Aromatherapy for Mama

By on May 4, 2011 in bellies & babies

Photo Credit: Eggybird

Written by monthly contributing writer, Michele Augur.

Essential oils can often provide simple, natural solutions for pregnancy and postpartum concerns.

During pregnancy and postpartum seasons (and beyond!), I’ve loved surrounding myself with soothing scents. Here are several of my favorite basics:

  • Lavender Essential Oil: I’ve kept a bottle by my bed, adding a couple drops to a pillowcase for restful sleep. It’s also lovely in a relaxing massage or warm bath. I dozed through much of my labor, even staying peaceful through transition, as I was soothed by a very fragrant lavender candle.
  • Tea Tree Essential Oil: I enjoy adding this to a refreshing foot soak bath, and it’s also useful in addressing fungal/thrush/yeast concerns.
  • Peppermint Essential Oil: This invigorating oil is not recommended during pregnancy, but can be useful during labor (some midwives suggest it for stimulating a slow & tiring labor, soothing nausea, or even helping babies to turn!). It makes a lovely foot rub in a massage oil/lotion for tired mamas’ feet!
  • Lemon Essential Oil: Smelling the bright citrus scent of lemon may help soothe morning sickness nausea (try placing a few drops on a handkerchief), and is delightful when added to a lip balm.
  • Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Congested sinuses are often a normal occurrence during pregnancy; add in seasonal allergies or a bout with a cold/flu, and mama can be quite uncomfortable! A eucalyptus oil sinus steam or several drops added to a diffuser/vaporizer can help bring some relief naturally.
  • Rose Geranium Essential Oil: A more affordable option than true rose oil, this “rosy-smelling” oil is not recommended during pregnancy, but can be especially refreshing for postpartum mamas during stressful times of hormonal fluctuations or after an emotionally-trying birth. Try it in the Mama’s Passion Bath Salts!
  • Sandalwood Essential Oil: This oil can be more expensive than the others; to keep it in my budget I just purchased a bar of natural sandalwood-scented soap to use on occasion while showering. This scent was especially emotionally uplifting for me on dreary days.
  • Clary Sage Essential Oil: This relaxing oil is not recommended during pregnancy, but some women find it helpful during labor or the trying-to-conceive season, when added to a massage oil.

Building up a small “remedy kit” of staple oils can be manageable for most budgets: small bottles of quality, basic essential oils are usually affordable (typically under $5 or $10, or so), and last quite awhile.

What are your essentials?

About Michele

Michele and her husband Calvin live a simple & sustainable life in rural Washington with their two- going on three- (busy!) little ones at Hampton Creek Inn. She takes joy in the daily ministry of delving into creativity, traditional homemaking & hospitality, homeschooling in everyday moments, and smooching her husband in the woods. Michele loves encouraging women and equipping them for frugal, natural living through her blog, Frugal Granola.
View all posts by Michele →

25 Responses to Aromatherapy for Mama

  1. Molly Patterson May 18, 2011 at 6:39 am #

    Great post! I just found your blog and am looking forward to following it.
    I use a combination of Clary Sage, Lemon Grass and Lavender for what I have termed “labor oil”. It has really helped my clients (and friends) during labor itself. Let me know if you want that shared with your readers and I can get it to you.
    Blessings…..

  2. Joy Price May 12, 2011 at 6:18 am #

    I live in scotland and recently purchased some essential oils from this company: http://www.balancenaturalhealth.co.uk/epages/BT2725.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT2725/Categories

    In any case, the lady informed me that you aren’t supposed to put lavender or peppermint directly on the skin, but rather mix iwth a carrier oil (I purchased sweet almond) and then apply to the skin.

    Do I mix them in a bowl, or how does this work? Are you familiar with what she is advising, I’ve never used essential oils before (but now I have lavender, peppermint, and sweet almond).

    thanks,
    Joy

  3. Jessica May 5, 2011 at 12:15 pm #

    Just a clarification question:
    You said that a Eucalyptus steam would help the sinuses while pregnant, however, I read the link you included for the eucalyptus sinus steam and it says that those pregnant shouldn’t steam.
    Thanks!

    • Michele @ Frugal Granola May 6, 2011 at 9:49 am #

      I’d use your best judgment on that one; perhaps check with your midwife for advice tailored to your condition. Mine approved it, but others may not. We felt it was a better choice than some of the commercial cold medicines available. :)

      Thanks!
      Blessings,
      Michele

      • Louisa May 16, 2011 at 9:09 am #

        Hi Michele,
        Great information. I was browsing around for sandalwood soap, as you suggested, and wondered what you think of incense sticks? The brand I found (in the UK) says they contain the essential oil.
        Thanks

  4. beth@redandhoney May 5, 2011 at 7:44 am #

    thanks for this! i just bought some essential oils yesterday at the store, and don’t really know what to do with them! (peppermint and ylang ylang…)

    • Michele @ Frugal Granola May 6, 2011 at 9:50 am #

      Nice! :) Ylang Ylang would be lovely added to a massage oil or lotion…

      Enjoy!

  5. Tammie@SimpleHealthyTasty May 4, 2011 at 7:14 pm #

    Fennel is great for bloating and/or tummy trouble. It’s also a great skin tightener for stretched out skin so I like to add it to my moisturizing cream. It’s also great to have for teething and colic!

  6. Sarah May 4, 2011 at 5:07 pm #

    I’ve never gotten essential oils through Puritan’s Pride, but I saw that they have a buy 1 get 2 free sale right now. That’d be a cheaper way to get the more expensive ones (sandalwood is $90 for 10 ml) if you had a few friends you wanted to go in on it to make starter kits for each of you.

