Safe aromatherapy during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time when you want to spoil yourself, but without the possibility of harming your unborn baby. It is always best to use caution with essential oils during this time.


The following essential oils are safe to use during pregnancy, keeping in mind that during the first trimester, it is best to use very small quantities of the essential oils. If there is any question, contact your EAP for advice.

Benzoin

Benzoin is a golden-coloured, resinous oil that has a calming effect on the nervous system and yet seems to have a rejuvenating effect on the body. It may help ease general aches and pains. Benzoin has a good reputation for dealing with respiratory disorders and is a tonic to the lungs. It has a beneficial action on bronchitis, asthma, coughs, colds, laryngitis and sore throats. It is very effective on congested mucous membranes, expelling fluid waste. Benzoin has a calming effect on the stomach, expels flatulence and strengthens the pancreas, aiding digestion. It is said to help control blood sugar levels, which could be beneficial to sufferers of diabetes.

It is an excellent oil for cracked, dry skin, making it more elastic. Add three drops to a tablespoon of aqueous cream and apply after a warm bath. It is particularly useful for chapped hands and heels, as well as chilblains and rashes. In tiny quantities, benzoin is a good remedy for wounds and sores.

Bergamot

Bergamot’s sedative yet uplifting character is excellent for anxiety, depression and nervous tension. Add a few drops to a tablespoon of sweet almond oil and then to a bath of warm water. Bergamot is a valuable antiseptic for the urinary tract and effective with infection and inflammation, chiefly cystitis. It also works well on the digestive tract and relieves conditions such as painful digestion, dyspepsia, flatulence, colic and indigestion.’

Its antiseptic and healing action seems to benefit oily skin conditions, especially when linked to stress. Bergamot is also excellent for skin sores in combination with eucalyptus.

Eucalyptus (very small amounts from the second trimester)

Eucalyptus’ anti-viral action works well on the respiratory tract, soothing inflammation and easing mucous. It is particularly good for influenza, throat infections, coughs, sinusitis and asthma. Cuts, wounds, ulcers and inflammatory skin conditions seem to respond well to eucalyptus. Five drops in a humidifier will help with respiratory infections. Put three drops in a basin of warm water and inhale the vapours to help with congestion.

Frankincense (small amounts from third trimester)

Frankincense has a pronounced effect on the mucous membranes and is particularly helpful in clearing the lungs. It has an excellent effect on respiration, eases shortness of breath and is useful to asthma suffers. A few drops of frankincense and lavender in a humidifier will help ease respiratory tension. Frankincense also gives new life to ageing skin, serving as a tonic.

Geranium (very small amounts during third trimester)

Geranium is a tonic to the nervous system, it quells anxiety and depression and lifts the spirits. Its diuretic properties are very effective when general elimination is poor and the system congested. Geranium has a tonic action on the liver and kidneys and helps to clear the body of toxins. It has a stimulating effect on the lymphatic system, which helps keep infection at bay. Geranium is useful for all types of skin conditions since it balances sebum. Eczema, burns, shingles, herpes and chilblains may respond well.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit, a lymphatic stimulant, nourishes the tissue cells and controls liquid processes. Its diuretic properties could help with water retention and cellulite. Grapefruit helps stimulates bile secretions, which aids digestion of fats. It appears to have a soothing effect on the body since it is said to relieve migraine, pre-menstrual tension and uncomfortable feelings during pregnancy. Grapefruit also seems to mitigate some of the effects of jet lag, that is, tiredness and headaches.

Lemon

Lemon is refreshing and cooling and helps to produce clarity of thought. It is a superb tonic to the circulatory system, easing pressure on varicose veins. It is an effective heart tonic and often used in bringing down high blood pressure. Lemon restores vitality to red corpuscles, easing anaemic conditions and at the same time stimulates the white corpuscles, invigorating the immune system and aiding the body to fight infectious disease. Lemon improves the functioning of the digestive system, counteracts acidity in the body and makes the stomach more alkaline.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is stimulating, reviving, energising, and useful in states of exhaustion. Its revitalising properties make it a good tonic for the body. It gives a boost to the parasympathetic nerves, which aids recovery from illness. Its strong antiseptic action prevents the spread of contagious diseases, particularly useful with respiratory infections such as sore throats, laryngitis and fevers. Lemongrass is excellent for aching muscles, relieving pain and making muscles more supple since it helps to eliminate lactic acid and stimulates circulation. It seems to relieve tired legs, especially after standing for long periods of time. Its invigorating action on the body mitigates some of the symptoms of jet lag, clears headaches and relieves fatigue.

Lime

Lime is very activating and stimulating, especially where there is apathy, anxiety and depression. It is refreshing and uplifting to a tired mind and a tonic to the immune system, and it keeps infection down.

Mandarin

Mandarin is a tonic to the digestion, stimulates appetite, particularly after illness or loss of hunger due to depression. It seems to have a stimulating effect on the liver, helping to regulate metabolic processes and aids in the secretion of bile and breaking down of fats. It has the reputation for being a mild oil and is often used on children and pregnant women – anyone who is feeling a little fragile. Mandarin is often used in combination with neroli and lavender to lessen stretch marks.

