Essential Oils For Pregnancy: What to Know Before You Use Them
Contents
Some people are wary of using essential oils during pregnancy, and caution makes sense. NCCIH notes that little is known about whether even lavender is safe during pregnancy. If you choose to use oils, limiting the use of the essential oils to the most delicate ones and using small amounts is the cautious approach.
Talk with your doctor or midwife before using any essential oil while pregnant or breastfeeding.
While pregnant, use only a couple of drops in a diffuser, or mix them with more carrier oil, like coconut oil, than you normally would.
Some people find that certain scents help them relax, and oils can help you relax and improve your mood for some users, though the research is limited. If you feel very stressed during your pregnancy, tell your prenatal care provider.
This guide reviews a popular starter set from Radha Beauty and how to use its oils cautiously.
Essential Oils During Pregnancy
Essential oils are not regulated like medicines, and "pure" or "therapeutic grade" on a label has no official standard. Buy from a reputable seller and store oils away from children.
Essential oils are highly concentrated, so diluting them is a must when using them during your pregnancy.
After talking with your doctor, you may decide to avoid essential oils completely, especially in the first trimester. If you do use them, start with the smallest amount you can.
A diffuser in a well-ventilated room, used for short periods, is the gentlest way to use them. Never apply oils undiluted to your skin, never swallow them, and stop if you feel nauseated, dizzy or get a headache or rash.
Radha Beauty Top 6 Essential Oils Overview
If you’re new to essential oils, or perhaps just have never considered using essential oils for pregnancy, Radha Beauty supplies a great starter kit to introduce you.
The set gives you 6 basic essential oils: lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and sweet orange.
Each different oil will have a unique and distinct smell. The kit lets you find out which scents you like.
Lavender: The best-known relaxing scent. A drop or two in a diffuser is the gentlest option; evidence that it reduces anxiety is unclear, and it can cause skin reactions in some people.
Sweet Orange: A cheerful citrus scent for a diffuser. It does not boost immunity.
Tea Tree: There's limited evidence it may help acne. NCCIH says topical tea tree products may be safe during pregnancy, but it is toxic if swallowed and can irritate skin. Ask your doctor before treating pregnancy acne.
Eucalyptus: Many people like its fresh scent when dealing with nasal congestion. If you use it, run a diffuser briefly before bed rather than all night, and keep it away from babies and young children.
Peppermint: Peppermint oil is very intense. If your doctor says it's okay, dilute it well in a carrier oil and use it sparingly.
Lemongrass: Lab studies suggest antifungal properties, but a diffuser won't make your home germ-free. Enjoy it for its lemony scent.
Pros and Cons
One downside of this kit is simple preference. We all have different preferences to certain smells, and you may find yourself only enjoying a few of the provided oils.
Some users also reported their bottles dripping too fast, which is something you want to be extra careful of.
However, there’s lots of great news coming from this kit. The bottles are dark colored as they should be, protecting the oils from sunlight which can actually damage them.
You’ll want to use the most care you can when using essential oils when you’re pregnant because of their high concentration and ability to penetrate the skin with ease.
Radha Beauty markets its oils as 100% pure, but no oil is risk-free during pregnancy just because it is pure.
A starter set means you don't have to buy each bottle separately just to figure out which scents you like.
In Conclusion
Essential oils can be a pleasant extra for relaxation, but they aren't a treatment for pregnancy symptoms. Use the utmost care, talk with your doctor or midwife first, and report any new or worrying symptoms to your care team.
Radha Beauty’s Top 6 Essential Oils Set is an easy way to try these different scents.
Sources
- Lavender: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH (NIH)
- Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH (NIH)
- Aromatherapy, NCCIH (NIH)
