Frankincense
PRECAUTIONS
Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid frankincense essential oil.Do not use if you are pregnant. (2015, Essential Oils Natural Remedies, 331)
SAFETY FIRST
Although many essential oils are generally considered safe by the FDA, it is important
to take safety into consideration, no matter which of them you decide to use. Each of
the essential oil entries found in Chapter Five includes safety information; refer to this
section for more in-depth details as needed.
Avoid abortifacient essential oils if pregnant. Abortifacient essential oils are
strong emmenagogues that can bring on severe bleeding and abortion. These oils
should not be considered as a means to terminate a pregnancy, as they are innately
toxic and will cause harm to the pregnant woman. They include:
Mugwort
Parsley seed
Pennyroyal
Rue
Sage
Sassafras
Savin
Tansy
Thuja
Wormwood (2015, Essential Oils Natural Remedies, 40)
- Essential Oils Natural Remedies. The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing. Althea Press.
Special attention should be paid to the Safety Data on each oil rosemary and marjoram should be avoided during pregnancy (2013, Lawless, 13)
Safety Precautions
Pregnancy: During pregnancy use essential oils in half the usual stated amount. Take note of those oils which are contra-indicated in pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 21)
The Genito-urinary and Endocrine Systems
Like the digestive system, the reproductive organs can be affected by absorption via the skin into the bloodstream, as well as through hormonal changes. Some essential oils such as rose and jasmine have an affinity for the reproductive system having a general strengthening effect as well as helping to combat specific complaints like menstrual problems, genital infections and sexual difficulties. Other oils contain plant hormones which mimic the corresponding human hormones; oils such as hops, sage and fennel have been found to contain a form of oestrogen that influences the menstrual cycle, lactation and secondary sexual characteristics. Oestrogen also helps maintain a healthy circulation, good muscle and skin tone and strong bones in both men and women.
Other essential oils are known to influence the levels of hormone secretion of other glands, including the thyroid gland (which governs growth and metabolism), the adrenal medulla (which deals with stress reactions) and the adrenal cortex (which governs several processes including the production of oestrogen and androgen, the male sex hormone). (2013, Lawless, 25)
Uterine tonics and regulators for pregnancy, excess menstruation (menorrhagia), PMT, etc; for example, clary sage, jasmine, rose, myrrh, frankincense, lemon balm. (2013, Lawless, 25)
AJOWAN
Trachyspermum copticum
SAFETY DATA Possible mucous membrane and dermal irritant. Due to high thymol level, should be avoided in pregnancy. Toxicity levels are unknown. (2013, Lawless, 40)
ANGELICA
Angelica archangelica
Not to be used during pregnancy or by diabetics. (2013, Lawless, 45)
BASIL, EXOTIC
Ocimum basilicum
Basil should be avoided during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 56)
BASIL, FRENCH
Ocimum basilicum
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 57)
BAY LAUREL
Laurus nobilis
Should not be used
during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 58)
BUCHU
Agothosma betulina
Should not be used
during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 69)
CALAMINTHA
Calamintha officinalis
Avoid during pregnancy.(2013, Lawless, 73)
CEDARWOOD, ATLAS
Cedrus atlantica
Best avoided during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 84)
CEDARWOOD, VIRGINIAN
Juniperus virginiana
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 86)
CELERY SEED
Apium graveolens
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 87)
CHAMOMILE, ROMAN
Chamaemelum nobile
It is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of dyspepsia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting in pregnancy, dysmenorrhoea and specifically flatulent dyspepsia associated with mental stress. (2013, Lawless, 90)
CINNAMON
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE
Cinnamon bark oil – none.
Cinnamon leaf oil:
GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM: Childbirth (stimulates contractions), frigidity, leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia, scanty periods. (2013, Lawless, 93)
CITRONELLA
Cymbopogon nardus
Avoid during
pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 94)
CUMIN
Cuminum cyminum
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 99)
FENNEL
Foeniculum vulgare
SAFETY DATA Non-irritant, relatively non-toxic, narcotic in large doses; bitter fennel may cause sensitization in some individuals. Sweet fennel oil is preferred in aromatherapy and perfumery work, since it does not contain the harsh ‘fenchone’ note, and because it is non-sensitizing. Bitter fennel oil should not be used on the skin at all, although it is considered superior medicinally. Neither oil should be used by epileptics or during pregnancy. Use in moderation.
