Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life, it can also be a time when we start looking more closely at the way we care for ourselves. Essential oils have become a popular option in our personal care tool kit, but are they safe to use during pregnancy?
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What are essential oils?
Essential oils as defined by Tisserand and Young in Essential Oil Safety 2nd Edition are “mixtures of volatile, organic compounds originating from a single botanical source”(pg. 5). When these compounds are extracted from a plant it is lipophilic, it will not disperse in water. You can learn more about essential oils in my article here.
I have often seen essential oils referred to as a natural chemical free option. It is important to understand that all plant remedies are full of chemicals. Knowing what chemicals make up the plant and essential oils will help you understand how to use them safely.
Essential oil chemistry
This section is a super simplified way to explain why understanding plant chemistry is so important. All plants are full of different chemical molecules which will determine how the plant will support itself in growing and surviving in nature. The chemicals also help us understand how we can work with them to support our wellness.
To explain this in relation to pregnancy I chose to pick out camphor. This scent is one that most people would recognize since it is one of the main scents in Vicks VapoRub. Below is a list of essential oils that contain camphor.
Camphor is a chemical that you should avoid during pregnancy. Some studies have shown that camphor can cross through the placenta. It is a neurotoxin that has been shown to cause seizures and other central nervous system issues when used in heavy doses.
- Rosemary (Salvia rosemarinus)
- Yarrow (Achillea millifolium)
- Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Black Spruce (Picea mariana)
- Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia)
- Lavandin Grosso (Lavandula hybrida grosso)
- Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Using Essential Oils in Pregnancy
Yes, essential oils can be a powerful tool to add to your pregnancy and birth toolbox. Just take a moment to research ones that are safe during this time. Your body is changing, and you have to respect the hormonal changes. Your sense of smell will be heightened, and you may not enjoy using them. For topical use a 1% or less dilution is safest. The other great way to use them is through inhalation.
Essential oils have been used to support women through pregnancy by helping ease nausea and morning sickness, with headaches, sore muscles or nerve pain. During childbirth finding a scent you enjoy can help ease pain and anxiety. A massage lotion can be used to help with the pain with back labor.
Oils Generally Considered Safe
Each person will have a different experience with essential oils. Take your time exploring which ones help you feel good. The following list includes oils that are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. An important one to mention is Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). If you reference the list above, you will notice there are some lavenders there. These are different species that have different chemical make-ups. It is important to always know the botanical name, the name in italics.
- Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
- Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum)
- Lemon (Citrus limon)
- Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
- Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara)
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) inhalation only
- Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) inhalation only
- Orange (Citrus x sinensis)
- Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
- Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
- Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
Final Thought
Paracelsus is quoted with saying “All things are poisons, for there is nothing without poisonous qualities. It is only the dose which makes a thing poison.” With everything that we use in life it can be harmful or beneficial it is just a matter of slowing down to examine the ways to use it a safe effective manner. I look forward to supporting you to use herbs and essential oils in a beneficial way.
