The Evidence on Essential Oils During Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum

Essential oils are naturally occurring oils made by steam distillation or cold pressing the flowers, roots, seeds, fruit, or bark of plants. These concentrated extracts retain the essence of the plant’s fragrance. Essential oils have long been a part of complementary and alternative medicine in aromatherapy, topical application, or ingestion. Natural remedies, like essential oils, are an attractive alternative for expecting mothers who wish to avoid chemicals or pharmaceuticals and utilize more natural remedies. Most information on essential oils comes from the marketing of the companies that manufacture them or their representatives. There are a lot of claims that essential oils can treat everything from common discomforts to severe illnesses. It can be challenging to determine which claims are valid and which may be exaggerated. This episode examines the safety of essential oils during pregnancy and the evidence of their effectiveness in treating pregnancy symptoms and improving your birth experience. Plus, tips for buying essential oils.

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