Essential oil and pregnancy

Yang perlu di perhatikan mengenai penggunaan minyak atsiri / aroma terapi selama masa kehamilan. Bolehkah menggunakan minyak atsiri selama masa kehamilan? apakah minyak atsiri baik buat bayi? apakah minyak atsiri bisa mengatasi sulit tidur? Dapatkan jawabannya disini.

Can essential oils be used during pregnancy?
We used to advise not at all in the first three months, and then maybe only quite prudently, pointing to a long history of anecdotal reportage of safe use. However various regulatory bodies concerned with the toxicological effects of essential oils on both sides of the pond have pointed out that detailed evidence of the effects of essential oils on human reproductive toxicology is missing. We also know that foetal and infant detoxification mechanisms are under-developed and we understand them poorly. It would be the choice of (Safety Chair) therefore to err on the side of extreme caution and not use essential oils during pregnancy, although this policy might be considered rather extreme by some.

Are there any essential oils or aromatherapy products that should not be used during pregnancy?
Turning the question around, these well diluted oils arguably might have less potential for possible adverse effects: chamomile oils, geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang ylang.

Can essential oils be used during the birthing process?
Traditionally we have said that oils like lavender can help relax mom by scenting the air, when used as a back rub etc. However it has also been said that relaxants work counter to the process of giving birth. We are unaware of any studies done on the effect of oils such as lavender on the CNS (central nervous system) of a new born baby - personally it wouldn't be our choice (Safety chair) to administer psycho physiologically depressant substances to a new born baby. But again, this attitude might be considered extreme by some.

What about topical application of aromatherapy blend to the skin of the perineum before giving birth?
Not recommended.

Can essential oils be used for breast tenderness during pregnancy?
Yes very dilute massage with chamomiles/lavender perhaps.

Can essential oils be used during breast feeding or if mastitis occurs?
Not during the process, could interfere with baby sense of smell, finding mom, etc. For mastitis, compresses with anti-inflammatory oils may be useful after breastfeeding (only if your doctor agrees), but essential oil treatment is no substitute for medication. It is important that the oils are not used on the breasts when baby will come into contact.

I have heard that there are some essential oils that can help to increase the production of breast milk. Is this true? And if so, how would I apply the essential oils?
Folk law stories have it that this is the case (especially with farm and domesticated animals), but we know of no controlled clinical studies which substantiate the claim in humans.

What essential oils and or bases would be beneficial for stretch marks?
Cocoa butter has always been recommended, no oil will remove scars yet there are scar formulas all over internet. Massage during pregnancy will help reduce maybe….

Are there any essential oils that are useful for constipation during pregnancy? How would the oils be applied?
Don’t use essential oils for constipation, but a fixed oil massaged onto the abdomen may help

What essential oils are helpful for morning sickness from nausea?
Traditionally peppermint and chamomile (Roman) have been taken as a tea in traditional teabag form, not via essential oils in water.

Can essential oils be used in a full body bath and or foot bath for edema and swelling?
Full baths are not recommended near end of pregnancy: foot baths might be used to advantage.

I have heard that essential oils can be incorporated with a sitz bath to aid in healing of hemorrhoids as well as soothing the perineum after giving birth. If so, which essential oils would be useful?
Suggest cypress, sandalwood, and lavender.

Is aromatherapy useful for postpartum effects, like fatigue, depression and not sleeping well?
Of course, now is the time to use them! Use lavender for sleeping, and uplifting scents for fatigue and depression

Can I use essential oils on my baby for colic?
Some authorities say that essential oil flavored waters (e.g. gripe water) are not now recommended on safety grounds. We would recommend you to find alternative cures. Very dilute lavender could be used to massage cranky babies, and this may help relieve some tension in mom and baby

I've read your site on essential oils but is this for straight out of the bottle oils or is it safe to use skincare products with the oils in them. Such as face cleansers, toners, moisturizers, homemade real/castile soap. Are these safe for during pregnancy/nursing since there not straight/full strength?
In fact essential oils should not be used full strength on the skin. period. But I see what you mean - you could regard the essential oil content of these cosmetic products as coming 'prediluted'.

