Using essential oils during pregnancy is safe as long as you practice extreme caution. What you need to know about essential oils for pregnancy a slew of lifestyle bloggers are selling essential oils for profit these days. Dec 15, 2016 diffuse essential oils instead or follow the guidelines of your doula, midwife, or doctor. The use of herbal medicine during pregnancy is associated with educational. Aromatherapy did, however, reduce the need for pain medication. Abortifacients should be entirely avoided during pregnancy and herbal abortion is not a. Certain essential oils have the ability to assist in promoting menses and regulating the monthly discharge and although these oils can be helpful, some of them should be avoided during pregnancy. List of essential oils to avoid in pregnancy the miracle of. Essential oils and pregnancy mayo clinic health system. Oct 16, 2019 ensure that you always use essential oils for topical use only, in a diluted form as pure and organic essential oils are highly concentrated substances and a skin patch test is advisable if you are using essential oils for the first time. Many herbs that are high in essential oil content are undisputed emmenagogues, although the presence of essential oils in an herb does not mean it acts as an emmenagogue.
The emotive words such as emmenagogue are not really appropriate to the essential oils and dilutions used in englishstyle aromatherapy, and since undiluted. Although some oils are listed as abortifacient oils, it is mainly due to their toxic nature, and should in any case not be used in aromatherapy. Nov 24, 2016 pregnancy is a delicate period in both the mother and the fetuss life. Because essential oil molecules are very small, there is a possibility that they may cross the placenta and reach your growing babys circulation. Although german chamomile essential oil possesses numerous beneficial actions see the section below, i first think of german chamomile oil as a powerful antiinflammatory for use in topical applications. Safe and natural remedies for pregnancy, birth, and children anthis, christina, clark, demetria on. Therefore please be aware of the list of essential oils to avoid in pregnancy, to. Ginger, roman chamomile, lavender, frankincense, geranium, sandalwood, citrus oils, melaleuca, ylang ylang dilution. Aug, 2010 there is a lot of information out there about which essential oils to use and to avoid during pregnancy.
Jul 22, 2011 and, lavender oil has no apparent adverse effects during childbirth. Do not use this oil in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. It is a potential abortifacient with high doses mg daily consumption. Essential oils that use cholagogue agents are useful for any body cleanse. Lawless 1992 also cites lavender oil as an emmenagogue, though not limited to internal use, and there is similarly no pregnancy contraindication. These plant oils contain chemicals that can be absorbed by your body which means they have the potential to cross the placenta and reach your growing baby. There are many myths surrounding essential oils for pregnancy. Essential oils are used in aromatherapy, which is a complementary therapy. Lawless 1992 also cites lavender oil as an emmenagogue, though not. Here, the lowdown on what oils can help during pregnancy and what to avoid. A qualified aromatherapist can give more details regarding preparation of specific oils.
Only use essential oils under the supervision of your physician. Once inside your body, essential oils work in the same way as drugs or medicines. Emmenagogue essential oils can be used to help regulate a womans menstrual cycles and protect against painful menstruation. It is recommended that ifpa qualified therapists seek out and use the highest quality essential oils, carrier oils and other aromatherapy products in order to promote health and. Certain essential oils have the ability to assist in promoting menstruation menses and regulating the monthly discharge, but although these oils are very helpful in treating problems of this nature, some of them should be avoided in pregnancy. The statement to avoid use of essential oils during the first three months of pregnancy is mentioned in many reference books without supporting data. One will seek out information about how to provide the best for the tiny child they have yet to meet. Be sure to buy highquality oils from a reputable seller. Excerpt from james greens book the herbal medicinemakers handbook. Therefore please be aware of the list of essential oils to avoid in pregnancy, to ensure the best health for yourself and your baby. Jan 12, 2014 i get a lot of emails from people asking about what essential oils are useful and can be used safely during pregnancy. Essential oils uses during pregnancy and motherhood.
Please refer to the aia safety guidelines for essential oil use. In the words of the book, aromatherapy for health professionals, there is. Pregnancy checkups must be conducted many times during pregnancy, and pregnant women have to tolerate a long waiting time. German chamomile essential oil uses and benefits aromaweb. Essential oil experts has compiled a list of essential oils to avoid during pregnancy. Alternatively, if you need a punch of energy, there are a variety of oils to help boost your vitality and help to make you feel energised and uplifted. In many reference books there is little or no explanation of why one should refrain from using. When using essential oils during pregnancy, it is important to keep the following things in mind.
Including a safetybased educational component relating to pregnancy will prepare the qualified aromatherapy practitioner to determine safe oils for each trimester, appropriate dilution and a variety of uses of essential oils to complement routine maternity. Aromatherapy inhalation using essential oils containing linalyl acetate and linalool has a potentially useful effect on pregnant women with an irritable mood while in a waiting room at a hospital. The inevitable conclusion is that all of these parsley apiolerich essential oils present a high risk of. Pregnancy and the use of essential oils in aromatherapy. Nov 26, 2019 posted in ayurvedic essential oils, essential oils learn about and purchase tagged adverse effects of wormwood oil, ayurvedic health benefits of wormwood essential oil, emmenagogue, essential oils for depression, essential oils for digestive disorders, essential oils for menstrual problems, essential oils for stress, essential oils for.