(2013, Lawless, 112)
HYSSOP
Hyssopus officinalis
It should be used only in moderation and avoided in pregnancy and by epileptics. (2013, Lawless, 129)
JUNIPER
Juniperus communis
SAFETY DATA Non-sensitizing, may be slightly irritating, generally non-toxic. However, it stimulates the uterine muscle (an abortifacient) and must not be used during pregnancy. Neither should it be used by those with kidney disease due to its nephrotoxic effect. The wood oil is usually adulterated with turpentine oil. It is best to use only juniper berry oil, in moderation. (2013, Lawless, 133)
LABDANUM
Cistus ladaniferus
Avoid during pregnancy.(2013, Lawless, 134)
LOVAGE
Levisticum officinale
Avoid during pregnancy.(2013, Lawless, 145)
MANDARIN
Citrus reticulata
NERVOUS SYSTEM: Insomnia, nervous tension, restlessness. It is often used for children and pregnant women and is recommended in synergistic combinations with other citrus oils. (2013, Lawless, 148)
MARJORAM, SWEET
Origanum majorana
Not to be used during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 150)
MINT, PEPPERMINT
Mentha piperita
It is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for intestinal colic, flatulence, common cold, vomiting in pregnancy and dysmenorrhoea. (2013, Lawless, 155)
MYRRH
Commiphora myrrha
Not to be used during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 159)
NUTMEG
Myristica fragrans
In Malaysia they are used during pregnancy to strengthen and tone the uterine muscles. (2013, Lawless, 164)
NUTMEG
Myristica fragrans
Use in moderation, and with care in pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 165)
OREGANO, COMMON
Origanum vulgare
Avoid during pregnancy. Use in moderation, and with care in pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 165)
PARSLEY
Petroselinum sativum
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 179)
ROSEMARY
Rosmarinus officinalis
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 191)
SAGE, CLARY
Salvia sclarea
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 195)
SAGE, COMMON
Salvia officinalis
Oral toxin (due to thujone). Abortifacient; avoid in pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 197)
SAGE, SPANISH
Salvia lavendulaefolia
Avoid during pregnancy; use in
moderation. (2013, Lawless, 198)
SAVORY, SUMMER
Satureja hortensis
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 203)
SNAKEROOT
Asarum canadense
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 205)
TARRAGON
Artemisia dracunculus
Avoid during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 213)
THYME, COMMON
Thymus vulgaris
Red thyme oil, serpolet (from wild thyme), ‘thymol’ and ‘carvacrol’ type oils all contain quite large amounts of toxic phenols (carvacrol and thymol). They can irritate mucous membranes, cause dermal irritation and may cause sensitization in some individuals. Use in moderation, in low dilution only. They are best avoided during pregnancy. (2013, Lawless, 216)
Therapeutic Index
Essential oils can be used to treat a wide range of common complaints, including those listed below. Special care must be taken regarding the use of oils which can cause irritation in concentration, and those oils which are known to be phototoxic, such as bergamot, lemon and orange. Before using a particular oil, the Safety Data information on the individual oils should be consulted.
Many of the conditions mentioned here could benefit from combining an aromatherapy approach with other forms of treatment, such as dietary measures, exercise, herbal medicines, osteopathy or counselling, among others.
The most useful and commonly available oils for a particular condition are shown in italics.
A guide to abbreviated terms of suggested application as outlined in the chapters ‘How to Use Essential Oils at Home’ and ‘Creative Blending’, is as follows:
M: Massage S: Skin oil/lotion C: Compress
H: Hair care F: Flower Water B: Bath
V: Vaporization I: Inhalation (Steam)
D: Douche N: Neat Apphcation
Genito-urinary and Endocrine Systems:
Lack of nursing milk (M): Celery seed, dill, sweet fennel, hops.
Labour pain & childbirth aid (M, C, B): Cinnamon leaf, jasmine, true lavender, nutmeg, parsley,
rose (cabbage & damask), clary sage. (257)