If you've read the Safety of Essential Oils Safety Data, and the concerns about the Methyl Eugenol Content of Essential Oils articles authored by myself, you will have some awareness of the issues involved. Although we are exposed on a daily basis to small amounts of essential oils & synthetic fragrance chemicals from many sources (e.g. soaps & cosmetics, perfumes, household & cleaning materials, space odorants, dental products, spiced food. medicated confectionary (cough sweets), muscle rubs, bath & sauna products etc. etc.), the direct application of fragranced products to the skin - even when diluted as they generally are - can represent a higher potential dose event per unit of body weight, than, say, breathing normally for a while in a slightly fragranced environment such as a hotel lobby room. Under our obligation of due diligence, we are therefore extra cautious when giving safety advice to clients of aromatherapists of child-bearing age, just because the potential dose of essential oils from this type of exposure could be over and above that normally encountered (although I should also say at this point that there are even toxicological investigations being conducted presently on indoor air quality, looking at the effect of background levels of aroma chemicals from incense, air freshener perfumes etc etc. on human health. So even background levels of fragrance in the home are presently being considered for Health & Safety risks). The advice about essential oils in our profession generally takes the form that, if at all possible, avoid or minimise exposure to essential oils in pregnancy, especially, some would say, in the first trimester. I would think that this advice holds good for fragranced cosmetic products also - and if it is seem by some as being over-cautious: then so be it - personally, I would rather err on the side of caution in this particular matter.

There are national guidelines for ingredients which can be safely used in cosmetics, and these are under constant review by bodies concerned with toxicological matters. Although the big names in cosmetics will almost certainly be aware of, and abide by, these regulations, it is a matter of conjecture as to whether smaller cottage industries are always 'up to speed' with these issues. Further, new regulations currently being introduced on both sides of the pond require that data on many more heavily-used essential oils is assembled for (amongst other things) any carcinogenic. mutagenic and reproductive toxicological properties, as well as their potential eco-toxicity. It probable that this data is incomplete in many respects, or is missing, for many major essential oils, and it is almost certainly missing for the more minor essential oils (say those produced at production volumes of under 1 ton/annum). The bottom line is that although up to now we (in aromatherapy) have assumed that certain essential oils are probably safe to use in pregnancy in the (best-practice) way that we recommend aromatherapists use them, it remains to be seen whether this view will change when we eventually have this new data.

In the meantime there is no reason why you should nor direct your question about particular fragranced consumer items to the appropriate cosmetics manufacturer - but make sure you are not 'fobbed off 'with a 'public-relations' type answer, and that you get a proper appraisal from the technical/regulatory department. In my experience, several of the larger cosmetics companies have well-qualified, knowledgeable staff who should be able to put any risk factor in context for you.

Health Benefits of Black Pepper Essential Oil

Manfaat kesehatan dari minyak lada hitam

The health benefits of Black Pepper Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like digestive, diaphoretic, carminative, aperient, anti spasmodic, anti rheumatic & anti arthritic, anti bacterial, anti oxidant etc.

Black Pepper is a condiment (spice) which is very common and popular worldwide. It is extensively used in culinary. It tastes hot and has a nice appetizing aroma. Black Pepper is the dried fruit of pepper plant, whose scientific name is Piper Nigrum.

Once upon a time, it was considered sacred and even used as currency. It was so valuable that it was traded in exchange with gold (gold was considered cheaper to Black Pepper) and was one of the most priced trade items exported from India to the rest of the world. The main components of its essential oil are Limonene, Pinene, Myrcene, Phellandrene, Beta Caryophyllene, Beta Bisabolene, Sabinene, Linalol, Pinocarveol, Alpha Termineol, Camphene and Alpha Terpenene. Apart from them, black pepper is rich in minerals and vitamins like Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Vitamin-K, Beta Carotene, Phosphorus, Potassium and Selenium. Let us see what health benefits Black Pepper Oil has in store for us.

