Aromatherapy & Pregnancy

Aromatherapy & Pregnancy

There are some divided ideas on the dangers of certain essential oils used in aromatherapy during pregnancy, but since this time should be a time to enjoy and to prepare for the upcoming birth of your child, it would be wise to rather give some essentials oils a miss.

Aromatherapy can be a great benefit during pregnancy and assists in minimizing some of the discomfort and aches.

There are however some compounds in certain essential oils that have hormone-like behaviour because of their molecular structure and although there is no conclusive evidence on the effect of estrogenic oils it would be prudent to avoid anethole rich oils, like fennel and aniseed during pregnancy.

This list has been compiled with oils that are recommended to be avoided in pregnancy.

 

Almond – bitter             

Aniseed

Angelica Root            

Basil

Birch            

Black pepper

Camphor            

Caraway

Cedarwood            

Cypress

Chamomile*            

Cinnamon

Clary sage            

Clove

Eucalyptus            

Fennel

Fir            

Geranium

Ginger            

Hyssop

Jasmine**            

Juniper

Lavender*            

Lemon           

Lemon grass            

Marjoram

Melissa            

Myrrh

Nutmeg            

Oregano

Pennyroyal            

Peppermint

Pine            

Rose*  (I use Rose Hydrosol as a mist during massage treatments - its divine!)

Rosemary            

Sage

Stinging nettle            

Tansy

Thyme            

Yarrow*           

Wintergreen

Chamomile, lavender & rose may be used in low doses in last trimester. ** Jasmine can be used during delivery, as it will ease labour.