Essential Oils in Pregnancy

[Jo Pedranti]

As an Aromatherapist I am often asked the question if aromatherapy is safe for pregnant women. Essential oils can provide many benefits for pregnancy. An
aromatherapy treatment may reduce stress and ease discomfort felt
during pregnancy. Essential oils can provide a positive and relaxing
feeling for the expecting mother.

There are some things that needs to be taken into consideration though. Essential oils should not be administered topically, including baths, orally, or vaginally before 24th week of pregnancy. If the oil is not
contraindicated, it may be used in a diffuser.

Only a 2% dilution should be used when pregnant. I will include a dilution and safety chart in the next post to make sure you know what is safe for you.

Any oil that is considered toxic is contraindicated to mother or fetus. All oils with high thujone, pulegone, menthol or apiol content should
be avoided during pregnancy. Avoid oils that have hormone like actions.

Essential oils that may demonstrate hormone like actions are aniseed, basil, cypress, Roman Chamomile, fennel, geranium, nutmeg, and clary sage
(Tisserand recently questioned clary sage's hormonal activity) shall
be avoided.

However, some of these oils are suggested for certain conditions by experts like Wormood, Battaglia and Cooksley. For example, Roman Chamomile and geranium shall be avoided in the first trimester but can be used later on in the pregnancy. This include using
the oils in a diffuser. Clary Sage is an uterine tonic, and Battaglia
lists it as one of the oils to use for the delivery room.

Cypress oil is also recommended by Worwood and Battaglia for certain conditions. I feel it is best to leave cypress alone, unless you are
following a recipe or recommendation by someone who knows their oils.

You will come across different suggestions of what is suitable or not for pregnancy once you read more sources. I prefer to take a more
conservative approach when I share advice. A good company will tell you on the product information if
the oils are suitable for pregnancy or not.

Here is some suggestions regarding what oils to use or not to use. If the essential oil is not mentioned here, it is probably best to avoid.

My List of Oils to Use

Tangerine, mandarin, grapefruit, geranium (avoid first trimester), Roman Chamomile (avoid first trimester), jasmine, lavender, lemon, neroli, orange,
patchouli, sandalwood, bergamot, ylang ylang (According to Cooksley and
Worwood).

Use With Caution

According to Cooksley caraway, cypress, juniper, lavender, rose, rosemary (avoid first trimester) and peppermint ( avoid first trimester) can be used with caution.

Oils to Avoid

Cinnamon, basil, black pepper, bay leaf, anise, clove bud and leaf, ginger, oregano, Immortelle (Helichrysum), elecampane, citronella, fennel
bitter, birch, Cedarwood Atlas, marjoram, lemon balm, hyssop, clary
sage, myrrh, pennyroyal, sage, rue, parsley seed, camphor, bay leaf,
garlic, pine, Rose Attar, wintergreen, thyme, tansy, sassafras,
wormwood, mugwort, cypress, thuja, pennyroyal and nutmeg.

As always, you want to check out the safety and contraindications. There are certain conditions where some oils shouldn't be used. Also, check with your physician to make sure aromatherapy is safe for you.