Mitochondria, Trauma & Essential Oils in Menopause
Menopause is often described as a hormonal change, but it’s much more than that. At midlife, the body’s stress system, nervous system and even our cells themselves come into play. One of the key players in this story is the mitochondria, the tiny “powerhouses” that sit inside every cell.
Mitochondria & Midlife Energy
Mitochondria create the energy our bodies need to function. They convert nutrients from food into ATP, the fuel that powers everything from our heartbeat to our brain. During menopause, fluctuating hormones, inflammation and chronic stress can affect how well mitochondria work.
When mitochondria slow down, many of the symptoms women report in midlife, fatigue, brain fog, low mood, joint pain…make more sense. It’s not just about oestrogen, it’s about the health of our energy systems.
Trauma & the Cellular Stress Story
Research in epigenetics shows that early life stress and trauma can leave an imprint on our stress response system. This imprint carries through to adulthood, shaping how our mitochondria respond under pressure.
Childhood trauma can lead to an overactive HPA axis (our stress regulation centre).
This overactivity pumps stress hormones into the system, which mitochondria are very sensitive to.
Over time, mitochondria become less efficient, which speeds up cellular ageing.
This is why women with a history of trauma often feel the weight of menopause more strongly the body is carrying decades of stored stress that now meets the hormonal transition.
Essential Oils & Mitochondrial Care
Essential oils can’t change our DNA, but they can support the body in profound ways:
Rose & Neroli - calm the nervous system, reducing stress signals that overload mitochondria.
Frankincense - supports deep breathing & oxygen delivery to cells.
Clary Sage - gently balances mood & hormones, helping the stress system rest.
Bergamot - shown to lower cortisol levels & uplift low mood.
Using oils in daily rituals - diffusing, adding to a bath, or applying with a carrier oil -invites the body into a parasympathetic, “rest & restore” state. This is when mitochondria repair and energy is replenished.
A Whole-Body Approach
Caring for mitochondria in menopause isn’t just about supplements or diet -though good nutrition, sleep and gentle movement matter. It’s also about;
Soothing the nervous system (breathwork, meditation, oils).
Releasing old trauma imprints (therapy, bodywork, reflective practices).
Honouring rest as a form of medicine.
When we see menopause through this wider lens, it becomes less about decline and more about healing.
✨ Closing thought:
Menopause is not the end of vitality- it is an invitation to deepen our relationship with our cells, our story and our spirit. By supporting mitochondria, tending to trauma and working with the plant allies of essential oils, we create the conditions for energy, clarity & resilience in the second half of life.
Restorative Menopause Bath Oil
Ingredients (for a 50ml bottle)
Carrier oil (base):
45ml Jojoba oil (skin-nourishing, stable, absorbs well)
Essential oils:
6 drops Neroli (soothes anxiety, calms heart rate)
5 drops Clary Sage (hormonal & emotional balance)
5 drops Rose (deep emotional comfort, supports grief & trauma)
4 drops Frankincense (slows breathing, aids mitochondrial repair through oxygenation)
3 drops Bergamot (uplifts mood, eases cortisol)
Directions
Add the jojoba oil to a dark glass bottle (50ml).
Drop in the essential oils, swirl gently to blend.
Label the bottle with date & ingredients.
To use:
Add 1 teaspoon (5ml) of the blend to a warm bath.
Mix into a small cup of full-fat milk (or unscented bath dispersant) first if you want it to disperse evenly in water.
Soak for 15–20 minutes, focusing on long exhalations to invite your body into parasympathetic rest.
Safety notes
Do not use undiluted oils directly in bathwater (they sit on the surface & can irritate skin). Always mix into carrier oil & dispersant.
Avoid Bergamot if skin will be exposed to sunlight immediately after bathing (it can be photosensitising).
Patch test before use.
Not suitable in pregnancy.
🤍 Rose
