Essential Oils to Avoid While Pregnant and Breastfeeding

New moms are always cautious what to eat and which products to use to protect the health of their babies. We often take for do not realize that the many products we put on our body can affect the fetus and breast milk as well. This is because skin care product ingredients are absorbed instantly through our skin and directly into the blood stream impacting the health of both mommy and baby.

Even if you’re already using an all natural skin care products while you are pregnant or breastfeeding (which is recommended), you should also know that certain essential oils should be avoided.

What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated liquids that are distilled from plants by using the flowers, leaves and/or roots. They are found in a variety of products more commonly including skin care, perfume, cleaning products, soaps, and food flavorings. When used topically or diffused in the air essential oils can elicit strong emotional and physical reactions and should be used carefully.

Essential Oils to Avoid While Pregnant & Breast Feeding
While some would say approach with caution, we say, “Why take the risk?”

Below is a list of essential oils that should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding (partial list). While pregnant and breastfeeding, always consult with your medical doctor before  using any essential oils.

• Anise: Avoid internally and externally in pregnancy, breast-feeding.
• Basil: Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Bay: Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Bergamot: Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Cassia: Should be avoided during pregnancy.
• Cedarwood: Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Roman Chamomile: Avoid chamomile in the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Cinnamon: Avoid during pregnancy, breast-feeding.
• Clary Sage: Use with caution during pregnancy.  Only use after the first trimester.  Do not use when lactating.
• Clove: Use with caution in pregnancy; externally, only after the first trimester.
• Cypress: Avoid in pregnancy, breast-feeding.
• Elemi: Avoid in pregnancy, with infants and young children.
• Fennel: Avoid in pregnancy.
• Garlic:  Do not administer essential oil to babies. Best to avoid in pregnancy.
• Geranium: Contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Ginger: Should not be used for morning sickness.
• Jasmine: Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Juniper: Contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Lavender: Only after first trimester.
• Lemongrass: Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Marjoram: Has the potential to stimulate menstruation, do not use during pregnancy.
• Peppermint: Do not use during the first trimester of pregnancy or while breast-feeding.  Do not use with children younger than two years old.
• Pine: Contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Rose: Contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Rosemary: Contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy and should not be administered to babies or children younger than the age of four.
• Sweet Basil: Contraindicated for use while pregnant, breast-feeding, and with infants or toddlers. Do not use the essential oil during pregnancy or nursing.
• Thyme: Contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Yarrow: Contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Ylang Ylang: Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding.