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Safe Essential Oils for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

When a woman is pregnant, she is often advised by a doctor to be extra cautious with her food and drug intake as well as cosmetic products applied to the skin. It is because during pregnancy, whatever the mother takes internally or externally could reach the fetus through the placenta. The same is also true for breastfeeding mothers. The mother’s daily diet can affect the nutritional content of the breast milk.

It is no wonder that women often ask if it is safe to use essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding. The primary concern comes from the fact that essential oil constituents (chemical compounds) can enter a mother’s bloodstream and can eventually reach the fetus or affect breast milk production. Some essential oil constituents are believed to be:

Fetotoxic – can have toxic effect to the developing fetus

Teratogenic – can cause congenital malformation (birth defect)

Emmenagogue – can stimulate menstruation (which can abort pregnancy)

The following table lists essential oils that should be avoided throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. These essential oils contain chemical compounds that are either fetotoxic, teratogenic or emmenagogue.

ESSENTIAL OIL	LATIN NAME
Anise	Pimpinella anisum
Anise (Star)	Illicium verum
Araucaria	Neocallitropsis pancheri
Artemisia	Artemisia vestita
Atractylis	Atractylylodes lancea
Birch (Sweet)	Betula lenta
Black Seed	Nigella sativa
Buchu	Agathosma betulina ct. diosphenol
Buchu	Agathosma crenulata ct. pulegone
Calamint (lesser)	Calamintha nepeta
Carrot Seed	Daucus carota, Daucus carota subspecies sativa
Cassia	Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum aromaticum
Chaste Tree	Vitex ugnus castus
Cinnamon Bark	Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Costus	Saussurea costus
Cypress (Blue)	Calitris intratopica
Dill Seed (Indian)	Anethum graveolens
Fennel (Bitter)	Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel (Sweet)	Foeniculum vulgare
Feverfew	Tanacetum parthenium
Genipi	Artemisia genepi
Hibawood	Thujopsis dolobratta
Ho Leaf	Cinnamomum camphora
Hyssop	Hyssopus officinalis
Lanyana	Citrus aurantifolia
Lavender (Spanish) **	Lavandula stoechas
Mugwort (common)	Artemisia vulgaris chemotypes camphor, thujone
Mugwort (common)	Artemisia vulgaris chemotypes chrysanthenyl, acetate
Mugwort (great)	Artemesia aborescens
Myrrh	Commiphora myrrha, Cammiphora molmol
Myrtle (aniseed)	Backhousia anisata
Oregano	Origanum vulgare, Origanium onites
Parsley Leaf	Petroslinum sativum, Petroseliunum crispum
Parsley Seed	Petroslinum sativum, Petroseliunum crispum
Pennyroyal	Mentha pulegium, Hedeoma pulegioides, Micromeria fruiticosa
Rue	Ruta graveolens
Sage (Dalmatian)	Salvia officinalis
Sage (Spanish)	Salvia lavandulaefolia
Savin	Juniperus sabina
Tarragon	Tanacetum vulgare
Thuja	Thuja occidentalis
Western Red Cedar	Thuja plicata
Wintergreen	Gaultheria procumbens, Gaultheria fragrantissima
Wormwood	Artemisia absinthium
Wormwood (Sea)	Artemisia martima
Wormwood (White)	Artemisia herba-alba
Yarrow (Green)	Achillea nobilis
Zeodary	Curcuma sedoria

Table Source: Tisserand & Young, 2014, p. 160 – 161

** Take note that English Lavender or True Lavender, with a Latin name of Lavandula angustifolia, is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The following table lists essential oils that can be used safely as long as the maximum dermal limit is followed when applied topically (on skin). These essential oils can also be safely used via inhalation and diffusion.

ESSENTIAL OIL	LATIN NAME	MAX. DERMAL USE LEVEL
Basil (Lemon)	Ocimum x citriodorum	1.4%
Champaca (Orange) Absolute	Michelia champaca	17.5%
Frankincense (Sudanese)	Boswellia papyrifera	1.7%
Lemon Balm (Australian)	Eucalyptus staigeriana	3.4%
Lemon Leaf	Citrus x limon	1.2%
Lemongrass	Cymbopogon flexuosus	0.7%
May Chang	Litsea cubeba, Litsea citriata, Laurus cubeba	0.8%
Melissa	Melissa officinalis	0.9%
Myrtle (Honey)	Melaleuca teretifolia	0.9%
Myrtle (Lemon)	Backhousia citriodora	0.7%
Nastrurtium Absolute	Tropaeolum majus	0.26%
Tea Tree (lemon-scented)	Leptospermum petersonii	0.8%
Thyme (Lemon)	Thymus x citriodorus	3.7%
Verbena (Lemon)	Aloysia triphylla	0.9%

