Essential Oils 2
By: Melodie & Brandon Kantner on: June 07, 2007
An Essential Oils Newsletter all about pregnancy, labor, oil recipes testimonials
Grade A NotesNatural Health & Essential OilsGrade A Notes is published as a resource for Young LivingEssential Oil customers, distributors, interested parties,or the just plain curious.Published by Melodie & Brandon KantnerSince January 1999
Volume 6 Number 2 February 2004
In This Issue:
- Essential Oils in Pregnancy and Labor
- Essential Oil Recipes for Pregnancy and Labor
- Experiences: Oils in Pregnancy and Labor
The information provided here is for educational purposesonly and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, orprescription for any disease. The decision to use, or notto use, any of this information is the sole responsibilityof the reader.
Essential oils for Labor & Delivery
Essential oils are ideal for helping ease some of theproblems occurring during labor. Nausea can be alleviatedby using Peppermint or Spearmint oil in room vaporizers,or for foot massage. Peppermint is a refreshing mentalstimulant if the labor is long and tiring. Relaxing oilscan help relieve some of the emotional trauma associatedwith labor.The inhalation of the vapors from Clary sage has been foundhelpful to improve the efficiency of uterine contractionstowards the end of a long labor. Using aromatherapy forpregnancy and birth is also an age-old process. Aromatherapyis usually done to relive tension and promote relaxation.Massage is especially good for a woman during pregnancy tohelp relax the body and ease discomforts. Scenting the aircan also relax or rejuvenate you, and it's easy to do. Add2 to 6 drops of essential oil to a mister bottle & spray itin the room, or 2 to 4 drops of essential oil to a diffuserto add a soft fragrance to the air. Additionally, youcan add 2 to 6 drops of essential oil to a cotton ballwith a gentle oil such as lavender, place it on your pillow.Sometimes I put lavender on my hand and then rub my handover the pillow when I'm trying to relax or having troublesleeping.Remember to use a cold diffuser if you are diffusing oils.Heating with a candle or potpourri burner is not diffusing.Never heat the oils; it changes the chemical constituency.During labor and delivery, aromatherapy can be a very usefultool. Used correctly, essential oils can help ease pain anddiscomfort, aid in opening the breathing passages andprovide you with a general sense of comfort and relaxation. Some wonderful essential oils to use during labor & delivery include:
Gentle Baby
(an oil blend from Young Living)This beautiful combination of oils is for mothers and babies. Itis comforting, soothing, relaxing, and may be beneficial duringthe birthing process, as well as helping to relieve stressduring pregnancy. The oils of rose, rosewood,palmarosa, geranium, ylang ylang, and chamomile havetraditionally been used in European cosmetics to enhancethe youthful appearance of the skin.
How to use:
Diffuse, apply over mother's abdomen, on feet,lower back, face and neck areas. Dilute with V-6 Mixing Oilfor full body massage.
Lavender
A wonderfully versatile oil with a gentle fragrance, isvery helpful for dulling and easing uterine pain and forrelieving back and leg pains. Lavender is also a calmingoil that can relax you and ease nervousness. Use Lavenderfor massage, in compresses for the lower back or in adiffuser or bowl of hot water to help cleanse and purifythe air in the delivery room.Restores unbalanced states to a more harmonious state,and has been said to strengthen contractions.
Bergamot
It has a refreshing uplifting quality. It may help relieveanxiety, stress and tension.
How to use:
Diffuse. Apply to forehead, on temples or onlocation.
Note:
Do not apply to skin that may be directly exposed tosunlight or UV rays within 72 hrs.
Jasmine
A wonderfully warm fragrance, is very helpful during childbirth.Its analgesic and antispasmodic properties can help dulluterine pain while strengthening contractions to helpshorten labor. Jasmine has a gently uplifting quality onthe emotions and is a great confidence builder. Use formassage by itself or mixed with Lavender. Jasmine is also usefulas a compress on the lower abdomen directly afterbirth to help expel the placenta.
How to use:
Diffuse or apply topically.
Clary Sage
This works well as a muscle relaxant, relieving stress andtension in the body.
Chamomile (Roman)
Very gentle, soothing and calming to the mind and body.Helps calm the irritated, fretful or nervous person.
MORNING SICKNESS
One of the most common problems occurring in earlypregnancy, which essential oils may help, is morning sickness.Peppermint oil is an excellent treatment for this problem,and simply inhaling the oils vapors from a bowl of hot water canrelieve the nausea. (KEEP THE EYES CLOSED WHILEINHALING.)You can also put a drop of peppermint on your tongue, onlyif YOU ARE USING GRADE A or GENUINE & AUTHENTICgrade oils. Otherwise they may have chemical adulterants& you would not want them in your mouth.
