Essential Oil Safety and Pregnancy

There is a lot of information (and controversy) around in books and on the internet in regards to essential oils and which ones are and aren't safe to use.

DO NOT APPLY ANY essential oil directly to your skin during pregnancy, no matter what stage you are!

Essential oils are promoted as amazing healing oils, and yes they are, if you know what you are doing! However, with the wrong information you can cause more harm than good.

With pregnancy, there are three factors to consider:

1. Will this oil cause harm or deformities to my baby in-utero?
2. Does this oil have hormonal properties that will affect my pregnancy?
3. Will this oil cause my baby to be born early and/or die?

Everything that goes into your body during this time goes through to your unborn child via your blood stream—food, alcohol, medicines, herbs and supplements, and essential oils.  This also includes the essential oils that are in your skincare and bodycare products, and the alcohol in your perfume, so you have to look at the total quantity of essential oils you are being exposed to.

It is recommended not to use any essential oils in the first trimester, and for the remainder of the pregnancy to not exceed 1% of the blend unless you are under the guidance of a trained aromatherapist (Diploma with 800+ hours).  A 1% blend is 5 drops (0.25ml) of essential oil in 50ml of vegetable oil., and applied a maximum of twice a day, preferably 12 hours apart.

So, if you are pregnant and wish to use essential oils during your pregnancy, please consult with myself or another diploma qualified aromatherapist who will have studied pregnancy as part of their papers. This is not covered at certificate level. They will make a blend specific to your needs at the time based on your current health and will keep you safe.

Here is my recommended list based on 20+ years of experience and knowledge, as well as the multitude of research out there.  I am also the consultant aromatherapist for National Women's Hospital, so if you have any queries, please message me on Tania@AmorAromatherapy.co.nz

Not Recommended
Angelica - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Aniseed - oestrogenic activity
Basil - oestrogenic activity
Cedarwood - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Cinnamon Bark -can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Clary Sage - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Cypress - not recommended during the first trimester or if there is a history of miscarriages/still births
Fennel - oestrogenic activity
Hyssop - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Jasmine - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Lavender - not recommended during the first trimester or if there is a history of miscarriages/still births
Sweet Marjoram - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Mugwort - will induce an abortion
Myrrh - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Parsley Seed - will induce an abortion
Pennyroyal - will induce an abortion
Peppermint - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Rose - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Rosemary - can stimulate contractions (emmenagogue)
Rue - will induce an abortion
Sage - oestrogenic activity
Sassafras - will induce an abortion
Savin - will induce an abortion
Tansy - will induce an abortion
Thuja - will induce an abortion
Wormwood - will induce an abortion

Safe
Bay, Laurel & West Indian, Benzoin, Bergamot, Black Pepper
Cajeput, Cardamom, Carrot Seed, Chamomile, German & Roman, Citronella, Clove
Elemi, Eucalyptus, Everlasting/Immortelle
Fir, Frankincense
Galbanum, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit
Ho Wood
Kanuka
Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Litsea cubeba
Mandarin, Manuka, May Chang, Melissa, Myrtle
Neroli, Niaouli, Nutmeg
Orange, Sweet
Palmarosa, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Pine
Ravensara, Rock Rose, Rosewood
Sandalwood, Spearmint, Spikenard
Tangerine, Tea Tree, Thyme
Vetiver
Yarrow, Ylang Ylang