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Aromatherapy and Menstrual Cramps

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Here’s a thoughtful gift for you, your daughter, or anyone who dreads her period because of cramps.

Researchers in South Korea studied the effect of aromatherapy treatment on 67 college students who had reported severe menstrual cramps (on a scale of 10, they were in the 6-10 category in severity).

The students were divided into three groups:
1. The first group received an aromatherapy preparation consisting of three aromatic oils:
• Clary sage, ten drops
• Lavender, twenty drops
• Rose, ten drops

Each of these was combined with 50 ml of grapeseed oil, an odorless “carrier” oil favored by aromatherapists.

2. The second group received bottles of almond oil only.

3. The third group received no treatment at all.

Groups one and two were instructed to apply a few drops of their oil to their lower abdomen and massage gently during the first two days of their periods, or whenever cramps were severe.

At the end of the study, group one reported an impressive 50% reduction in their cramps. Groups two and three reported no effect whatsoever.

Of course, the 50% reduction in pain, excellent though this is, still leaves you with some cramps. But now your discomfort is much more manageable. Whether you choose to add a conventional medicine, like ibuprofen, or an herbal therapy, like cramp bark, either will work more effectively in cooperation with safe and gentle aromatherapy