I recently sat down with my friend, Monica Doshi, who is a massage therapist with a specialty in aromatherapy. My acupuncture specialty is fertility and pregnancy and I asked Monica to share her expertise about essential oils for women who are trying to get pregnant. First I’d like to share basic knowledge on how aromatherapy works. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes. Essential oils are steam distilled or cold-pressed from flowers, fruit, bark, seeds and roots. Aromatherapy utilizes these plant-based essences to holistically promote health and ease a wide range of ailments from decreasing pain to inducing sleep. When our mind and body are in harmony, we have an overall sense of well-being. Essential oils work by stimulating our olfactory (smell) nerves that communicate directly with parts of our brain and nervous system to produce desired physiological effects such as relaxation, pain relief, digestive motility and hormonal balance.
I asked which essential oils were effective and safe for women to take while they are trying to conceive and when they are pregnant.
When using essential oils in pregnancy to use LOW dilutions. Like 1% which is 1 drop of essential oil in 1 tsp of carrier oil or in the case of a bath put one drop in one tsp of full fat milk/cream and then mix into bath water.
Lavender for relaxation, 1% dilution all over body, 1% dilution in milk then mix in a bath
Roman Chamomile for sleep, drop on a hankie and take to bed, or dilute into bath.
German Chamomile for Pain- applies topically.
Ginger for Nausea - try inhalation of the essential oil or try ginger. For topical use 1% dilution on acupuncture point Pericardium 6 (Antiguan) on inside of wrist.
Lemon essential oil via inhalation can also be effective.
Constipation try Sweet Orange, Roman Chamomile, Ginger- apply topically to abdomen.
Anxiety - try Sandalwood essential oil. Apply to bottoms of feet.
Fatigue - try inhalation of Citrus oils - they are always uplifting - Lemon, Bergamot, Grapefruit.
Tea Tree - Apply topically to infections, cuts and rashes
Monica shared which essential oils which should be avoided during pregnancy: Aloe, Aniseed, Basil, Birch, Camphor, Cedar wood, Clary Sage, Cypress, dandelion Fennel, Garlic, Hyssop, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme and Wintergreen oils.
So I learned that aromatherapy and essential oils are a great complement to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. I intend to learn more and to share them with my patients at the Acupuncture Center of New Jersey, in Morristown. Thanks, Monica!
Monica Doshi is a Licensed Massage therapists and Certified Clinical Aromatherapist. She has over 16 years of healthcare experience. It is her passionate desire that those around her live in balance and wellness.
To contact Monica please email: monicadoshi@hotmail.com or call her at 973-769-3486
Post by Punita Jhangiani, L. Ac., ABORM
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