essential oils not safe for pregnancy

Learn what research says about how some essential oils may benefit the immune system. In general, most medical experts agree that aromatherapy is a safer option for pregnant people as opposed to topical applications. Regardless of whether youre pregnant or not, if you do decide to use oils topically, youll need whats known as a carrier oil to do so safely. Are essential oils safe for pregnancy? Exclusive tips + updates delivered to your inbox. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, The Best Stretch Mark Creams for Pregnancy in 2022, What You Need to Know About STIs and Pregnancy. Sniff them directly from the bottle, or sniff a cotton ball or tissue treated with a drop or two.

Essential oils are magical concoctions that have many therapeutic uses, but for pregnant women, its important to know the facts especially if it could harm your baby.

A slew of lifestyle bloggers are selling essential oils for profit these days. Be sure to check in with your doctor with any questions or concerns. Consult with your doctor and a qualified aromatherapist with questions or concerns. Via your respiratory system, when you breathe them in. Its also important to make sure youre using even these essential oils in a safe manner. There simply isnt enough research to be sure this is safe for you or for your baby, and ingesting essential oils will make it more likely that you exceed the recommended dosage, even of safe oils. In addition, as the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists notes in its Pregnancy Guidelines, essential oils by their very nature, being organic substances, will cross the placental barrier and have the potential to affect the fetus.. Pregnancy can heighten sensitivity to smell which may make some essential oil scents overwhelming. You can also apply essential oils diluted significantly with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) to the skin. When were feeling ill or uncomfortable, our stress response is triggered, and aroma can be a profound tool to help rewire the way we respond to stress., Since many medications are off-limits when youre expecting, using certain essential oils during pregnancy can be a great alternative for treating illness and uncomfortable symptoms, and thats exactly why theyre becoming more popular with pregnant women.

Want more educational tips or to learn the benefits of specific ingredients? Here are some tips to finding a quality essential oil. Its our way of encouraging everyone to thrive in a healthy and vigorous way to empower wellness in all aspects of your day-to-day life. Essential oils that are good to use while pregnant: Here are some other essential oils thatshould not be used while pregnant: If a doctor or midwife recommends essential oils to help you during pregnancy, use them carefully. stay happy and healthy. First off, avoid using essential oils during the first trimester. Pregnant women should also avoid aromatherapy products and treatments in the first trimester, since essential oils are the key ingredients used in aromatherapy. So if it took a little while for you to find out and youve been using essential oils, or if you just didnt know that they might not be as good for you during pregnancy, you dont need to panic. Some essential oils may have immune-boosting properties. It turns out that there are two types of chamomile, each of which serves a different purpose. To give you the best experience, BabyCentres website and emails use cookies and similar tracking systems to personalise the content and ads we provide to you. Awesome Beauty Swaps for New and Expecting Moms. You can get the benefits of essential oils through aromatherapy, whether your preference is using an essential oil diffuser or using a spray bottle to lightly mist some fabrics in your home with diluted essential oil. Theyre also a great way to help naturally reduce anxiety during labor when used as part of an aromatherapy strategy. When used through inhalation, the molecules move from the nose or mouth to the lungs, brain and other parts of the body, explains Nita Landry, MD, an ob-gyn who is a recurring cohost on the syndicated show The Doctors. We'll break it down. This is a controversial one. More research still needs to be done to confirm these positive results. While essential oils can't induce labor, they can help with pain.

Its also helpful to consult with your doctor before you start using essential oils while pregnant. This is because essential oils are very concentrated and can irritate skin when applied directly without being diluted. The amount that actually enters the mothers skin is trivial and so the amount that reaches the placenta is miniscule if proper dilutions are being used. Exactly how long does morning sickness last? essential oils youre meant to avoid while pregnant. Like we mentioned earlier, the concern with many of these essential oils is that if a pregnant person takes more than the recommended amount, theres a toxicity risk. When Will This Ever End? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Tip from a studying herbalist: please do not use eucalyptus during pregnancy! Remember to choose scents safe for your little one and to always dilute before applying them to your skin. So if you wisely gave essential oils a miss during your first trimester, you might want to ease back in to make sure you dont overwhelm yourself. But, what are your thoughts about diffusing it? Stretch marks are easier to prevent than erase. In particular, some pregnant women have had luck with frankincense and peppermint oil to deal with nausea and cedarwood and lavender oil for help with sleep. Hormonal changes in pregnancy sometimes lead to a heightened sense of smell.

