The document outlines the creation of a toolkit by Tila Broadway for healthcare providers about using essential oils to treat peri-menopausal symptoms, which includes a literature review on menopause, hormone therapy, alternative therapies, and essential oils; the development of an algorithm and patient survey; and recommendations for specific essential oils to address hot flashes, mood swings, and other common concerns.

1. The Role of Essential Oils
in Treating
Peri-Menopausal Women:
Creation of a Toolkit for Providers
Tila Broadway, MSN, BSN, APRN, WHNP-BC
Susan Yount, Ph.D. CNM, WHNP-BC, FACNM,
DNP Director
Committee Chair
Noel Boyd, MD , FACOG
Content Expert
Frontier Nursing University
Photo courtesy of Flickr

2. Dedication
This entire journey is dedicated to my three kiddos: Corey,
Kayci, and Kendall. Do not ever allow anyone to tell you
that you cannot do something.
I love ya’ll!
2

3. Introduction
• Non-Allopathic
treatment options
• EBP information
about essential oils
• Practitioner
knowledge base
• Patient interest,
concerns, and
compatibility
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4. Problem Statement
Evidence exists to support educating
traditional US health care practitioners about
the use of essential oils in lieu of allopathic
treatments or no treatment at all for the
concerns of peri-menopausal and
menopausal women; however, providers do
not always offer this as an option.
4

5. Needs Assessment
Women’s healthcare providers need to be
educated about the proper use of essential
oils for peri-menopausal and menopausal
concerns in the clinical setting.
Educating practitioner’s about essential oils
is important to patient satisfaction and
healthcare outcomes.
5

6. Capstone Purpose
The purpose of this capstone project will be
to create a toolkit for providers to use as
another option for treating peri-menopausal
and menopausal symptoms with essential
oils.
Photo courtesy of
Flickr
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7. Search Strategy
• MEDLINE, CINAHL, FNU Library,
EBSCOhost, Pro Quest, and Google
Scholar
• Keywords: alternative therapies,
aromatherapy, complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM), essential oils,
massage, massage oil, menopause, and
peri-menopause
• Over 250 articles reviewed
7

8. Literature Review
• Peri-menopause and Menopause
• Allopathic Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Alternative Therapies
• Essential Oils
8

9. Literature Review
• Peri-menopause and Menopause
9
Picture Courtesy of Bing

10. Literature Review
• Allopathic Hormone Replacement Therapy
10
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11. Literature Review
• Alternative Therapies
(Non-Allopathic)
11
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12. Literature Review
• Essential Oils
12
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13. Synthesis of Literature
• Recognizing menopausal symptoms
• Safety
• Research
13

14. Synthesis of Literature
• Limited options for treatment
• Uneducated providers about essential oils
• Recognizing appropriate candidates for
treatment
14

15. Problem Background
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15
(Burfield & Sheppard-Hanger, 2005)

16. Problem Background
• Financial
• Political
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(US Census Bureau, 2015)

17. Theoretical Framework
• Situated Learning Theory (2014)
• Utilitarianism (2009)
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(AACN, 2015; Kearsley, 2014; Rich & Butts, 2009)

18. Project Goals
• Short term goal
• Tool kit
• Intermediate goal
• Adopt an algorithm for practitioners
• Long term goal
• Implement an EO educational system
18
(Crow, 2014)

19. SWOT Analysis
19
S t r e n g t h s
O p p o r t u n it ie s T h r e a t s
W e a k n e s s e s
S W
TO
S it u a t io n b e in g a n a ly s e d : I n a d e q u a t e e d u c a t io n o f t h e p r a c t it io n e r s r e c o m m e n d in g e s s e n t ia l o ils f o r p e r i- m e n o p a u s a l s y m p t o m s .
SW O T A N A L Y S IS
• A n o t h e r o p tio n fo r p a tie n t s
• P o p u la t io n N ic h e
• G e n e r a t e in c o m e t h r o u g h o il s a le s
• N o c e r tif ic a t io n r e q u ir e d
• N o c o m p e tit io n in th e a r e a
• In c r e a s e p a tie n t p o p u la t io n
• G e o g r a p h ic lo c a tio n is g o o d
• P r o v id e r s t o o b u s y t o le a r n
• I n it ia l in v e s t m e n t e x p e n s iv e
• M a r k e t in g c o s t s
• E d u c a t in g t h e c lin ic a l a n d a n c illa r y s t a ff is t im e c o n s u m in g
• P a t ie n t in t e r e s t le v e l
• N o t F D A a p p r o v e d
• M a r k e t d e m a n d
• O th e r p r o v id e r s
• L a c k o f r e s e a r c h• P r o v id e r T o o l K it

