Aromatherapy & Pregnancy: 3 Must-Have Essential Oils
The information contained in this post is not meant to substitute for professional medical advice or the advice of a trained professional aromatherapist. Essential oils should always be treated with care and used with caution. Talk to your doctor or other practitioner about using essential oils if you are taking any medications, or are currently pregnant or nursing.
Essential oils have been used in natural medicine practices for centuries, and the practice of aromatherapy has been recognized since the mid-1930’s. There have been many studies completed about the effects that certain essential oils have on the body, from the calming effects of lavender, to the skin-nourishing properties of frankincense, and the natural cleansing properties of tea tree. There are several basic essential oils that can be utilized during pregnancy, labor and delivery, to not only promote mental and emotional clarity and calmness, but also aid in physical sensations of pain or tenderness, and to promote skin and wound healing. If you are someone who likes to try simple, natural methods for common and/or minor ailments before taking a medicalized approach to care, you may find value in using essential oils.
How to choose a brand of essential oils
Especially during pregnancy, it’s important to make sure that the products you’re using on your skin and being absorbed into your body are not going to be harmful to yourself or your developing baby. Finding a high quality brand of essential oils from a trustworthy and experienced company will ensure that you’re using products that are pure, held to a high quality standard, and sustainably sourced via ethical means. Some important questions to ask your essential oil company before utilizing oils during your pregnancy: do they distill oils using solvents? Do they own their own farms and can verify use of pesticides and inorganic materials used in the soil? What type of testing is done and is testing completed by a 3rd party lab? Do they care for the environment by incorporating sustainability practices in the harvest of materials to make the oils? Do they provide the seeds? Be sure to stay away from “fragrance oils” which are sometimes found in grocery stores or craft stores; the label of these oils may even say not to use on skin.
How to use Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is called the “swiss army knife” of essential oils, and with good reason - there are so many different uses for this one, basic essential oil. Lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, is widely praised for its relaxing and calming aroma, but the essential oil may also help soothe minor skin ailments such as blemishes, inflammation or irritated skin. During pregnancy, hormonal changes may affect your skin, causing blemishes, redness, sensitivity, or stretch marks. Diluting lavender essential oil with a carrier oil such as grapeseed or coconut and applying it to stretch marks or dry, itchy skin on your belly or other area may help to ease redness, inflammation and soothe itchiness*. Another way to use lavender during pregnancy is to diffuse it into the air to help ease day-to-day anxiety or help with sleep. You may also apply lavender diluted to the soles of your feet as part of a relaxing bedtime ritual and to promote sleep. There are such a variety of ways to use lavender essential oil, and it’s one of the most gentle and easy-to-use oils to incorporate into your pregnancy self-care routine.
*Some itching during pregnancy is normal but excessive itchiness over the whole body should be brought to the attention of your provider. No matter how minor (or major), you should seek the guidance of your doctor or midwife for any type of discomfort that causes you concern.
How to use Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil, specifically Boswellia carterii, is another essential oil that has skin-supporting properties and emotionally grounding effects that can benefit you during your pregnancy. Frankincense is probably most recognizable as being one of the gifts the magi brought to baby Jesus in the Bible story of Christmas. This oil, which is distilled from tree resin, has been used for thousands of years in medicinal and beautification rituals in the Middle East, and has recently been subject of a few modern-day studies of the ways it benefits the immune system and whole body function. Diffusing frankincense essential oil during your pregnancy can help promote a sense of grounding and spiritual awareness. You may find comfort diffusing this sacred oil during times of prayer over your baby or your pregnancy, hypnobirthing meditation or other ritual. Frankincense oil is also very beneficial for skincare; you may want to combine it with Lavender to make a skin-soothing “glow serum” to use on your face or body.
How to use Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is another one of the most basic and easily recognized essential oils, and is another one that may benefit you in multiple ways during your pregnancy. One of the key, naturally occurring constituents, menthol, is responsible for the intense cooling sensation you feel when you eat a piece of minty gum, or in this case take a deep, refreshing sniff of peppermint essential oil from the bottle. Diffusing peppermint or simply sniffing from the bottle may help ease feelings of nausea that accompany morning sickness. Putting a few drops in your shower before getting in may help create a spa-like and refreshing shower experience that will provide a burst of energy if you need a bit of a morning pick-me-up after a night of restless sleep. Diluted peppermint on your temples may also help to relieve tension without the use of over-the-counter medications. One word of caution about using peppermint during pregnancy: applying directly to the belly may encourage the baby to flip positions in the later trimesters, so it is highly encouraged that you use caution while using topically. As always, if you have questions about the use of peppermint, be sure to ask your doctor or midwife before using.
For pregnant women who desire taking a more natural approach to common ailments and issues during pregnancy, essential oils may be worth a try. As with anything, essential oils should always be used with caution, and if there’s any question of safety before using, you should always seek the advice of a trained aromatherapist or your own care provider. Remember that before using any essential oils in your home or on your body, you should make sure that your brand of choice is reputable, transparent about their sourcing and distillation methods, and the oils are safe to use on your skin. With just a few basic essential oils, you can begin to build a home apothecary of plant-based remedies and quick-fixes to some of the things that plague you during pregnancy.