Essential oils are pretty fabulous, aren’t they?
After all, as long as you’re using them safely, essential oils can make such a positive impact on your overall health and well-being.
As a pregnant or lactating mother it’s common to have so many questions about what’s safe to put in and on your body and what should be avoided.
Of course, questioning essential oil safety is definitely one of the things that top this list.
What’s important to understand is that essential oils do cross the placental barrier and also have the potential to cross over into your milk supply.
So, what does that mean?
Essential oils need to be highly respected during pregnancy and lactation. The method of use, the amount of and how often an essential oil is used, etc. are all factors to consider.
Note: is it not recommended to use essential oils during the first trimester of pregnancy or at any dilution higher than 1% while pregnant or breastfeeding.
One of the other huge factors to consider is — the actual essential oil you are using.
Others are generally considered safe during this time…again, as long as you’re using them respectively.
The following lists break down the essential oils that are generally considered safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding and according to the specific benefit they’re associated with (i.e.; energy, immune support, aches, etc.).
Enjoy!
Safe Essential Oils to Use While Pregnant or Breastfeeding
ENERGY & UPLIFTING
| Bergamot | Fir Needle |
| Lemon (cold pressed) | Orange (sweet) |
| Peppermint* (pregnancy ONLY) | Rosemary* (pregnancy ONLY) |
| Spearmint | Spruce |
* Peppermint & rosemary should be avoided while breastfeeding because it may reduce milk supply
SKIN CONCERNS
| Bergamot | Blue Tansy |
| Cedarwood Atlantica | Cedarwood Virginian |
| Chamomile German | Copaiba Balsam |
| Coriander | Frankincense Carteri |
| Frankincense Frereana | Geranium Bourbon |
| Geranium Egyptian | Grapefruit |
| Helichrysum Italicum | Lavender (not Spanish) |
| Neroli | Patchouli |
| Petitgrain | Rose |
| Sandalwood | Tea Tree |
| Vetiver |
FOCUS & ATTENTION
| Bergamont | Coriander |
| Grapefruit | Lemon (cold pressed) |
| Orange | Peppermint* (pregnancy ONLY) |
| Rosemary* (pregnancy ONLY) | Spearmint |
| Spruce | Vetiver |
* Peppermint & rosemary should be avoided while breastfeeding because it may reduce milk supply
IMMUNE SUPPORT
| Bergamont | Clary Sage** (breastfeeding ONLY) |
| Dill Weed | Frankincense Carteri |
| Frankincense Frereana | Grapefruit |
| Helichrysum Italicum | Lavender (not Spanish) |
| Lemon (cold pressed) | Orange (blood) |
| Patchouli | Petitgrain |
| Rosemary* (pregnancy ONLY) | Tangerine |
| Tea Tree | Vetiver |
* Rosemary should be avoided while breastfeeding because it may reduce milk supply
** Clary sage should be avoided during pregnancy because it can stimulate uterine contractions
SLEEP & RELAXATION
| Blue Tansy | Chamomile German |
| Chamomile Roman | Clary Sage** (breastfeeding ONLY) |
| Coriander | Jasmine Absolute |
| Lavender (not Spanish) | Orange (sweet) |
| Rose Absolute | Sandalwood |
| Vetiver |
** Clary sage should be avoided during pregnancy because it can stimulate uterine contractions
RESPIRATORY SUPPORT
| Blue Tansy | Cedarwood Atlantica |
| Cedarwood Himalayan | Cedarwood Virginian |
| Copaiba Balsam | Cypress |
| Fir Needle | Helichrysum Spendidum |
| Peppermint* (pregnancy ONLY) | Pine |
| Rosemary* (pregnancy ONLY) |
* Peppermint & rosemary should be avoided while breastfeeding because it may reduce milk supply
DIGESTIVE RELIEF
| Black Pepper | Chamomile Roman |
| Clary Sage** (breastfeeding ONLY) | Copaiba Balsam |
| Coriander | Dill Weed |
| Grapefruit | Orange (sweet) |
| Peppermint* (pregnancy ONLY) | Spearmint |
| Tangerine |
* Peppermint should be avoided while breastfeeding because it may reduce milk supply
** Clary sage should be avoided during pregnancy because it can stimulate uterine contractions
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
| Bergamot | Blue Tansy |
| Cedarwood Himalayan | Cedarwood Virginian |
| Chamomile Roman | Clary Sage** (breastfeeding ONLY) |
| Coriander | Frankincense Carteri |
| Geranium Bourbon | Geranium Egyptian |
| Grapefruit | Helichrysum Italicum |
| Jasmine Absolute | Lavender (not Spanish) |
| Mandarin | Neroli |
| Orange (blood) | Orange (sweet) |
| Patchouli | Petitgrain |
| Rosalina | Rose Absolute |
| Sandalwood | Spruce |
| Vetiver |
** Clary sage should be avoided during pregnancy because it can stimulate uterine contractions
ACHES & DISCOMFORT
| Black Pepper | Blue Tansy |
| Cedarwood Atlas | Chamomile German |
| Chamomile Roman | Copaiba Balsam |
| Coriander | Cypress |
| Frankincense Carteri | Geranium Bourbon |
| Geranium Egyptian | Lavender (not Spanish) |
| Peppermint* (pregnancy ONLY) | Pine |
| Rosalina |
* Peppermint should be avoided while breastfeeding because it may reduce milk supply
NOTE: The above lists may not be exhaustive. Please always check any essential oil you’re about to use for any possible contraindications & proper application guidelines.
References:
- Tisserand, Robert, and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. 2nd ed., Elsevier, 2014.
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