Always dilute the essential oil in a base oil. Powerful Photo Series Raises Awareness on Mortality Rates for Black Moms and Babies, Postpartum Recovery Tips for Treating Your Vagina After Birth. To treat hemorrhoids: Tea tree, cypress, geranium, lavender. Just be mindful not to overdo it. Mix three drops with a base oil before adding to your bath.

While there arent any studies showing that normal use of essential oils is dangerous, exceeding the recommended dosages can be especially if youre using them topically. What Every Parent Needs to Know, Herpes and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know, Everything You Need To Know About Emergency Contraception, What Parents Need To Know About Hormone Blockers, Nutrition During Pregnancy: 10 Do's and Don'ts, What You Need to Know About Stopping Birth Control to Get Pregnant, Everything You Need To Know About Rihanna's Baby, Tattoos, Body Piercing, and Pregnancy: 6 Things You Need to Know, Everything You Need to Know About Lead Poisoning in Kids. But chamomile is also an essential oil. You can reap the benefits of most essential oils just by smelling them during labor. (OK, we dont mind that last one.). (You can always ask your doctor if you aren't sure.). Will it cause bleeding? While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesnt monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. That said, you should ask your doctor before using them, and you might want to avoid them until the second trimester. Essential oils can be put in a vaporiser to release droplets into the air. If you are ever unsure of any potentially harmful products used, we recommend to check with a health care professional if you are unsure , Visit the Publisher's website: Then the thought starts to surface: Maybe this aromatherapy starter kit is something you really could useafter all, your pregnant self is feeling pretty exhausted and nauseated these days. Required fields are marked *. Safety Risks of Using Essential Oils While Pregnant, Pregnant With Allergies? When we experience a scent, it triggers all sorts of responses in our body that affect our well-being, Galper says. We explain which prenatal genetic tests may be available to you in each trimester.

You might also ask your labor partner to massage you with diluted lavender oil during labor. , but you should especially avoid this while pregnant even in your second and third trimesters. I like this article so much. The most common way essential oils are used during pregnancy is to help treat anxiety, aches, and lack of focus. There are many varieties of oils to choose from. Essential oils are generally a natural, healthy supplement, but as with anything you put in your body, its best to do your own research to make sure youre making the right decision for you. To soothe muscle aches: Lavender, ylang-ylang, ginger, chamomile, frankincense. Download The AppDaily pregnancy & newborn updates with our FREE app. Bring a portable diffuser with you to the hospital and add a few drops of pure lavender oil to set a relaxing mood. I definitely wouldnt take it internally during pregnancy- and that should probably be on your list. All rights reserved. Or they can be used to create scents for your bath and body projects which are wonderful relaxers for those achy muscles and tired feet. As with almost everything and pregnancy, if you use essential oils, youll need to be a little more careful when incorporating them into your life. Many doctors wont recommend aromatherapy because of the lack of randomized controlled studies proving its an effective treatment during pregnancy for illness or discomfort. Essential oils like Lemon, Lime, Geranium, and Mandarin all have restorative properties that encourage you to feel more alert and energized without relying on something potentially harmful, like our go-to: a little too much caffeine. In addition, essential oils for pregnancy are best used under the guidance of a qualified expert, whether its a physician, midwife or someone your health provider recommends. You are taking antibiotics or antihistamines, as the oils may interfere with the way the medicines work. Thanks to their volatile compounds, essential oils are fragrant and therefore used in aromatherapy, which can be thought of as plant medicine, says Amy Galper, executive director and founder of the New York Institute of Aromatherapy in New York City. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test that may be done in the first trimester. But before you take out your credit card, do some research. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

