Essential oils - what should I avoid?

Kittenk · Apr 16th, 2009, 23:32 PM

Hi all!
I'm wondering if anyone can help me with this. I love my oils and use them regularly, but I know there are some to be avoided when pregnant and that they change over the course of the pregnancy. Anyone got info or experience?

Jemima · Apr 17th, 2009, 02:10 AM

The following essential oils should be avoided altogether during pregnancy:

Angelica; Aniseed: Basil; Bay; Birch; Bitter Almond; Camphor; Cassia; Caraway; Carrot Seed; Cedarwood; Celery; Chamomile; Clary Sage; Clove; Cinnamon; Comphrey; Cumin; Cypress; Eucalyptus; Fennel; Galbanum; Hyssop; Jasmine; Juniper; Marjoram; Melissa; Mugwart; Mustard; Myrrh; Nutmeg; Origanum; Parsley; Pennyroyal; Peppermint (and during breastfeeding as it could discourage the flow of milk); Rose; Rosemary; Sage; Santolina; Spearmint; Tarragon; Thyme; Wintergreen; Wormwood; Yarrow.

All of the above oils are emmenagogues, which means they promote and regularise menstrual flow, causing your period to start.The main reason why pregnant women are encouraged not to use essential oils during pregnancy is that due to their tiny molecular structure, plant essences can easily slip through the skin and into your bloodstream. When pregnant, your skin becomes more permeable, making it even easier and quicker for the oils to enter the bloodstream and cross the placental barrier.

Kittenk · Apr 17th, 2009, 02:59 AM

Awesome info, thanks Jemima!

Mynx · Apr 17th, 2009, 06:22 AM

Wow I never knew that! Thanks Jemima!

Kittenk · Apr 17th, 2009, 15:29 PM

I've done a bit of follow up research on the net and found lots of conflicting information, so I think I'll just not use anything for a while!

clare81 · Apr 21st, 2009, 13:12 PM

I would recommend you stay away from using essential oils in your first trimester (if using in baths especially), as Jemima says, they can seep through the skin and into your uterus / womb etc if used in baths for example, which can cause harm to baby.

However, i would recommend (if your suffering with nausea / morning sickness) adding a few drops of ginger or peppermint oil to water (or candle wax) and having it on your desk etc to help with this....

i swear by this and use it all the time!

i am a qualified Aromatherapist! x

Frippledip · Apr 21st, 2009, 13:30 PM

So would it be OK to sniff the oil bottle? when I had ms the other day I could smell sickness for a while after I actually got sick, and sniffing my bottle of eucalyptus seemed to help. Is that OK?

clare81 · Apr 21st, 2009, 13:34 PM

thats ok! wud recommend wafting it with your hand (rather than shoving up your nose etc...lol).

x

Frippledip · Apr 21st, 2009, 13:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clare81

thats ok! wud recommend wafting it with your hand (rather than shoving up your nose etc...lol).

x

Awesome...thank you!

Kittenk · Apr 21st, 2009, 17:16 PM

Thanks Clare81, good to have an aromatherapist on the board!

Apr 16th, 2009, 23:32 PM	#1
Kittenk Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waitakere, New Zealand Posts: 41	Essential oils - what should I avoid? Hi all! I'm wondering if anyone can help me with this. I love my oils and use them regularly, but I know there are some to be avoided when pregnant and that they change over the course of the pregnancy. Anyone got info or experience?

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Apr 17th, 2009, 02:10 AM	#2
Jemima Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,201	The following essential oils should be avoided altogether during pregnancy: Angelica; Aniseed: Basil; Bay; Birch; Bitter Almond; Camphor; Cassia; Caraway; Carrot Seed; Cedarwood; Celery; Chamomile; Clary Sage; Clove; Cinnamon; Comphrey; Cumin; Cypress; Eucalyptus; Fennel; Galbanum; Hyssop; Jasmine; Juniper; Marjoram; Melissa; Mugwart; Mustard; Myrrh; Nutmeg; Origanum; Parsley; Pennyroyal; Peppermint (and during breastfeeding as it could discourage the flow of milk); Rose; Rosemary; Sage; Santolina; Spearmint; Tarragon; Thyme; Wintergreen; Wormwood; Yarrow. All of the above oils are emmenagogues, which means they promote and regularise menstrual flow, causing your period to start.The main reason why pregnant women are encouraged not to use essential oils during pregnancy is that due to their tiny molecular structure, plant essences can easily slip through the skin and into your bloodstream. When pregnant, your skin becomes more permeable, making it even easier and quicker for the oils to enter the bloodstream and cross the placental barrier.

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Apr 17th, 2009, 02:59 AM	#3
Kittenk Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waitakere, New Zealand Posts: 41	Awesome info, thanks Jemima!

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Apr 17th, 2009, 06:22 AM	#4
Mynx Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 8,448	Wow I never knew that! Thanks Jemima!

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Apr 17th, 2009, 15:29 PM	#5
Kittenk Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waitakere, New Zealand Posts: 41	I've done a bit of follow up research on the net and found lots of conflicting information, so I think I'll just not use anything for a while!

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Apr 21st, 2009, 13:12 PM	#6
clare81 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LEEDS, West Yorkshire Posts: 84	I would recommend you stay away from using essential oils in your first trimester (if using in baths especially), as Jemima says, they can seep through the skin and into your uterus / womb etc if used in baths for example, which can cause harm to baby. However, i would recommend (if your suffering with nausea / morning sickness) adding a few drops of ginger or peppermint oil to water (or candle wax) and having it on your desk etc to help with this.... i swear by this and use it all the time! i am a qualified Aromatherapist! x

Status: Offline

Apr 21st, 2009, 13:30 PM	#7
Frippledip Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 721	So would it be OK to sniff the oil bottle? when I had ms the other day I could smell sickness for a while after I actually got sick, and sniffing my bottle of eucalyptus seemed to help. Is that OK?

Status: Offline

Apr 21st, 2009, 13:34 PM	#8
clare81 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LEEDS, West Yorkshire Posts: 84	thats ok! wud recommend wafting it with your hand (rather than shoving up your nose etc...lol). x

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Apr 21st, 2009, 17:16 PM	#10
Kittenk Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waitakere, New Zealand Posts: 41	Thanks Clare81, good to have an aromatherapist on the board!

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