Disclaimers

Our products may contain nuts or traces of nuts and as they are produced in an environment that may contain traces of nuts. Therefore it is recommended that people that suffer from nut allergies do not use them. Our products contain natural essential oils, if you are pregnant or suffering from any underlying health issues, please check the suitability for your use.

Aromatharapist’s are not operating at Naturel Dream so please make your own checks with what will be suitable for your use. The views, information and advice expressed and shared by Naturel Dream are Information and statements made on this website are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Naturel Dream does not give medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concerns, see your doctor or qualified professional in aromatherapy for advice. Essential oils affect the body in two ways. When applied to the skin, they penetrate through the follicles and sweat glands and are then absorbed into the body’s fluids. Once inside the body, they have many beneficial effects including:

  1. Stimulating the immune system and strengthening against attack
  2. Speeding up the elimination of toxins
  3. Promoting new cell growth
  4. Stimulating digestion
  5. Stimulating blood circulation

Promoting the body’s natural healing processes.

Is it safe to use essential oils while I’m pregnant?

Denise Tiran

Midwife, lecturer and complementary therapist. SAYS: It’s safe to use some essential oils while you’re pregnant, as long as you’re healthy and you’re careful with them. Essential oils are highly concentrated substances extracted from plants. They are powerful, so it’s important to use them sparingly. Be sure to buy high-quality oils from a reputable seller.

Essential oils are used in aromatherapy, which is a complementary therapy. The oils contain chemicals that can be absorbed into your body. Essential oils can be diluted with a base or carrier oil for massage, or put in a vaporiser for you to breathe them in.

Once inside your body, essential oils work in the same way as drugs or medicines. Because essential oil molecules are very small, there is a possibility that they may cross the placenta and reach your growing baby’s circulation.

We do not know exactly what effect essential oils may have on a developing baby. Studies have only tested oils on animals, with varying results.

We do know that many mums-to-be find aromatherapy helpful in easing pregnancy niggles. These include backache, nausea or swollen ankles.

If you want to use aromatherapy oils, it is best to take the following precautions:

  1. Only use one drop of essential oil at a time.
  2. Try not to use one particular oil for a long period of time, such as every day for several weeks.
  3. Dilute the essential oil by mixing the drop with at least a teaspoon (5ml) of a base oil before you add it to a bath or smooth it over your skin. Grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil work well as base oils.
  4. You can add drops of the oil to a vaporiser, but don’t leave it on for longer than 10 minutes or 15 minutes in each hour. If you leave it on for too long, the smell can be overpowering and make you feel nauseous.
  5. It’s best to start using essential oils once you are past the first trimester. If you use them in the first trimester, always consult an aromatherapist who’s trained in treating mums-to-be.

Oils that are safe for you to use
As long as your pregnancy is going well, it’s fine for you to use:

  1. citrus oils, such as tangerine and neroli
  2. German camomile
  3. common lavender
  4. frankincense
  5. black pepper
  6. peppermint
  7. ylang ylang
  8. eucalyptus
  9. bergamot
  10. cypress
  11. tea tree oil (not in labour)
  12. geranium
  13. spearmint

Oils that are not safe for you to use
Don’t use the following essential oils while you are pregnant:

  1. Nutmeg, which may have hallucinogenic effects and react with pain-relieving drugsin labour.
  2. Rosemary, which is thought to increase blood pressure, and may cause contractions.
  3. Basil, which is thought to contribute to abnormal cell development.
  4. Jasmine and clary sage, which may trigger contractions.
  5. Sage and rose, which may cause bleeding in your uterus (womb).
  6. Juniper berry, which may affect your kidneys.

Laurel, angelica, thyme, cumin, aniseed, citronella and cinnamon leaf should also be avoided as they could stimulate contractions. There is a lot of confusion over the safety of lavender essential oil in pregnancy. That’s because lavender can be used to regulate periods. Rest assured that this does not mean using it in pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage. However, for ease of mind, you may want to wait until your second trimester before using it.

Clary sage can be a great way to get labour started if used by a trained midwife for a mum who is overdue. However, don’t use this oil yourself, as overuse can make your contractions too powerful. In some circumstances, it’s best to steer clear of essential oils altogether. Don’t use any oils if:

  1. you have a history of miscarriage
  2. you have had any vaginal bleeding in this pregnancy
  3. you have epilepsy
  4. you have heart problems
  5. you have diabetes, blood clotting problems, or have thyroid, liver or kidney disease

It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or midwife before using essential oils.