20. Estimated Cost Benefit Analysis
20

21. Project Objectives
• Evaluate current literature for guidelines
• Explore current literature for contraindications
• Analyze, explore, and adopt current algorithms
• Explore current literature for regulatory
guidelines
• Collaboration with experts in the field
• Identify safe essential oils and methods of
application
• Develop a tool kit for providers
• Develop a patient survey
21

22. Algorithm
22
(Jane & Davis, 2014)

23. Patient Survey
Using essential oils is a non-pharmaceutical option to alleviate menopausal concerns for patients who are having mild
to moderate symptoms, are not candidates for traditional medication treatment, or for those who do not want
medications and would like to try another approach to relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, difficulty
sleeping, decreased sexual desire, etc. associated with hormonal changes. Essential oils are not a cure for any
symptom or disease process but can be considered an alternative option to try to ease non-life altering, non- life
threatening, bother some symptoms of hormonal changes. Peri-menopause and menopause are normal changes that
all women go through in mid-life some having worse symptoms than others. As the provider of your women’s health
care, we would like to know your experience with essential oils and how we can improve offering essential oils as an
option. Please circle yes or no to the following questions and offer comments at the bottom of the page.
1) Are you familiar with essential oils? Yes No
2) If not, are you interested in receiving information about the Yes No
benefits and uses of essential oils?
3) Have you ever used essential oils? Yes No
4) If so, did you find them to be helpful/useful? Yes No
5) Are you interested in trying an essential oil as an alternative
or addition to your current routine to ease bother some,
non-life threatening menopausal symptoms? Yes No
Additional comments:____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name:__________________________________ph number:_____________________________
Thank you for your time and input!
23

24. Essential Oils for Symptoms
• Essential oils that balance hormones:
cypress, geranium, lavender, neroli, rose, clary sage
• Essential oils for hot flashes:
clary sage, lemon, peppermint
• Essential oils for mood swings:
chamomile, jasmine, neroli
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(Clanton, n.d.; (Price, 1998; Tisserand, 1977)

25. Plan of Action
• Identify Provider population
• Provide appropriate educational
information
• Discussion
• Q&A’s
25

26. Plan of Action
26
C a p s t o n e G A N T T C H A R T
2 0 1 4 -2 0 1 5 T ila B r o a d w a y W H N P D N P 1 5
M o n t h J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S
T a s k S t a r t F in is h
D N P B o u n d 6 / 1 6 / 1 4 6 / 1 9 / 1 4 ★
L it e r a t u r e R e v ie w 7 / 2 0 1 4 6 / 3 0 / 2 0 1 5 ★ ★
N e e d s A s s e s s m e n t 7 / 2 0 1 4 9 / 2 0 1 4 ★
M e e n g s 1 0 / 2 0 1 4 9 / 2 0 1 5 ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕
C a p s t o n e P r o p o s a l 1 0 / 2 0 1 4 1 0 / 2 0 1 4 ★ ★
A n a ly s is / S y n t h e s is 1 2 / 2 0 1 4 3 / 2 0 1 5 ★ ★
T o o lk it D e s ig n 3 / 2 0 1 5 8 / 3 1 / 2 0 1 5 ★
P r a c c u m 4 / 2 0 1 5 9 / 2 0 1 5 ★
W r i n g 0 7 / 2 0 1 4 9 / 2 0 1 5 ★
C a p s t o n e
P r e s e n t a o n
9 / 2 0 1 5 9 / 1 6 / 2 0 1 5 ★
P r o g r e s s io n M e e n g s ✕ M ile s t o n e s ★

