122: Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum (And Their Safety)

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Episode 122 Content and Overview

An essential oil is the naturally occurring oil that has the fragrance of the plant or other source it is extracted from. These are most commonly made by steam distillation or cold pressing. While essential oils have long been a part of complimentary and alternative medicine, they are rarely used in conventional medicine. In recent years their use is growing and they have become more common during pregnancy. The big question is whether essential oils are safe to use during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. The majority of information online about essential oils comes from the marketing of the companies that sell oils, or their representatives. There are a lot of claims made and it was tough to figure out which ones were valid and which may be exaggerated. The biggest challenge was trying to get evidenced based information. This episode covers what an essential oil is, how they work, the research available on efficacy and safety, using essential oils during pregnancy, birth, and in the postpartum period, and tips for buying and using oils.

Included in This Episode

• Using essential oils
• How essential oils work
• Smelling lavender and rosemary increases free radical scavenging activity and decreases cortisol level in saliva
• Physical and Psychologic Effects of Aromatherapy Inhalation on Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
• Aromatherapy in childbirth: a pilot randomised controlled trial
• An investigation into the use of aromatherapy in intrapartum midwifery practice
• Changes in salivary oxytocin after inhalation of clary sage essential oil scent in term-pregnant women: a feasibility pilot study
• Risks of using essential oils
• Safety of essential oils
• FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list
• Warning Letter to Young Living from the FDA
• Warning Letter to doTERRA from the FDA
• Warnings for use during pregnancy
• Cautions about using essential oils around children and pets
• Safe essential oils for use during pregnancy
• Essential oils to avoid during pregnancy, labor, and while breastfeeding
• Pregnancy Safety Information from the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
• Benefits of essential oils during your pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period
• Revolution Oils Podcast Episode on Pregnancy and Essential Oils
• Essential oils for:
  • Morning sickness
  • Stuffy nose
  • Aches and sore muscles
  • Headaches
  • Mood
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep and relaxation
  • Labor and birth
• Quality of essential oils
• Tips for buying essential oils
• Tips on using essential oils
• Talk to your doctor or midwife
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