Emmenagogue essential oils to help menstruation menses. Statistics show that between 1025% of clinically recognized pregnancies will terminate prior to the 20th week of gestation with 80% of those in the first trimester. Many different sites and aromatherapy books list essential oils to avoid during pregnancy, but unfortunately, much of this information is conflicting and unclear. Theyre powerful, so its important to use them sparingly. The issue of safety of essential oils during pregnancy is still open to debate because the quality of many essential oils provided to clients or therapists are doubtful. Essential oils are the pure essence of flowers, tree, and plants and are quite powerful. In addition, essential oils for pregnancy are best used under the guidance of a qualified expert, whether its a physician, midwife or someone your health provider recommends. Jean valnet refers to lavender oil as an emmenagogue when internally used, though he gives no contraindication for pregnancy. As we have seen above, the many forms of frankincense essential oil, extract, and resin are widely used across the world and there is a growing body of research supporting its use in pregnant women. Essential oils are natural oils that are obtained by distillation and have a characteristic fragrance of a plant or other source from which they came.
Drawing from her distinguished background as a pharmacist, lindsey shares her advice for getting the most from essential oils during the tough, rewarding nine months of pregnancy. The complete book of essential oils for mama and baby. The essential oil is distilled from the flowers and flowering tips 56. Oils often require a carrier oil, such as coconut or almond oil, to dilute the oil and avoid skin irritation. Exploring the controversy to uncover the healing potential of essential oils. Research paper for the school for aromatic studies. They are becoming more common to use during pregnancy, labor and postpartum to treat anxiety, aches and lack of focus. There isnt enough research to support this is safe for your baby. Essential oils can also clear your mind, help you concentrate and even aid in decisionmaking. It is very important to know which essential oils are safe to use, what they specifically effect in the body, as well as which essential oils you must be careful to avoid. While i personally believe essential oils are a wonderful safe alternative for preventing and treating illness, there needs to be special care taken during pregnancy as with everything else.
Essential oils that are safe during pregnancy and nursing. Abortifacient plants such as mugwort, parsley and ginger have often been used to prevent or terminate early pregnancy. Pregnancy is a delicate period in both the mother and the fetuss life. Essential oils can also help you feel relaxed, calm and balanced. Emmenagogue herbs herbal properties my spice blends. It was one of ten essential oils offered to 8,058 women in an 8year study at the john radcliffe hospital in oxford, uk. There are some divided ideas on the dangers of certain essential oils used in aromatherapy during pregnancy, but since this time should be a time to enjoy and to prepare for the upcoming birth of your child, it would be wise to rather give some essential oils a miss. The main point about essential oils for pregnancy is this. Oct 14, 2018 but before you book an aromatherapy massage, note that the use of essential oils during pregnancy is controversial, as experts dont have clear data on the safety. This will include, but is not limited to, emmenagogue and abortifacient essential oils. Essential oils are highly concentrated substances extracted from plants. While other essential oils may be safe for use on infants and babies, these essential oils have been deemed generally safe when used properly and in moderation. Jasmine, juniper and angelica are common essential oils that are used for these purposes. I was hoping to have a book grounded with research and evidence for the safety and efficacy of essential oils in pregnancy and with babies, but i was disappointed.
If the oils are used in a bath, always use a bath gel base as a dispersing agent for the oils. Physical and psychologic effects of aromatherapy inhalation. List of essential oils to avoid in pregnancy the miracle. These essential oils can be used at a 14% dilution 624 drops of essential oil per 2tb of carrier oil according to tisserand.
The oils contain chemicals that can be absorbed into your body. May 01, 2012 this slim volume is a quick and easy read, and a wonderful resource for those who are newly acquainted with essential oils. Common carrier oils include fractionated coconut oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, or almond oil. Nov 05, 2019 essential oils taken internally in pregnancy can cause miscarriage sage is well known for this, are potential neurologic agents in baby if they get across the placenta, and have potential hormonal effects.
Abstract pregnancy is a pivotal point in a womans life. Even though many essential oils are safe to use, pregnant women should note that there are certain essential oils to avoid when pregnant. Its important to be aware of what essential oils are bad for pregnancy. Cholagogue essential oils promote the production of bile in the liver, which helps purge the human digestive track. To refrain from enjoying its benefits because of misguided myths that it can cause an. Instead, ask your doctor if essential oils for pregnancy are right for you and, if so, if she has any recommendations for highquality oils. I hear you mamaits day 5, youre home from the hospital, your mom just left to head back home, your hubby had to go into work for a few hours and youre home alone with 2 other small kiddos and your new baby. Which essential oils should i avoid during pregnancy. German chamomile essential oil is a deep, dark blue hue due to the presence of the sesquiterpene chamazulene. However, the sensitivity of the body during pregnancy also makes certain aromatherapy essential oils potentially dangerous. Essential oils and pregnancy mayo clinic news network. Using essential oils during pregnancy one good thing by jillee. For newborns and infants, dilute 12 drops in 2 tbs.
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