Essential Oils & Pregnancy

What’s Safe, What’s Risky, and How to Use Them Like a Pro

Pregnancy is a time of massive change — your body’s working overtime, your emotions are on a rollercoaster, and you may be feeling aches, nausea, swelling, or just plain exhaustion. Essential oils can be a beautiful way to support your well-being during this time… but here’s the kicker: not all oils are pregnancy-friendly.

Some are gentle allies, offering relief from common pregnancy symptoms like nausea, anxiety, headaches, or sleeplessness. Others? They can trigger uterine contractions, mess with your hormones, or cross the placenta in ways you really don’t want.

So, let’s break down which oils are safe in pregnancy, why they’re helpful, and which ones you should avoid until your little human has arrived.

The Safe List

(When used in low concentrations — under 0.3% in leave-on products or appropriately diluted for inhalation)

These oils are generally considered safe for pregnancy and can help with specific symptoms:

• Cypress – Known for improving circulation and reducing swelling in the ankles and legs, common in later pregnancy.

• Eucalyptus – Clears nasal congestion, great for those pregnancy-related sinus flare-ups without resorting to medicated sprays.

• Geranium – Helps balance mood swings and supports skin elasticity as your belly grows.

• German Chamomile – Soothes irritated skin and calms the nervous system, making it ideal for stress relief.

• Lavender – Reduces anxiety, promotes sleep, and eases mild pregnancy headaches.

• Manuka – Gentle antimicrobial that can help keep hormonal skin breakouts in check.

• Neroli – Boosts mood, calms nerves, and is gentle enough for sensitive pregnancy skin.

• Orange (Sweet) – Uplifting for low moods and fatigue; can help with morning sickness when inhaled.

• Patchouli – Grounding, stabilises mood, and supports skin regeneration.

• Peppermint – Can ease mild nausea and relieve muscle aches (but avoid in the first trimester unless cleared by your healthcare provider).

• Rose – Emotionally uplifting, helps reduce anxiety, and supports skin hydration.

• Rosemary – Stimulating for mental clarity and fatigue (best used in small, occasional doses).

• Rose Geranium – Similar to geranium, with added floral sweetness for emotional balance.

• Sandalwood – Promotes calm and deep breathing — great for pre-sleep relaxation.

• Tea Tree – Gentle skin-cleansing and antimicrobial properties for pregnancy-safe skincare.

• Ylang Ylang – Lowers stress, supports healthy blood pressure, and adds a sensual, soothing aroma.

  
  

The Avoid List

These essential oils can cause uterine contractions, hormonal changes, or other side effects that could harm you or your baby. Some are neurotoxic, some can increase bleeding risk, and some cross the placenta too easily.

• Bitter almond – Contains toxic compounds unsafe for pregnancy.

• Angelica, Pennyroyal, Sage, Tansy, Wormwood – Known uterine stimulants that can trigger contractions or miscarriage.

• Aniseed, Fennel, Basil, Thyme – Can disrupt hormonal balance.

• Clove, Cinnamon, Oregano, Wintergreen – Highly irritating, can increase bleeding risk.

• Juniper, Cedarwood, Camphor, Mugwort – Potentially toxic to the kidneys or nervous system.

• Myrrh, Marjoram, Melissa, Nutmeg – May lower blood pressure or cause nausea.

• Lemon, Ginger, Jasmine – Often fine in food but concentrated essential oil forms can be too strong for pregnancy.

  
  

Why the Risk is Real

Essential oils are potent. One drop can contain the active compounds of an entire handful of the plant. During pregnancy:

• Your blood volume increases and circulates faster — meaning essential oils absorb and travel through your system (and to your baby) more quickly.

• Your hormones are already in overdrive — certain oils can act like natural drugs, stimulating or blocking hormonal pathways.

• Your baby’s organs are still developing — some plant compounds can cross the placenta and impact their growth.

• Your uterus is extra sensitive — a few oils are known to stimulate uterine muscles, increasing miscarriage or premature labour risk.

  
  

How to Use Pregnancy-Safe Oils

• Dilute, dilute, dilute – Under 0.3% for leave-on skincare. For reference, that’s one drop of essential oil per 30ml of carrier oil.

• Inhalation is your friend – Diffusing or inhaling from a tissue can be the gentlest way to get the benefits.

• Avoid first-trimester experimentation – Stick to the safest oils and always get your healthcare provider’s okay.

• Patch-test everything – Pregnancy can make skin more sensitive, even to oils you’ve used for years.

  
  

Natural AF’s Take

At Natural AF, we believe pregnancy skincare should be as safe as it is indulgent. That’s why our pregnancy-friendly products only use gentle, low-concentration oils backed by research and safety guidelines — so you can pamper yourself without second-guessing.

Because when you’re growing a whole human, you deserve self-care that’s both luxurious and responsible.

💡 Final tip: When in doubt, skip it. The safest essential oil is the one you know won’t put you or your baby at risk. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before adding essential oils to your pregnancy routine.