The 10 Best Essential Oils for Women's Health

Essential oils have made a difference in women’s health for centuries, and whether you realize it or not, they are all around us. When you walk through a field of flowers, enjoy the shade of a tree, or squeeze the juice from a citrus fruit, you’re enjoying the benefits of essential oils. They are found in plants, roots, seeds, flowers, bark, and fruit.

10 Best Essential Oils for Women's Health

Consult this guide for the 10 best essential oils for women’s health with tips on how to incorporate them into your everyday life. You’ll also want to be sure to familiarize yourself with any other oils you use to make sure they are safe for topical application. Here are our picks for the best essential oils for women.

1. Clary Sage

Clary sage has long been a favorite when dealing with women’s health. Not only is it naturally antibacterial [source] and anti-inflammatory, it’s also super beneficial for a number of women’s health issues. It’s even considered by some to be an effective aphrodisiac. Some other benefits of clary sage include:

• Antidepressant [source], reduces anxiety [source]
• soothing properties
• beneficial for PMS [source]  and menstrual pain [source],

Everyday use: 

You can combine a few drops of clary sage with some milk and add to an Epsom salt bath. Or combine a few drops with a carrier oil, and massage directly onto your abdomen to ease cramps and discomfort.

2. Lemon

Lemon essential oil is such a happy oil. Not only will it boost your mood to naturally brighten your day, but it’s also a powerful antibacterial [source]. It has a wonderfully refreshing scent and is commonly used to:

• energize and de-stress [source]
• reduce morning sickness [source]
• eliminate germs and boost immunity [source]

Everyday use:  

Lemon is phototoxic, so it should only be used on the skin in very low dilutions and never directly before sun exposure. Diffusing lemon essential oil is one of the best ways to enjoy its therapeutic benefits AND its delightful aroma.

3. Lavender

Because lavender is beneficial for so many issues, it’s no wonder that it’s also one of the best essential oils for women’s health. It’s safe to use on young and old alike and beneficial for just about any situation you come across.

Just a few of the MANY benefits of lavender include:

• reduces stress and calms nerves [source]
• helps with sleep problems [source]
• aids with inflammation [source] and skin healing [source]

Everyday use: 

This is probably the most-used oil in our home. We diffuse it aromatically before bedtime, add it to our baths, and use it in our DIY beauty products.

4. Geranium

Not only does geranium smell luxurious, but it’s also beneficial for supporting health. It’s commonly used in skincare products for its fragrance [source] and anti-inflammatory effects [source], including products for mature skin.

Some of the many ways that geranium essential oil is great for the skin include:

• balances oils in the skin
• aids with skin irritation [source]
• lowers blood pressure [source]

Everyday use: 

Add a drop to your facial or body moisturizer and to your shampoo or conditioner to help balance oil production and moisturize your skin.

5. Basil

Basil may not be the first oil you think of when choosing essential oils for women’s health, but it’s actually a versatile oil with many therapeutic properties. Some of the benefits of basil essential oil include:

• soothes sore and tired muscles
• calms anxiety [source] 
• helps memory function [source] and focus
• useful for migraines [source]

Everyday use: 

A single drop can be used in a recipe for cooking. To make a massage blend for tired muscles, combine a few drops with a carrier oil. For memory, focus, migraines, and headaches diffuse basil EO intermittently throughout the home.

6. Sweet Orange

Citrus oils are a personal favorite of mine. I love their crisp, fresh aromas that always boost my mood and energize me. Sweet orange EO is no exception. Unlike many other citrus oils, sweet orange is not considered phototoxic [source].

Some of its beneficial properties include:  

• invigorating, mood lifter
• air purifier
• calming for anxiety [source] and nervous tension

Everyday use: 

Add a few drops into your body scrub, and feel refreshed and awake as you step out of the shower each day. Or simply diffuse sweet orange EO throughout your home to enjoy its mood-boosting and air-purifying properties.

7. Oregano

Similar to basil, oregano is another potent herbaceous oil with a wide range of benefits. Considered to be one of the more potent essential oils, it has strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties [source]. It’s a great option to consider when you need something a little bit more potent to support your health.

Just a few of the benefits of oregano essential oil include:  

• Purifying
• Anti-inflammatory [source]
• immune boosting
• aids digestive and respiratory function

Everyday use: 

Because oregano is a very potent essential oil and a known sensitizer, it is best when diffused throughout the home to purify the air, boost immunity, support digestion, and aid respiratory function.  

8. Tea Tree

Tea tree oil is a favorite among many essential oil users. Its versatility and antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties make it useful in numerous situations. It’s also a gentle oil, so it can be used around most individuals.

Some of the benefits of tea tree EO include:  

• contributes to healthy skin and nails
• germ-fighting capabilities [source] 
• supports respiratory health
• helpful with allergies
• aids in wound care [source]

Everyday use:  

Melaleuca can be added to body care products or natural remedies for allergies or respiratory issues. It can also be diffused throughout the home to purify the air and fight airborne germs.

9. Frankincense

Frankincense has increased greatly in popularity over the last few years. It’s no wonder, considering it has powerful antibacterial properties. Among other things, frankincense EO is considered beneficial for:

• skin injuries and irritation [source]
• helps memory [source] and lifts your mood
• anti-inflammatory [source]

Everyday use: 

Frankincense is wonderful for your skin. Add a drop to your moisturizer if you have sensitive skin, combine it with a carrier oil for inflammation, or diffuse it aromatically for a boost in mood.

10. Ginger

Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy for stomach issues. Although it is beneficial for so much more, there’s no denying that it has many therapeutic properties considered beneficial for stomach upset and discomfort.

Some of its benefits include:  

• aids digestion [source]
• helps eliminate motion sickness and nausea [source]
• alleviates joint discomfort [source]

Everyday use: 

Combine with a carrier oil to create a homemade massage oil to aid digestion and joint discomfort. Or consider diffusing ginger throughout the home or car to help with digestion, motion sickness, and nausea.

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon, M.D., a university-trained obstetrician/gynecologist with 19 years of clinical experience. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.