27. Essential Oils for Menopause
• Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – lack of
concentration, fatigue, lethargy, low
spirits.
• Chamomile Roman (Anthemis nobilis)
– aches and pains, insomnia,
headaches, skin problems, low spirits,
fatigue, irritability, insomnia
• Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) – hot
flashes, sweating, insomnia, low
spirits, fatigue
• Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) –
fluid retention, hot flashes, sweating,
irritability, regulates menstrual
irregularities, low spirits, fatigue,
haemorrhage, incontinence
•Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) –
balancing emotions, anti depressant, dry
skin, fatigue, fluid retention
•Peppermint (Mentha piperita) – hot
flashes, sweating, fatigue, sexual
stimulant, headaches – migraines only
•Pine – hot flashes, sweats
•Frankincense – low spirit, fatigue
•Bergamot (Citrus aurantium var.
bergamia)- for depression, anxiety,
insomnia
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28. Essential Oils for Menopause
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)- used for
the female reproduction system
• Jasmine (Jasmine officinale)- mood
imbalances
• Juniper – low spirits, fatigue
• Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)-
sleep disturbances, mood imbalances,
headaches, insomnia
• Melissa (Melissa officinalis) –
antidepressant, for menstrual
problems, insomnia
• Marjoram (sweet) – low spirits,
fatigue, headaches, sleep problems,
insomnia
• Rose (Rosa damascena)- mood
imbalances, irregular menstruation,
sexual stimulant, haemorrhage
• Rosemary - sexual stimulant, low
spirits, fatigue, headaches – migraine
only
• Lemon – used in oil blends; up lifting,
hot flashes, insomnia, incontinence
• Neroli- mood swings, used in oil
blends
• Thyme (sweet) – sexual stimulant
• Ylang - Ylang – sexual stimulant
Contraindications
*Bergamot (Citrus aurantium var. bergamia) should not
be used topically, but can be used in an inhalation
or bath blend. Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) and
fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) should not be used
with estrogen dependent cancers. Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare) should not be used if
epileptic. (Clanton, n.d.)
(Clanton, n.d.; Price, 1998; (Tisserand,
1977)
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29. Hot Flash Cooling Spray
How to Make a Hot Flash Cooling Spray
•Cooling sprays are a safe, easy, and effective way to relieve the discomfort of hot
flashes associated with menopause.
•Step 1: Add rose water to spray bottle
•Add 1/4-cup rose water to the spray bottle.
Tip
•Check the bottom of the bottle to make sure it's made of PET plastic; essential oils can
eat away at softer varieties.
•Step 2: Add essential oil
•Add eight drops of an essential oil.
Tip
•Too much peppermint may make you hotter, rather than cool you down.
•Step 3: Shake
•Shake your mixture vigorously prior to use.
•Step 4: Spritz
•Spritz yourself liberally when necessary and you’ll be as cool as a cucumber!
(You Tube, 2010)
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30. Expected Outcomes
• Practitioners will be more knowledgeable
about peri-menopausal symptoms
• Practitioners will be more knowledgeable
about the use of essential oils for peri-
menopausal symptoms
• Practitioners will disseminate appropriate
information to the patient population
• Increased patient outcomes and
satisfaction
30

31. Menopausal Symptoms
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood
swings/changes
• Insomnia
• Irregular periods
• Weight gain
• Bladder issues –
urgency and leaking
• Decreased sex drive
• Vaginal dryness
• Fatigue
• Memory Problems
31

32. Application Sites
32

33. Menopause Tracker
33

34. Essential Oil Blends
Insomnia and Night Sweats Inhalation
3 parts lavender essential oil
2 parts bergamot essential oil
1 part German chamomile essential oil
1 part clary sage essential oil
Menopause Bath Blend
1 cup Epsom salts
2 drops clary sage essential oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
3 drops cypress essential oil
Add all ingredients together and mix well. Pour into a full
bath and disperse.
Soak for 20 to 30 minutes.
Mood Balancing Inhalation
3 parts geranium essential oil
2 parts melissa essential oil
1 part rose essential oil
1 part jasmine essential oil
Measure each amount by drops. Use in a diffuser or
place on a tissue or cloth
and inhale. The oils may also be mixed in appropriate
portions into a glass
amber bottle for larger amounts.
Hot Flash Spray
7.5 ounces distilled water
0.5-ounce ethyl alcohol or apple cider vinegar
30 drops lavender essential oil
20 drops geranium essential oil
10 drops melissa essential oil
In an 8 ounce sterile or very clean spray bottle, add
alcohol or vinegar. Add
essential oils and shake. Add water. Label and
refrigerate. This spray can be
sprayed on the face and body whenever hot flashes
occur.
34
(Clanton, n.d.)

35. Essential Oil Blends
Hormone Balancing Oil
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons evening primrose oil
40 drops lavender essential oil
40 drops cypress essential oil
16 drops fennel essential oil
Pour essential oils into a 4-ounce amber glass bottle. Add olive oil and
evening primrose oil and shake well. Label and store in a cool dark place.
Apply one teaspoon daily or as needed to the abdominal and neck areas.
Vaginal Balancing Cream
½ cup avocado oil
½ cup wheat germ oil
1 tsp. beeswax
12 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops clary sage essential oil
3 vitamin E capsules
Combine avocado oil, wheat germ oil, beeswax, and vitamin E in the top of a
double boiler and melt. Remove from heat and allow to cool. When mixture
is cooled somewhat, add essential oils and stir well. Pour into a sterile or very
clean glass jar, cap tightly, and label. A tongue depressor can be used to apply as needed
35
(Clanton, n.d.)

