Essential oils are easily one of the most popular alternative healing methods for people who are looking for natural relief of mild ailments such as stress and headaches. There are also plenty of pregnant women who wonder, “Is eucalyptus oil safe during pregnancy?”
Considering there are plenty of things that you should stay away from while being pregnant, it’s not too difficult to assume that essential oils could be dangerous as well. However, there are ways that you can use essential oils while pregnant, as long as you’re careful.
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The First Trimester
According to Jill Edwards, N.D., avoiding the use of essential oils during the first trimester of your pregnancy is of the utmost importance. Same goes with any other type of aromatherapy that you might be interested in.
There are plenty of women who also suggest avoiding any kind of massage therapy that relies on the use of essential oils. That is because the scent of the oils can cause adverse reactions while your baby is in their very early developmental stages.
The Second and Third Trimesters
Once your pregnancy has developed into its second trimester, you have a broader selection of essential oils that you can work with, eucalyptus being one of them.
Several other essential oils that are safe to use while pregnant include:
- Chamomile
- Geranium
- Bergamot
- Ginger
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Mandarin
- Lime
- Patchouli
- Rosewood
- Sandalwood
- Tea Tree
- Ylang ylang
With that being said, there are also essential oils that you should avoid during your second and third trimester. That is because they can cause negative reactions to your developing baby or the smells can be overwhelming for pregnant women. Additionally, some oils have been connected to encouraging early contractions.
The essential oils to avoid while pregnant include:
- Basil
- Bitter almond
- Cassia
- Calamus
- Broom
- Cinnamon
- Fennel
- Horseradish
- Juniper
- Mugwort
- Mustard
- Parsley
- Nutmeg
- Pine
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
The Claimed Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil for Pregnant Women
Once you’ve surpassed your first trimester, there are plenty of homeopathic treatments involving eucalyptus oil that can be quite beneficial. Many naturopaths recommend using it for a wide variety of reasons. If you’re someone who has been dealing with a lot of stress or congestive issues, it’s surely one of the better essential oils to get your hands on, as well as a slew of other advantages.
1. Relieving Stress
Stress, anxiety, and worry are all three emotions that you’re likely to experience at some point during the later stages of pregnancy. Whether you’re worried about getting your home together so that you can welcome your new baby into your home or if you’re mentally exhausted from all of the jobs you have to do while pregnant. With the help of eucalyptus oil, you’ll be able to relieve some of your symptoms of stress.
It’s recommended that you invest in an oil diffuser, add a few drops of the essential oil, and then sit back and relax in a dark and quiet room. Pregnant women also find that putting a drop or two of the oil on your temples, wrists, and under your feet is a great way to experience the de-stressing benefits throughout the day.
2. Improving Dental Health
It’s certainly not recommended to brush your teeth with a bottle of pure eucalyptus oil whether you’re pregnant or not. However, you can easily find kinds of toothpaste that have the oil included in their formula. Apart from invigorating your senses, eucalyptus is also renowned for improving oral hygiene and gum health, which are two issues that many women experience while being pregnant.
In fact, some women have found that bleeding gums is one of the largest problems they deal with while pregnant. By brushing your teeth with toothpaste that includes the essential oil, it can help prevent bleeding and discomfort.
3. Decongesting Benefits
If you’ve ever been sick, you’re likely aware of how difficult it can be to tackle the inability to breathe throughout the day. Not only does it prevent you from getting a decent night’s sleep but it can also impact the activities that you participate in. Instead of having to blow your nose every five minutes, using eucalyptus oil is a far more reliable and easy choice for decongestion.
Even if you’re in a situation where you’ve contracted a cold, and you can’t use or don’t want to use over-the-counter medicines, this particular essential oil will easily become your best friend. The strong aroma of the oil will immediately help loosen any mucus and phlegm, clearing your airways so that you can finally breathe normally.
4. Improving Pregnancy Acne
Another way to answer, “Is eucalyptus oil safe during pregnancy?“, is to take a look at any pregnancy acne that you might be dealing with. While you’re developing new life, your hormones are going to be working on their own schedule which can lead to the development of pimples and other skin concerns.
Additionally, when you’re dealing with morning sickness, your skin will lose its supple and bright appearance, which can be very demoralizing for a newly pregnant mother. One of the best ways to combat the effects of pregnancy acne is to mix eucalyptus oil with warm water and to apply it to your skin. This will help unclog your pores and sanitize your skin, preventing breakouts.
There are other essential oils that you can use for cleansing your skin as well, such as lavender, as it will help to calm any redness and puffiness, allowing you to experience the true glow of carrying life inside of you.
Final Thoughts
To be safe a woman who is pregnant should not use any essential oils until she checks with her doctor. As with most things, it’s always better the avoid adding new items into your daily regime during your first trimester. However, once your body has become accustomed to carrying your baby, you can be a little more explorative with essential oils.
If you’ve ever wondered and asked, “Is eucalyptus oil safe during pregnancy?“, the answer is yes. That is as long as you make sure that you’re only using it after your first trimester. With the ability to aid in relieving stress, improve congestion, and even help remedy acne as a result of hormonal changes, there are plenty of benefits that this natural oil can bring to the table to help you enjoy your pregnancy more than you imagined.