Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used in medical care and has been shown to have the potential to reduce plasma level of stress hormones. The healing ingredients of essential oils are commonly used in medicine across the globe.1

Essential oils and their components are rapidly absorbed through the skin. Linalool and linalyl acetate have been rapidly detected in plasma following topical application, attaining peak levels after about 19 min.2

A large number of pregnant women use CAM, including aromatherapy.3 A prospective, randomized, controlled trial recruited 13 pregnant women in week 28 of a single pregnancy with a normal course. Seven participants were assigned to the aromatherapy group and 6 participants to the control group. Aromatherapy inhalation using essential oils containing linalyl acetate and linalool was effective for the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and parasympathetic nerve activity, based on an intragroup comparison. Aromatherapy was found to be effective for improving the temporary mood on the Tension-Anxiety and Anger-Hostility scales. The amount of parasympathetic activity increased, and relaxing effects were observed.3

Another study assessed the effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. One hundred pregnant women with nausea and vomiting were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups and lemon essential oil and placebo were given to the intervention and control groups, respectively, to inhale as soon as nausea was felt. Statistically significant difference was noted between the two groups in the mean scores of nausea and vomiting on the second and fourth days. The means of nausea and vomiting intensity on the second and fourth days in the intervention group were significantly lower than the control group. Lemon essential oil was thus found to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.4

A study explored the effect of lavender cream (prepared by adding lavender essential oil to a base cream), with or without foot-bath on depression, anxiety and stress among pregnant women. Overall, 141 women at 25 to 28 weeks gestation were randomly assigned into three groups (47 in each group) to receive lavender cream with foot-bath, only lavender cream, or placebo, 2g every night for two months. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed at baseline, and 4 and 8 weeks after intervention. Scores of all three outcomes in both lavender and foot-bath and lavender only groups were significantly lower as compared to those in the placebo group at the 8th week. It was thus concluded that lavender cream with foot-bath, or alone, can be used for pregnant women for reducing stress, anxiety and depression.5

A study assessed the effect of topical rose oil in women with pregnancy-related low back pain. Significant decrease in pain intensity was noted compared to carrier oil or no intervention. Rose oil also improved functional ability of these patients in comparison with no intervention.6

Essential oils thus seem to have multiple benefits in pregnancy, ranging from reduction in pain intensity to improvement in functional ability, reduction in stress, anxiety and depression and reduction in nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

References

1. Pasha H, Behmanesh F, Mohsenzadeh F, et al. Study of the Effect of Mint Oil on Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2012 Nov; 14(11): 727–730.
2. Koulivand PH, Ghadiri MK, Gorji A. Lavender and the Nervous System. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013; 2013: 681304.
3. Igarashi T. Physical and Psychologic Effects of Aromatherapy Inhalation on Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2013 Oct; 19(10): 805–810.
4. Kia PY, Safajou F, Shahnazi M, Nazemiyeh H. The Effect of Lemon Inhalation Aromatherapy on Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014 Mar; 16(3): e14360.
5. Effati-Daryani F, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mirghafourvand M, et al. Effect of Lavender Cream with or without Foot-bath on Anxiety, Stress and Depression in Pregnancy: a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Caring Sci. 2015 Mar; 4(1): 63–73.
6. Shirazi M, Mohebitabar S, Bioos S, et al. The Effect of Topical Rosa damascena (Rose) Oil on Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine 2017;22(1):120-126.