Is vanilla essential oil safe for pregnancy
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We can all agree that pregnancy is a joyful, rewarding, and life-changing experience. But it also comes with important decisions to make and some not so pleasant side effects to contend with. Given all this, it’s ok to admit that sometimes pregnancy can be stressful and challenging. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were natural remedies available to help combat pregnancy stress, morning sickness, or nausea? Good news, essential oils are here to help! It is important to understand that every obstetrician has their own level of comfort talking with patients about essential oil use during pregnancy. Please be sure to talk to your doctor before you try anything new before, during, or after pregnancy. Essential Oil BasicsEssential oils are a class of evaporative aromatic oils derived from plants. Within their plant hosts, the oils are responsible for providing the plant’s characteristic smell, attracting beneficial organisms, repelling harmful parasites, and helping the plant reproduce, regenerate, and heal. Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians are credited among the first humans to harness the many capabilities of essential oils. These ancient peoples developed the techniques used to extract essential oils from their natural plant habitats via distillation and pressing. They used essential oils because of their healing and medicinal properties, for cosmetic purposes, and to aid in spiritual meditation and relaxation. And after going through 2020, we can all agree that a little relaxation would be nice. Today we realize these same regenerative, healing, soothing, and aromatic benefits when essential oils are inhaled, diffused, ingested, or applied topically to the skin. Our selection of essential oils has expanded greatly from that of our ancient ancestors as distillation and pressing processes continue to grow in sophistication. Essential Oils and PregnancySo, you may be thinking: natural healing, regenerative, and calming benefits all sound great, but are essential oils safe to use during pregnancy? The answer is yes, with a few special considerations. First, it’s important to choose your essential oils with care. Select a reputable essential oil provider that delivers pure, high-quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils with an emphasis on scientific testing and responsible sourcing. The best essential oils are 100% plant derived without fillers or byproducts. Next, always exercise caution with essential oil use, specifically during the flurry of development that occurs in your first trimester. Additionally, avoid the essential oils listed in the "don’ts" section below. Finally, pregnant women should avoid ingesting and topically applying undiluted essential oils throughout pregnancy. Instead, try inhaling essential oils or adding them to a diffuser. If you elect to apply essential oils to your skin, make sure they’re diluted with a carrier oil and test a small area of your skin for sensitivity before general use. Essential Oils That Are Safe During PregnancyMany nontoxic essential oils are approved for use during pregnancy and can help combat some of the more unpleasant, but common, symptoms of pregnancy. “Many essential oils are perfectly safe to use in moderation during pregnancy, but some are linked to negative side effects including inducing contractions,” states Ellen Comiskey, M.D., board certified obstetrician from Moreland OB-GYN. “Always exercise caution and consult your doctor before using essential oils during pregnancy.”
Essential Oils to Avoid During PregnancyThe list of essential oils provided below should be avoided during pregnancy. Refrain from using:
Again, it’s critical to discuss the use of essential oils with your obstetrician or gynecologist. Every woman’s pregnancy, symptoms, and potential risk factors are unique. Your doctor should be your first resource for questions about essential oil use and other pregnancy related questions or concerns. Talk to your doctorThere any many benefits to essential oil use during pregnancy, but as we discussed, certain oil types and application methods should be handled with care or avoided entirely. If you’re looking to learn more about essential oils and pregnancy or have other questions, the team of doctors at Moreland OB-GYN are here to help! Looking for more resources? We’ve got you covered!
Is vanilla essential oil safe in pregnancy?You shouldn't use essential oils in early pregnancy because they could potentially cause uterine contractions or adversely affect your baby in their early developmental stages, explains Jill Edwards, N.D., an Oregon-based doctor of naturopathic medicine who specializes in prenatal care.
What essential oils should I avoid when pregnant?Essential Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy. Aniseed.. Basil.. Birch.. Camphor.. Clary Sage.. Hyssop.. Mogwort.. Oak Moss.. Is smelling essential oils safe for pregnancy?In general, most medical experts agree that aromatherapy is a safer option for pregnant people as opposed to topical applications. This simply means that you should use your essential oils in a diffuser rather than applying them to your skin.
What smells to avoid while pregnant?There isn't much you can do to make your nose less sensitive to smells, but you can try to avoid the scents you find most unappealing. Pregnant women in studies rated perfumes, pets, meat, fish, and eggs as some of the most unappealing smells, and fruits as more pleasant.
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