* Digestive: It is remarkably beneficial for digestion. It stimulates the whole digestive system, right from the salivary glands in the mouth to the large intestine, promoting secretion of digestive juices like acids and bile into the ingested food, thereby facilitating digestion. Black Pepper can be safely used as a spice to the food of those who are on a bland diet or otherwise forbidden to have chilies (those suffering from ulcer of the mouth of the digestive system or jaundice or extreme acidity are forbidden to consume chilies).
* Carminative: Black Pepper Oil is carminative and helps remove gases and prohibit gas formation in the stomach and in the intestines. It also helps inhibit bacteria which are responsible for formation of gas.
* Aperient: The Black Pepper oil has mild purgative properties and it is safe too, unlike other purgatives like Castor Oil. It helps clean the intestines and at the same time, cure infections in the digestive and the excretory system.
* Anti Spasmodic: It is an effective anti spasmodic and gives good relief in cases of cramps, muscles pulls, spasms, convulsions etc.
* Anti Rheumatic & Anti Arthritic: These are two of the best qualities of the Black Pepper oil. It is warming, stimulating and improves circulation, thereby giving immediate relief in rheumatism and arthritis, particularly in winters when the symptoms aggravate. It is also effective in removing toxins like uric acid from the blood, thereby benefiting people suffering from chronic rheumatism and arthritis, gout etc.
* Diaphoretic & Diuretic: Black Pepper oil, when ingested, increases sweating and urination. Both of these properties play an important role in removal of toxins from the body, clearing of the pores in skin and also disinfecting the body. Sweating and urinating help lose extra water and fat from the body, thus reducing weight, lowering blood pressure and making the body relaxed. These properties are also helpful in reducing inflammation.
* Anti Oxidant: This is yet another beneficial property of Black Pepper oil. It protects the body from damages done by oxidants (free radicals) and also helps repair them. It also delays adverse affects of aging such as vision loss, macular degeneration, wrinkling of skin, degeneration and loosening of muscles, loss in mobility of joints, nervous disorders, memory loss etc.
* Anti Bacterial: It has good anti bacterial properties and that too, without side effects. It is very effective in curing bacterial infections in mouth, colon, digestive system, urinary tract etc. It also disinfects food stuffs in which it is added and protects them from bacterial infections for long.
* Other Benefits: Black Pepper oil is rich in certain very useful minerals and vitamins too. For example, there is vitamin-A (Beta Carotene) in it, which is very beneficial for ocular health as well as is a very good anti oxidant. It has vitamin-K which is essential for maintaining proper circulatory and metabolic functions, muscles, bones etc. Then it has calcium, potassium and selenium. While calcium is good for bones and potassium for regulating blood pressure, selenium is essentially required for proper formation of bones, nails, hair, follicles and teeth and for proper functioning of brain.

Few Words of Caution: As such, there is nothing to be scared about Black Pepper oil, except that if taken in large quantity, it may cause uneasiness, unrest, vomiting, loose motions, irritation and inflammation of the intestines, sleeplessness etc. being hot and pungent. But there is nothing serious about these symptoms.

Blending: Black Pepper Oil can be blended with Lemon, Lime, Lavender, Sage, Sandalwood, Mandarin, Ylang-Ylang, Juniper, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Clove, Ginger, Geranium, Coriander, Grapefruit, Fennel and Frankincense Oil.

Black Pepper Essential Oil (Minyak Lada hitam)

Apa itu minyak lada hitam, manfaat minyak lada hitam.

Black pepper has been used for centuries for both medicinal and culinary purposes; in aromatherapy, black pepper essential oil has a number of uses and properties.

In ancient times, pepper was one of the most valuable spices; it has been used in the Far East for over 4,000 years and in Europe since at least the fifth century. Attila the Hun is said to have demanded a ransom of 3,000 pounds of black peppercorns for the city of Rome. In the East, both white and black pepper have been used; in Chinese medicine, white pepper is used in the treatment of diarrhea, stomach ache, malaria, cholera, dysentery and digestive problems.
Origins and Characteristics of Pepper

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) is native to southwest India; major producers of black pepper essential oil are India, Malaysia, China, Indonesia and Madagascar. Pepper is a perennial, woody vine of the Piperaceae plant family, which grows up to 16 feet in height; it has heart-shaped leaves and small, white flowers which blossom into small, round fruits.