Top Treatment Tips, Ovulation Tool: Find Your Most Fertile Days. I have found a few sources that warn against using lemongrass during pregnancy, due to its ability to stimulate uterine contractions, and also to possibly cause birth defects. Avoid putting essential oils directly on the skin unless otherwise directed. How do essential oils for pregnancy work? flourish is more than just a blog. We use your health information to make our site even more helpful. Its just better to discontinue use until youre sure the essential oils youre incorporating into your life are safe. These include lavender, chamomile and ylang ylang, which calm, relax and aid sleep. Dilute essential oils with a carrier oillike olive oil or coconut oilbefore applying to the skin. Pregnancy is an exciting period in your life. stay happy and healthy. To relieve nausea: Lavender, chamomile, peppermint, ginger. FREE EXPEDITED SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $35! When using essential oils in the second or third trimester, youll want to use them much in the same way youd use them any other time. More research needs to be conducted on the topic, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Best essential oils for pregnancy, The term essential oil is actually derived from quintessential oil, which, in turn, comes from Aristotles notion that while fire, air, earth and water make up natural materials, its the fifth element, aka quintessence, that gives a certain material its life force., Of course, now we know that essential oilswhich are sourced from plants, flowers and seedsare in fact made up of a combination of chemicals and can be isolated via distillation or a mechanical process. But experts have generally determined that when used in the right dosages, this isnt an issue. Stick with quality essentials oils from a reputable brand unadulterated, advises the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA). Genetic testing may be a part of care during pregnancy. Also remember that this list isn't exhaustive. Safety Scoop: Can You Paint the Nursery While Pregnant? But were here to help. Your baby will be more developed by this point and less likely to experience any negative consequences as a result of essential oil usage. Essential oils may be a smart option for reducing some common pregnancy symptoms like nausea without the need for medication. These include fennel, clary sage, marjoram, tarragon, caraway, cinnamon, thuja, mugwort, birch, wintergreen, basil (estragole CT), camphor, hyssop, aniseed, sage, tansy, wormwood, parsley seed or leaf, and pennyroyal. Dont scoop the kitty litter.

Here are some tips: The following essential oils are generally considered safe in pregnancy, according to the IFPA. When youre navigating pregnancy, it can feel like all you hear is a constant stream of donts. Using these essential oils during pregnancy can be best option as these are safe and provide real and lasting results. For thousands of years, people have used essential oils as a natural, holistic treatment for ailments. There simply isnt enough research to be sure this is safe for you or for your baby, and ingesting essential oils will make it more likely that you exceed the recommended dosage, even of safe oils. It can take several pounds of a plant to produce just one bottle of essential oils. Currently in my first trimester, is this okay to continue? Here are some of the essentials oils you should skip until your baby arrives, and remember to ask your doctor if you're unsure. 1997-2022 All rights reserved. Finding a high-grade quality variety is recommended. If you're seeking a preventive, we've gathered a few of the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy. These include lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylangall of which calm, relax, and aid sleep. We dont blame you for thinking about giving essential oils for pregnancy a try. $26.95. Again, we dont recommend ingesting essential oils. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. [1] From Exploring Aromatherapy Safety Information, naha.org, [2] From Essential Oils, fitpregnancy.com. You can add drops of the oil to a vaporiser, but don't leave it on for longer than 10 minutes or 15 minutes in each hour. We encourage you to consult with your doctor on this topic . Start with a small amount (maybe just a drop) and gradually increase based on your tolerance.

Our Willow and Sage Botanicals are 100% pure and all-natural. I use tea tree on facial blemishes. Stampington.com, How to Select High Quality Essential Oils. But in order to do so, its important to be aware of the risks and to know which essential oils to steer clear of so that you and your little one (or ones!) As the essential oil market continues to grow, so do concerns about whether these highly concentrated plant extracts are safe for common use. What are essential oils? Some essential oils are high in ketones, and should be avoided in pregnancy! This means that the risk of you absorbing too much of an essential oil is a little lower than it would be with a potentially harmful substance you take orally so even if youre addicted to your essential oil diffuser, youre probably still within the recommended dosage. should be avoided because not enough research has been done on whether or not theyre safe. More and more patients are trying to use alternative ways to handle illnesses due to the large side-effect profile of most medications. (Richardsons favorite essential oil is lavender, which she uses to fall asleep, in case youre wondering.).

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