Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy for natural families

by Shannon E. Becker

Aromatherapy has become an integral part of my life, which led to my further education as a certified aromatherapist.  My science background is in Cell Biology, and soon I will finish my PhD program.  It’s an exciting and nerve-wracking time.  Likewise, pregnancy is is one of those times in your life where you are excited, scared, curious, and searching for ways to make safe choices.  Knowing that you can help your family and yourself brings so much relief, but it’s very hard to determine what is the correct information sometimes.

As aromatherapy has gained popularity, many enthusiasts have started learning from aromatherapy schools, earning certifications and continuing education, as well as learning alongside veteran aromatherapists.  However, there are many who have learned about essential oil use from those who have not been well educated.  This approach leads to passing along unsafe practices, and unfortunately, these well-meaning people simply do not know they are promoting unsafe uses.

I’ve written extensively (as have other aromatherapists) about how the two big mid-level-marketing (MLM) companies who pass along incorrect information to their wellness advocates.  Recently, the FDA has warned both companies to cease providing marketing information that promotes essential oil use to treat a medical condition, to replace medications, and otherwise use language that classifies their products as medicine or medical devices.  If this language is used, essential oils fall into the drug category, and the FDA requires approval just like any given medication.

This post will not focus on the legality of FDA classifications, but will instead be about what is and what is not safe for kids, newborns, pregnant women, and nursing women.  In my experience, many pregnant women seek help with relaxation, mental clarity, physical discomfort, and rest.  Mothers ask me often about comforting little ones with colds, bruises, or restlessness.  Aromatherapy can help address all these things, but it is important to make sure essential oils are appropriate for each individual.

Considerations for essential oil safety involve underlying medical conditions, medications being taken, age of the client, and especially the proper dilution of essential oils when used dermally.  Some special groups of people who require very dilute blends include elderly women/men, young children, pregnant women, and nursing women. Medications such as blood thinners mean that essential oils containing chemical constituents that have been shown to also thin the blood should not be used.  As such, wintergreen essential oil should be used very cautiously.  Many MLM blends promoted for joint pain contain wintergreen essential oil, as do some over the counter muscle rubs.  Unless the person selling these blends is aware of the safety of wintergreen essential oil usage, with the best intentions, they will likely suggest an inappropriate use.

As an accompaniment to my interview with Lori Isenstadt of the All About Breastfeeding podcast, I wanted to compile an easy to follow guide.  Please feel free to contact me for further explanation of usage, and other aromatherapy concerns at shannon @ petrichorapothecary.com (delete the spaces to send).  I also am putting together a dilution chart.  Something important to know is that depending on the size of the hole in the restrictor cap, the volume in a drop of essential oil will vary.  In my practice (and my academic lab) I use pipettes to be sure I have a precise volume, however, I recognize most home users may not want to buy them. See the end of this post for links to Amazon items I like, such as the disposable pipettes, gloves, and mixing bottles.

QUICK TIPS

Some sample recipes

Cough relief:

  1. 3 drops cypress EO
  2. 3 drops frankincense EO
  3. 3 drops lavender

Use as a diffusion blend. This is safe for 2yo+.

Teething relief:

  1. 1oz Roman chamomile hydrosol
  2. 1oz calendula hydrosol

Mix and apply to sterile gauze, then rub onto gums internally or onto jawline externally. Store remaining hydrosol mixture in the refrigerator.

Useful links:

International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists’ guidelines for pregnancy pdf is a much more thorough explanation of all pregnancy concerns: https://www.naha.org/assets/uploads/PregnancyGuidelines-Oct11.pdf  Below is copyrighted by the IFPA, and I quote it with full citation.

“Oils to use with safety during the whole of pregnancy (not a definitive or complete list): As is evident, most oils are suitable for use during pregnancy; the real danger comes when the dosages are incorrect or irresponsible. Essential oils work with the body, not against it. The body always remains in control with low doses of oils. The oils below are used commonly in practice and present no hazard. While most pregnant clients will prefer the citrus-smelling oils, there are others that can be introduced: Benzoin (Styrax tonkinensis), Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Chamomile German (Chamomilla recutita), Chamomile Roman (Chamaemelum nobile), Clary (Salvia sclarea), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus smithii,), Frankincense (Boswellia carteri), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), Juniper (Juniperus communis), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Lemon (Citrus limon), Mandarin (Citrus reticulata), Marjoram Sweet (Origanum majorana), Neroli (Citrus aurantium amara flos), Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var amaraol), Rose Otto (Rosa centifolia), Sandalwood (Santalum album), Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis), Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)” © IFPA 2013