As they mature, the berries turn from red to black and black pepper is produced from the dried, unripe fruit, when fully grown; white pepper is produced from the fruit, if the rind is removed. Black pepper essential oil is produced from the steam distillation of the dried and crushed black peppercorns.

The Properties and Use of Black Pepper Oil
Black pepper essential oil is anti-septic, analgesic, digestive, anti-catarrhal, diuretic, a stimulant, bactericidal, expectorant and a tonic; it is used in the treatment of toothache, anemia, bronchitis, coughs, rheumatism, indigestion, fever, muscle tension and circulation. Black pepper is also a mental stimulant and helps to increase stamina and aid alertness; it can be used to help concentration and memory loss. Black pepper is also reputed to be an aphrodisiac.
Other Uses of Black Pepper

Black pepper has been used for many centuries to maintain stamina in long journeys or significant endurance feats; Indian monks are said to swallow a few grains of pepper each day to help maintain their strength for the long distances they walk. A study of Rose and Behm (1994) indicates that the inhalation of the vapor of black pepper extract may lessen smoking withdrawal symptoms.

Cautions for Using Black Pepper Essential Oil
Black pepper essential oil should only be used in small amounts; it is a very powerful oil, composed mainly of the chemical component of sesquiterpenes. It is capable of being an irritant and also of stimulating the kidneys; over use of black pepper oil, or in large quantities, may result in kidney damage. As with the use of all essential oils, care should be exercised and professional advice taken if unfamiliar with the use of essential oils.

What is Telon Oil

Manfaat minyak telon, apa itu minyak telon

Telon oil is mixture of some natural essential oils like coconut oil , cajuput oil, and fennel oil. Indonesians have used telon oil for generations for babies and anyone under the age of five. Telon oil brings out the warmth and the special pleasant smell of telon oil which is effective for relieving bloating stomach and warming an infant’s body after its bath. Telon oil is safe enough to be applied on an infant’s tender skin.

Telon oil is good for babies to help eliminate puffiness and to warm a babies body. Use this oil everyday especially after taking a bath and during cool weather

Minyak Atsiri Kapulaga (Cardamom oil)

Penjelasan dan manfaat kesehatan dari minyak kapulaga (Cardamom oil)

The health benefits of Cardamom Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anti spasmodic, neutralizes adverse effects of chemotherapy, reduces nausea, anti septic, anti microbial, aphrodisiac, astringent, digestive, stomachic, stimulant, diuretic etc.

Cardamom Essential Oil is extracted from seeds of Cardamom whose scientific name is Elettaria Cardamomum. I don’t think I need to introduce Cardamom to you all over again. It is extensively used and admired as a spice around the world. So, I am just going to tell you about the constituents of its essential oils and its health benefits. The main constituents of its essential oil are Sabinene, Limonene, Terpenene, Eugenol, Cineol, Nerol, Geraniol, Linalool, Nerodilol, Heptenone, Borneol, Alpha Terpineol, Beta Terpineol, Terpinyl Acetate, Alpha Pinene, Myrcene, Cymene, Neryl Acetate, Methyl Heptenone, Linalyl Acetate and Heptacosane etc. Apart from its culinary uses, you know it as a mouth freshener. But you will be amazed to see what I am going to show you now. Yes!

A list of health benefits Cardamom Oil has for us.

