aromatherapy blends for hot flushes

[smejhutaithidoeuf]

Hi all
I havent been around for a long time due to some major health problems, I'm looking for a blend of oils to help with menopausal symptoms caused by tamoxifen, I've been offered another medication which has similar or worse side effects which I'm not keen on taking at all. If I could get some kind of control over the night sweats and hot flushes I could cope with the other symptoms without yet another medication.
I've done some research as it's been a long time since I did any aromatherapy and found out that the one's mainly recommended are Clary Sage, Bergamot, Geranium, Lavender and Roman Chamomille but I'm not sure what sort of blend to make,
I was thinking of maybe blending into a base cream to use at night or through the day and also having a tissue to inhale from when they are at there worst.
Any further advice would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Carol

 

[ifdighmx]

Hi Carol,

Essential oil of sage, or clary sage is excellent for hormonal flushes.

Put 4-6 drops in an atomiser spray of 100ml, mist your aura and space, including your pillow, and it will help.

A few drops of sage oil in the bath also helps.

Apparently, you can buy sage in tablet form that can help with flushes, from health stores.

Good luck.

Joanne

 

[kylex250]

When I was on Tamoxifen, I was told to be careful about taking some herbs - black cohosh was a no no, as were a few more which I can't remember (it addled my brain, as you can see!) I took myself off it after 18 months, as I couldn't cope with the side effects. I tried some aromatherapy essences, but couldn't cope with the smell! I am now in year 7 of hot flushes and night sweats. I have recently found a tincture called Harmony, which seems to be having an effect. The daytime flushes that occured at 25 minutes past every hour, have reduced to around 4 or 5 a day. At night, I sometimes have to change nightwear 3 or more times, but recently I have managed to not sweat so profusely. I still have to get up at around 4.30 or 5.00am due to heat, and as there is no way I can go back to sleep I potter about enjoying the solitude! I'm not sure that menopause forced by Tamoxifen can be classed as a natural hormonal change. It may be worth your while having a consult with a herbalist or homeopath.

 

[gxppcdwa]

I was talking to a friend the other day who has been having menopausal symptoms, primarily hot flushes and she has been given herbal preparations and said that after taking Red Clover prepared by a Naturopath her hot flushes went and have not returned.

Also drinking a tissane of sage tea might be a safer way of using sage as the essential oil is quite strong for the liver.

Luv Binah
x

 

[Elizabet]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the helpful information, unfortunately I cant use herbal remedies due to a blood disorder.

I have had some really good effects over the last 3 nights by using

Chamomille Roman x 2 drops
Clary Sage x 2 drops
Bergamot x 2 drops

on a tissue inhaled for a while before bed and left on my bedside table no flushes through the night which is fantastic.

I also did this for one of the nurses on the ward I go to on Thursday and she said she didnt have any flushes that night either. Hopefully this will keep on working and they wont return.

The marvels of aromathereapy lol

Thanks again I'll keep you posted as to how this works out.

Love & Light
Carol

 

[Gio]

clary sage x

 

[??i?z]

I can only sympathise with you on the hot flush issue. I had them when I was on zoladex following breast cancer 5 years ago. The problem is, you are not experiencing a "normal" menopause but a very sudden drop in hormones caused by the medication. Have you tried a cool flannel by the side of the bed which you can slap on when they get bad? You could include some essential oils as well. Other oils to try - rose, geranium,chamomile,jasmine, neroli, ylang ylang. Make sure you avoid fennel as it has oestrogenic properties.
A tip I was given at college - rose and peppermint oil in a spritzer to spray on. Peppermint is very cooling.
Good luck, sometimes the treatments are nearly as bad as the disease!

Sally

 

[Anjuli Lewis]

Hi there

I can't take Clary Sage as it makes me psychotic, so be careful when using this EO. I've also been warned off Sage as an EO, but one of my friends has had good results by drinking sage tea. I keep a bottle of lavender water hydrolat beside the bed and spray myself and the bed if things get too much.

But really, you need to see either a clinical aromatherapist or medical herbalist as the medication you're on is a strong treatment for a strong diagnosis. If you see someone with that level of qualification you should get treatment tailored to your condition and medications.

The best thing I ever found for night sweats was a cold water bottle: a glass bottle full of water kept in the fridge by day and cuddled at night. Sounds quite drastic but really worked for me!