According to Denise Tiran, author of "Clinical Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Childbirth," the use of essential oils during pregnancy has become more common. Essential oils can be used to induce calm and relaxation when they are used properly. If you are pregnant and considering essential oils, make sure to talk with your doctor prior to using them to ensure they do not pose a threat to your growing baby. There are essential oils that are safe for use during pregnancy, and they can help make you more comfortable as you wait for the big day.
Lavender
Lavender is considered safe throughout pregnancy, say Jeanne Rose and Susan Earle, editors of "The World of Aromatherapy." Lavender smells good and can calm and relax you. In essential oil form, lavender can also be used to treat pregnancy-related nausea. Rose and Earle recommend mixing 2 drops of lavender oil in a bowl with warm water. Place clean towels into the water, wring and place on your abdomen until nausea passes. Tiran adds that smelling lavender can ease headaches during pregnancy. You can also add lavender oil to a bath.
Geranium
Rose and Earle suggest geranium oil as a relaxer during pregnancy. Adding 3 drops of geranium oil to a foot bath or bathtub can relax you as you soak. Smelling the sweet scent of geranium will give you more energy as your stress fades away, say Rose and Earle. Tiran writes that geranium oil can ease sore nipples as well.
Chamomile
Chamomile can be used during pregnancy to calm you and ease digestive problems, such as nausea, writes Marlene Ericksen, author of "Healing with Aromatherapy." Smelling chamomile will relax your muscles and can help ease nausea. You can add a few drops to your bath for relaxation. Ericksen also recommends a chamomile facial during pregnancy. Steam your face over a mixture of hot water and chamomile oil and then apply your moisturizer. You can also massage your face and neck using a small amount of chamomile oil, says Ericksen.
Rose
According to Valerie Ann Worwood, author of "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy," rose is a multipurpose essential oil that is safe for use during pregnancy. Rose oil can be added to a bath or foot bath to calm and relax you. A mixture of rose oil and vegetable oil can be used as a massage oil to ease the back aches associated with pregnancy, says Worwood. Two drops of rose oil mixed with 2 tsp. of base oil, such as vegetable oil, can be used to help cure nausea by rubbing it on your abdomen.
References
- "Clinical Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Childbirth"; Denise Tiran; 2000
- "The World of Aromatherapy"; Jeanne Rose and Susan Earle; 1996
- "Healing with Aromatherapy"; Marlene Ericksen; 2000
- "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; Valerie Ann Worwood; 1991
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