Aromatherapy eases discomfort of pregnancy

Aromatherapy eases discomfort of pregnancy

Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Pregnant women are often told to take it easy, to watch their
diet, refrain from heavy work or exercise and avoid anything too
stimulating to the system.

Aromatherapy, which many of us wrongly consider as just a
pleasant mixing of relaxing scents, is often advised against
during pregnancy.

Well, perhaps it's time to take the kid gloves off.
Aromatherapy is not just about a dab of lavender or patchouli
oil here and there to cheer us up, but has long been used to
treat a variety of health problems, from insomnia to nervousness.

Rachmi Primadiati, a medical aromatherapist with Griya Natura
clinic in Kemang, South Jakarta, said it was true that not all
oils could be used safely during pregnancy and women should
consult with a certified medical aromatherapist before
undertaking a program.

But, with attention to dosage and the types of oils, it can be
safely used to ease various discomforts that often accompany
pregnancy.

Each essential oil has its own beneficial properties to help
alleviate various health conditions -- fluid retention, fatigue,
nausea, morning sickness, varicose veins, stretchmarks and pain
in the neck, upper and lower back -- during pregnancy, as well as
to smoothen the delivery process.

The effectiveness of aromatherapy, Rachmi explained, lies in
the use of essential oils, which are referred to by aromatherapy
enthusiasts as the "life force of plants".

The oils are extracted from different parts of plants, like
the flower, herbs, seeds, bark and root, which contain minute
substances beneficial for well being and used for centuries.

The essential oil, which is what imparts the aroma to the
plant, works when the minute substances enter the system through
inhalation. When used on the skin, the oil can penetrate the skin
and enter the bloodstream.

Contrary to the common belief that natural ingredients have no
harmful effects, Rachmi explained that certain essential oils
must not be used during pregnancy. They include extracts from
plants such as angelica, anise, basil, cedarwood, clove,
cinnamon, camphor, fennel, hysop, juniper, jasmine, oregano,
parsley, peppermint, rosemary and nutmeg.

"They contain toxic materials and are also potent stimulants
that can penetrate the placenta and affect the fetus," said
Rachmi.

Safe essential oils are lavender and ylang-ylang and those
from the citrus family, like neroli, mandarin, orange and
tangerine. Ones which should only be used in limited dosage
include geranium, lemon and sandalwood.

"First of all, we diagnose the client's discomforts and then
choose the right essential oils which she likes and suit her
character, the way of using it and how often it should be
repeated," Rachmi said.

Inhalation is just one way of using it since there are also
other stimulating methods, like adding it to the bath, a compress
or gentle massage.

According to Rachmi, aromatherapy massage has a quicker effect
since it involves the double senses of touch and smell. The skin-
on-skin rubbing during massage enables the oil to penetrate the
skin, while the body's heat helps release its aroma.

Depending on the purposes, aromatherapy massages can be
differentiated into:
* Swedish massage (or soft tissue massage to relax and
stimulate)
* neuromuscular massage (deep tissue massage performed along the
spinal column)
* shiatsu massage (to improve the flow of chi energy), and;
* lymph drainage (to help smoothen the removal of toxic materials
in the body, which should be supported with adequate exercise and
deep breathing).

Since pregnant women cannot lie on their stomach, gentle
pregnancy massages with a focus on the neck, back and foot-and-
hands should be done in a sitting position or lying on the side.

"It can be helpful for the patient or her husband to be able
to perform simple, gentle foot-and-hand massage to relax tense
muscles and soothe swollen feet during pregnancy by improving
blood circulation," said Rachmi.

As for choosing the right essential oils, the aromatherapist
advised choosing ones produced by means of distillation and cold
compression.

"These methods of extraction ensure that the beneficial
properties of the oils remain potent and unaffected," she said.

She also advised the public to look for oils with labels
indicating purity and grades, such as pure essential oil, pure
undiluted essential oil, genuine pure undiluted oil or pure
genuine organic essential oil.

And since the oil is easily oxidized and sensitive to sunlight
and artificial light, it should be packed in a dark-colored
airtight bottle, ideally with a dropper. Rachmi advised against
buying essential oil in clear bottles.

If a bottle is unopened, the oil can last for up to five
years, but after opening it will only last for around 18 months.
A mixture of essential oils should be used within a three-month
period.

When using it at home, Rachmi warned aromatherapy fans to pay
attention to the correct dosage listed on the container.

"It is natural oil, but overusing it won't be without side
effects," she said.

Treating pregnancy-related ills

Here are some recommended treatments, but pregnant women should
always consult a certified aromatherapist before beginning a
program.

Fatigue:

- Bath: Fill the bathtub half full with warm water, add two drops
each of lavender and neroli oil (or mandarin oil) for a 15-minute
soak.

- Massage: 1 tsp carrier oil with four drops of lavender oil and
a drop of neroli or mandarin oil.

Stretchmarks:

- Skin application: 1 tsp avocado oil, 1 tsp sweet almond oil
with three drops of one or a combination of these oils:
tangerine, lavender, frankincense, neroli and black pepper oils.

Backpain:

- Bath: Fill the bathtub half full with warm water, add four
drops of one or a combination of these oils: lavender, ylang-
ylang, mandarin, chamomile, lavender, sandalwood and geranium
oils.

- Compress: 500 ml warm or cold water, two drops of chamomile and
two drops of lavender or sandalwood oil.

- Massage: One tsp carrier oil, one drop of lavender and one drop
of geranium oils.

Fluid retention:

- Bath: fill a bathtub half full with warm water, four drops of
either lemon, cyprus, black pepper and ginger oil for a 15-minute
to 30-minute bath.

- Massage: One tsp carrier oil, plus two drops of one of the
abovementioned oils.

Varicose veins:

- Foot bath: Fill a bathtub half full with tepid water, four
drops of either cyprus, lavender, lemon or frankincense oil, for
a 15-minute foot bath.

- Skin application: One tsp carrier oil, two drops of one of the
abovementioned oils (do not use pressure during application).

Insomnia:

- Bath: Fill a bathtub half full with warm water, add four drops
of either lavender, ylang-ylang and neroli oil, for a 15-minute
to 30 minute bath before retiring.

- Massage/apply on the neck and back: One tsp carrier oil, two
drops of one of the abovementioned oils.

- Inhalation: One - three drops of one of the oils on the pillow
or a tissue or handkerchief, or inhale directly from the bottle.