My Lady Oil

Dear 2017,

We ladies get that time of the month or as what some other would label that time as their best friend's visit (ironic, I know) every now and then. Some are regular, some are not. Some visits appear every month, some appear once in two months or so. For me, for each visit, my body would give symptoms of it before it actually appears. After which when it appears, it would be accompanied by painful cramps which will appear my mood and at times my entire day! There were days I had to dragged myself to work, whine at work and be on an emotional roller coaster ride all day long.

I have been experiencing this kind of pain ever since I could remember. I remember a time in my teens where I cried because the pain was so bad and my parents thought I was simply being a brat. I learned different types of remedies along the way. Back then I would swallow 2 Panadols and the pain would subside after a while. Then I learned a natural remedy, which was to consume hot water without the need to swallow any drugs. It works, but it takes a while before the pain subsides.

So when I discovered Young Living essential oils, I read that this Lady Sclareol oil could help with my monthly cramps. How do I even pronounce sc-la-re-ol? What does that even mean? I was a little hesitant to try it out at first. But hey, what's the worse that can happen? I was already experiencing pain almost every month.

It took a while to discover how it can work best for myself. At first I applied a drop below my navel, where the womb is, when the pain was at its worst. I know, wrong move. It did not have any effect. Or maybe the effect took a long time because the pain was at its peak. Subsequently, I applied when my body was starting to show symptoms of its arrival or when it first announced its arrival. I would immediately apply a drop or two below my navel and rub it all over. I would also consume hot or warm water (hot water usually works best for me) as soon as I can wherever I am before the cramps start working its 'wonders'.

I would not say that I do not feel any pain, but it is manageable and I get through the day without the usual pain and get whatever I need to do, done before heading home and nailing myself to my bed. I feel that perhaps this is my body's way of telling me to rest and not force myself to do non-urgent matters.

This has been my routine almost every month and I have stopped consuming Panadol or other prescribed painkillers. Aside from that, I enjoy the smell of this lady oil whenever I diffuse it or apply  it on my wrists.

While I do not enjoy the pain on days like such, I do remind myself that I am blessed. I have heard from a friend who knows of someone who does not experience puberty at all. At the same time, I keep telling myself that the pain is nothing compared to contractions or the pain of child birth. Hence, always count my blessings.