The benefits associated with using essential oils are during pregnancy can be abundant. There are many cases of essential oils helping with the relief of pregnancy-related issues including nausea, swollen ankles, aches and pains and more. Essential Oils can be a great natural solution to the alternatives like taking an antacid or Tylenol for symptom relief.
While essential oils are a great choice during pregnancy, it’s important to review your choices and essential oil use with your midwife or doctor. We also want to recommend not to use any essential oils during pregnancy unless they are 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Oils.
Here are some common ways that essential oils can be used during pregnancy to relieve common symptoms.
Indigestion
- Apply 3‐5 drops of Peppermint, Ginger, or Fennel on abdomen or on the bottom of feet.
- You may also find relief simply by inhaling the scent from the bottle relief, diffusing the oil, or applying a small amount under the nose.
Heartburn
- 2 drops of Peppermint to a shot glass of almond milk for instant relief of heartburn!
- Add up to three drops of Peppermint essential oil in a glass of water and sip throughout the day.
Morning Sickness
- Massage Lavender, Sandalwood or Ginger combined with fractionated coconut oil onto abdomen.
- Put 3‐5 drops of Fennel, Ginger or Peppermint into a capsule
- 1 to 2 drops each Ginger and Lemon, mixed into water with honey or stevia.
- Peppermint: a drop under the tongue, rubbed on abdomen or rubbed on the bottoms of your feet.
- Put 3 drops of Grapefruit or Peppermint essential oil into a diffuser by your bed. You may find that waking up to these scents helps reduce nausea
Sleeplessness & Insomnia
Apply Lavender to the bottom of feet or diffuse it. It can also be used as a linen spray, by placing a few drops in a spray bottle with water.
Lower Back & Leg Pain
- Relax in a warm bath with about two or three drops of Lavender or Ylang Ylang essential oils to ease your muscle pain.
- Geranium on the painful location with a carrier oil can also help
Swelling & Water Retention
- Put 3-5 drops of Grapefruit, Lemon and/or Lime into each glass of water and drink.
- You can also use 3-5 drops of Geranium, Ginger, Lemon and Lavender in a roller bottle and apply to ankles and feet a few times each day.
- Massage feet and ankles towards the heart, in an upward direction.
Stretch Marks
Combine 4 drops each Helichrysum, Lavender, Frankincense with a carrier oil (coconut oil is a great choice) and massage over belly, breasts & thighs every morning and night after the first trimester.
Hemorrhoids
Add 1 drop each of Cypress, Lavender and Marjoram and 5 drops Geranium to 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil and apply to the area. A sitz bath can also be helpful after application.
Yeast Infections
Put a few drops of Melaleuca, Lavender & about 2 tablespoons of bath salts into a warm sitz bath and soak for about 10 minutes
During Labor:
Speed Up/Induce Labor
Clary Sage is considered a uterine tonic so shouldn’t be used until you are due. When you are full-term, place a drop on ankle reflex points.
Energy Boost
Inhale or diffuse Peppermint or Wild Orange.
Calming
Diffuse lavender in the room in which you’re laboring. Many essential oil brands also carry a “Zen Blend” or similar with a mix of relaxing scents.
Back Labor
Use a few drops of Peppermint to massage back and apply pressure.
Labor Pains
You can use Lavender and/or Clary Sage combined with two tablespoons of bath salts for a tub soak during labor
Perineal Tearing
Mix 5 drops of Clary Sage and 2 drops of Geranium with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil. Massage hourly onto the perineal area.
Post-Partum:
Postpartum Contractions
2 drops Lavender, 2 drops Frankincense with carrier oil to calm and help with discomfort. Apply directly to area of cramping.
Pain and Inflammation
Add 10 drops Lavender and 10 drops Frankincense to a bowl of alcohol-free Witch Hazel. Soak feminine pads in this solution then freeze for soothing healing during postpartum recovery.
Hemorrhoids
Put 1-2 drops each of Cypress, Geranium, Clary Sage, and Helichrysum in a base of coconut oil. Apply each time you use the restroom.
Perineal Healing
Add 2 drops of Cypress and 2 drops of Lavender to warm sitz bath and soak for 10-15 min. Repeat up to 3x a day.
Postpartum Depression
Disperse 5-7 drops of essential oils in the diffuser 3x a day (either Lemon, Wild Orange, Bliss Blend, Clary Sage or Bergamot, and blends like “Joy” may be helpful).
Using Essential Oils Cautiously During Pregnancy
Oils to avoid during pregnancy:
Basil, birch, calamus, cassia, cinnamon bark, hyssop, Idaho tansy, lavandin, rosemary, sage, tarragon.
Oils to use cautiously during pregnancy:
Angelica, cedarwood, chamomile, cistus, citronella, clary sage, clove bud, cumin (black), cypress, davana, fennel, laurel, marjoram, mountain savory, myrrh, nutmeg, peppermint, rose, spearmint, vetiver, yarrow.
That being said, many aromatologists have varying opinions, so it’s important to use your own judgment. Oils that are diluted, applied externally and used in moderation should not create a problem.
