Are Essential Oils Safe for Pregnancy?

Learn whether your favorite essential oils are safe for you and your baby in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy.

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While popular and touted as natural, essential oils may not always be safe during pregnancy. Essential oils have a rich history as natural, holistic treatments for a whole host of ailments. There is even some evidence that certain oils can help relieve some unpleasant pregnancy symptoms. But there's not much research on the effect of the substances on developing fetuses.

Read on to learn what we know about whether essential oils are safe for pregnancy. And remember, always ask a health care provider before using essential oils while pregnant.

Are Essential Oils Safe for Pregnancy in the First Trimester?

You shouldn't use essential oils in early pregnancy because they could potentially cause uterine contractions or adversely affect your baby in their early developmental stages, explains Jill Turner, ND, an Oregon-based naturopathic medicine doctor specializing in prenatal care.

Researchers note that some essential oils are derived from plants known as abortifacients (they stimulate menstruation or uterine cramping that can lead to miscarriage). Even though there is no decisive evidence that oils in the amounts used for aromatherapy could lead to miscarriage, experts say that it's not worth the risk.

Another concern with essential oils is that some can interfere with reproductive hormones, which could disrupt the developmental process. And some could interfere with the development of new blood cell formation. Complications associated with these risks include:

  • Preeclampsia
  • Growth restriction
  • Fetal death
  • Congenital disabilities

More research needs to be conducted on the topic, but when it comes to pregnancy, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Pregnant people should also avoid aromatherapy products and treatments in the first trimester since essential oils are the key ingredients used in aromatherapy.

Are Essential Oils Safe for Pregnancy in the Second and Third Trimesters?

"In the second and third trimesters, some essential oils are safe to use, as your baby is more developed," Edwards says. Popular essential oils generally considered safe later into pregnancy include lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang—all of which can help with calmness, relaxation, and sleep. But the list of essential oils potentially at your disposal during pregnancy is much longer.

The following essential oils are generally considered safe in pregnancy, according to the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA):

  • Benzoin
  • Bergamot
  • Black pepper
  • Chamomile (German and Roman)
  • Clary
  • Cypress
  • Eucalyptus
  • Frankincense
  • Geranium
  • Ginger
  • Grapefruit
  • Juniper
  • Lavender
  • Lemon
  • Mandarin
  • Marjoram sweet
  • Neroli
  • Petitgrain
  • Rose otto
  • Sandalwood
  • Sweet orange
  • Tea tree
  • Ylang-ylang

Even so, it's still important to use caution. Some studies have found that even some essential oils on the "safer" list may have unwanted side effects. For example, a 2022 study found that several common essential oils, including tea tree, niaouli, orange, wintergreen, and ylang-ylang, acted as hormone modulators (meaning they suppress the function of some hormones).

Of course, you should ask a health care provider before using any essential oil during pregnancy, including those on the IFPA's safe list. And you might want to avoid them until the second trimester. Additionally, you'll want to ensure that you always use essential oils safely.

Tips for Using Essential Oils Safely

  • Stick with quality, unadulterated essential oils from a reputable brand.
  • Only use essential oils externally (never ingest them).
  • Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like jojoba, olive, or coconut oil (if you are not allergic) before applying them to the skin.

Essential Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy

Oils that can cause uterine contractions are a definite no-no during pregnancy—and that list includes some common ones like cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and clary sage. The following are some of the essential oils you should skip during pregnancy:

  • Aniseed
  • Arnica
  • Basil
  • Bitter almond
  • Boldo leaf
  • Broom
  • Buchu
  • Calamus
  • Camphor (brown or yellow)
  • Cassia
  • Cedarwood/thuja
  • Chervil
  • Cinnamon
  • Clary sage
  • Clove (bud, leaf, or stem)
  • Coriander
  • Costus
  • Deertongue
  • Dwarf pine
  • Elecampane
  • Fennel
  • Horseradish
  • Hyssop
  • Jaborandi leaf
  • Juniper berry
  • Melilotus
  • Mugwort
  • Mustard
  • Nutmeg
  • Origanum
  • Parsley
  • Pennyroyal
  • Red thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Rue
  • Sassafras
  • Savin
  • Summer savory
  • Sweet birch
  • Tansy
  • Tonka
  • Wintergreen
  • Wormwood

When to Call a Health Care Provider

Always discuss essential oils with a health care provider before using them during pregnancy. If you choose to use essential oils, be on the lookout for symptoms that may indicate essential oil toxicity, such as:

  • Mouth irritation
  • Stomach irritation
  • Skin irritation
  • Eye irritation

Rinsing your mouth or skin or drinking water may help if you have a reaction. But always contact Poison Control or a health care provider for additional guidance. They will want to know which essential oil you have come in contact with, the concentration, and how much of it you were exposed to.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. The self-prescribed use of aromatherapy oils by pregnant womenWomen Birth. 2014.

  2. Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituentsInt J Mol Sci. 2021.

  3. Pregnancy guidelines: Guidelines for aromatherapists working with pregnant clients. International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists. 2013.

  4. Evaluation of placental toxicity of five essential oils and their potential endocrine-disrupting effectsCurr Issues Mol Biol. 2022.

  5. Essential oils. Missouri Poison Center. n.d.

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