Hormonal imbalance can show itself in a variety of ways- weight gain, low libido, fatigue, mood swings, insomnia, or just feeling “off.” If you want to prevent hormonal imbalance that can lead to breast cancer, [1] using essential oils [2] to soothe, relax and re-balance may be just what you need.
6 Go-To Essential Oils to Balance Hormones
[3]Clary Sage: Hands down, Clary Sage is one of the most potent essential oils for hormone balancing. A 2014 study [4] on post-menopausal women showed that using a diffuser of clary sage oil helped to reduce cortisol levels by 35% and balance thyroid hormones. Clary sage can also help balance estrogen levels and thus can be a handy oil to keep in your cancer prevention toolbox.
Chamomile: Homeopathic supplements that use Matricaria chamomilla have been shown to lower cortisol levels [5] and have a positive effect on anxiety. Furthermore, in a 2010 Chinese study [6]of ten top essential oils, chamomile essential oils killed up to 93% of MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines in vitro testing.
Thyme: In that same study, thyme was also shown to affect breast cancer cells, killing up to 97% of those same cell lines. Thyme has proven to be a powerful hormone balancer as well. In a study [7] published in the Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, thyme increased progesterone levels after human consumption. It was also found to compete with the aggressive estrogen estradiol for receptor sites in breast cancer cells.
Jasmine: Besides possessing an amazing floral aroma, jasmine is also known as a galactagogue [8], a substance that can encourage milk secretion from the breasts. Because of this, it may help protect from breast tumors.
Some studies [9] have also connected jasmine with uterine health because it can promote the stimulation of certain hormones [10] which can “tone” the organ and restrict estrogen flow [11], especially for women after menopause. A German study conducted in 2010 found that inhaling jasmine can also enhance GABA function in the brain. GABA is an important neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating communication between brain cells. The German study boldly states that jasmine essential oil could be a replacement for valium for people in that country.
Sandalwood: Sandalwood has been used for centuries as a powerful anti-inflammatory. This fact alone makes it a great tool for hormonal health, since hormonal imbalance, higher cortisol levels, and inflammation often go together. Sandalwood is rich in phytonutrients called sesquiterpenes, which basically delete bad or outdated information from the cells. This is a very good thing if you want to replace an imbalanced hormonal situation with a balanced one! According to a ground-breaking 2015 study [12], sandalwood was shown to down-regulate Survivin [13] in breast cancer cells and help stimulate apoptosis, or cancer cell death.
[14]Frankincense: We can’t conclude our list without mentioning the wonders of frankincense. Frankincense has been a known cancer killer for some time; studies have shown how it can stimulate apoptosis in many cancers of the reproductive system, especially ovarian [15] cancer. A 2015 study [16] conducted by Sapienza University in Rome found that frankincense may actually affect breast density. Dense breast tissue is considered a risk factor for breast cancer.
Frankincense is known as a major anti-inflammatory [17] as well as a hormone-balancer and chemical messenger. It is helpful for those with thyroid imbalances and autoimmune conditions. Frankincense, sandalwood, and myrrh are often used together as a powerful triad for lowering inflammation and balancing the total body.
When It Comes to Essential Oils, Quality Counts!
Hormone balancing is vital if you want to prevent and heal from breast cancer. Using essential oils topically, in a diffuser or in some cases orally can be a great way to do this. It is absolutely vital, however, that the essential oils you use are 100% clean and organic every step of the way—that means from the living plant through the extraction and manufacturing process. Especially for those essential oils, such as frankincense and chamomile, that you may want to consider using orally in small amounts, be sure the bottle you buy has “supplement facts” on the label. That indicates that it is suitable for consumption and can be a powerful, worry-free ally for living a healthy breast life [18] —with vital energy and balanced hormones to boot!
Dr. Veronique Desaulniers, better known as Dr. V, is the founder of The 7 Essentials System® [19], a step-by-step guide that teaches you exactly how to prevent and heal Breast Cancer Naturally.