IMPORTANT OILS TIP
When buying essential oils always look for labels thatstate "genuine & authentic" or "Grade A." Most people thinkthe words, "Pure" or "100% Pure" on the label indicate theoils are good. This is just not true. Price is usually agood indicator of quality. I have seen lavender oil for$5.00 and rose oil for $10.00. It takes around 4000pounds of rose petals to make 1 pound of rose oil.If you see rose oil for under $100.00. It is not purerose oil.Much more is involved in therapeutic grade oil than justthe purity. If they are not properly distilled, they won'tbe therapeutic grade.For more information on oil quality, send a blank email to: oilquality@infogeneratorpro.com
Essential Oil Recipes for Pregnancy and Labor
MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING GRADE A or GENUINE &AUTHENTIC grade oils. Otherwise they may have chemicaladulterants and could be dangerous.
Water Retention Massage Oil:
2 1/2 Tb. almond oil1/2 Tb. jojoba oil1 Evening Primrose oil capsule (approx. 10 drops)2 drops Tangerine1 drop Lemon4 Cypress4 Lavender3 GeraniumThis can be used all throughout pregnancy. Relax on thesofa with your legs raised by pillows. Apply the oils toyour feet, ankles and legs, massaging toward your heart tohelp circulation. The help of your partner would certainlybe appreciated.Pregnant Itchy Skin Blend:
2 1/2 Tb. Almond oil1/2 Tb. jojoba oil1 Evening Primrose capsule (approx. 10 drops)1 Vitamin E capsule (approx. 10 drops)4 drops Tangerine4 drops Geranium4 drops Lavender4 drops Cypress3 drops LemonThis blend uses the same EOs as the above Water Retentionblend, with differing amounts of the EOs. This oil can beused almost daily during pregnancy. Apply it to wet skinafter showering, especially on the growing belly. It mayhelp in not having to experience the itch that most mothersspeak of, plus it could be beneficial for stretch marks. (GentleBaby and Prenolone+ cream also work well onstretch marks).
Three Weeks Before Delivery:
8 drops Geranium5 drops Lavender1 oz. almond oilMix and rub on the perinea three times a day. This helpsto soften the cervix and thins the membrane to get readyfor delivery.
One Week Before Delivery:
8 drops Geranium5 drops Lavender5 drops Fennel1 oz. almond oilApply this on the perinea to further get it ready.
Labor Diffusing Blend:
40 drops Lavender37 drops Frankincense21 drops Ylang Ylang20 Chamomile RomanDiffuse into birthing room, if possible.Labor Cooling Compress Blend:10 drops Jasmine5 drops Chamomile Roman5 drops Geranium20 drops LavenderUse in a bowl of water; swish a wash cloth and use to coolmom's head and face.
During Labor:
4 drops Helichrysum4 drops Fennel2 drops Peppermint5 drops Ylang Ylang3 drops Clary Sage1/2 oz. mixing oilApply only after the labor starts. Massage inside the ankles,on little toes, little fingers and lower tummy and back.
Experiences:
Using Oils in Pregnancy and Labor
Thank you to the person that mentioned the web site thattalked about a study using lavender in sitz baths on womenwho had to have episiotomies during childbirth. I spokewith a friend last night. Her daughter gave birth Sundaymorning. It was quite stressful and traumatic on bothmother and baby. The doctor spent 2 hours sewing her upfrom major tearing. I suggested spraying Lavender in thearea. She emailed me this a.m. saying that she can walkwithout pain. Aren't these oils wonderful!
Peggy
I am starting my fourth month this week and have used theoils liberally. I use a lot of Gentle Baby on my abdomenand Frankincense. I use Spearmint at my temples for thenausea and occasionally peppermint. I too have been veryvery sick and have only about energy to do about 2-3 hoursof errands and stuff and the rest of the time I am battlingfatigue and nausea and the painful question of what can Iput in my stomach that I can force myself to eat.I think that the Power Meal and the Be Fit has been thebest help and I do notice a difference when I use them.I notice a difference when I use the Rose Oil and sometimes willcarry it around with me and just sniff it. I drink 3-4 quartjars of carbon-filtered water, only use rice milk,and try very hard to stay away from additives.The more energy my body has to use to fight preservativesand stress, the less available for me and the baby. I alsouse the Prenolone+ almost daily. I probably use 6-7 otheroils on my body, bur just choose from my case.
Kristine
My daughter-in-law and nieces have used Clary Sage withgreat results. It resulted in quick, smooth labor anddelivery. One used Dragon Time with good results and Ihave read Jasmine is very good. Gentle Baby can be rubbedon the tummy for stretching as well as the perineum to helpprevent episiotomies and tearing. It is not advised to useClary Sage except in the last few weeks of your pregnancy.Gentle Baby is wonderful for the newborn to soothe and relax(dilute with V-6).Blessings to you,
Debbi