Aromatherapy and Pregnancy

Aromatherapy is an all natural practice which employs essential oils that are extracted from plants. These oils are used treat and balance the physical, psychological, and spiritual. During a woman’s pregnancy, there are several occasions when aromatherapy can be an extremely comforting and beneficial to the expecting mother. But to ensure safety during pregnancy, a woman should follow several safety precautions.

Important thing to keep in mind: Essential oils are highly concentrated. They absolutely must be diluted before use. Nevertheless, there are many essential oils that should be completely avoided during pregnancy. The following charts display which essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy, and which oils are suggested for pregnant women to use.

Use of the following essential oils should very limited or completely avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant Women Should Avoid The Following Essential Oils:

Basil
Cedar wood
Cinnamon
Clary sage (It is said to be safe during labor)
Clove
Cypress (It is said to be safe after the first five months of pregnancy)
Fennel
Hyssop
Jasmine (It is said to be safe during labor)
Juniper
Lemongrass
Myrrh
Parsley
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Rose (It is said to be safe during labor)
Rosemary
Sweet marjoram
Thyme

The following essential oils are completely safe for usage during your pregnancy. Nevertheless, you should always use caution you have allergies or a family history of allergies. If, for any reason, you think you may be allergic to a specific essential oil, it’s recommended that you do a patch test first. Pregnant Women Can Use the Following Oils During Pregnancy, please see their benefits.
Bergamot - Antiseptic, antidepressant, uplifting, refreshing.
Chamomile - Soothes muscular aches, tooth aches, and indigestion.
Cypress *Safe to Use after the 5 month of pregnancy; helpful for swollen ankles and hemorrhoids
Eucalyptus - Helpful with respiratory congestion
Frankincense - sedative, warming
Geranium *avoid in early pregnancy; Soothes aching legs, good for poor circulation.
Grapefruit - A good digestive aid, also assists women with water retention
Lavender - encourages cell renewal, assists women with water retention, soothes aches.
Lemon - am bacterial, antifungal, good as in inhalant when overcome by morning sickness
Mandarin - Eases fluid retention in ankles
Neroli - Eases nervous tension and assists the nervous system
Patchouli - Eases feelings of confusion and apathy that come with pregnancy
Petit grain -Helpful when taken by women with postpartum depression
Tangerine - Helps prevent stretch marks related to pregnancy