Essential Oils in Pregnancy
I recommend avoiding all use of essential oils in the first trimester, particularly if there is a history or risk of miscarriage.
During the second and third trimester, the following essential oils are safe to be used but should be used sparingly and if applied topically, always diluted in a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil.
For more info about oils for labour – CLICK HERE.
Safe During Pregnancy After The First Trimester
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There are 3 categories of oils to avoid.
Category 1 – Toxic or Dangerous (at all times, not just pregnancy)
Bitter almond, arnica, boldo, broom, buchu, calamus, brown & yellow camphor, cassia, chervil, cinnamon bark, costus, deertongue, elecampane, bitter fennel, horseradish, jaborandi, melitotus, mugwort, mustard, oregano, pennyroyal, dwarf pine, rue, common sage, santolina, sassafras, savin, southernwood, savory, tansy, thuja, tonka, wintergreen, wormseed and wormwood.
Category 2 – Require Caution (at all times, not just pregnancy)
Ajowan, aniseed and star anise, some types of basil, bay, white camphor, carrot seed, some types of cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, clove (leaf and bud), coriander, cumin, eucalyptus, sweet fennel, hops, hyssop, juniper, lemongrass, nutmeg, parsley, black pepper, spanish sage, tagetes, tarragon, thyme, tuberose, turmeric, turpentine and valerian.
Category 3 – Normally Safe But Avoid In Pregnancy
Angelica, basil, birch, calamintha, cedarwood, celery seed, citronella, clary sage, cypress, jasmine, labdanum, lovage, marjoram, melissa, myrrh, nutmeg, parsley, peppermint, rosemary and yarrow.
Word of Caution
Please make sure you purchase your oils through a reputable company and you aren’t buying synthetic or fragranced oils. I like Springfield’s which are certified organic, reasonably priced, good quality and available at Simply Natural Therapies.
If you or anyone in your family has a history or miscarriage, or if there have been any health issues with your pregnancy, please get in contact with one of the aromatherapists at Simply Natural Therapies to talk about your particular situation and what oils would be suitable for you.
Consulting an aromatherapist is a great idea, especially during pregnancy and you may want to let your health practitioner, doctor, midwife or obstetrician know about anything you are using or thinking about using.
This information is meant as general advice.