Aromatherapy and Pregnancy: Safe Essential Oils for Pregnant Women

Aromatherapy is nurturing and comforting and promotes a sense of well being in pregnant women. It helps dispel stress, anxiety, and angst associated with pregnancy and also eases some of the discomforts that occur during the phase. However, you need to ensure that you use pure essential oils and follow an essential oils guide. Furthermore, for an aromatherapy massage, make sure you go to a licensed aroma therapist and masseuse.

Essential Oils Uplift Your Mood and Allay Stress

Essential Oils and Pregnancy

An important link between aromatherapy and pregnant women is that pregnant women have a heightened sense of smell. This must be taken in to consideration when choosing the essential oils, because it is vital that you enjoy the smell of the blend. 

Essential Oils for Pregnant Women: Essential Oils for Pregnancy

While aromatherapy is considered beneficial to relive anxiety and apprehension during pregnancy, it has a host of other benefits, 

An Aromatherapy Foot Massage
Offers Immense Relief



1. Backache is extremely common in pregnant women. Given that, it is uncomfortable for a pregnant woman to lie on the belly for a massage, a good alternative is to sit astride a chair and lean forwards. The back can be easily massaged.
2. Swelling and pain in the calves and ankles is another common complaint. A leg massage greatly relieves this discomfort. When massaging the legs, always use firm pressure up the legs and gentle strokes down the legs.
3. To manage morning sickness, sniffing ginger essential oil helps tremendously.

Massage for Pregnant Women

Aromatherapy massage brings immense comfort to sore and tired muscles and joints; what’s more it helps fortify and lift your mood as well. For the massage blend any of the essential oils that are mentioned below with a abase oil, such as, olive oil, almond oil or avocado oil.

What Should Pregnant Women Avoid When It Comes To Aromatherapy?

Certain essential oils have a property described as emmenagogue, i.e. promotes menstruation; these must be strictly avoided. Their use is contraindicated during pregnancy. Avoid the following oils throughout your pregnancy – Lavender, Chamomile, Rose, Jasmine, Bay, Sweet Marjoram, Rosemary, Clary Sage, Basil, Thyme, Sweet Fennel, Hyssop, Verbena, Angelica Root, Myrrh, Cedarwood, Juniper Berry, Nutmeg, and Rock Rose. 

Also, whilst using the safe essential oils, use them in higher dilutions, such as, 3 to 4 drops in the bath and 1 % (i.e. 1 drop of the essential oil in 5 ml / 1 teaspoon of base oil) for massage.

Safe Essential Oils during Pregnancy

The following essential oils are tried and trusted favorites and can be safely used during pregnancy - Frankincense, Neroli, Ginger, Vetiver, Myrtle, Sandalwood, Mandarin, and Petitgrain. 

Essential Oil Blends for Pregnancy

Essential oils work well on their own and are individually aesthetically pleasing. However, creating your own aroma oil blend is fun! Blending is an art; and what’s more, you need to know which oils are complementary and which are not. You may blend 2 or more essential oils together, in a 1% solution with a abase oil.

• Frankincense blends well with Vetiver, Ginger, Sandalwood and Mandarin.
• Neroli blends well with Frankincense, Myrtle and Vetiver.
• Ginger blends well with Neroli, Frankincense, Vetiver and Mandarin.
• Vetiver blends well with Sandalwood, And Neroli.
• Myrtle blends well with Neroli, and Ginger.
• Sandalwood blends well with Vetiver.
• Manadarin blends well with Ginger, Neroli, Sandalwood, Frankincense and Petitgrain.
• Petitgrain blends well with Mandarin and Neroli.