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Abstract:
This paper focuses on the safety issues concerning the use of aromatherapy with childbirth and child care, as practiced by various healthcare professionals. This paper covers topical and environmental/inhalation methods of application of essential oils in childbirth and child care, the reasons certain oils are to be avoided, and an emphasis on the risks of undiluted application on the skin. Through a synthesis of existing safety data, this paper offers guidelines for safe practices to avoid harm to the practitioner, mothers, and their children.
Keywords: aromatherapy, essential oils, sensitization, essential oil safety
There seems to be an abundance of misinformation about the powers and safety of using essential oils for various effects. In the field for almost 40 years, the authors have seen countless unnecessary injuries to adults, babies, and animals from overuse of undiluted essential oils. Many unfortunately believe that since essential oils are "pure and natural", they are therefore safe. Misuse, especially by overuse, can lead to injury. This is especially true when working with special populations like pregnant women and their children.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the inhalation and application of essential oils from aromatic plants, flowers, trees and shrubs to restore or enhance health, beauty and well-being. Essential oils have a wide range of biological activity, but they are not universally safe.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are the highly concentrated extract of plant matter. These tiny droplets are present in particular glands, hairs, or specific structures of the plant and contain some of the active principles of the plant Essential oils are phytochemicals with particular biological properties distinct from herbal preparations. Non-oily in texture, these highly concentrated substances are obtained by steam distillation, peel pressure, and solvent extraction methods. (Sheppard-Hanger, 2008).
How Do Essential Oils Work On the Body?
Essential oils are a great alternative for some traditional medical treatments. Essential oils are less toxic than synthetic antibiotics (Pereira et al., 2014) and can support health working with the body's own natural healing abilities (Miller etal., 2012). Oils can directly or indirectly affect the body's physiological systems. For instance, inhalations of peppermint or eucalyptus oils can relieve respiratory symptoms of congestion because of their mucus thinning properties (Sinclair, 1996), and inhaled peppermint can calm nausea (Sites...