Pregnancy is both a beautiful but also difficult time in your life. It’s a time to excitedly anticipate your due date. It’s also a time of stress and physical debilitation.
So how do you help blot out the trying effects of pre-labor? There are plenty of aromatherapy products out there to help with your pregnancy. First, here are some of the unpleasantries we will be focusing on:
- Nausea: Arguably the most common un-pleasantries of pregnancy is morning sickness (or “all-day-sickness”).
- Gas and burping: As your child begins to grow, the space becomes tighter and tighter in your stomach.
- Constipation: It’s very common. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the majority of pregnant women suffer from constipation during pregnancy.
- Low libido: After becoming pregnant, sex oftentimes falls a few notches on your to-do list. This can be due to a number of reasons, including fatigue, nausea, and pain.
- Skin breakouts: Roller coaster hormones always accompany pregnancy. This can trigger blemishes and bumps that you haven’t been used to since you were a teenager.
- Back pain: One of the most common discomforts of pregnancy is the many forms of pain that can occur. As your weight shifts, back pain is at the top of the list.
Aromatherapy Products to Use During Pregnancy
While it’s certainly a miraculous time, the “side effects” of having a small human being dwelling inside of you are numerous. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years by ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians to alleviate both physical and psychological issues.
Below you will find the top aromatherapy products that will help ease those discomforts. You’ll see each symptom is broken down so that you can see which oils offer the best treatment options.
1. Nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness
- Ginger: Largely used in China and India for more than 4,000 years, ginger oil can help with vomiting, digestion, and motion sickness.
- Peppermint: A popular oil for many health issues, peppermint is particularly effective at settling an upset stomach.
- Fennel: With its licorice-like scent, fennel oil is a powerful stimulant and and can act as a laxative.
Apply one or multiple oils by diffusing or diluting with a carrier oil and rubbing around your stomach.
2. Back discomfort, breast soreness, and pain
- Lavender: One of the most popular “pain oils,” lavender can help with muscle stiffness and head pain.
- Eucalyptus: With soothing and regenerative benefits, eucalyptus is a great oil for back pain.
- Frankincense: This oil is great for dealing with a range of pains, frankincense is particularly beneficial for breast soreness.
Apply by diffusing or massaging into the areas that are experiencing pain. We always recommend using a carrier oil for topical application, but you might dilute an extra when applying to sensitive areas (such as your breasts).
3. Low libido and body stimulation
- Sandalwood: Long used for spiritual meditation, sandalwood is an excellent libido-booster. It’s inviting woodsy scent helps stimulate the body.
- Ylang ylang: Thanks to its exotic aroma, you’ll find the petals of ylang ylang spread across the marital beds all around the world.
- Jasmine: A precious oil produced from delicate petals of flower, numerous studies reveal the positive impact jasmine has on libido.
You can apply these “libido oils” by running a few drops through a diffuser in the bedroom. Or an even better application is to apply topically to your partner with a full body massage.
4. Acne and general skin care health
- Lavender: While it’s more frequently known for its relaxation properties, lavender is a rejuvenating oil that helps regenerate skin cells – making it a great solution for skin scars and spots.
- Tea tree oil: Containing powerful antibacterial properties, tea tree eliminates the dreaded bacteria that produces acne. It does so by normalizing the production of oils, in turn curbing the risk of breakouts.
- Geranium: A great oil to regulate oil production, geranium can help tighten your skin and boost elasticity.
Diluting with a carrier oil, massage your oil(s) to the affected area. Depending on the severity of your imperfections, consider applying at least once or twice daily.
Apply Your Oils With the Right Products
An important aspect of essential oil use isn’t just a matter of selection, it’s how you decide to apply them. While there are countless applications, here are the most popular ways to apply your oils during pregnancy:
- Diffuse: Run 3 to 5 drops of your chosen oil(s) through your diffuser. This is the best way to use essential oils when you’re looking for long-term benefits.
- Apply topically: Diluting your oils with a carrier and applying topically is an easy application and provides more instant results. It’s also the required application for dealing with skin care and pain.
- Accessorize: There area plethora of essential oil accessories out there that help enhance your aromatherapy lifestyle. USB diffusers, car diffusers, and diffuser jewelry create a more versatile aromatherapy experience.
