During the first trimester of pregnancy your body is making plans and cleaning house. Morning sickness is one of the more uncomfortable results of these efforts. If foods and scents trigger morning sickness, it’s an alert that you should avoid them. Using essential oils that are safe for pregnancy may make those early months a little easier and more enjoyable.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for morning sickness are:
• Cardamom
• Ginger
• Lemon
• Roman chamomile
• Spearmint
Safety First
It’s important when pregnant or breast-feeding to avoid use of certain oils. See here for a list of essential oils to avoid during pregnancy. There’s no need to fear essential oils during pregnancy when used with caution and awareness. Enjoy those oils that feel good and smell good to you, limiting your use to those recognized as safe for pregnancy.
Be cautious with essential-oil selection while pregnant, finding the right ones for use with these techniques to relieve morning sickness.
• Abdominal massage. Dilute a few drops of essential oils in coconut oil and massage onto your abdomen as you breath in their settling aromas.
• Soothing vapors. A little bit of steam may help amplify the powers of essential oils. Add a few drops to a bowl of hot water, use a towel for a tent, and breathe deeply. Be cautious to avoid fumes getting into the eyes and irritating nostrils.
• In the air. Simply diffusing or inhaling antinausea essential oils can help settle your stomach safely.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Try supplements. B vitamins have been shown to help reduce morning sickness.
• Eat well. Diet is always important, so choose well, eating smaller, nutritious meals.
• Drink natural ginger ale. Ginger offers relief from nausea, with a few bubbles to help.
Those early months of pregnancy can be difficult, especially when you add morning sickness to the mix. These aromatherapy recipes may help you find relief.
Deeply and slowly inhale this blend to help settle the stomach. This recipe uses safe-for-pregnancy spearmint instead of peppermint.
3 drops ginger oil
3 drops spearmint oil
2 drops lemon oil
Every diffuser is different. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for diffusing this blend.
This gentle massage blend has powerful properties: Both cardamom and Roman chamomile are used to alleviate nausea, while chamomile also helps calm anxiety.
3 drops cardamom oil
2 drops Roman chamomile oil
1 teaspoon coconut oil
Combine the oils in a small bowl. Massage the mixture onto your abdomen, as needed.