Question for Aromatherapist please!

[Hiram]

Hi there

I am soon to be a reflexologist and would love to go into the field of maternity reflexology. Could you please tell me whether Lavender oils should be completely avoided during pregnancy or just after 12 weeks?. And do you think oils should be used on someone taking Clomid (fertility drug) whilst having reflexology?. What are the main oils to avoid please? Maybe in labour too?

Thanks in advance..........

 

[KissMyCowboy]

Basically, most sources agree on avoiding all but Mandarin in 1st trimster (upto 13 weeks).
I would then happily use Lavender, among others, thereafter, (not Lavandin - I've read somewhere a caution about it). I always mix at a lower dilution for pregnancy and labour ~ 1 - 1.5 % rather than 2.5 - 4 % in other situations. These were among some of our self imposed guidelines, when I was practising aromatherapy and midwifery combined in a maternity unit.

I don't see why essential oils shouldn't be used by someone taking clomid - suppose it's as well, to ask if she might be pregnant before each therapy - just incase, - but then this would be applicable for any woman who suspects she might be pregnant at any time. I would then work with just Mandarin until confirmation and dates tell you what stage she's at.

Depends which books you read, how cautious you prefer to be or whether you go with the research based approach as to which oils you avoid. When you get into the more evidence and research based books, (" Essential Oil Safety" by Balacs and Tisserand) you find very few contraindicated oils. But a more cautious approach is probably recomended, as you're using oils to complement reflexology rather than as a qualified aromatherapist. I don't know if this book is still available (might get a 2nd hand copy on a well known web site?)- it's a nice book aimed at lay people, very much on the safe side - "Aromatherapy for mother and baby" by Allison England. She gives some nice blends to try for pregnancy and labour etc.

 

[La de da]

Please avoid all aromatherapy oils during pregnancy (until the last moments when Jasmine and other intense florals can be employed to help labour). No scientific proof is there to say AT oil is safe..and you do not know what is going into that AT bottle and there is no speciifc study to say that the growing foetus is not affected. Read Patricia Davies A-Z she says 'France exports more Lavender than it grows'. This begs the question : where does the rest come from?

 

[Mommy of 3 boys<3]

I feel, mysterious me, is being rather over cautious with this advice.
I have treated many women, in a maternity unit and in my private practice, who've gone on t have healthy babies.

 

[Devaanata]

I would be happy to use essential oils with women throughout pregnancy but I am a qualified aromatherapist and have completed post-grad specialist study in this area. Definitely consult the Tisserand/Balacs book as to which oils to avoid. The key things to remember are: blend at 1% only (that is 2 drops per 10ml of base oil); if in doubt use a base oil only for the massage and diffuse oils in the treatment room instead; bear in mind that even if you think it is safe, if your client is worried there is no point in using them.

I used oils throughout my last pregnancy and loved it. It was a "high risk" pregnancy too (having suffered two miscarriages previously) but I had total trust in my aromatherapist and my (very experienced) tutors to guide me through and give me good advice.

You asked about Lavender. Lavandula Angustifolia is fine to use during pregnancy. Lavandula stoechas is not. Make sure you buy by botanical.

In my opinion, however, essential oils should only be administered to pregnant women by qualified aromatherapists. Sorry if that comes across as professional snobbery but, hey, there is a reason we had to spend all that time studying the oils!!

 

[ELAINE.]

I have been an aromatherapist since 1974 and have compiled my own safety data for oils during pregnancy and high and low blood pressure that can be part of it.

Lavender Safety data: [/b]Contra-Indication for early pregnancy - due to emmenagogue action.
Contra-Indication for low blood pressure - may cause dullness and drowsiness.

With regard to Clomid I am not aware of any problem. but I will ask a doctor friend of mine if she is aware of any potential problems.



But I would go further and say that essentials oils should never be administered by other than a Therapist/Practitioner that is qualified to do so. (I am Ducking)

I always explain to my clients the risks involved in aromatherapy during pregnancy and check that their doctor is aware. Most times we settle on a low blend .1/2 -1% the rest of the time a base oil is used.

 

[Obama Exsisto Iuguolo]

I have to admit I am on the over cautious side with mysterious me, though not for quite the same reasons. I think most essential oils are safe during pregnancy, they won't cause a miscarriage or deformities - the generally used proof oils are safe during pregnancy.

Even so I won't use essential oils during pregnancy (and I am a fully qualified aromatherapist). Essential oils are chemicals, natural chemicals (assuming oils are not adulterated), but they are still chemicals. They are also chemicals that can pass through into the blood, and into the brain, and through the placenta to the amniotic sac. The everyday chemical overload the foetus is exposed to due to everyday living (eg mother filling up at a petrol station) is HUGE these days. Why add more chemicals to the chemical cocktail, even if they are natural? Plus sooooooooooo many prenatal, postnatal and baby products contain essential oils these days (maybe essential oils of questionable quality and sources) I don't want to add to the exposure.

Check [link=http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/]http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/[/link]for the chemical burden everyday life exposes a foetus to.

The foetus is in an enclosed environment, other than blood, body waste is excreted into the amniotic sac and reabsorbed for continual exposure, much much longer than someone is exposed to essential oils after a treatment when they are broken down by the liver and flushed out by the kidneys.

I will use essential oils during pregnancy to treat conditions, but usually that will be for a short term, not a regular treatment during pregnancy. Pregnancy itself is not a condition that needs to be treated, massage alone can ease many of the common discomforts of pregnancy.

My other concern, and this much smaller than the total chemical exposure, is all the research on safe during pregnancy - it almost all relies on the baby is healthy when born, therefore it is safe. There aren't any studies done about fertility issues of woman who were exposed to essential oils in vitro, no studies about liver conditions of people exposed to essential oils in vitro - no-one does those. Chemicals like Agent Orange may only show up at puberty etc. and even in the grandchildren of those exposed. I don't think essential oils would be as devastating as something like Agent Orange, but there is no research on the long term effects of exposure in vitro to essential oils, everything is "baby healthy? tick ==> safe".

 

[Eva S]

Thank you so much for all your replies - I guess I have alot to learn not having any aromatherapy experience whatsoever !!

Thanks again for taking the time to reply. I take all your opinions on board.

Many thanks
x

 

[Silly Sunshine *Re-add!*]

Hi I just have to add - in a book read recently it stated Mandarin is the safest oil to use for pregnancy and children?????

Above it was mentioned Mandarin is not recommended in pregnancy. I have bought Mandarin which is not a problem so far as I do not have any pregnant clients but was just wondering if anyone else had any thoughts on Mandarin?

Thanks

 

[KaNi]

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata var. mandarin) is lovely to use throughout pregnancy and with babies & children. During pregnancy, it can help with insomnia and is also great for stretch marks and dry skin (Mandarin and neroli in a rosehip seed base is particularly good for this - 1 drop of each in 10mls of base). With babies (3 months plus), it is excellent for colic, sleep problems (difficulty settling etc). With children, I have mostly used it for upset tummy (particularly diaorrhea or vomiting), as part of a blend for eczema (with frankincense or lavender), in bubble bath or massage oil to use prior to bedtime to assist restful sleep. Whenever I work with pregnant women or children older than 2 years old, I always work at 1% dilution or less. With babies (3 months+) I would use just 1 drop of oil in 25mls of base. I would reach for mandarin more than any other oil when treating my children. In my opinion, it truly is the essence of childhood and a real "hug in a bottle" .

Hope this helps!