Aromatherapy to Support Menopause Symptoms – The Happy Menopause Podcast

Season 6 • Episode 4
Amy Anthony, Certified Aromatherapist

Aromatherapy is much more complex than just lighting a scented candle. The essential oils of flowers, plants, wood, nuts or seeds can have a powerful effect on the body. In this episode, we explore how aromatherapy might support us in midlife, menopause and beyond.

My guest is Amy Anthony, a certified aromatherapist and aromatherapy educator who’s an expert in this intricate area. She practices as an aromatherapist in New York City and has taught at the former New York Institute for Aromatherapy and the Centre for Aromatic Studies.

We talk about the multitude of ways that aromatherapy can support our health and wellbeing. Amy explains the different essential oils and how they can help us.  She also shares some practical advice on how we can use them safely.

We discuss the brilliance of bergamot, the restorative powers of rose, how rosemary can revitalise us and why we should love lavender. It’s an absolutely fascinating session – she even shares a couple of recipes that you can find in the show notes on my website.

If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode and please give it a 5-star rating and a short review on Apple podcasts, or whichever platform you listen on, I’d be so grateful. And do tell your friends and family about it too. It really does make a huge difference to the visibility of the podcast, so that more women can find the show. After all, every woman deserves to have a happy menopause.

Show Notes

Find out more about Amy and the work that she does at her NYC Aromatica Website.
Listen to her podcast Essential Aromatica here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow Amy on Instagram and Linked In

Recipes

Check out these two recipes Amy has shared for you.

Classic Sleep Mist

Essential oils: Total of 36 drops of essential oils in 2 ounces (60 ml) (3% dilution rate)

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): 20 drops
• Mandarin (Citrus reticulata): 12 drops
• Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis): 4-6 drops

Directions:

• Add the essential oils to a 2 ounce (60 ml) spray top bottle, drop by drop.
• Fill the remainder of the bottle with distilled water or Rose hydrosol and/or Neroli hydrosol.
• Personalize your blend with a name (aka: anchor word).
• Write your blend’s name on the label & affix to the bottle.
• To Apply:
  • Shake before using, spray 5-7 times on your hair & pillow as you are getting ready to go to bed. Avoid getting into your eyes.
  • Say your anchor word each time you apply the mist to make the act personal.
  • Use nightly for 7 days then assess sleep quality.
  • Use up the spray within 3 months.

Balancing body oil

Essential oils: Total of 20 drops of essential oils in 1 ounce (30 ml) (3% dilution rate)

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): 10 drops
• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens or P. asperum): 6 drops
• Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea): 4 drops

Directions:

• Add the essential oils to a 1 ounce (30 ml) pump top or dropper top bottle, drop by drop.
• Fill the remainder of the bottle with your carrier oil of choice: try a mix of Sunflower, Almond or Avocado. Rosehip see oil and Evening Primrose oil can be great additions too. (e.g., 15 ml Sunflower, 10 ml Evening Primrose, 5 ml Rosehip seed).
• Personalize your blend with a name (aka: anchor word).
• Write your blend’s name on a label & affix to the bottle.
• To Apply:
  • Apply daily to thin skin, up to 3x a day.
  • Say your anchor word each time you apply the oil, thinking positively about nourishing your whole self.
  • Use daily for 21 days and assess how you’re holistically feeling (mind, body, emotions, spirit). Take a few days off to give your bod a break then use for another 21 day cycle.
  • Use up the oil within 6 months.

Aromatherapy Professional Organisations

These are the professional organizations Amy recommended to help you choose a certified aromatherapist:

NAHA – The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (USA)

AIA – Alliance of International Aromatherapists (International, USA based)

CFA – Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists

IFPA – International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (International, UK based)

Biography

Amy Anthony is a New York City based, certified aromatherapist, certified aromatherapy educator, herbalist, aromatic gardener, certified master composter, artisanal distiller and olfactory artist. Host of the Essential Aromatica podcast, Amy explores ideas for connecting with nature through aromatherapy in an accessible way for all. Amy’s contributions extend to teaching levels 1 and 2 aromatherapy certifications at esteemed institutions like the former New York Institute of Aromatherapy and former New York Institute of Aromatic Studies. She also consults for institutions such as IFF and Mt. Sinai Hospital, and facilitating workshops at the New York Botanical Gardens among several other institutions.

A member of Alliance of International Aromatherapists and the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, Amy focuses on aromatherapy education and business to business workshops and consulting. A core tenet of NYC Aromatica’s philosophy is respecting all of nature, intentionally working with aromatic plants and honouring their ability to support an individual’s mind-body-spirit connection.