If there’s one thing that most “women of a certain age” (including myself) can agree on, it’s that menopause stinks! It’s a time of transition, and this particular transition produces several unwanted and annoying symptoms like mood swings, trouble sleeping, headaches, and of course, hot flashes.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, around 75% of menopausal women report experiencing hot flashes, which just goes to show how common this particular symptom is! These sudden spikes in body temperature can leave you feeling flushed, sweaty, and (in my experience) a little cranky. Unfortunately, menopause is a fact of life for all women, and you can’t stop the symptoms entirely.
However, there is a simple, natural remedy that can help alleviate those obnoxious hot flashes, and even reduce their frequency. Today I’ll share how to combine a few essential oils to make 3 different natural remedies for hot flashes. I hope this post can serve as a helpful resource for anyone who is currently experiencing hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. (So if you’re reading this and you aren’t having hot flashes, your good deed today could be sharing this post with someone who is!) 🙂
Essential Oil Blend For Hot Flashes
There are 3 essential oils that I find helpful for controlling and alleviating hot flashes – clary sage, peppermint, and geranium. I’ll start by explaining a bit about how each oil works to fight hot flashes, then I’ll show you 3 different ways you can use this powerful essential oil blend.
Clary Sage – Clary sage oil can help with all sorts of hormonal issues, especially in women. In addition to easing menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms, clary sage can also help reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats.
Peppermint – Peppermint oil provides a cool, tingling sensation that can help cool you down in the event of a hot flash. It also helps with achy joints, headaches, and it can give you an energy boost, too!
Geranium – Geranium oil can also help to balance hormones, and it also helps alleviate mood swings and anxiety.
A blend of 2 parts clary sage oil, 1 part peppermint oil, and 2 parts geranium oil can really help to reduce the intensity of hot flashes. And there are plenty of different ways you can use this blend of oils!
Use The Blend To Make A…
Cooling Spray
Combine the oils in a dark glass spray bottle following the 2:1:2 ratio specified above. (We used 20 drops of clary sage, 10 drops of peppermint, and 20 drops of geranium oil.)
Fill the bottle the rest of the way with witch hazel. (Witch hazel has cooling and astringent properties, which makes it a perfect addition to the essential oils for treating hot flashes.) Replace the cap on the bottle and give it a good shake to mix.
Apply the spray to your face and body to help reduce the intensity of a hot flash, or to help cool you off if the hot flash is already over. (Those who don’t experience hot flashes can also use this spray to cool off after a workout, or after spending a few hours in the sun.) Ahh, so refreshing!
Massage Oil
Another great way to utilize these oils for hot flashes is to make a simple massage oil. Add the 3 essential oils in the 2:1:2 ratio to a 10 ml roller bottle, then top it off with your carrier oil of choice. (I used fractionated coconut oil because it’s what I had on hand, but you can use whatever oil you like best. If you aren’t familiar with carrier oils or want to know more, you can check out my post about carrier oils below!)
Related: The Best Carrier Oils For Your DIY Health & Beauty Products
The benefit of using a roller bottle is that you can easily apply the oil blend to specific areas of your body. Roll the oil onto your body wherever you could use some cooling relief, or roll it onto the absorbent skin on the bottoms of your feet for full-body benefits. (And if you can convince your partner that a foot rub is a necessary part of the process, even better!) 😉
Bath Oil
Taking a steaming hot bath probably isn’t on your radar when it comes to treating hot flashes. But a nice, long soak in the tub is a great remedy for some of the other symptoms of menopause, like moodiness and difficulty falling asleep. Adding the essential oils to your bath can turn a relaxing soak into a therapeutic experience!
While filling your bathtub, add 2-3 drops of clary sage, 1-2 drops of peppermint, and 2-3 drops of geranium to the running water. (The agitating effect of the running water helps break down the drops of oil and distribute them throughout the bath water.)
Soak in the tub for 20 minutes or so. Oil and water don’t mix well, so the oils will float to the surface of the tub over time. Scoop some of the oil up and massage it into your skin for a nice moisturizing treatment!
