Aromatherapy eases discomfort of pregnancy<\/p>\n
Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Pregnant women are often told to take it easy, to watch their
\ndiet, refrain from heavy work or exercise and avoid anything too
\nstimulating to the system.<\/p>\n
Aromatherapy, which many of us wrongly consider as just a
\npleasant mixing of relaxing scents, is often advised against
\nduring pregnancy.<\/p>\n
Well, perhaps it's time to take the kid gloves off.
\nAromatherapy is not just about a dab of lavender or patchouli
\noil here and there to cheer us up, but has long been used to
\ntreat a variety of health problems, from insomnia to nervousness.<\/p>\n
Rachmi Primadiati, a medical aromatherapist with Griya Natura
\nclinic in Kemang, South Jakarta, said it was true that not all
\noils could be used safely during pregnancy and women should
\nconsult with a certified medical aromatherapist before
\nundertaking a program.<\/p>\n
But, with attention to dosage and the types of oils, it can be
\nsafely used to ease various discomforts that often accompany
\npregnancy.<\/p>\n
Each essential oil has its own beneficial properties to help
\nalleviate various health conditions -- fluid retention, fatigue,
\nnausea, morning sickness, varicose veins, stretchmarks and pain
\nin the neck, upper and lower back -- during pregnancy, as well as
\nto smoothen the delivery process.<\/p>\n
The effectiveness of aromatherapy, Rachmi explained, lies in
\nthe use of essential oils, which are referred to by aromatherapy
\nenthusiasts as the \"life force of plants\".<\/p>\n
The oils are extracted from different parts of plants, like
\nthe flower, herbs, seeds, bark and root, which contain minute
\nsubstances beneficial for well being and used for centuries.<\/p>\n
The essential oil, which is what imparts the aroma to the
\nplant, works when the minute substances enter the system through
\ninhalation. When used on the skin, the oil can penetrate the skin
\nand enter the bloodstream.<\/p>\n
Contrary to the common belief that natural ingredients have no
\nharmful effects, Rachmi explained that certain essential oils
\nmust not be used during pregnancy. They include extracts from
\nplants such as angelica, anise, basil, cedarwood, clove,
\ncinnamon, camphor, fennel, hysop, juniper, jasmine, oregano,
\nparsley, peppermint, rosemary and nutmeg.<\/p>\n
\"They contain toxic materials and are also potent stimulants
\nthat can penetrate the placenta and affect the fetus,\" said
\nRachmi.<\/p>\n
Safe essential oils are lavender and ylang-ylang and those
\nfrom the citrus family, like neroli, mandarin, orange and
\ntangerine. Ones which should only be used in limited dosage
\ninclude geranium, lemon and sandalwood.<\/p>\n
\"First of all, we diagnose the client's discomforts and then
\nchoose the right essential oils which she likes and suit her
\ncharacter, the way of using it and how often it should be
\nrepeated,\" Rachmi said.<\/p>\n
Inhalation is just one way of using it since there are also
\nother stimulating methods, like adding it to the bath, a compress
\nor gentle massage.<\/p>\n
According to Rachmi, aromatherapy massage has a quicker effect
\nsince it involves the double senses of touch and smell. The skin-
\non-skin rubbing during massage enables the oil to penetrate the
\nskin, while the body's heat helps release its aroma.<\/p>\n
Depending on the purposes, aromatherapy massages can be
\ndifferentiated into:
\n* Swedish massage (or soft tissue massage to relax and
\nstimulate)
\n* neuromuscular massage (deep tissue massage performed along the
\nspinal column)
\n* shiatsu massage (to improve the flow of chi energy), and;
\n* lymph drainage (to help smoothen the removal of toxic materials
\nin the body, which should be supported with adequate exercise and
\ndeep breathing).<\/p>\n
Since pregnant women cannot lie on their stomach, gentle
\npregnancy massages with a focus on the neck, back and foot-and-
\nhands should be done in a sitting position or lying on the side.<\/p>\n
\"It can be helpful for the patient or her husband to be able
\nto perform simple, gentle foot-and-hand massage to relax tense
\nmuscles and soothe swollen feet during pregnancy by improving
\nblood circulation,\" said Rachmi.<\/p>\n
As for choosing the right essential oils, the aromatherapist
\nadvised choosing ones produced by means of distillation and cold
\ncompression.<\/p>\n
\"These methods of extraction ensure that the beneficial
\nproperties of the oils remain potent and unaffected,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She also advised the public to look for oils with labels
\nindicating purity and grades, such as pure essential oil, pure
\nundiluted essential oil, genuine pure undiluted oil or pure
\ngenuine organic essential oil.<\/p>\n
And since the oil is easily oxidized and sensitive to sunlight
\nand artificial light, it should be packed in a dark-colored
\nairtight bottle, ideally with a dropper. Rachmi advised against
\nbuying essential oil in clear bottles.<\/p>\n
If a bottle is unopened, the oil can last for up to five
\nyears, but after opening it will only last for around 18 months.
