Essential oils have their own individual character or “blueprint” – an absolutely unique identity. They are very potent and can be used in small quantity for beneficial and effective results. Each oil has an ingredient list that reads like a laboratory report. Using the sun’s energy, plus soil, air and water, a perfectly balanced blend of complex chemicals is born. It is this combination of elements that gives each oil its individual fragrance along with its particular beneficial and healing properties. It is impossible to synthetically produce an essential oil in its exact form.

Application
There are four basic ways to take essential oils: through the lungs (inhalation), through the skin (massage), through the digestive tract (by mouth) and through the absorbent tissues of the body orifices (suppositories or orally absorbed—not swallowed). Holding oils in the mouth allows them to be absorbed directly into the blood stream. Swallowing the oils results in a major portion being destroyed by the stomach acids, so a greater amount of oil is required when swallowed than when simply held in the mouth. But since some oils are too strong to be held comfortably in the mouth, and when internal usage is desired, swallowing oils in a capsule is an effective alternative. The choice of the usage should best fit the need.

The skin is the body’s largest organ. When an essential oil is applied to the skin, the tiny molecular structure of the oil enables it to pass through the skin. It travels via the hair follicles, diffusing into the bloodstream or taken into the lymphatic and extra-cellular fluids, at which point the organic, therapeutic ingredients of the essential oil are broken down and used by the body for the intended purpose. It can take anywhere from twenty minutes to seven hours for the oils applied to the skin to be fully absorbed into the body.

Reactions
It is possible for a person to have a reaction after using an essential oil for the first time. The person may feel slightly tired or may feel like she is coming down with the flu. She may get a slight headache. Reactions to essential oils are signs that the body is throwing out toxins. Drinking plenty of water will help flush out the toxins and alleviate the symptoms more quickly.

Adulterated oils that are cut with synthetic extenders can be very detrimental, causing rashes, burning, and skin irritations. Petrochemical solvents, such dipropylene glycol and diethylphthalate, can all cause allergic reactions, besides being devoid of any therapeutic effects. Heritage Essential Oils are the highest quality available, and never adulterated nor contain pesticides.

Don’t assume that because an essential oil is 100% pure, it will not burn the skin. Some pure essential oils may cause skin irritation if applied undiluted (neat). If you apply straight oregano oil to the skin, it may cause severe reddening and burning. Citrus and spice oils, like orange and cinnamon, may also produce rashes. Even the terpenes in conifer oils, like pine, may cause skin irritation on sensitive people.

Research shows that a few compounds when isolated from the essential oil and tested in the laboratory can exert toxic effects. Even some laboratory-structured essential oils, which have been chemically duplicated using 5 to 15 of the essential oil’s chemical compounds in synthetic form, can produce unwanted side effects or toxicities. Isolated compounds may be toxic; however pure, unaltered essential oils, in most cases, are not. This is because natural essential oils contain hundreds of different compounds, some of which balance and counteract each other’s effects.


Pregnancy Safety Information
I found it very difficult to put a list together of oils to avoid during pregnancy. As I searched various sources, I found that each author held his own opinion, and depending on his frame of reference, the list changed.

Carrying an unborn child is an incredible responsibility, and we suggest that you only use pure, high quality oils and use them in moderation. Many long-time essential oil users feel that high quality oils that are diluted, applied topically and in moderation should not cause a problem. An unsafe oil is one that is not pure and has possibly been distilled with chemicals at high heat for high yield rather than for therapeutic value. Using any oil improperly or outside the realm of moderation may be unsafe.

This list is compiled from various sources: Ann Berwick, Connie & Alan Higley, Julia Lawless, Shirley & Len Price, Jeanne Rose, Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs.

Essential Oils to AVOID During Pregnancy
Single Oils: Basil, Birch, Calamus, Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Hyssop, Idaho Tansy, Lavandin, Rosemary Cineol, Sage, Tarragon, Wintergreen

Blends: Digestion Support, Ancient Defense

Essential Oils to USE WITH CAUTION During Pregnancy
Single Oils: Angelica, Cedarwood, Cistus, Citronella, Clary Sage, Clove, Cumin, Cypress (Black), Davana, Fennel, German Chamomile, Laurel Nobilis, Marjoram, Mountain Savory, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Rose, Spearmint, Vetiver, Yarrow

Blends: Muscle Relax, Balance, Arctic Ice, Plague Defense

Clary Sage, Sage and Fennel contain constituents with hormone-like properties that could possibly cause adverse reactions in the mother, although, according to Higley’s, there are no recorded cases in humans.

