Tea Tree Oil in Pregnancy

Expectant women desiring a natural pregnancy often turn to homeopathic remedies and herbal solutions for ailments that they may suffer from during gestation. Although many people use tea tree oil to treat a variety of skin ailments, avoid using this potent essential oil during pregnancy since its effects on you and your unborn baby are unclear.

Facts

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, a bushy plant that often grows up to 25 feet tall and is native to the marshes and swamps of Australia. Distilling the tea tree's leaves provides a clear or pale yellow liquid that purportedly possesses a variety of medicinal properties. According to Phyllis Balch, certified nutritional consultant and author of the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing," people use this essential oil topically--generally diluted--as a natural treatment for various skin infections and irritations, including athlete's foot, ringworm, acne and vaginal infections. The National Institutes of Health states that the compound terpinen-4-ol is most likely responsible for the antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil.

Warning

The NIH does not recommend using tea tree oil during pregnancy due to a lack of sufficient scientific evidence to indicate that it's safe. Tea tree oil is a potent solution with a history of producing skin reactions ranging in severity from mild irritations and itching to severe blisters, especially in individuals with skin conditions, such as eczema. The NIH notes that studies indicate using tea tree oil during labor may reduce the strength of birth contractions, which could lead to increased risk for both you and your unborn baby.

Time Frame

Stop using tea tree oil when you start trying to get pregnant or as soon as you discover that you're pregnant, whichever comes sooner. Avoid using tea tree oil throughout pregnancy, as well as the duration of breastfeeding, since your baby may absorb the oil, especially if you dab it directly on your breasts, according to the NIH.

Identification

Many homeopathic practitioners and herbalists recommend treating vaginal yeast infections with tea tree oil. According to the National Institutes of Health, this type of infection is often more common during pregnancy. Even though you may be used to using tea tree oil to treat vaginal yeast infections, don't do so during pregnancy. Talk to your obstetrician immediately if you notice signs of a yeast infection during pregnancy, such as vaginal discharge, itching or burning. She'll conduct a test to verify if you have such an infection and provide you with a medication that is safe to use during pregnancy.

Considerations

If you're in the habit of using natural remedies for health conditions during pregnancy, verify with your obstetrician or midwife that each one is safe. Check the labels carefully before using them to ensure that none of them contain tea tree oil, which is generally available as oils, gels and creams. Possible names to look for include both the common name--tea tree oil--and the scientific name--Melaleuca alternifolia.