If you recently found out that you’re expecting a baby, congratulations! Once you’ve gotten past the initial wave of feelings regarding your pregnancy, you may begin to notice a lot of do’s and don’ts when it comes to things to do during pregnancy. You probably already know to avoid alcohol and limit caffeine while also drinking plenty of fluids, but what about the more intricate details, such as the usage of essential oils? As with most things, the answer is more complicated than just ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and depends on both the essential oil itself and the method of intake. Read on to learn about how you can use essential oils to help you through your pregnancy journey while avoiding the ones that can harm you and your baby. 

 

Are essential oils safe to use during pregnancy?

As mentioned above, the safety of essential oils during pregnancy depends on a few different factors from what oil is being used to the method of usage. Before going any further, it’s important to note that any final decisions should be discussed with your medical professional who is familiar with your unique health status and situation. However, it is possible to gain some widely-accepted advice on essential oils, and eucalyptus specifically to give you context for when you speak with your doctor.

First of all, begin all usage of essential oils when pregnant with moderation, perhaps starting with as little as one drop. As many women are repulsed by certain smells during pregnancy, it’s best to start small and see how your body responds. If you have a negative reaction, immediately stop and seek medical attention.

Another tip is to avoid using topical ointments and other methods of ingesting the essential oils into your system. The Mayo Clinic suggests choosing inhalation techniques, where you breathe in the essential oil rather than applying it directly to your skin. This helps to minimize the risk of any negative reaction. An excellent example of inhalation is found in bath pouches filled with essential oils such as eucalyptus and lavender or a dried lavender and eucalyptus bundle. Both of these are indirect ways to absorb the benefits of essential oils without applying them topically which could potentially pose a risk to your baby. 

Several essential oils have been identified as beneficial during pregnancy. These include lavender, rose, peppermint, chamomile, lemon, myrtle, and many more. On the flip side, many essential oils have not been fully researched enough to determine if they are safe for pregnancy. Furthermore, if one takes in more than the recommended amount, there is a toxicity risk. Essential oils on this list include sage, basil, wintergreen, hyssop, and parsley. For more details on the specifics of each essential oil, check out this article from Healthline.

Is eucalyptus safe during pregnancy?

So, some essential oils are beneficial while others can pose a risk, particularly when used to excess. But what about eucalyptus? While there hasn’t been extensive research done on the effects of eucalyptus oil, this 2010 scientific study concluded that eucalyptus holds a good safety record when used during pregnancy. To put it more broadly, general scientific consensus is that it is safe for both parent and child to inhale as long as it is approved by a physician and used non-topically.

Are there any forms of eucalyptus to avoid while pregnant?

No one variety of eucalyptus appears to have greater or lesser effects on the body during pregnancy, however it is still important to avoid applying eucalyptus creams or ointments directly onto the skin as these methods increase the risk of an adverse reaction and potential harm to the baby.

What are the benefits of using eucalyptus while pregnant?

Eucalyptus has many benefits regardless of pregnancy status, so it only makes sense that those same benefits apply to pregnancy! In fact, many of the benefits of eucalyptus increase during pregnancy as you are more limited in the products and remedies you can use in order to keep the baby safe. 

Eucalyptus relieves congestion.

As an essential oil, eucalyptus has many benefits when breathed in, one of which is the reduction of nasal congestion by loosening mucus. When placed in a diffuser or diffusing naturally in a bathroom, it can reduce inflammation and decrease congestion. This can be helpful when you have a cold or sinus infection as well as if you struggle with seasonal allergies or asthma. When pregnant, many cold medicines are not recommended due to potential risk to the baby, so a eucalyptus bundle in your shower can provide an even greater impact than usual due to its prenatal safety. 

Eucalyptus can reduce stress. 

Pregnancy can be stressful. Your body is changing, you're preparing to bring another human into the world, and getting ready for beginning the parenting journey and navigating a new life stage. You're probably also excited, but this influx of emotions can increase stress and cause you to feel anxious or overwhelmed. Enter eucalyptus. Eucalyptus can help reduce stress and also raise energy levels. Sniffing eucalyptus has been shown to increase energy levels by increasing brain wave activity. By incorporating eucalyptus into your shower, you’ll be beginning your morning with increased brainpower and energy, something we all can get behind! But, don’t worry, if stress is your main symptom at the moment, that boost of energy won't get your mind racing with intrusive thoughts; the energy coming from the eucalyptus scent also assists in mental fatigue and stress. 

This process of stress relief occurs through aromatherapy. Aromatherapy refers to using natural oils to restore both physical and psychological well being to a person through the conscious inhalation of the oils. Through the practice of aromatherapy, eucalyptus can bring peace and increased relaxation into your busy life. While aromatherapy can be practiced with a variety of scents, eucalyptus is a great place to start, particularly when it is already easily accessible and usable in your shower. 

Eucalyptus improves skin issues.

Eucalyptus can help with a wide variety of skin problems ranging from acne to dry skin and so much more. 

Eucalyptus’ anti-inflammatory properties through compounds such as eucalyptol help to cleanse and revitalize the skin. Since acne often forms when pores are clogged, excess oil is produced, or bacterial infections exist, the cleansing properties of the eucalyptus can help resolve acne breakouts by stopping zits at the root cause. As pregnancy involves a significant number of hormonal changes, eucalyptus can help to mitigate some side effects such as skin irregularities. Also, if you are using a eucalyptus bundle, the shower steam provides a moisturizing effect on your skin combined with the benefits of the eucalyptus oil itself, so you can both moisturize your skin and fight back against acne and other changes to your skin during pregnancy. 

Eucalyptus can help relieve coughing and strengthen your immune system.  

Getting sick while pregnant is the worst. You may not be able to use your go-to medicine and your symptoms may feel worse than usual due to the tiny human growing inside of you. This is where something natural such as eucalyptus can come into play. Breathing in eucalyptus can help settle your throat and loosen up mucus. It can also boost your immune system in general to help protect you from those pesky colds and other illnesses. For more information on how eucalyptus helps clear up a cough, check out this article from How to Cure.

Whether you are ready to buy your first shower bundle or replace the one you currently have, Self-Care Shower has a large selection of options for you! At Self-Care Shower, we offer a wide variety of options in eucalyptus bundles for your shower ranging from the original eucalyptus bundle to other scents such as a rosemary and eucalyptus combination! No matter what you choose, you can refresh your bathroom and enhance your pregnancy with a Self-Care Shower bundle, sustainably hand-picked and grown in the United States.

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