* Anti Spasmodic: Cardamom Oil is equally beneficial in curing muscular and respiratory spasms, thereby giving relief in muscle pulls and cramps, asthma, whooping cough etc.
* Anti Septic & Anti Microbial: It has very strong anti septic and anti microbial properties, which are safe too. If used as a mouth wash by adding few drops of this oil in water, it disinfects the oral cavity of the germs and drives away bad breath. It can also be added to drinking water to kill germs in it. It can also be used in food stuffs as a flavoring agent, which, on the other hand, will keep them safe from spoiling under microbial action. Mild solution in water can be used to bathe to disinfect the skin and hair.
* Digestive & Stomachic: It is the essential oil in Cardamom which makes it a good digestive. This oil boosts up digestion by stimulating the whole digestive system. It is also Stomachic which means it keeps stomach healthy and functioning properly. It helps maintain proper secretion of gastric juices, acids and bile in the stomach. It also protects stomach from infections.
* Stimulant: It stimulates things up. This stimulating effect also boosts up spirit in cases of depression, fatigue etc. It also stimulates secretion of various enzymes and hormones, gastric juices, peristaltic motion, circulation, excretion etc. thus maintaining proper metabolism.
* Warming: Cardamom Oil has a warming effect. This effect heats up the body, promote sweating, helps clear toughened cough and also gives relief in cold. It also gives relief in headache resulting from cold and used in curing diarrhea caused due to effect of extreme cold.
* Diuretic: It promotes urination, helping lose weight, lower blood pressure, remove toxins and clean calcium and urea deposits in kidneys.
* Aphrodisiac: Cardamom Oil has arousing effects. It helps cure sexual weakness, erectile dysfunctions, impotence, loss of libido or frigidity etc.
* Other Benefits: Cardamom Oil helps neutralize effects of tobacco, insect bites and ingestion of mild poisons, clear bowels, cures colic, removes bad breath, cures oral infections and toothache etc.

Few Words of Caution: No toxic effects have been noticed. Ingestion in overdose may result in unrest and extra heating up of the body and the digestive system, resulting in loose motions and irritation. Pregnant ladies and lactating mothers are advised not to intake Cardamom Oil, since the irritation or warming effect may harm the baby.

Blending: Cardamom Oil blends well with Rose, Orange, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Cloves, Caraway and Cedar Wood Oil.

What is Candlenut oil (Minyak atsiri kemiri)

penjelasan mengenai minyak kemiri (Candlenut oil)

The candlenut is also called candleberry or Indian walnut.

The candlenut grows on a flowering tree that has pale green leaves. The nut contains a seed inside that has a very high oil content. It can be used as a candle. This is how the candlenut got it's name. The candlenut is popular in Indonesian and Malaysian food. It is used to make a sauce that is eaten over vegetables and rice. The candlenut is very bitter in taste. The nut is mildly toxic if eaten raw. In Hawaii, these nuts are made into a paste with salt. Parts of the candlenut plant have been used in traditional medicine. The oil of this nut is sometimes used as a laxative, simular to castor oil. The candlenut oil is also used as hot oil treatment for hair. In Japan, the bark of this tree is used for treating tumors. In Malaysia the leaves of the plant are boiled for tea to treat headaches, fever, ulcers, gonorrhea, and swollen joints. In Hawaii, the flowers and sap of the tree is used to treat oral al problems in children.

In Hawaii, the oil of the nut is burnedto provide light simular to a candle. This oil can burn for 15 minutes and is often used as a measure of time. The nuts are charred and made into an ink which is used for tattoos. The oil is also used as a varnish. A red-brown dye is made from the bark of the tree. The oil of the candlenut is used to help preserve fishing nets. The trunk of the candlenut tree is used to make canoes. The candlenut tree is the official state tree of Hawaii. In some parts of the world these nuts are made into a paste and used as soap or shampoo. When grown this tree is known to produce up to 180 pounds of nuts. The tree is a symbol of enlightment, peace, and protection.

Description and benefits of agarwood oils

Apa itu minyak atsiri kayu gaharu, Gaharu oil, manfaat minyak gaharu

Promoting spiritual, mental, and physical benefits to the mankind; the "Wood of the Gods", is the most rare and precious wood on the planet, prized for its rich, wonderful and healing fragrance. With a familiar aroma across the world, it is also known as Oud, Aloes, Aloeswood, Eagle Wood, Lignum Aloes, Jinko, and Gaharu. The value of this wood and also the oil extracted from it-- Agarwood Oil, is worth 1.5 times that of gold.

The aromatic mystery and spiritual elevation of Agarwood Oil, make it one of the most valuable natural incense available on the earth. With a balsamic and sweet woody association, somewhat similar to that of sandalwood oil, this essential oil has long been associated with various religions and cultures. This viscous liquid is pale yellow to brownish yellow or dark amber in color. Capturing the hearts of the pious devotees and royal elites, the earthy aspect of agarwood oil has a quality that grounds our inner being and inspires our souls to the Divine realms.


