This October, ACHS is shining a light on women's health. Bringing awareness to women's health can be tricky, not because it is difficult to find the right topics to talk about but because there are so many topics to cover. For women, carving out the time for a much-needed massage or evening run is often complicated by the myriad obligations that come with a career and family. This shouldn’t discourage us from finding a way to incorporate self-care practices into our daily routine. The secret is choosing a self-care practice that packs maximum value into a minimal commitment or disruption.
Booking professional massages and spa treatments can not only require a significant block of time, which many busy women struggle to fit into their schedules, but they can also be quite expensive. Fortunately, you can easily recreate the zen spa vibe at home with high-quality, sustainably sourced essential oils and herbs. For this month's focus on women’s health, we selected five specific essential oils and herbs that offer practical benefits for women, along with simple recipes you can try at home.
1. Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang-Ylang Cananga odorata Essential Oil is extracted from the sweet flowers of the Cananga odorata tree. It is beloved for its sweet, floral fragrance, but don’t let its delicate scent fool you. This oil packs an impressive list of health benefits. Ylang-Ylang essential oil is often used for its ability to support clear and radiant skin, balance oil production, and provide an overall calming effect.
Ylang-Ylang oil’s relaxing properties make it an excellent choice for busy women who are burning the candle at both ends, and the complexion support is icing on the cake.
Try this easy recipe to make your own Ylang-Ylang Spiced Calming Spray:
Ingredients:
- 2 drops of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil Cananga odorata
- 6 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil Citrus sinensis
- 1 drop of Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil Cinnamomum zeylanicum
- 1 drop of Lemon Essential Oil Citrus limonum
- 1 glass bottle with a spray top
- 12 teaspoons of distilled water
Directions:
Blend all essential oils with the 12 teaspoons of distilled water in the glass bottle. Attach the spray top and spritz your spiced floral body spray all over for a relaxing scent experience.
2. Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary Sage Salvia sclarea Essential Oil is known for its powerful relaxation effects. This is the go-to oil for unwinding and combatting the stress and tension of a long day. The oil has a warm, sweet aroma that is not too heavy, making it perfect for use in a home diffuser.
Clary Sage does more than just make your home smell amazing. Some studies have shown the oil can also be effective in providing relief from menstrual cramps1.
Sink into this simple, heavenly-scented Clary Sage & Ylang-Ylang Oil Bath and experience its benefits for yourself.
Ingredients:
- 3 drops of Clary Sage Essential Oil Salvia scalera
- 2 drops of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil Cananga odorata
Directions:
Simply add each oil to your warm bath and enjoy the rejuvenation!
3. Lavender Essential Oil
No list of women’s health products is complete without Lavender Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oil. This classic oil is a must-have for any wellness or self-care routine. It is legendary in the holistic healing world. Although primarily recognized for its strong calming effects on the mind, lavender also serves as a great aid for supporting a healthy complexion.
This versatile essential oil can be used in a home diffuser or lotion or made into a spray for the body or home. Try this Lavender Essential Oil Massage Blend for ultimate relaxation before bed.
Ingredients:
- 2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil Lavandula angustifolia
- 2 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil Pogostemon cablin
- 2 drops of Chamomile Essential Oil Chamaemelum nobile
- 10ml of Sweet Almond Oil Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis
- An oil-safe storage bottle
Directions:
Combine all essential oils with the Sweet Almond Oil base and store the mixture in the oil-safe bottle. Gently massage a generous amount of this sweet-scented oil into tired muscles for soothing relief.
4. Red Raspberry Leaf
Red Raspberry Rubus idaeus Leaf is a favorite ingredient in herbal teas, largely because of its strong flavor profile. Its delightful flavor is similar to a rich black tea without the caffeine. Red Raspberry Leaf is ideal for many women because it has been thought to “relieve common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as uterine cramping2.”
This Wonder Woman Herbal Blend can be used to support a woman’s healthy reproductive system and takes advantage of Red Raspberry Leaf’s natural antioxidant properties that promote overall cell health.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce of dried Red Raspberry Leaves Rubus idaeus
- 1 ounce of dried Marshmallow Root Althaea officinalis
- 1 ounce of dried Black Cohosh Root Cimicifuga racemosa
- ½ ounce of dried Ginger Root Zingiber officinale
- ½ ounce of dried Motherwort Herb Leonurus cardiaca
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender, or use a mortar and pestle to manually grind the combined ingredients into a fine powder. The Wonder Woman Herbal Blend can be portioned into capsules and taken orally at a dose range of 1 to 4 teaspoons daily. It can also be prepared as an infusion at a dose range of 4 to 6 tablespoons of infused mixture daily. Store any excess powder in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
CAUTION: Red Raspberry Leaf is generally considered safe when used appropriately. However, women who have a history of miscarriage or are experiencing an at-risk pregnancy should not take Red Raspberry Leaf or any other holistic supplement unless specifically authorized by their healthcare provider.
5. Red Rose Buds & Petals
Red Rose Rosa centifolia Buds & Petals are a luxurious addition to a woman’s self-care practice. The deep pink, magenta, or scarlet petals add an extra layer of sensory delight by bringing visual beauty into the mix. Whether added to a warm bath for soaking or a hot tea for sipping, Rose Buds & Petals can help turn the dial down on stress and tension and promote an overarching feeling of emotional well-being.
Try the Lovely Lady Floral Tea below for a soothing experience that engages all your senses.
Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon Red Rose Petals Rosa centifolia
- ½ teaspoon Lavender Flowers Lavandula angustifolia
- ½ teaspoon Red Raspberry Leaves Rubus idaeus
- Hot water
Directions:
Steep all herbs in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then strain the warm tea into your favorite cup. Enjoy this delicate tea blend whenever you feel the need for a little extra pampering throughout Women’s Health Month and all year long.
Finding ways to incorporate self-care into your routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right essential oils and herbs, you can create simple yet effective wellness rituals that support your health and well-being. Treat yourself or the women in your life to one or all of these recipes!
For high-quality, sustainably sourced essential oils and herbs to make your own recipes, visit the ACHS school store, Apothecary Shoppe. Our selection ensures you get the best products to support your holistic health journey all year long.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. Always use herbs and essential oils with caution and keep out of reach of children. Use particular caution when pregnant or nursing. Always check contraindications and think safety first! The statements herein have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Sources:
- Han, S. H., Hur, M. H., Buckle, J., Choi, J., & Lee, M. S. (2006). Effect of aromatherapy on symptoms of dysmenorrhea in college students: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 12(6), 535–541. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2006.12.535
- Booth, J., & Amidor, T. (2024, February 21). Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: Benefits, Side Effects and More. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/health/nutrition/red-raspberry-leaf-tea/
