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.