Oil Extraction
The most important aspect to extract the essential oil of agarwood (with a reminiscent and long lasting scent of vetiver and sandalwood) is to note that the fungus infected tree must be at least 100 years old to produce the oil. The agarwood tree is a large evergreen tree found in various South East Asian forests, Bangladesh, Bengal, Bhutan, Burma, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and the foothills of the Himalayas. The oil extraction process from the agarwood is undertaken through water or steam distillation. In case of water extraction, the agarwood is immersed in water for three months. After that, the soaked wood is placed into huge burners where the water evaporates, resin dissolves, and oil floats to the top. The steam extraction method is more popular in the East Asian countries.


History of Agarwood
The essential oil of agarwood has been prized for centuries by sultans, sheikhs, and explorers in the Far East, due to its rich and exquisite aromatic burst. Even today, Oud is cherished and traded as a treasure more precious than red rubies and green emeralds. In the past, old growth Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees were indiscriminately cut to find the resin though it was found only in few trees which were infected by fungus. Due to this, Southeast Asia, which once was predominantly native region for these trees, is on way of loosing that title since the trees are being cut with no or little control.

The oil extracted from resinous wood of these trees has remained an inseparable part of Buddhist and Islamic cultures. It is also an important ingredient in many traditional medicines. It is prerequisite ingredient for incenses used in traditional Japanese ceremonies. Although, Agarwood is not a popular name in America and Europe, its use as incense (called aloeswood) finds mention several times in the Holy Bible.


Applicable Benefits
The essential oil of agarwood is rich of warming, balancing, purifying, and transcendent qualities. Having heavy base notes, it particularly blends well with other essential oils such as Rose, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Carnation, Geranium, and Sandalwood. The numerous benefits exuding out of this magical oil include the following:

* It is an effective tonic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, relieves epilepsy, antimicrobial, carminative, ad anti-asthmatic. In fact, agarwood oil is the most potent aphrodisiac of all the essential oils.
* Useful in nervous disorders, digestive, bronchial complaints, smallpox, rheumatism, illness during and after childbirth, spasms in the digestive and respiratory systems, fevers, abdominal pain, asthma, cancer, colic, diarrhoea, nausea, regurgitation, weakness in the elderly, shortness of breath, chills, general pains and cirrhosis of the liver. It also acts as a director or focuser for other medicines. Agarwood oil has been used as a treatment for lung and stomach tumours.
* The oil is used in Malaysia to flavour curries and Taiwan uses Agarwood as an aromatic ingredient in their local wines.
* Valerian is a natural component of agarwood resin and functions to relieve insomnia and calm the nervous system before sleep, allowing one to have a deeper, longer sleep.
* Aromatherapy: Agarwoods ability to invoke a deep sense of relaxation makes it extremely useful in any aromatherapy session, but is especially effective where anxiety and depression are present.
* It is non-sticky and can be applied directly to the skin or can be thinned in jojoba oil. This is one of the most precious and expensive of essential oils and is truly amazing. Connoisseurs of essential oils should experience it. You only need to use a tiny amount of this oil at a time; be prepared for the slow release of its aroma over the next 12 hours. There is no other known oil that is this tenacious.
* It has long been an olfactory prize for discerning noses. Agar oil, is highly valued and universally prized as ‘Otto of Roses”.
* Some European perfume houses especially seek out Agar oil to create heavier muskier perfume that have enhanced Agars demand, and thereby carved a special niche market for these agar dependant perfumes.
* Agar Oil also has therapeutic uses as it is used in a large number of Ayurvedic medicines. Interestingly agar is also used to flavour common and widely used betel nut.
* Agarwood is highly psychoactive. It is used for a spiritual journey, enlightenment, clarity and to bring the deep peace necessary for meditation. It brings communication with the transcendent, refreshing the mind, body and spirit. It is said that prayers arise with the fragrant smoke of agarwood incense carry the prayer to the Creator. Buddhists use agarwood for transmutation of ignorance. Tibetan monks use it to bring energy to calm the mind and spirit. The Sufis and Japanese Shaman use agarwood oil in their esoteric ceremonies. It enhances mental clarity, opens the third eye and all of the upper chakras while calming the entire system.