Are Essential Oils Safe During Pregnancy?

Essential oils can have wonderful benefits during pregnancy but not all are safe.  General consensus is Natural=Safe but that is not true. 

First of all, not all essential oils are created equal.  Some can have harmful fillers or byproducts.  When picking an essential oil supplier make sure they provide pure, high quality, therapeutic grade oils.  You want a company that cares about sourcing and does their own purity testing.  Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for a copy of their testing, a reputable company will always supply this.  One of my favorite essential oil companies is Mountain Rose Herbs.

Always be cautious with essential oil use even when not pregnant. However, if you are pregnant, it is extremely important to be careful during the first trimester as this is the time where most fetal development occurs.  There are several essential oils that need to be completely avoided during pregnancy including Clary Sage, Parsley, and Wintergreen.  (I will include a complete list at the end.). Essential oils should never be ingested during pregnancy or applied undiluted to the skin, instead always dilute with a carrier oil such as Almond, Olive, or Safflower and always do a patch test to determine if there is a sensitivity before applying to a larger area.

There are many essential oils that are approved for use during pregnancy and can help with some of the common and unpleasant symptoms.  For morning sickness and nausea; Cardamom and Ginger can be effective.  To help relax you and promote better sleep; Lavender, Rose, German Chamomile, and Frankincense can help.  To lift mood; Lemon, Orange, and Geranium can help boost it.  As with anything during pregnancy, always check with your OB/GYN before using essential oils during pregnancy.

List of Essential Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy:

·      Aniseed

·      Basil

·      Birch

·      Camphor

·      Clary Sage

·      Hyssop

·      Mogwort

·      Oak Moss

·      Parsley Seed

·      Parsley Leaf

·      Pennyroyal

·      Peppermint

·      Rosemary

·      Rue

·      Sage

·      Tansy

·      Tarragon

·      Thuja

·      Thyme

·      Wintergreen

·      Wormwood

As a reminder, always discuss the use of essential oils with your health care provider.  Every woman’s medical history and pregnancy is different and what is suitable for one person is not always suitable for all.