36. Essential Oil Dilutions
36

37. DNP Essentials
• Essential I
• Met through the development of a tool kit for
providers
• Essential III
• Met through solving a knowledge deficit among
providers and attempting to improve patient
outcomes
• Essential IV
• Met through the evaluation and implementation of
accurate research information related to the
capstone topic
37
(AACN, 2006)

38. Dissemination Plans
• AWOHNN
• NCC
• ACOG
• NAMS
• other aromatherapy
publications
• DNP 15 Cohorts
• Local OB/GYN
providers
• Information for
interested individuals
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39. Evaluation
• Providers’ interest
• Patients’ interest
• Information dissemination
39
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40. Replicability
• Re-evaluation
• Re-adjust goals according to evaluation
• Keep information simple and concise, yet
comprehensive and informative
40

41. Recommendations
• Rationale for project continuation
• Replicability of the project
• Congruence with AACN DNP essentials
• Plan for dissemination
41

42. Essential Oil Applications
Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Abundant
Health - $6.99 Apple and Android
Essential Oils by BonPetite Apps - $9.99 Apple
devices
My Oil Expert – Natural Health Remedies – Apple,
Android, and Blackberry Devices
Essence Health by Lisa Vallez – Apple Devices
My doTERRA Oils by doTERRA - $9.99. Apple
Devices
Essential Oils – An Aromatherapy Reference
(App) by App Annie - $1.99 Apple Devices
Healthier Thymes Essential Oils by Healthier
Thymes – FREE – Android Devices from Amazon
MyYoungLiving by Young Living Essential Oils –
FREE
Young Living Mobile App - $2.99 – Apple and
Android Devices
Modern Essentials -by Aroma Tools - $6.99 –
Apple Devices
Oily App by Ernie Yarbrough - $2.99 per year – Apple
and Android Devices
TochiLife Essential Oil Guide – by John Harris -
$3.99 Apple and Android Devices
DK Aroma – by DK Aromatherapy – FREE Apple
Devices
Bottled Oracle Essential Oil Optimizer – by
Jennifer Miller - $12.99 – Apple and Android
Therapeutic Oils Mobile – by COBalt3030(2) LLC
– $4.99 Apple Devices
350 Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Recipes –
By Agnes Ng - $1.99 – Apple Devices
Essential Oils – An Aromatherapy Reference
- by substatica - $1.99 – Apple Devices
Essential Oils for Every Day – by Pure Home and
Body - $1.99 – Apple and Android Devices
300 Essential Oil & Aromatherapy Recipes –
by Irene Chan - $1.99 – Apple Devices
Integrated Essential Oils - $14.95 Annual
subscription Apple and Android Devices
42

43. Conclusion
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44. Thank You!
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45. References
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), (2006). The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced
Nursing Practice. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/position/DNPEssentials.pdf
• Brockie, J. (2005). Alternative approaches to the menopause. Reviews in Gynaecological Practice: 5 (pp 1-7).
Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.frontier.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail? vid=4&sid=af52294e-
5a21-4aa4-8bd5-0078e6db897b %40sessionmgr115&hid=114&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d
%3d#db=c8h&AN=2009938519
• Clanton, M. (n.d.). Menopause: understanding and managing the transition using essential oils vs. traditional allopathic
medicine. A thesis project presented to the Australasian College of Health Sciences. Retrieved from
http://files.achs.edu/mediabank/files/melissa_clanton.pdf
• Panay, N. & Rees, M. (2005). Alternatives to hormone replacement therapy for management of menopause symptoms.
Current Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 15: pp 259-266. Doi10.1016/j.curobgyn.2005.05.004
• Price, S., (1998). Using essential oils in nursing practice. Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery. Harcourt
Brace &Co. Ltd.; pp 144-147. Retrieved from http://www.ctcpjournal.com/article/S1353-6117(98)80089-9/abstract
• Shifren, J. & Gass, M.L.S., (2014). The north american menopause society recommendations for clinical care of midlife
women. Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society, (21) 10.
• Warren, M.P., Shortle, B., & Dominguez, J. (2002). Use of alternative therapies in menopause. Best Practice & Research
Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 16, (3) pp 411-448. doi:10,1053/beog.2002.0290
Additional references available upon request
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