Is it Safe to Use Essential Oils During Pregnancy?

Some essential oils are not safe to be used during pregnancy as they can stimulate uterine contractions or are potentially toxic to the unborn child.

There are essential oils which can be used late in the pregnancy, such as in the birthing room, to help promote relaxation, calm and assist with the labour process.

Relaxing Blend, designed by Aromatherapy Clinic, contains both lavender and clary sage essential oils to help bring calm and reduce stress. This blend can be used in a diffuser, aromatherapy massage or add a few drops to your bath for a relaxing spa experience at home.

What is clary sage oil?

Clary Sage is a biennial or short-lived perennial herb native to the northern Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and Central Asia. It is now cultivated commercially in many regions, including France, Russia, and the United States.

The essential oil is derived primarily from the flowering tops and leaves of the plant. The extraction method used is steam distillation, which is a process that uses steam to gently release the volatile aromatic compounds from the plant material, resulting in the pure, concentrated essential oil.

Clary Sage is a versatile and effective essential oil that offers natural support for mood, hormones, and overall relaxation.

What does Clary Sage smell like? 

Clary Sage has a complex aroma that is often described using several layers.

• Herbal and Earthy: It possesses a deep, grounding herbal note, reminiscent of hay or dry tobacco.
• Sweet and Floral: Unlike many herbaceous oils, it has a pronounced sweet, slightly floral undertone.
• Nutty and Tea-like: Its unique chemical profile often gives it a subtle, sweet, musky, or even tea-like aroma that is quite pleasant and lingering.

This rich and comforting scent makes it a wonderful addition to diffusers and personalised perfume blends.

What are the benefits of using Clary Sage?

Clary Sage has been used for centuries to increase feelings of calm and relaxation, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress and anxiety.

Clary Sage has been scientifically shown to decrease cortisol levels, which is an indicator of stress.

The therapeutic benefits of Clary Sage essential oil are mainly attributed to its high concentration of the ester component, linalyl acetate, which is known for its calming properties.

1. Emotional and Stress Relief: Clary Sage is highly valued for its profound calming and grounding effects. It can help soothe nervous tension, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and promote a sense of well-being. It’s an excellent oil to diffuse during meditation or before sleep.
2. Hormonal Balance: This oil is particularly famous for its beneficial effects on the female reproductive system. It is traditionally used to help alleviate symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), menstruation discomfort, and support the body during menopause by helping to balance emotional and physical fluctuations.
3. Promotes Restful Sleep: Due to its powerful sedative qualities, diffusing Clary Sage oil before bedtime can significantly improve sleep quality, helping to ease you into a deeper and more restorative sleep cycle.
4. Skin and Hair Health: When properly diluted in a carrier oil, Clary Sage can be beneficial for the skin. Its balancing properties can help regulate sebum production, making it useful for both oily and dry skin types. It is also often used in hair care to promote a healthy scalp.
5. Relief from Discomfort: It can be incorporated into massage blends to help soothe muscular tension and discomfort, often working alongside its emotional benefits to help the body fully relax.

Is it Safe to Use Clary Sage Oil During Pregnancy?

Clary sage essential oil is not recommended for general use during pregnancy, especially before 37 weeks. Clary sage works by increasing oxytocin levels, which stimulate uterine muscles to contract during labour, so it is only recommended for use during late-stage pregnancy.

How to use Clary Sage essential oil:

You can diffuse Clary Sage oil in a burner or diffuser or inhale the aroma directly from the bottle. Breathing clary sage oil has been shown to increase oxytocin levels.

During pregnancy, it is not safe to use clary sage oil before 37 weeks. After 37 weeks it may be possible to naturally induce labour using clary sage oil. Apply a few drops neat or, if you have sensitive skin, dilute the Clary Sage essential oil in a carrier oil such as jojoba or extra virgin olive oil and massage onto the lower abdomen. Uterine contractions will begin as the oxytocin levels increase.

Related article: How to Safely Dilute Essential Oils in Carrier Oil

Unless otherwise advised by a professional, it is not safe to ingest pure, undiluted essential oils. We do not recommend ingesting Clary Sage essential oil.

For high quality, 100% pure and natural essential oils visit Aromatherapy Clinic’s online store.

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