What Essential Oils Are Contraindicated During Pregnancy & Why?

What Essential Oils Are Contraindicated During Pregnancy & Why? . Aromatherapy has been known to mankind for over 5000 years. Essential oils are at the heart of aromatherapy. You may wonder what these magical oils are. They are oils derived from flowers, fruits, roots, stems and leaves of a plant. Essential oils posses numerous powerful healing properties. These oils are known to awaken and strengthen vital energies in the body, influence psychological well being and regulate physical imbalances.

They can be used in various ways in diluted forms. Some of the common ways to use them are: inhalation, massage, baths, compresses and oral intake.

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The only caution is they should be blended with a carrier oil to avoid irritation and sensitivity. Among the innumerable health applications, essential oils are also recommended even for pregnant women. Expectant mother can experience various health problems such as morning sickness, fatigue, anxiety, depression etc. These oils can rev up her spirit, make her relaxed and calm and reduces aches and pains.

Even though realizing various health benefits that essential oils posses, it is important to know that there are several essential oils that may cause harm to the pregnant woman and the fetus inside.

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This is because the chemicals and ingredients present in them may be harmful for the pregnant woman and her fetus. These ingredients may enter the blood stream while inhaling the scent or through the skin.

The chemicals circulating in blood may easily pass through the placenta and affect fetal health. It may result in miscarriage and birth defects etc. It is therefore important to know which oils are contraindicated from the wide spectrum of essential oils. Below are given some of the essential oils that a pregnant woman should not use as they are not considered safe during pregnancy.

List Of Essential Oils Contraindicated While Pregnant

• Basil: Basil essential oil should be used with caution when as it has marked effect on uterine muscles. It stimulates the uterine muscles to contract. Thus it is harmful for the fetus when taken especially in early stages of pregnancy.
• Jasmine: Jasmine essential oil increases contractility of uterus muscles. It is contraindicated in early pregnancy as the chances of miscarriage are more in a woman who has past history of miscarriage. However, when used during labor, it may help to expel the fetus easily.
• Rosemary: One of the chemicals present in rosemary oil is camphor. Camphor in small amount when present in mother’s blood can be injurious to fetus inside the womb. The chemical can travel through the placenta and cause harm to the fetus. Camphor can cross the skin and mucus membrane barrier.
• Bitter almond: Bitter almond contains poisonous chemical such as benzaldehyde and prussic acid. Both have detrimental effect on health of pregnant women and the fetus. In fact it is never used for any therapeutic purposes.
• Nutmeg: Nutmeg contains main ingredient called myristicin. The toxic effect of this ingredient is nausea, hallucination, and stupor. Therefore pregnant women should strictly avoid this essential oil for any purpose.
• Angelica: This essential oil is considered to an emmenagogue. Meaning it has ability to hasten menstrual blood flow. This it does by increasing the contraction of uterus. However, this action may prove harmful in a pregnant woman. It may lead to miscarriage.

Other essential oils that are contraindicated during pregnancy are citronella, coriander, marjoram, thyme, cypress, fennel peppermint, and lemongrass.