Neroli

Neroli is a very relaxing, hypnotic and somewhat euphoric oil, said to help relieve anxiety, depression and stress. It is soothing in highly emotional states, hysteria and shock. Its tranquillising action on the sympathetic nervous system makes it a good remedy in cases of insomnia, especially where sleep is disturbed due to depression. Neroli has pronounced cytophylactic properties, helping with regeneration of skin cells and improving skin elasticity. Dry, sensitive and mature skins seem to benefit most.

Orange

Orange seems to have a very calming action on the stomach, especially in nervous states. It stimulates bile and could help in the digestion of fats. It seems to encourage appetite, so beware if dieting. Orange has a good effect on colds, bronchitis and fever conditions. It helps with the formation of collagen, vital for growth and repair of body tissues.

Palmarosa

Palmarosa has a calming yet uplifting effect on the emotions. It is a tonic to the digestive system. It restores water balance and stimulates natural secretion of sebum, which makes it useful for dry skin. It also helps skin regrowth by aiding cell regeneration.

Patchouli (small amounts from the second trimester)

Patchouli has an earthy aura and promotes a grounding and balancing effect. Patchouli has strong astringent and cicatrising properties, meaning it is helpful for use on loose skin, especially after excessive dieting. It also has diuretic properties, which are valuable in cases of water retention and cellulite. Patchouli is also said to be a tissue regenerator, helping regrowth of skin cells and formation of scar tissue.

Petitgrain

Petitgrain is a calming and soothing oil, and a sedative of the nervous system. It seems to slow the body down, eases breathing and relaxes muscle spasm. It is reputedly helpful with painful digestion by calming stomach muscles.

Pine

Pine is good for feelings of weakness, general debility and mental fatigue. It is a powerful antiseptic and helpful in cases of bronchitis, laryngitis and influenza. Pine generally has a good effect on respiratory problems. It is a general kidney cleanser and known to be effective with cystitis and hepatitis. It is said to help reduce inflammation of the gall-bladder and stimulate the adrenal glands, producing a revitalising effect on the body.

Rosewood

Rosewood is said to stabilise the central nervous system and could therefore have an overall balancing effect on the mind. It is a first-rate remedy for chronic complaints, particularly where the immune system has been under strain, giving it a helpful boost. Rosewood is reputedly helpful with dry, sensitive skin.

Sandalwood (small amounts from the second trimester)

Sandalwood is a relaxing oil which soothes nervous tension and anxiety – more sedative than uplifting. It is very helpful in alleviating cystitis and should be massaged in the kidney region where it has a purifying and anti-inflammatory action. For the skin it is generally a balancing oil, but particularly good for dry eczema as well as dehydrated and ageing skins.

Tangerine

Tangerine has a soothing action on the nervous system, so it is helpful with stress and anxiety. It is effective on the digestive system for gastric complaints such as flatulence, diarrhoea and constipation. Tangerine is a popular massage choice in pregnancy.

Ti tree

Ti tree’s most important usage is to help the immune system fight off infectious disease. It activates white corpuscles to form a defence against invading organisms and helps to shorten the duration of illness. It is a strong antiseptic oil. A course of massage with ti-tree oil before an operation will help to fortify the body. It is also effective in reducing post-operative shock. Its strong anti-viral and germicidal properties are useful in repeated infections and post viral debility. Ti tree’s fungicidal properties help clear vaginal thrush and are of value with genital infections generally. It is also a urinary tract antiseptic, alleviating problems such as cystitis.

Ti tree has a very cleansing effect on the skin, reducing pus in infected wounds and boils. It seems to help clear spots and blemishes caused by chicken pox and shingles. It is also useful with burns, sores, sunburn, ringworm and athlete’s foot.

Vetivert

Vetivert is a calming oil and helpful for stress and tension. Its balancing effect on the central nervous system instils calmness and may be useful in helping people ease off tranquilisers. Vetivert helps promote sleep and is helpful in cases of insomnia. Despite its sedative action, vetivert is helpful in cases of mental and physical exhaustion. It revitalises the body by fortifying the red blood corpuscles, crucial in transporting oxygen to all parts of the system.

Ylang ylang (small amounts from the third trimester)

Ylang ylang is reputed to balance the hormones, making it valuable for problems associated with the reproductive system. It is principally a tonic to the womb and could be helpful after a caesarian birth, instilling a feeling of warmth and togetherness. Its antidepressant and aphrodisiac qualities are well known in helping with sexual problems such as impotence and frigidity. Ylang ylang has a relaxing effect on the nervous system, though prolonged use may create the opposite effect. On the skin it is a versatile oil, having a balancing action on the sebum production, making it good for both oily and dry skins.

We hope this gives some answers to your questions and relieves some anxiety over the use of essential oils during pregnancy. They are incredibly powerful essences and are to be used with great respect and caution. Doing so, the rewards are tremendous. Enjoy!

Sources

Davis, P. Aromatherapy A-Z
Sella, W. The Directory of Essential Oils