You’re hesitant to take any medicines during your pregnancy, so might
essential oils provide some safe relief from what ails you? asks
Karen Sherwood.
T
he discomforts of
pregnancy are no laughing
matter – from the
initial waves of nausea,
through to backache, haemorrhoids,
indigestion and more, there’s a whole
alphabet of ouches awaiting the
mother-to-be. The really unfunny part
though, is that there is often little that
can be done to ease these discomforts
without risking the health of the baby.
One option for expectant mums is
to seek help from an aromatherapist,
as essential oils have been used
for centuries to manage a variety
of complaints. But are they safe?
Certainly caution is warranted when
expecting, as essential oils can have
a strong effect on the body (pregnant
or not) and there is some debate over
whether essential oil molecules can
pass through to the unborn baby. But,
if you follow some safety guidelines
and work with professionals, these
oils may help smooth the bumpy road
towards birth, and beyond.
Know your oils
It is important to first understand
the difference between fragrance
oils and essential oils. Fragrance
oils are synthetic and used solely
for their scent. Essential oils are the
“essence” of a plant, usually derived
by heating the plant and collecting
the steam. Essential oils are natural,
complex, chemical compounds that
have therapeutic properties as well as
fragrance.
Daniela Pelonara, the
aromatherapist behind Native
Essentials in Hong Kong (www.
nativeessentials.com), explains that
essential oils belong to a group of
aromatherapy products known as
“botanicals.” Cold-pressed oils,
such as sweet almond oil, also fall
under this heading, but are extracted
by pressing the plant (as the name
suggests), rather than by heating it.
Cold-pressed oils, often referred to as
“carrier oils,” are extremely safe and
can be used throughout pregnancy
for a variety of healing, nourishing
and soothing purposes. Essential oils
are more powerful and can assist in
managing a whole range of gestational
discomforts for the less-than-glowing,
from insomnia to swollen feet –
provided they are used with care.
Selecting the right oil is crucial.
There are around 150 to 200 essential
oils that have been rigorously tested in
universities and are backed by clinical
data. “The main essential oils used by
the flavour industry, like lavender or
peppermint, are very well tested,” says
Daniela. Some of these oils are not
considered safe for use in pregnancy,
however, or only safe for the latter
part of the gestational period (such as
frankincense), due to their strength
or possible effects on the mother or
baby. “You need to select the oil that is
appropriate, not only for the fact that
you are pregnant, but for the trimester
you are in.”
There are around 20 oils that
are most often cited as being suitable
when expecting. Even these oils should
generally be used at lower dilutions
than normal when treating pregnant
women. Given the heightened sense of
smell that most mums-to-be experience,
the scent of the oil may be as important
as its therapeutic aspects when you’re
selecting the right ones for you. Susan
Curtis, director of natural health and
medicines at Neal’s Yard Remedies
), says
fragrant
healers
November 2013
83
