Pregnancy Safety
Essential oils are derived from plants and are frequently used for the physical and psychological benefits that each is reputed to possess. Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy or in diluted form for topical application to the skin. While there are several essential oils which will provide pregnant women with benefits during pregnancy, there are also many essential oils which should be avoided due to potential harm to the mother or unborn baby.
Significance
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) advises pregnant women to avoid using essential oils during pregnancy to err on the side of caution. Pregnant women considering using essential oils for potentially beneficial effects should wait until after the first trimester and proceed with extreme caution and a doctor's advice. There is little research to support safe use, certain essential oils may have toxic effects, and there is little known about the detoxification abilities of unborn children and infants.
Beneficial Effects
Essential oils which are classified as having less risk of potentially negative effects by NAHA include chamomile for its calming effects; geranium for improved circulation and mood enhancement; lavender to soothe aches and combat depression; neroli for calming and mood enhancement; patchouli to alleviate depression and sandalwood for its calming effects. Ylang ylang reportedly has a calming effect along with aphrodisiac and blood pressure reducing properties. Earthy Family recommends avoiding chamomile and geranium for the first trimester.
AltMD Recommended Essential Oils
Several additional essential oils are mentioned as being safe for use during pregnancy by AltMD. These include bergamot to alleviate pain and fight infection; lemon to alleviate nausea; mandarin to aid in relaxation and fluid retention; rosewood for sedation; petitgrain to alleviate pregnancy-related or post-partum depression and tangerine for stretch mark prevention and calming properties.
Essential Oils To Avoid
Certain essential oils can cause uterine contractions which may lead to miscarriage, affect hormone balances or may be toxic. Essential oils which should be avoided during pregnancy include anise, bay, basil, camphor, caraway, carrot, cedar, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, comfrey, cypress, fennel, hyssop, jasmine, juniper, lemongrass, marjoram, mugwort, myrrh, nutmeg, oregano, parsley, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosemary, sage, sassafras, tansy, thuja, thyme, wintergreen, wormwood and yarrow.
Postpartum Use
Postpartum use of essential oils such as lavender to promote calm or neroli to help uplift the mood may be useful in combating postpartum depression. According to NAHA, using extremely diluted lavender to massage babies may alleviate crankiness and tension. Consult a doctor prior to using any essential oils during pregnancy, while breastfeeding or prior to using essential oils with a newborn baby or infant.
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