The use of aromatherapy and essential oils to help relieve symptoms associated with PMS and menstrual cramps can be a useful natural first step in managing what can be a difficult few days for many women. It is no co-incidence that several of the pure essential oils on the list have anti-inflammatory properties. Used in combination with heat pads, they can provide some effective relief.

The most popular pure essential oils for PMS

  1. Clary Sage
  2. Lavender
  3. Bergamot
  4. Chamomile
  5. Eucalyptus
  6. Peppermint
  7. Marjoram

CLARY SAGE ESSENTIAL OIL

Clary Sage is an effective essential oil for use in menstruation, childbirth and menopause. It should NOT be used in pregnancy before the stage of childbirth. It can bring relief to menstrual cramps and promote menstruation when delayed. It can also assist in relieving nervous tension and calming the mind.

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

Lavender Essential Oil is one of the most popular essential oils bought and used and can be used for a multitude of issues. It can help to relieve menstrual tension by massaging on to the lower abdomen (always diluted in fractionated coconut oil - never direct on the skin). Lavender is also useful for helping to aid sleep and reducing stress.

The rest of the single essential oils on this list are great additions to the first two, providing support for stress and anxiety associated with PMS and anti-inflammatory support, and it's one of the reasons why many of them are included in specifically blended products to target PMS

The most popular essential oil blend for PMS

doTERRA Clary Calm is an essential oil blend designed to support women's menstrual cycles. It is a blend of clary sage, lavender, bergamot, chamomile, cedarwood, ylang ylang, geranium, fennel, carrot seed, palmarosa and vitex. It comes packaged in a roller ball but these oils are best diluted in a carrier oil. If you are applying this directly to the skin, go straight over it with a generous amount of a carrier oil (jojoba oil, coconut oil etc) otherwise, decant a small amount of this in to an empty roller ball and top it up with fractionated coconut oil.

What's the best way to use Clary Calm?

  1. Massaging in to lower abdomen at the first sign of cramps
  2. Apply to your skin for a cooling and soothing effect when feeling a little hot and bothered
  3. Apply to your wrists for a calming aroma to help soothe heightened emotions

Clary Calm does have quite a strong fragrance given that it is undiluted and it is quite floral smelling. If the smell is too overpowering for you then you can try and dilute it, or you may want to try some of the individual oils in the blend on their own to see if they resonate with you better. By layering Clary Calm on the skin and diffusing an accompanying essential oil like Lavender, you can get an extra calming benefit aromatically.

As a doTERRA Australia official online stockist, we hold the stock we sell in our own warehouse ready for quick despatch with the rest of your natural households needs. Member benefits can get you better pricing on any of their oils.


Information on the specific properties of each essential oil have been obtained from the pages of The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia. We urge anyone using essential oils to obtain safety information independent from the company who manufacture the oils before using them.

For those seeking long term or severe symptoms with PMS, please consult a doctor.