Expectant and new moms are always careful to eat and do the right things to protect the health of their babies. We often take for granted that the many products we put on our body can affect the fetus and breast milk as well. This is because skin care product ingredients are absorbed instantly through our skin and directly into the blood stream impacting the health of both mommy and baby.
Even if you’re seeking an all natural skin care line while you are pregnant or breastfeeding (which is recommended), you should also know that certain essential oils should be avoided.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are a concentrated liquid that are derived from a plant by using the flowers, leaves and/or roots in a distillation process. The term “essential” signifies the aroma or “essence” of that plant. They are found in a variety of products more commonly including skin care, perfume, cleaning products, soaps, and food flavorings. Traditional and alternative medicine may incorporate essential oils into medical and healing applications, and have various regulations for use depending on the country. Generally speaking, essential oils can be infused in products, used directly on the skin, or used in a nebulizer to diffuse the essence into the air. Not all essential oils are created equal. This means, some oils shouldn’t be used directly on the skin, and some should only be used as aromatics.
Essential Oils to Avoid While Pregnant & Breast Feeding
While some would say approach with caution, we say, “Why take the risk?”
On a side note, it’s important to understand that the amount of time, concentration, method of absorption and other considerations need to be made. Check out our article on How Substances Enter Your Body and How We Accumulate Toxins in our Bodies.
Below is a list of some ingredients that should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding (partial list). While pregnant and breastfeeding, always consult with your medical doctor before using these or any essential oils. Consult your physician before using any essential oil in a diffuser while pregnant.
- Aloe (drinking juice): Do not use during pregnancy, lactation.
- Anise (essential oil): Avoid internally and externally in pregnancy, breast-feeding.
- Basil (essential oil): Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Bay (essential oil): Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Bergamot (essential oil): Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Cassia (essential oil): Should be avoided during pregnancy.
- Cedarwood (essential oil): Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Dandelion (root, tincture): Do not use during pregnancy or nursing.
- Roman Chamomile (essential oil): Avoid chamomile in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Cinnamon (essential oil): Avoid during pregnancy, breast-feeding.
- Clary Sage (essential oil): Use with caution during pregnancy. Only use after the first trimester. Do not use when lactating.
- Clove (essential oil): Use with caution in pregnancy; externally, only after the first trimester.
- Cypress (essential oil): Avoid in pregnancy, breast-feeding.
- Elemi (essential oil): Avoid in pregnancy, with infants and young children.
- Fennel (essential oil): Avoid in pregnancy.
- Garlic (essential oil): Do not administer essential oil to babies. Best to avoid in pregnancy.
- Geranium (essential oil): Contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Ginger (essential oil, teas): Should not be used for morning sickness.
- Jasmine (essential oil): Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Juniper (essential oil): Contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Lavender (essential oil): Only after first trimester.
- Lemongrass (essential oil): Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Marjoram (essential oil): Has the potential to stimulate menstruation, do not use during pregnancy.
- Nutmeg (powder): Avoid in pregnancy.
- Parsley (leaf): Avoid in excess during pregnancy and breast feeding.
- Peppermint (essential oil): Do not use during the first trimester of pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Do not use with children younger than two years old.
- Pine (essential oil): Contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Red Clover (tincture): Avoid during pregnancy.
- Rose (essential oil): Contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Rosemary (essential oil): Contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy and should not be administered to babies or children younger than the age of four.
- Sweet Basil (essential oil, leaf): Contraindicated for use while pregnant, breast-feeding, and with infants or toddlers. Do not use the essential oil during pregnancy or nursing.
- Thyme (essential oil): Contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Yarrow (essential oil): Contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Ylang Ylang (essential oil): Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Using Naturally Unscented Skin Care
Naturally unscented skin care is quite easy to find. You can even make your own with some basic carrier oils such as grape seed, olive, sunflower and coconut oils. You can also use butters such as shea, jojoba, almond, macadamia, Brazil nut, and others.
Salvenaturals.com offers a natural and organic line of unscented body care products including scrubs, face care, and soap. You can always go online and search for additional unscented skin care manufacturers.
Written by: Dahlia Kelada
Source: http://traditionswellness.com/Herbs_and_Essential_Oils.html
Image: blahtherapy.com