Gentle, Pregnancy Essential Oils
German Chamomile
Grapefruit
Jasmine
Lavender
Mandarin
Roman Chamomile
Rose
Spearmint
Tangerine
Ylang Ylang

Aches & Pains – Mother's Moisturizing Spray or Lavender: Use as a massage on location, or add a few drops to ½-cup Epsom salts and mix in bath water.

Blood Pressure (High) – Circulation Blend + Lavender. Apply over the heart, on the feet, on the lifeline of the hand and under the ring finger and above the elbow. It may also help to apply this blend along the spine from the first to the fourth thoracic vertebrae, which correspond to the cardiopulmonary nerves. Diffuse Ylang Ylang during labor if high blood pressure is an issue.

Increase intake of magnesium, which acts as a smooth-muscle relaxant and as a natural calcium channel blocker for the heart, lowering blood pressure and dilating the heart blood vessels.

Avoid using Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme and possibly Peppermint.

Breast Infection – Citrus Blessing + Lavender. Dilute with massage oil and apply to breasts and under arms twice a day. (Apply after nursing and avoid the nipple area.)

Lymphatic Cleanse in drinking water may help drain the lymph system and keep the toxins flowing out of the body.

Ancient Healing and Warrior blends are powerful infection fighting oils. Diffuse, rub on the bottoms of the feet or take internally (3 drops in a capsule) to help fight infection.

Breech – Peppermint oil applied at the head. Baby will usually turn away from the oil.

Constipation – Digestion Support blend. (Apply topically on abdomen or add a drop or two to a glass - not plastic - of water several times a day as needed.)

Contractions / Uterus – Clary Sage has been used to tone the uterus and has been known to speed up slow labor or strengthen ineffectual contractions. Apply Clary Sage around the ankles. This can be very effective taken internally (about 6 drops under the tongue and held there up to two minutes or in a capsule.

Delivery – Clary Sage, Lavender, Mother's Moisturizing Spray (stimulates circulation, calming, antibiotic-like, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic)

Nutmeg (adrenal support, balances hormones, calms the central nervous system, alleviates anxiety, increases circulation and is good for blood supply). Nutmeg is generally non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing. However, large doses may cause nausea, stupor and tachycardia. Use in moderation and with care during pregnancy.

Bones & Joints blend – May help to align mother’s hips; apply along the inside and bottom of each foot, then have someone hold feet – right palm to right foot and left palm to left foot (to balance energy flow). Rub a couple drops along the newborn’s spine for alignment.

Edema - 3 drops Ginger, 2 drops Cypress and 2 drops Lavender mixed with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil massaged on location (not the abdomen), always massaging upward toward the heart. Use once a day as needed for up to 10 days, and then give your body a break.

Energy – Mother's Moisturizing Spray massage. Diffuse Lemon. Blend equal amounts of Lavender, Grapefruit and Coriander. Mix 6 drops with Epsom or bath salts, and enjoy!

Heartburn – Drink about 80 oz. water daily. The general rule of thumb is ½ your body weight in ounces of pure water a day.

Hemorrhaging – Add a few drops of Helichrysum or Helichrysum Blend to Mother's Moisturizing Spray and apply to lower back to help prevent hemorrhaging.

Hemorrhoids -  Apply Hemorrhoid blend topically. Geranium and Cypress blended 3-1 make a great anti-hemorrhoid combination when blended with a small tube of KY jelly.  Squeezed the entire tube into a small glass jar and add 15 drops of Geranium and 5 drops Cypress.

Insomnia – Mother's Moisturizing Spray or Lavender & Ylang Ylang applied topically.

Labor – Clary Sage may help kick labor into gear and may be combined with Fennel.

  Mother's Moisturizing Spray rubbed on little fingers and toes when contracting may help keep the baby in the birth canal.

Diffuse Lavender during labor. Lavender has analgesic and antiseptic-like properties. Lavender is soothing and stimulates circulation.

Slow Labor or to Induce – 8 drops Clary Sage, 8 drops Lavender, 8 drops Jasmine in 2 oz. massage oil may be useful when trying to induce labor or augment a slow, lazy labor.

Post Labor – Mother's Moisturizing Spray or Lavender & Geranium
Lavender is calming and has a slight analgesic effect. It also stimulates circulation, which is great for both mother and baby, and has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Geranium is one of the best oils to stimulate circulation, which in turn facilitates easy breathing. It has a contractive effect and helps pull together dilated tissues, so it is healing for the uterus and endometrium after the birth.
Gently massage any of these oils on lower abdomen.