Table Source: Tisserand & Young, 2014, p. 164

The following table lists essential oils that you can safely use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

ESSENTIAL OIL	LATIN NAME
Amyris	Amyris balsamifera
Balsam Fir	Abies balsamea
Bergamot	Citrus bergamia
Black Pepper	Piper nigrum
Blue Tansy	Tanacetum annuum
Cedarwood (Atlantica, Himalayan, Virginian)	Cedrus atlantica, Cedrus deodara, Juniperus virginiana
Chamomile (German, Roman)	Matricaria chamomilla, Chamaemelum nobile
Citronella	Cymbopogon winterianus
Clary Sage *	Salvia sclarea
Copaiba Balsam	Copaifera officinalis
Coriander	Coriandrum sativum
Cypress	Cupressus sempervirens
Dill Weed	Anethum graveolens
Eucalyptus Globulus **	Eucalyptus globulus
Fir Needle	Abies sibirica
Fragonia	Agonis fragrans
Frankincense (Carteri, Frereana)	Boswellia carteri, Boswellia frereana
Geranium (Bourbon, Egyptian)	Pelargonium x asperum
Grapefruit	Citrus x paradisi
Helichrysum (Italicum, Splendidum)	Helichrysum italicum, Helichrysum splendidum
Juniper Berry	Juniperus communis
Lavandin	Lavandula x intermedia
Lavender (English)	Lavandula angustifolia
Lemon	Citrus x limon
Lemon Eucalyptus	Corymbia citriodora
Mandarin	Citrus reticulata
Marjoram	Origanum majorana
Neroli	Citrus x aurantium
Orange (Sweet)	Citrus sinensis
Orange (Blood)	Citrus sinensis
Palmarosa	Cymbopogon martini
Patchouli	Pogostemon cablin
Petitgrain	Citrus x aurantium
Pine	Pinus sylvestris
Rosalina	Melaleuca ericifolia
Rosemary **	Rosmarinus officinalis
Sandalwood	Santalum spicatum
Spearmint	Mentha spicata
Spruce	Picea mariana
Tangerine	Citrus reticulata
Tea Tree	Melaleuca alternifolia
Vetiver	Vetiveria zizanioides

* Safe for breastfeeding but not for pregnancy
** Safe for pregnancy but not for breastfeeding

Tips for Safely Using Essential Oils during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

1. While pregnant or breastfeeding, it is not recommended to ingest any essential oils (even those that are considered safe).

2. Diffusion and steam inhalation are safe method of using essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding. However, it is best to only diffuse or inhale essential oils “when it’s really needed” (e.g. to beat morning sickness). Also, diffusing essential oils should not be more than 1 hour in a day.

3. When using pregnancy and breastfeeding safe essential oils for dermal application, the safe dosing should not be more than 1% dilution (less is better).

1% Dilution
5 ml (1 tsp carrier oil)	1 drop
10 ml (2 tsp carrier oil)	3 drops
15 ml (3 tsp carrier oil)	4 drops
30 ml (6 tsp carrier oil)	9 drops

4. Avoid using any essential oils during the critical first trimester of the pregnancy.

5. If your pregnancy is considered “high risk”, it is best idea to consult first a medical professional or a certified aromatherapist before using any essential oils.

6. Always read the Latin name (botanical name) indicated on the essential oil bottles. This is important due to the fact that some essential oils with same common name but different botanical name might not have the same safety issues. For example, Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is not safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding while Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is safe.

In summary, one must be extra cautious when using certain essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding as they could either affect the fetus or diminish breast milk supply. There are a couple of essential oils that can be safely used as long as safe dilution rate is followed (for dermal application). When in doubt, always consult first a doctor or a certified aromatherapist before using any essential oils.

References:

Essential Oils During Conception, Pregnancy and Beyond. Retrieved from https://www.tisserand.com/blog/wellbeing/aromatherapy-conception-pregnancy-birth/

Lavender Oil and Pregnancy. Retrieved from https://roberttisserand.com/2011/07/lavender-oil-and-pregnancy/

Peppermint and Breastfeeding – Results of Poll. Retrieved from https://tisserandinstitute.org/peppermint-and-breastfeeding-results-of-poll/

Tisserand, R. and Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety (2nd ed.). London: Elsevier.