\nA mixture of essential oils should be used within a three-month
\nperiod.<\/p>\n
When using it at home, Rachmi warned aromatherapy fans to pay
\nattention to the correct dosage listed on the container.<\/p>\n
\"It is natural oil, but overusing it won't be without side
\neffects,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Treating pregnancy-related ills<\/p>\n
Here are some recommended treatments, but pregnant women should
\nalways consult a certified aromatherapist before beginning a
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
Fatigue:<\/p>\n
- Bath: Fill the bathtub half full with warm water, add two drops
\neach of lavender and neroli oil (or mandarin oil) for a 15-minute
\nsoak.<\/p>\n
- Massage: 1 tsp carrier oil with four drops of lavender oil and
\na drop of neroli or mandarin oil.<\/p>\n
Stretchmarks:<\/p>\n
- Skin application: 1 tsp avocado oil, 1 tsp sweet almond oil
\nwith three drops of one or a combination of these oils:
\ntangerine, lavender, frankincense, neroli and black pepper oils.<\/p>\n
Backpain:<\/p>\n
- Bath: Fill the bathtub half full with warm water, add four
\ndrops of one or a combination of these oils: lavender, ylang-
\nylang, mandarin, chamomile, lavender, sandalwood and geranium
\noils.<\/p>\n
- Compress: 500 ml warm or cold water, two drops of chamomile and
\ntwo drops of lavender or sandalwood oil.<\/p>\n
- Massage: One tsp carrier oil, one drop of lavender and one drop
\nof geranium oils.<\/p>\n
Fluid retention:<\/p>\n
- Bath: fill a bathtub half full with warm water, four drops of
\neither lemon, cyprus, black pepper and ginger oil for a 15-minute
\nto 30-minute bath.<\/p>\n
- Massage: One tsp carrier oil, plus two drops of one of the
\nabovementioned oils.<\/p>\n
Varicose veins:<\/p>\n
- Foot bath: Fill a bathtub half full with tepid water, four
\ndrops of either cyprus, lavender, lemon or frankincense oil, for
\na 15-minute foot bath.<\/p>\n
- Skin application: One tsp carrier oil, two drops of one of the
\nabovementioned oils (do not use pressure during application).<\/p>\n
Insomnia:<\/p>\n
- Bath: Fill a bathtub half full with warm water, add four drops
\nof either lavender, ylang-ylang and neroli oil, for a 15-minute
\nto 30 minute bath before retiring.<\/p>\n
- Massage\/apply on the neck and back: One tsp carrier oil, two
\ndrops of one of the abovementioned oils.<\/p>\n
- Inhalation: One - three drops of one of the oils on the pillow
\nor a tissue or handkerchief, or inhale directly from the bottle.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aromatherapy-eases-discomfort-of-pregnancy-1447893297",
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