Does Sage Aromatherapy Work for PMS?

Several years ago, a combination of stress, weight fluctuation and dietary changes threw my hormones out of whack. In the middle of a conversation with a friend, I burst into tears because my boobs hurt and I wanted a Snickers bar. My friend, an experienced lay herbalist, immediately diagnosed me with a "PMS emergency" and suggested that I burn sage incense to chase away the hormonal blues. She came back with a bundle of dried broadleaf sage, which she regarded as her most treasured weapon against hormone-related moodswings.

At the time, I wasn't educated about alternative medicine, and sage incense sounded more like witchcraft than medicine to me. But, as soon as I inhaled a few whiffs of organic sage smoke, I instantly felt better. It elevated my mood and seemed to ease the cramping, headaches and breast pain that had haunted me for the previous few days. I now highly recommend sage aromatherapy it for its mood-lifting, hormone-balancing properties.

How Sage Aromatherapy Works

Aromatherapy is a combination of meditative practice and "real" chemical medicine. For example, lavender oil helps to relax the body both by creating a pleasant scent and a soothing environment, and by stimulating changes in the brain similar to anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) medications. Sage imparts similar properties-- it works on both a sensory and chemical level to ease PMS and related symptoms.

Meditative Effects of Sage Aromatherapy

Sage's scent is relaxing and clarifying, so sage essential oil and incense can both help to create an environment in which you are more capable of relaxing your mind and body. This helps to ease mental and emotional symptoms of PMS, including anxiety, irritability, emotional tension and fatigue. Sage has a distinctive scent that is at once both peppery and floral. It tends to clarify the air, mask unpleasant odors, and stimulate memory and relaxation. This can be ideal for overcoming premenstrual blues.

Hormonal Effects of Sage Aromatherapy

Sage has been used historically to balance female reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone-- the two hormones that tend to fluctuate before and during menstruation. Midwives and herbalists have traditionally used sage as a medicinal herb to treat pregnancy problems, infertility and menstrual discomforts. Today, the University of Maryland Medical Center regards sage as a potent source of estrogen-like plant compounds. These may account for its touted PMS-fighting abilities. However, no one knows the degree to which sage's estrogen-like compounds enter the blood stream. When used in aromatherapy and not directly on the skin, very little sage is likely to alter your body chemistry.

Side Effects of Sage Aromatherapy

When used correctly, aromatherapy isn't likely to have any serious side effects. However, some women should avoid using sage essential oils or sage incense to treat PMS. If you have a severe respiratory problem, such as asthma, COPD or emphysema, you should not use any form of aromatherapy. Additionally, because sage oil may increase estrogen levels, you should not apply it to your skin if you have an estrogen-sensitive condition such as uterine fibroids, ovarian cancer, or breast disease. Do not use sage oil in any form if you believe that you may be pregnant.

For more information about aromatherapy, visit the University of Maryland Medical Center.