Pregnancy and Essential Oil Usage

[Heritage Essential Oils]

Mandy asked: Would you be able to tell me which, if any, oils or oil blends should not be used while pregnant?

Linda answered: 

The problem with advising about using essential oils during pregnancy is that there are no human studies to my knowledge that helps us know for sure how safe or unsafe they are. My feeling is that when you use high quality oils moderately and within reason (for example you don't rub Peppermint on your abdomen!), then use of the oils is not harmful to mom or baby. That's my feeling, not my advice. As with many health supplements, you'll find the typical disclaimer about using if pregnant or nursing - in many cases, I feel this is simply a liability issue.

I have some information about the oils and pregnancy on the website here: Click on Green Tab: HEALTH ISSUES, then click on PREGNANCY

Here are the first two paragraphs: I found it very difficult to put a list together of oils to avoid during pregnancy. As I searched various sources, I found that each author held his own opinion, and depending on his frame of reference, the list changed. Carrying an unborn child is an incredible responsibility, and we strongly recommend that you only use premium quality oils and use them in moderation. Many long-time essential oil users feel that high quality oils that are diluted, applied topically and in moderation should not cause a problem. An unsafe oil is one that is not pure and has possibly been distilled with chemicals at high heat for high yield rather than for therapeutic value. Using any oil improperly or outside the realm of moderation may be unsafe.

Following the link above, you'll find a list of oils some aromatherapists say to "avoid," and some to "use with caution." I personally feel that a drop or two of an oil/blend a day will not bring about the "harm" that concerns people. Use wisdom. For an example of not using wisdom: If you were to rub peppermint all over your abdomen - you would not be wise - the unborn baby would be disturbed by this. On the other hand, we know people who have used a few drops of peppermint on the abdomen at the breech head of their baby to turn it. When used with wisdom, it has a place.

I would personally want to avoid using a lot of the oils that might cause contractions before their time (e.g. Clary Sage, Sage and Fennel). According to one book I referenced, there is no recorded case in humans of this happening. I'd also avoid consistent use of Peppermint, especially near the end of the pregnancy, because it reduces the milk supply. (One might want to use Peppermint on a chronic aching neck or something - the daily use, multiple times daily will reduce the milk supply - I tried it after my last baby was born ;-/. But, the good news is I didn't have to stop using the Peppermint, I just added the use of Fennel to each glass of water I drank, and I had lots of milk :-)

I found no reference to the oils causing "defects" in the unborn.

Chemist, aromatherapist and author Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt wrote: "Most warnings [about essential oil usage] are derived from industry-funded dermatological tests with limited relevance for aromatherapy."While many texts warn that essential oils should never be used undiluted, a growing number of aromatherapists and essential oil users find that quite a number can be safely used neat (undiluted) on the skin or a drop neat on the tongue. Schnaubelt points out that some of the oils designated as "forbidden use" are among the most therapeutically useful, and "even the safety of essential oils during pregnancy discussion seems to abate due to the stubborn absence of reports of any adverse effects." (The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils, p. 74-76)

I hope this helps. May the Lord give you wisdom and richly bless this pregnancy and birth!