  7. Maura May 4, 2011 at 2:43 pm #

    I put a few drops of lavender oil in a small squirt bottle and use that as air freshner. Cheaper than Lysol, Glade, etc and better for the environment.

    You can great great deals on essential oils through http://www.azurestandard.com

  8. Kelly May 4, 2011 at 1:10 pm #

    So cool! Except for the last 2 I have all of those in my early/growing collection! I’m not pregnant or nursing, but all of those have so many various uses that they must be good to have around if I’ve managed to gather them over the last couple of years. Thanks for sharing!

  9. Kim May 4, 2011 at 11:41 am #

    Any suggestions for oils that are good for fatigue? I have a 2 yo DS who is still a frequent night nurser and I am SO tired some days. I have been looking for some healthy pick-me-ups and was thinking about aromatherapy as a possibility.

    • Vanessa May 4, 2011 at 7:08 pm #

      Pepperming is great for perking you up. Also, any of the citrus oils work well for this.

      • Michele @ Frugal Granola May 4, 2011 at 7:50 pm #

        I was just going to say the same thing! :) My daughter made me a sugar scrub with peppermint and lemon essential oils for Christmas, and it has been the perfect sleepy morning pick-me-up in a quick shower (or face wash at the sink) after a long night of nursing.

        Blessings,
        Michele

  10. elizabeth May 4, 2011 at 8:34 am #

    Eucalyptus oil has been such a blessing for me in the pregnancy / nursing years when I’d prefer not to take a decongestant – makes the difference between sleeping and not sleeping at night when I have a cold! I dilute it in olive oil and rub in all over the chest / neck / lower face.

    My other favorite oils are tea tree (used any time we need an antimicrobial) and clove, which I dilute very heavily and use as a rub for teething babies. I have a few other oils but hardly touch them by comparison.

  11. Katherine D. May 4, 2011 at 8:30 am #

    I am just beginning to use essential oils and love the resources of real people using the oils for real reasons. I’m not expecting (past that stage of life) and would love to see additional posts dealing with the oils in other aspects – illness, cleaning, everyday uses.
    Love the site – first time I’ve commented.

    • Michele @ Frugal Granola May 4, 2011 at 8:37 am #

      Thank you, Katherine!
      As you read over the list, you may notice a few of the suggestions aren’t specifically for pregnancy; you may also enjoy the Sandalwood or Rose Geranium baths, Eucalyptus steams (for sinus illness), etc. I have a post on Frugal Granola that links to may of my other essential oil uses, too: http://frugalgranola.com/2010/10/giveaway-natural-oils-remedies/. :)

      Blessings,
      Michele

  12. Alena May 4, 2011 at 7:43 am #

    I put a 8-10 drops of lavender, lemon or peppermint (which ever I feel like) on a cloth and throw it inside a cloth diaper pail. It keeps the pail and the room smelling a lot nicer than just ‘diaper’ smell.
    I buy mine at which ever store has them on sale..some times its fred meyer, others its central market (local store)

    • Michele @ Frugal Granola May 4, 2011 at 8:39 am #

      I have done that, too! My diaper pail has a small slot in the lid to add a deodorizer, so I just add a small piece of cotton with essential oil added into that slot. Or, I will just dash in a few drops of oil to the pail after I clean it. :)

      Thanks!
      Blessings,
      Michele

  13. Nicole May 4, 2011 at 4:34 am #

    Thanks for this :) I was wondering if you guys had a recommended shop you get your oils from?

    • Michele @ Frugal Granola May 4, 2011 at 8:38 am #

      Mountain Rose Herbs is great! :)

    • Vanessa May 4, 2011 at 7:14 pm #

      You want to be careful when buying essential oils as they are not regulated. Oils that say they are 100% pure can still include synthetic or other products in them, they just have to be a certain compound to be called 100% pure. A REALLY good resource is a company called DoTerra. This is a company that sells oils, but they go above and beyond what the rest of the industry does. All of doTerra’s oils are safe for external and internal use. They are safe even on babies. This means that you can rub them on your body topically, you can ingest them in food/water, and you can diffuse them in the air. The company even makes sure that there are no pesticides or any other residues on the plants that their oils come from. I have an 18-month old toddler and have used the lavender numerous times to calm her in the midst of temper tantrums by rubbing it on her feet. This is just one of the many useful oils and just one of the benefits I have seen from them. It has actually recently become a passion of mine :)

      • Tracey Reagan January 22, 2013 at 4:51 am #

        WOO HOO!!! Another doTERRA user. We have been using doTERRA’s oils for almost two years now and have never experienced better health or wellness. Also, in that time frame, we have not had ONE single sick visit to the Doctor. doTERRA’s oils set the standard for purity and efficacy. Like you said, they are so pure you can put them directly on a baby. They are also the only EO company whose oils are able to be taken orally. They are that pure. We have treated everything from strep throat to warts, bronchitis to sunburn, and migraines to herniated discs. It feels so good to be able to treat your loved ones right from home and see the immediate relief that these oils afford. Essential oils are truly a gift of the earth.

  14. Adrienne @ Whole New Mom May 4, 2011 at 4:20 am #

    Wonderful post, Michele.

    I am going to pull out my eucalyptus this morning. I haven’t done much with essential oils, but hope to do more.

    I use Rose Otto in a homemade facial rose water spray that is part of my evening face cleansing “routine.” Here is the info: http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/homemade-rose-water-spray-recipe/