Have you ever smelled something so foul that you felt queasy? Aromatherapy turns this sort of “gut” reaction to scents to your advantage, offering help for indigestion, upset stomach, nausea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), irritable bowel syndrome, and gas.

How to Use

You can use essential oils in a variety of ways. Put a few drops on a tissue or handkerchief and inhale them. Or put a few drops in a bowl of hot water, and, with a towel draped over your head, close your eyes and inhale the steam. To make a compress, put five to 10 drops of the essential oil in warm water, soak a cloth with this mixture, and apply the cloth to the problem area. For a soothing massage, combine four to six drops of essential oils to a carrier oil and then massage this into your lower abdomen in a clockwise motion. Another relaxing way to use essential oils is to add five to 10 drops of them to a warm bath and enjoy a good long soak.

Since each pure essential oil is highly concentrated, it’s important to dilute it with a carrier oil before applying it to your skin. Carrier oils such as jojoba, sweet almond, grape seed, and coconut oils are all excellent choices. In a pinch, you can even use cold-pressed olive oil.

Essential Oils to Try

• Peppermint is your friend if you suffer from indigestion, nausea, or IBS. You can take a single drop of pure essential oil of peppermint in a glass of water to ease your symptoms. If you’re pregnant, take peppermint in the form of a tea. If you’re prone to motion sickness, carry a bottle of peppermint essential oil with you when you travel and inhale from it when necessary.


• Chamomile is known to soothe and settle an upset stomach; it’s an antispasmodic, aids indigestion, and is useful for gastric ulcers; read more about it here.


• Clary sage is helpful for PMS and as a hormone balancer, but do not use it if you’re pregnant.


• Ginger oil or ginger tea will ease upset stomach and nausea. Try adding one drop of ginger essential oil to a teaspoon of honey or to a four-ounce beverage, such as a cup of herbal tea.


• Lavender is an excellent choice for gas; read more about it here.


• Rosemary is an ally to those suffering from PMS. It should not be used by pregnant women or people who have epilepsy or high blood pressure.


• Holy basil aids in relieving stomach cramps, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting; read more about it here.


• Fennel diluted well with a carrier oil has antibacterial, laxative, and carminative effects.

Always store essential oils out of direct sunlight and away from heat or flame. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets. Make sure that the oil you use is a pure essential oil and not perfume or fragrance oil mixed with other ingredients. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, contact a qualified aromatherapist before use.

—Katherine Turcotte