Expectant mothers across the globe have found that essential oils are a natural yet effective way to treat some of the most common aches and pains associated with pregnancy. However, there are some oils that pregnant women should avoid.
Safe Oils to Use During Pregnancy
Some of the more popular uses of aromatherapy during pregnancy include:
- Grapefruit helps with water retention.
- Lavender promotes a calmer state of mind and helps sooth general aches and pains.
- Lemon is useful for treating morning sickness.
- Tangerine helps to prevent stretch marks.
- Tea Tree oil can be used to treat thrush during pregnancy.
- Neroli is helpful in relieving nervous tension and may be helpful if you are having trouble sleeping during your pregnancy.
As a general rule, room fragrance aromatherapy treatments are considered to be safer than treatments that involve applying oils to the skin. A diffuser is one of the easiest and most popular ways to experience the benefits of aromatherapy at home.
Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy
Because of the risk of danger to a mother and her unborn child, there have not been very many official studies conducted regarding the safety of aromatherapy and pregnancy. Most of the research about the safety of essential oils has been conducted on pregnant animals, which means it’s hard to tell how applicable the results would be to humans. However, experts generally recommend that oils known to thin the blood or cause cramping be avoided during pregnancy. This includes the following:
- Basil
- Cedarwood
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Fennel
- Hyssop
- Juniper
- Lemongrass
- Myrrh
- Parsley
- Pennyroyal
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Sweet marjoram
- Thyme
Clary sage and Jasmine should be avoided for aromatherapy and pregnancy except during labor. Cypress is acceptable for use after five months.
Women who have had a previous miscarriage may be advised to avoid treatments with essential oils during the first three months of pregnancy as an added safety precaution. Even though aromatherapy hasn’t been definitively linked to an added risk of miscarriage, the first trimester is when most pregnancy losses occur.
If you suffer from gestational diabetes, the use of aromatherapy during pregnancy is not recommended because diabetes creates additional complications for aromatherapy treatments.
As always, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider for guidance if you have any specific questions or concerns about treating your pregnancy-related aches and pains.
[Photo credit: Torsten Mangner via Flickr]