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Mineral Salts: Himalayan Vs Dead Sea Vs Epsom Salt

Salt is the most commonly used food seasoning because it enhances the flavor of whatever you’re cooking. It is also an important additive in processed food (e.g. bacons) since salt is an effective food preservative as it prevents bacteria from growing into your food. Aside from food preparation, salt is also often use in aromatherapy world in the form of scrubs and bath salts. Salt helps exfoliates the skin by gently removing dead skin cells. Not to mention, salt is a natural humectant, which means it can attract moisture to our skin.

When it comes to types of salt, most people are only familiar with table salt. Table salt is composed primarily of mineral sodium chloride and is often mixed with iodine to form iodized salt. Many people shy away from table salt since too much sodium in the body can raise blood pressure (FYI: table salt is about 97 to 99 percent sodium). Because table salt is heavily processed (e.g. bleached), it is also stripped of other beneficial trace minerals (minerals that our body need in small amount like iron, zinc, etc.).

Luckily, there are other types of salt that contain small amount of trace minerals (beside sodium) that are good for our body. The most popular ones are: Himalayan, Dead Sea and Epsom salts. These salts have different mineral composition making them unique from each other.

Himalayan Salt

Contrary to popular belief, Himalayan salt is not actually sourced from the Himalayan Mountains. It is mined from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan, which is near the Himalayan Mountains. Himalayan salt is famous for its natural pink color which is due to its content of iron. Just like table salt, Himalayan salt is composed primarily of sodium plus 84 other trace minerals (in very small amount) like iron, potassium, calcium, among others.

Epsom Salt

Did you know that Epsom salt is technically not a “salt”? In fact, it doesn’t even contain sodium chloride which is found in most types of salt. Epsom salt is actually a naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium sulfate in crystal form, which makes it looks like a salt. Its name is derived from its place of origin – a saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England.

Epsom salt is rich in magnesium – an essential nutrient in the body. Magnesium is especially known for its muscle relaxant and detoxification properties. That is why Epsom salt is often used as a bath salt to relieve sore muscles, relax the body and detoxify the skin from impurities.

Another important mineral of Epsom salt is the sulfur (sulfate) – which is the third most abundant mineral in the human body. Epsom salt contains about 13% sulfur. Sulfur is an essential mineral for a great skin. It enhances skin cell regeneration and has antibacterial properties which can treat acne and other skin inflammations (e.g. eczema).

Unlike other mineral salts, Epsom salt can’t be used for cooking since it tastes really bitter! However, Epsom salt that is dissolved in water can occasionally be used as an oral laxative to treat constipation. Magnesium in Epsom salt increases water in the colon which promotes bowel movement. It is important to consult first a doctor before taking Epsom salt as a laxative because overdose of magnesium can lead to serious side effects. The doctor will tell you exactly how much Epsom salt is safe to take orally.

Dead Sea Salt

Obvious from its name, this salt comes from the Dead Sea – one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. The sea is too salty that no fish and aquatic plants can survive in it, thus its moniker “dead” sea.

Compared to table salt, Dead Sea salt (or just sea salt) contains less sodium chloride (less than 20%) so it’s perfect for those who are into low-sodium diet. It is also rich in magnesium (31 - 35%) and potassium (21 - 26%) which both play an important role for the proper functioning of the body. Dead Sea salt also contains small amount of minerals calcium, bromide and sulfur.

It’s important to note that there are food grade and non-food grade Dead Sea salt. Pure, unprocessed, non-food grade Dead Sea salt tastes bitter due to its high magnesium content (just like Epsom salt). To make the salt edible (less bitter to taste), companies selling food grade Dead Sea salts minimize their magnesium content to make them salty just like a regular table salt.

Now, the ultimate question most people want to know – are these mineral salts healthier than a regular table salt? In my opinion, the answer depends on your current health condition. If you have high blood pressure, then it would be healthier for you to choose Dead Sea salt because it has less sodium and more potassium (which can lower blood pressure). If you have a goiter (caused by iodine deficiency), then table salt fortified with iodine (a.k.a. iodized salt) is a better choice as Himalayan, Dead Sea and Epsom salts have very little to no iodine mineral.

Which is your favorite mineral salt? Share them on the comment section below J

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