Pregnancy is undoubtedly not an easy process. In fact, every expectant mother hopes that the journey of their pregnancy will be a smooth one. Some may turn to all types of medicines, whereas some may also try out essential oils. Though, are essential oils for pregnant women safe? Let us find out.
Do Essential Oils for Pregnant Women Work?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, it is important to understand how one can use essential oils when they are expecting a child. According to Nita Landry, MD, an Obstetrics and Gynecologist, when an essential oil is used differently, such as through inhalation or through massaging on the skin, it can have different effects.
When inhaling an essential oil, the molecules will move throughout the body after passing through the brain-stimulating of your senses. However, when massaging it on your skin on, the nutrients would be absorbed through the skin.
Naturally, aromatherapy helps with the awakening of your sense of smell and feel. Therefore, it helps to relieve stress and comfort illnesses. This is also the reason why it is becoming much popular with pregnant women as they want to use other alternatives to help them cope with their pregnancy.
From a Doctor’s Perspective
It is known that doctors would usually stray away from suggesting the use of essential oils during pregnancy as there have not been many studies conducted on confirming that it is an effective method to help with the pains or struggles a pregnant woman faces during her journey.
On top of that, according to the Food and Drug Administration, it may not be regulated as the strength and make-up of essential oils differ from one another in a large scale and that the oils can come close to allopathic medicine. It is also stated in the Pregnancy Guidelines of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists, that “essential oils may affect the baby as they are organic substances which may cross the placental barrier”.
With that in mind, the final verdict is that it is better to avoid using essential oils as they may not be safe for pregnant women. What one can do instead is to seek professional advice from an expert and gynaecologist on any high-quality essential oil that is safe for use. After they have provided their professional opinion and recommendations on which essential oil is healthy and good for you, that is when you can give the aromatherapy method a go.
Essential Oils That are Good for Expectant Mothers
Through guidance and consultation from a health expert, you will realize that even though it is advisable to avoid essential oils, there are some essential oils that can come in handy at certain times.
Some recommendations of essential oils that are good for pregnant women are lavender, ylang-ylang, chamomile, peppermint, frankincense, cypress, geranium, tea tree and mandarin. However, you must check with your health expert first on whether you can use these oils for yourself.
Here at Plant Guru, we provide you with the best kinds of essential oils, carrier oils, and incense to choose from to create a smoother journey for your pregnancy. Nonetheless, it is important to put your health first and seek advice from professionals. Shop with us today!