Vitex

[Cendrine]

I have just started using Vitex. I read how it is supposed to help balance progesterone. I suffer from bad migraines, my chiropractor helped me troubleshoot the cause and we narrowed it down to my progesterone being too low in the second half of my cycle. She has put me on kokoro progesterone cream days 12-26 of each cycle and the migraines have almost completely disappeared. When I saw Vitex here, I was intrigued, but it said that there are no directions of how to use. So I am experimenting. Right now I am applying three drops to my lower abdomen (I do not like the smell so I like it away from my nose... ;)) on days 12-26. I am still using the cream this month to maybe help build up. Next month I will try without the cream to see if this might be a good way to use it. If it is not effective I might apply morning and night.
Linda, if you have any thoughts on the matter I would love to hear. Particularly, with oils and hormones, is it something to use on a time interval or do you think better results would be achieved using it daily all month?

[Linda Sherman]

I found the following in Aromatherapy for Health Professionals by Shirley and Leon Price (p. 117). They shared a situation, and in it some tips may be gleaned about how to use the oils for hormonal issues. I hope this helps - let us know! :-)  ~ Blessings, Linda

Kay worked in an office with several other girls - and the therapist. She was a chatty, happy person and well liked. However, when her period was due, she became a different person - snapping people's heads off and generally reacting with bad temper at the slightest challenge. She realized after a while that her behavior was affecting the others in the office. The therapist suggested she try aromatherapy, and Kay accepted.

Intervention

The essential oils chosen were those which are hormonelike, alleviating PMS:

2 drops Chamomilla recutita [German Chamomile]

5 drops Pimpinella anisum [Aniseed]

8 drops Salvia sclarea [Clary]

A few drops of Lavandula angustifolia [Lavender] were added - to her liking, as she was not to keen on the aroma without it.

30ml grapeseed oil

Application for Six Months

Kay was asked to apply the blend to her abdomen every night and morning immediately after she finished menstruating each month until the next period commenced. She was also given a pure blend of the oils (undiluted in the same proportions) to use in the bath, which she took twice a week.

Outcome

Ater the first month, the girls felt that Kay was marginally easier to live with. By the second month, there was a noticeable difference, and by the third month, Kay herself felt much more relaxed and able to cope. She continued the two treatments for 6 months, then decided she was so much better - and happier - that she would stop the night and morning applications.

After Six Months - Weaning Off

The therapist suggested that she stop only the morning application first, continuing to apply it at night for 2 months, before stopping altogether. This she did, but never gave up the bath blend, as she loved the aroma while bathing. Kay was with the firm for a further 3 years before getting married and moving away, and in all that time, Kay was her original, happy and efficient self - her PMS was nonexistent.