We’ve all heard the term “essential oils” mentioned billions of times, and there’s a good chance that the term’s gotten firmly embedded in our brain alongside other words we kind of get the gist of but which are still somewhat confusing. That ends today. You can finally find out what essential oils are, and you can also discover how to best utilize essential oils safely for mom and baby.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are natural oils that have been extracted from their plant source. Essential oils can come from any part of a plant, from the roots to the leaves to the stems. You can think of an essential oil as the essence of the plant. Even though they’re called oils, essential oils are not oils in the way we usually think about oils. Usually when we think of oil, it conjures up thoughts of that slippery, viscous substance that coats and penetrates your skin, but essential oils aren’t slippery at all. They are referred to as oil because they’re filled with oil-soluble chemicals from the plant. These chemicals give the oils their unique properties, making them the “essential” part of essential oils!
What Are They Used For?
As mentioned, the unique chemical makeup of essential oils gives them their restorative and therapeutic properties, making them ideal for use in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils in diffusion, therapeutic massages, baths or via inhalation to heal or treat a wide variety of health conditions. Women, in particular, have used essential oils in countries all around the world for hundreds of years, using them to treat everything from feminine issues like menstrual pain and menopausal issues to hair loss and cramps. Since these oils can be organically sourced, people like them because they tend not to have the side effects of over the counter or prescription medications.
Safe Essential Oils for Mom
Nezza Naturals is an incredible resource for mothers looking for essential oils that can help them during, and after pregnancy and assist with some postpartum-related ailments. These oils can help restore health and enhance a woman’s natural beauty without the use of chemicals or drugs.
During pregnancy, everything that is in contact with your body, such as the things you eat and put on your skin, filters through to the baby. Essential oils are powerful and concentrated. Some essential oils contain plant hormones, while others strongly affect the central nervous system. We therefore recommend talking to a certified Aromatherapist before using aromatherapy during pregnancy.
There are many different opinions as to whether essential oils are safe for pregnant moms or not. We are here to offer some safe alternatives aside from direct contact methods. The following information is a guideline and should be discussed with your healthcare professional.
Essential Oil Recommendations for Each Trimester
First-trimester moms:
Do not apply any essential oils to your skin. Use unscented, all-natural body lotions, butters, oils and bath products to help relax and relieve discomfort.
Second and third trimester moms:
Use aromatherapy bath and body products at half the normal strength. Be aware of your diffuser oils and strengths.
Entire pregnancy:
It is suggested to avoid using these essential oils on your skin at any time during pregnancy: Basil, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Jasmine, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sage and Thyme.
Blends for Pregnancy
If you’re an expecting mom, several essential oil blended recipes can help ease your way through this glorious journey. Some people question whether essential oils should be used during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Be sure to discuss your options with your health care professional to determine the best course of action for your situation.
The following are some recipes designed for diffusing that moms-to-be recommend throughout their pregnancies.
Nausea Be-Gone
Sick stomach nausea diffuser blend.
- 4 drops Peppermint
- 3 drops Lemon
- 2 drops Anise seed
Sleepy Time
Night time (or nap time) diffuser blend. Chamomile is a wonderful way to relax at the end of a day and get sleepy. When paired with these other two oils it helps you really get into that sleep mode and turn your mind off.
- 2 drops Orange
- 2 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Chamomile
West Coast Woods
Deep and rich with a hint of sweetness, this relaxing diffuser blend is perfect for an evening of quiet.
- 4 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Cedarwood
- 2 drops Orange OR Petitgrain
- 1 drop Palmarosa or Ylang Ylang
- Optional: 1 drop Vetiver for a smokey undertone
Orange Sweet Spice
An earthy, spicy blend for warming up your house in the colder months. Homey and comforting (with powerful antibacterial action for flu season).
- 4 to 6 drops Patchouli
- 3 to 5 drops Sweet Orange
- 1 to 2 drops Clove
- Optional: 1 drop Ylang Ylang for added sweet scent
Postpartum
Use your aromatherapy diffuser regularly to boost your spirits and your energy.
- 4 to 6 drops bergamot
- 3 to 5 drops grapefruit
- 2 to 4 drops lemon
- 1 drop geranium
Other Tips and Tricks
Fresh morning:
For morning sickness, put three drops of grapefruit or peppermint essential oil into a saucer with water and keep it on your bedside table. You may find that waking up to these scents helps reduce nausea. Bonus: keeps your room smelling fresh!
Nausea Napkin:
For a quick fix during the day, fold a tissue into a small square and add three drops of peppermint essential oil. Inhale as needed for either nausea or heartburn.
Lemon:
This oil is excellent at helping overworked women reduce stress and gain loads of energy. You can enjoy its benefits by adding a few drops of lemon oil into your diffuser for an uplifting and lightening scent. It is also a stellar addition to your cleaning arsenal, attack anything sticky with a couple drops and watch it wipe away!
Tea Tree:
This lovely essential oil is famous for its antibacterial properties, and it’s frequently used in hair treatments to treat postpartum hair loss. You can also use it to help clear your skin from acne and other issues. Dilute a drop or two in a small bowl of warm water and use it as a toner after cleansing, smoothing over your face with a moistened towel or cotton ball.
Safe Essential Oils for Babies
Our tiniest loved ones can also get some help thanks to essential oils. Babies can benefit from essential oil usage for treating issues like colic, sleeplessness and irritated skin. Some key tips to remember when using essential oils for babies are as follows:
Even though they’re natural, some essential oils are too powerful for use on babies. Speak with your baby’s health care professional to make sure that the essential oils you’re planning on using are safe to use. Babies younger than three months should NEVER get essential oil treatments unless your health care professional gives you the green light.
A few essential oils that are great for babies include the following:
Chamomile:
Chamomile essential oil is an incredible remedy for babies who are fussy with colic or who have trouble sleeping. You can use it in baby massage (mixed into a carrier oil or cream) using only a VERY small amount, a ratio of 0.5% essential oil to carrier oil. Alternatively, you can use it in a diffuser.
Sweet Orange:
Mood lifting and great for the diffuser post-nap as a gentle wake up scent.
Lavender:
A wonderful essential oil for bath time especially before bed. Calming and relaxing for baby and mom, gentle on the skin and soothing for irritations such as nappy rash.
Some essential oils are not good for use during and immediately after pregnancy. Oils that should be avoided by both mom and baby include ones like angelica root, carrot seed, cinnamon and marjoram. Reach out to your health care professional for more information on which essential oils to avoid or speak to a team member at Nezza Naturals.
Recommended Use
You can use essential oils in several different ways. You can put them in a diffuser, filling the air with their scent. You can also inhale them by rubbing them into your chest diluted in a cream or carrier oil. Inhalation directly from the bottle is very direct and effective! You can also apply your diluted blend topically, absorbing them into the different areas of your body where they’re needed most, massaging them in for deeper absorption.
Nezza Naturals Essential Oils: Great for Moms
Nezza Naturals is a great place to find safe and healthy essential oils for your needs. We’ve got everything you’re looking for, and you can be comfortable in knowing that our essential oils are 100% pure (though some are offered as 10% dilution in organic jojoba oil). Best of all, they are cruelty-free and sustainably sourced. We not only explicitly detail the benefits of each oil, but we also go into detail regarding which oils mix best to help take your recipes to the next level. For more information on essential oils for mom and baby, check out our FAQs page. You can also visit our Instagram and Facebook pages to interact with our community and get up-to-date information!
