| What is a hormone? Our bodies naturally produce lots | | | | thinking the body needs to dispel heat, causing it to |
| of different chemical messengers that travel by way | | | | send out signals for blood vessels to dilate, heart rate |
| of the blood stream to all parts of the body to | | | | to increase, and sweat glands to open. The result is |
| stimulate either the increase or decrease of some | | | | the unpleasant rush of heat, perspiration, dizziness, and |
| bodily function or to tell other glands to increase or | | | | pounding heart that characterize hot flashes. This |
| decrease secretion of another hormone. So, hormones | | | | demand creates hormonal imbalance that tends to |
| are in the business of either up-regulating or | | | | peak in peri-menopause which is why hot flashes are |
| down-regulating activity in the body. It doesn't take | | | | commonly thought of as a menopausal symptom. But |
| much hormone to alter cell metabolism. We have two | | | | women can experience hormonal imbalance at any |
| dominant female hormones-estrogen and | | | | stage in their lives. |
| progesterone. Estrogen ensures the development of | | | | How Can Essential Oils Help? |
| female characteristics at puberty. After this, its role is | | | | Here are some "hormone-like" essential oils: German |
| primarily to build the uterine lining each month prior to | | | | chamomile and clary sage are both hormone-like and |
| fertilization as well as to help regulate the menstrual | | | | act as a decongestant on your system; cypress and |
| cycle. Progesterone becomes important in maintaining | | | | niaouli are both estrogen-like and can help to regulate |
| the uterine lining for implantation of a fertilized egg. | | | | menses; peppermint is an ovarian stimulant and can be |
| There is a delicate balancing act between these two | | | | cooling. For hot flashes and sweating-clary sage, |
| hormones. | | | | cypress, peppermint or pine oils for the excessive |
| Since this article is dealing with hot versus cold-we are | | | | perspiration. Some find a combination of clary sage |
| looking at hot flashes and other menopausal | | | | and geranium oils to be a life-saver. |
| unpleasant sensations as the production of these | | | | Clary sage is well known for treating hormone |
| hormones is decreased. Menopause literally means | | | | imbalances. It contains sclareol, a diterpene alcohol that |
| "last period" and occurs somewhere between the | | | | makes it estrogen-like in its effect on the body. It has a |
| ages of 45 to 52 with the cessation of egg production | | | | euphoric effect in general, can act as a uterine tonic, |
| in the ovaries. | | | | help with painful menses, hot flashes, post-natal |
| What Is the Real Cause of Hot Flashes and Night | | | | depression, panic attacks, impotence, and frigidity. It is |
| Sweats? | | | | considered an oil that is a "gift to the female." It can get |
| These symptoms are very common during | | | | rid of monthly boat, regulate menses, balance the |
| menopause but can occur at any age when there is a | | | | endocrine system including the pituitary and the |
| hormone imbalance. Hormone balance is your body's | | | | pancreas making it helpful for diabetics. |
| natural state but when there are too many demands | | | | Geranium is much more subtle than clary sage. It is |
| on your body, its ability to balance hormones is | | | | used primarily for breast engorgement, vaginal thrush, |
| overwhelmed. The resulting hormonal imbalance gives | | | | painful periods, PMS, and uterine hemorrhage. It has a |
| rise to hot flashes or night sweats. Basically, the | | | | calming, uplifting and strengthening effect. Some find it |
| heat-regulatory area of the brain is "tricked" into | | | | especially good for hot flashes and vaginal dryness. |