responsible for regulating our blood pressure and our metabolism. Sometimes called the ‘stress hormone’, due to higher levels of it being released when we are under pressure. Too much of it for too long can cause high blood pressure, sleep loss, autoimmune problems and anxiety. Too little can cause weakness, fatigue and low blood pressure.

Growth Hormone

This is usually referred to as HGH. It is produced by the pituitary gland, and it is mainly associated with our growth and development as the name suggests. It stimulates cell regeneration, growth and reproduction, and also helps to boost our metabolism.

Adrenaline

This is also known as a ‘stress hormone’, and is primarily used to prepare us for the ‘flight or fight’ response, when we have to make quick decisions to do with our safety, in stressful or potentially dangerous situations. It is produced as the name suggests in the adrenal glands, as well as some cells of the central nervous system. Too much of it can lead to high blood pressure, dizziness, anxiety, irritability and rapid heartbeat.

Thyroid Hormones

As the name would suggest, these are produced in the thyroid gland. They crucially regulate our metabolism. This is a vital service to the body, as an imbalance of these hormones can lead to many serious conditions such as Graves or Hashimoto’s disease which cause issues with our energy levels and weight management.

Dopamine

This is a type of neurohormone and neurotransmitter, which is made in our brains (released by the hypothalamus) which is responsible for many body functions including memory, motivation, mood, movement, pleasurable reward and attention. The nervous system uses it to send messages between our nerve cells. It is often called the ‘feel-good’ hormone.

Melatonin

This is a hormone produced by our pineal gland in the brain at night, and is responsible for control of our sleep-wake cycle. It can also be used as a dietary supplement and medication, to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia.

There are many hormones that keep us in optimal health – and when they are all balanced we feel great!

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Essential Oils to Help with our Hormones

Listed below are a few Essential Oils that can be useful when dealing with hormonal imbalances and menopausal symptoms. Please check any relevant Safety Data shown at the end of the oil descriptions, to ensure they are safe for you to use.

Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea)

This Essential Oil is a hormone stimulant, and can also reduce cortisol levels and help us with anxiety and stress. It can help to reduce blood pressure, and balance estrogen levels. It is helpful with menopausal symptoms and useful in labour. Please note: this oil should not be used during pregnancy or menstruation. Do not drink alcohol when using this oil, and do not use if you have breast cancer, or in cases of psychotic disorders.

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Cypress (Cupressus Sempervirens)

This Essential Oil is a brilliant hormone balancer, particularly useful for the night sweats and hot flushes associated with the menopause. I regularly use this oil with my clients, blended along with the more popular floral essential oils, to treat hormonal imbalances. Please note: use with caution in pregnancy and with individuals with sensitive skins.

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Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens)

Geranium is a great hormone balancer, and can boost estrogen levels in menopausal women as well as help to regulate menstrual cycles, whilst also reducing stress and anxiety. It has calming and anti-depressant qualities too, and boosts our overall health. Please note: use this oil with caution with any individuals who have hyper-sensitive skin or those with multiple allergies.

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Lavender (Lavendula Angustifolia)

Lavender Essential Oil is one of the safest oils we have in Aromatherapy. It is wonderful at promoting relaxation, good quality sleep and easing anxiety and stress. It can improve our cortisol levels, and provide better overall hormone balance. It can help to reduce menopausal symptoms such as depression, mood swings, menstrual problems, headaches and night sweats.

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Rose (Rosa Damascena or Rosa Centifolia)

Apart from being one of the purest and most gorgeous of the Essential Oils (and one of the most expensive of course!) this oil is thought to decrease testosterone levels and cortisol, and promote a calm state of mind. It can relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and alleviate menstrual cramps. It is a wonderful hormone balancer and may be useful in cases of menstrual inbalances and infertility. Please note: use this oil with caution in pregnancy.

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To Blend: I would use 30ml of a Sweet Almond Base Oil, then add 3 drops of Lavender, 3 drops of Geranium, 3 drops of Cypress, 2 drops of Rose and 1 drop of Clary Sage (if safe for you to do so), and apply to the face/body.

Other Ways to Help our Hormones

Food

Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help to regulate our hormones, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and protein at each meal (which provides essential amino acids that your body can’t make on its own). Taking care of your gut health is so important too, as this all affects our insulin resistance. Lowering our sugar intake, but also having some healthy fats and plenty of fibre in our diet, can be instrumental in optimizing our hormone function.

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Exercise

Take regular exercise, as this can influence our hormonal health. It improves blood flow, and increases our hormone receptor sensitivity as well as helping to reduce insulin levels. Also keeping to a healthy weight helps to keep our hormones balanced.

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Stress

Trying to reduce our stress levels is also really important in regulating many of our stress hormones as described earlier. Taking time out to do things we enjoy, setting others expectations of us and giving ourselves time to relax is vital for hormone health. Whatever you personally find relaxing is great! It could be yoga or meditation, but it could equally well be cooking, walking, crafting, photography, reading, gardening, a Netflix boxset, or anything else you find peace in.

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Sleep

Getting enough sleep is absolutely crucial for hormone balance and optimal health. Sleep deprivation impairs many of our hormones, such as our insulin and our cortisol, and of course, melatonin. Our brain needs uninterrupted sleep to function correctly too, and we should all be aiming for 7 good hours a night.

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So in summary – our hormones are involved in every aspect of our health, and for our bodies to work best we need to look after them! Imbalances can increase risk of diabetes and heart disease, as well as many other conditions. By eating well, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and being kind to ourselves by not getting too stressed out, we can go a long way to supporting our hormones and keeping them ‘happy’!

Remember that I offer handmade and handblended products that you might find useful too. I offer face creams, hand creams, foot creams, body creams, shower gels and obviously a variety of Essential Oil Blends (made to order with Essential Oils of your choice). The oil blends can be provided in plastic or glass bottles as preferred, or as small roll-on bottles – these are perfect for popping in a handbag or pocket!

If you would like to discuss any ways in which my treatments or products might be able to help you, please do not hesitate to contact me on: 07710 173354 or email me at: lisa@soulspace.biz. I would really love to hear from you.

With all my love and hugs. See you next month!

Lisa
xXx

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