Leg Cramps
Prepare a foot bath with comfortably hot water and add: 10 drops Lavender, 5 drops Geranium and 2 drops Cypress

Mastitis or Engorged Breasts – To relieve pressure and decongest add a few drops of Mother's Moisturizing Spray to a bowl of warm water. Soak a washcloth in this solution and apply to breasts as a compress. (See Breast Infection)

Milk Production – Clary Sage (brings in milk), Fennel or Basil (increase), Peppermint with cold compress (to decrease). Dilute with massage oil and apply after nursing and avoid the nipple area.

 ***Caution: According to Higley’s, Fennel should not be used for more than 10 days as it will excessively increase flow through the urinary tract.

Miscarriage – Lavender may help prevent a miscarriage.

After a miscarriage massage abdomen with Mother's Moisturizing Spray, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender, Roman Chamomile or Spruce topically midway between the navel and base of the sternum.

Morning Sickness – May be caused by a congested liver. If possible, do a colon and then liver cleanse before conception. Digestion Support blend (1-2 drops in a glass (not plastic) of water and sip or apply 1-2 drops around the navel, apply on or behind the ears) Ginger or Peppermint may also be used. Diffuse Lemon or Spearmint.  A few drops of Grapefruit, Lemon, Tangerine or Orange essential oil in water sipped throughout the day should help. Adequate water consumption will help move the toxins out. Spirulina, barley grass juice and kelp supplements may help also.

Newborn – Myrrh on remaining umbilical cord and around the navel to protect from infection.

Nipples (Sore) – Nursing Care blend of true Rose (Rosa damascena) and Marigold (Calendula officinalis) in a base of Almond, Tamanu/Foraha ( or Calophyllum) oil and Wheat Germ oils is very healing to sore and cracked nipples. Calendula tincture helps heal cracked, bleeding nipples also.

Nursing – Fennel, Geranium and Clary Sage used individually will increase milk supply. These oils can be applied topically to breasts, but be sure to dilute with massage oil. Apply after nursing and avoid the nipple area, or add a drop or two to a glass of water several times a day as needed. Use Peppermint sparingly as it may decrease milk supply.

Pain –  Pain-X (Apply to lower back and tummy area as desired.)

Placenta – Basil has been used to help retain, and Jasmine helps expulsion.

Placental Abruption – Geranium and Helichrysum Blend applied on placental site may help stop bleeding after a placental abruption.

Premature Labor – Lavender rubbed on tummy may help stop premature labor.

Stretch Marks – Mother's Moisturizing Spray (apply to tummy daily).

Tearing (Avoid) – Apply Tender Tissue Spray to perineum 3 weeks before delivery, 3 times a day. (Mother's Moisturizing Spray, Lavender or Geranium work well too.) Tender Tissue Spray is anti-fungal and will also help avoid vaginal yeast infection.

Toxemia – Circulation Blend. Apply over the heart, on the feet, on the lifeline of the hand and under the ring finger and above the elbow. It may also help to apply this blend along the spine from the first to the fourth thoracic vertebrae, which correspond to the cardiopulmonary nerves.

Massage swollen ankles and legs with equal amounts of Cypress, Lavender and Ginger (6 drops of this blend mixed with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.

For prevention, make sure mom consumes dark, leafy greens daily to help assimilate protein.

Umbilical Cord – Myrrh on remaining umbilical cord and around the navel to protect from infection.

Varicose Veins – Blood Clot Aid or add 5 drops each of Cypress, Lemon & Geranium to 2 oz. unscented lotion and apply over troublesome veins. It is not recommend to massage the veins.

Yeast Infection – Tender Tissue Spray applied topically on location as needed. Some have had quick results fighting the candida by taking Cleansing blend internally. 
 

Disclaimer:

If pregnant, nursing or under a doctor’s care, consult your health care provider prior to use.

All information, content and product descriptions contained within this site is for reference purposes and is not intended to substitute advice given by a pharmacist, physician, or other licensed health-care professional. You should not use this information for treating a health problem or disease or to make a self-diagnosis. Actual product packaging and materials may contain different information than that shown on this Web site. Contact your Health Care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem. Information and statements regarding Heritage Essential Oils products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition or disease. The choice of the process used in application of our essential oil products is the sole responsibility of the user.