Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts obtained through various methods, and they are often used for their therapeutic benefits. Many expecting mothers turn to essential oils for pregnancy as a natural way to manage pregnancy-related discomforts such as stress, nausea, and fatigue through aromatherapy and topical application.
However, not all essential oils are safe during pregnancy, making it crucial to choose wisely. To simplify your selection, we’ve compiled a list of pregnancy-safe essential oils, their benefits, and key safety precautions to ensure their proper and confident use during this delicate period.
- Is It Safe to Use Essential Oils During Pregnancy?
- How Do Essential Oils Work During Pregnancy?
- Essential Oils Benefits
- Essential Oils to Avoid
Is It Safe to Use Essential Oils During Pregnancy?
The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA) states that essential oils can cross the placental barrier, meaning they may affect the fetus if not used properly. This is why dilution and cautious use are essential during pregnancy.
However, scientific research on the safety of essential oils during pregnancy is limited due to ethical concerns in conducting studies on pregnant women. For this reason, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider or a certified aromatherapist before using essential oils while pregnant.
How Do Essential Oils Work During Pregnancy?
Essential oils are commonly used in complementary therapy and can provide relaxation and wellness benefits in two primary ways:
1. Aromatherapy (Inhalation Method)
This method involves inhaling essential oils to promote relaxation and emotional well-being. It can be done through:
- Diffusing essential oils into the air
- Spritzing a mist onto pillows or fabrics
- Direct inhalation from a cloth or bottle
- Steam inhalation to support respiratory health
Aromatherapy can help boost mood, reduce stress, and promote relaxation, making it a popular choice during pregnancy.
2. Topical Application (Diluted for Skin Use)
Essential oils can be diluted with carrier oils, creams, or lotions before applying to the skin. They may also be added to a warm bath for a soothing experience.
Once applied, essential oils can absorb into the skin, supporting hydration and relaxation while offering gentle aromatherapy benefits. However, it’s crucial to dilute properly and avoid direct application of undiluted oils to prevent irritation.
Essential Oils & Their Benefits During Pregnancy
Using pregnancy-safe essential oils can be a natural way to ease common pregnancy symptoms while promoting relaxation and overall well-being. Below are some of the best essential oils for expectant mothers and their potential benefits.
1. Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Oil
- Promotes relaxation and helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
- Eases nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
- Reduces labor pain and duration
- May help with postpartum depression (PPD)
- Supports wound healing when used for episiotomy care
- Boosts immunity and has anti-inflammatory properties
- Soothes itching when blended with peppermint and turmeric oils
2. Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) Oil
- Relieves headaches and migraines
- Reduces swelling and pain in the legs and feet
- Helps ease nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
- May alleviate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms
- Supports digestion and relieves bloating
- Eases post-surgical nausea after C-section or other procedures
3. Frankincense (Boswellia Carterii) Oil
- Helps manage labor and delivery pain
- Promotes relaxation and may help reduce labor anxiety
4. Rose Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens) Oil
- Eases anxiety during labor
- May support circulation and help with varicose veins when blended with cypress and lemon oils in a lotion
5. Rose (Rosa Damascena) Oil
- Reduces pregnancy-related lower back pain
- Helps manage postpartum depression symptoms
- Eases labor pain
6. Neroli (Citrus Aurantium Var. Amara) Oil
- Relieves stress and labor pain
- May help reduce anxiety in high-risk pregnancies
7. Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Oil
- Reduces nausea and vomiting (especially when combined with lemon or mint oils)
8. Lemon (Citrus Limonum) Oil
- Helps alleviate morning sickness symptoms
- Reduces nausea and vomiting
Essential Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy
While essential oils are widely used in natural and alternative medicine, not all are safe for pregnancy. Some essential oils contain compounds that may trigger hormonal changes, cause toxicity, or pose risks to fetal development.
To ensure a safe pregnancy, it’s important to be aware of which essential oils should be avoided. Below is a list of essential oils that are not recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks such as:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Pregnancy complications
- Fetal toxicity
- Embryo or reproductive harm
Essential Oils to Avoid:
- Anise & Aniseed Myrtle
- Araucaria
- Basil Oil (Estragole Chemotype)
- Bitter Fennel
- Black Seed (Black Cumin or Black Caraway)
- Blue Cypress (Northern Cypress Pine)
- Buchu (Diosphenol Chemotype)
- Cassia (Chinese or False Cinnamon)
- Cinnamon Bark
- Costus
- Dalmatian Sage
- Green Yarrow (Ligurian Yarrow)
- Indian Dill Seed (Sowa)
- Lemon Basil
- Lemon Myrtle (Lemon Ironwood or Sweet Verbena Tree)
- Lemongrass
- Myrrh (Somalian Myrrh)
- Oregano
- Parsley Leaf & Seed
- Rue
- Savin
- Spanish Sage (Lavender Sage)
- Star Anise
- Sweet Fennel
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood (Absinthe)
- Zedoary (White Turmeric, Hidden Ginger)