Essential oils are incredibly popular for natural health and wellness, but when you’re expecting, knowing how to use essential oils safely is essential. Diffusing essential oils while pregnant is becoming increasingly common, as many women look to natural remedies to support their health. However, it’s important to understand that when it comes to essential oils, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s important to be aware of the safety considerations and to research the best diffusing practices. This blog post will provide an overview of the essential oils that are considered safe to use during pregnancy, how to properly dilute, and what to consider when diffusing essential oils while pregnant.
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Aromatherapy essential oils may provide natural relief for pregnancy-related pain and stress, but only if you know which ones to choose.
Since your unborn child is growing before your very eyes, pregnancy is a miraculous time, but a changing body and fluctuating hormones can make you feel less than remarkable. All sorts of physical discomfort, including a sore back and swollen feet, can be taxing.
You may be looking for a secure form of relief if you’re feeling a little less glowing and a little more pain and stress these days. And if you’re a pregnant woman who values natural remedies, you may have heard of aromatherapy, a complementary medical approach that makes use of essential oils.
In order to diffuse and breathe in the aroma of scented oils, they are typically diluted with a carrier oil for massage, added sparingly to a warm bath, or placed in a vaporizer.
Aromatherapy has a variety of beneficial effects that range from reducing nausea to easing insomnia. If you’re thinking about trying it yourself, take into account some professional advice for keeping you and your child safe.
An extract known as an essential oil is created by steaming or pressing significant amounts of a plant (typically its flowers, bark, or leaves). The aromatic chemicals of the plant, which are what give the oil its scent, are contained in this concentrated substance.
Essential oils are thought to function by activating the smell receptors in your nose and communicating with the limbic system, the area of your brain responsible for emotion and behavior.
Is It Safe to Use Essential Oils While Pregnant?
Essential oils come in different scents and qualities. While some varieties can be used safely while pregnant, others should be avoided.
Essential oils that are good to use while pregnant:
Other essential oils that should not be used while pregnant include the following:
How Do Essential Oils for Pregnancy Work?
Essential oils for pregnancy or any other situation aren’t meant to be ingested. Rather, they’re inhaled or diluted into a solution and used topically, whether it’s a spot treatment or bath soak. “When used as a topical application, massage oils or other skin-care products are absorbed through the skin. When used through inhalation, the molecules move from the nose or mouth to the lungs, brain and other parts of the body,” explains Nita Landry, MD, an ob-gyn who is a recurring cohost on the syndicated show The Doctors.
Once inside the nasal cavity, the molecules communicate chemically with the brain region that controls emotions. According to Galper, “when we experience a scent, it triggers all kinds of responses in our body that have an impact on our wellbeing.” “For this reason, smelling something sexy or delectable can make us feel energized or hungry.” Our stress response is activated when we’re unwell or uncomfortable, and aromatherapy can be a powerful tool to change how we react to stress. ”.
Since many medications are off-limits when you’re expecting, using certain essential oils during pregnancy can be a great alternative for treating illness and uncomfortable symptoms, and that’s exactly why they’re becoming more popular with pregnant women. “Essential oils are natural remedies with very few side effects,” says Lakeisha W. Richardson, MD, an ob-gyn at Delta Regional Hospital in Greenville, Mississippi. “More and more patients are trying to use alternative ways to handle illnesses due to the large side-effect profile of most medications.” (Richardson’s favorite essential oil is lavender, which she uses to fall asleep.)