External Use of Tea Tree Oil while Pregnant

Q: Whom it may conern, I have recenlty been using a few drops of tea tree oil and then realized it is contraindicated for use in pregnancy. I am about 34 weeks and am concerned about the effects on the fetus. Can you give me any more information or experience you may have had with the tea tree and pregnancy. ? Thank so much

 

A: Have you been taking this oil internally or using externally? For how long? How do you feel, does your baby feel to you? Are you working with someone who could determine if there is anything of concern? You are near ready for birth! If all feels good I would not worry. Though I have heard and understand and share the concern with essential oils for health in general, especially in pregnancy, I do not know of a specific thought on what damage it could cause other than risk of miscarriage. Plants naturally have essential oils in them. It is some of these that people can use to abort a pregnancy if they wish. When then isolated from the rest of the plant they can do it more successfully. Though there is risk of harm to the mother as well. This is what leads me to believe that as long as you feel wonderful all may be well for your babe. If you knew it could have done harm, would you do anything any more differently than you are now?

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Thank you for the response. I feel fine and had used the oil externally for a few weeks at the most in the later part of pregnancy, diluted with a little water or oil to prevent hsv outbreaks. My dr. has prescribed medication now but i had read about it in one of Chrisitine Northrups books and given it a try along with garlic pills..to assit my immune system. I forgot to ask my Dr. at the last visit as they are so busy I am always so rushed. I am sure everything is fine--just worrisome as this is my first baby so it's all new to me!

 

A: Oh I know that new mother worry!! In the future, know that Hypericum perforatum is a wonderful herb to help with herpes outbreaks. The oil of the fresh flowering tops (not essential oil, herbal infused oil) applied topically and the tincture taken internally in water, if not taking bc pills, antidepressants or blood thinners. It is sometimes called St. Joan's Wort, more often called St. John's Wort.

love and blessings, and of course we would love to hear all is well!!
Karen Joy

Comments

[guinee3437@yahoo.ca]

I am also pregnant and have been suffering with cyst in the external groin area which I have had for two years and the doctors didn't seem to want to help me with it. I want to get rid of it and started using tea tree oil. It hasn't exactly helped, but I also wondered if this was safe and I know there are other herbs you are suppose to avoid when you are pregnant. Is ginger one of them? Is it ok to inhale tea tree oil in the air? I know that Golden Seal can cause miscarriage (which I am trying to avoid). I have heard Castor Oil might work but is this safe?

[KarenJoy]

As far as I know the topical moderate use of essential oils does not pose harm to your child. However you ask "is it harmful?" - for you I am concerned, even if not harmful to your child. What do you meant by external groin area?

Karen Joy

[Dasha]

Karen,
I'm in the first trimester of pregnancy and have a bacterial vaginitis. I've read that using tea tree oil in sitz baths is recommended for treating it. Do you know whether it would be safe to use it during pregnancy? Are there any other natural remedies for BV during pregnancy?
Thank you so much in advance!
Dasha

[BC Sunflower]

Hi... I am in early pregnancy (+7w) and have a small patch of ringworm on my inner thigh. Wondering if there are any natural remedies you could suggest that are not harmful for the babe? I'm not concerned about the ringworm itself, I understand that is not harmful however it is extremely itchy and I'd love to get rid of it fast!
Thanks!

[KarenJoy]

Most of the ideas I hear for getting rid of ringworm are simply topical covering up of it - with egg whites, lemon, tape, plant sap, etc. None of these ought to be harmful for your babe :)

lots of love,
Karen Joy

[KarenJoy]

Dasha, there are lots of things I would suggest you try before something like tea tree oil on the are, pregnant or not. The first main suggestion is whole fat plain yogurt with live cultures in it, put in and on the area a couple times a day and let sit for at least 5 minutes before wiping or rinsing off. It is fine if some is left there. Also please consume it , even by little spoonfuls, to help increase your gut bacteria.

How do you experience this? How is it being diagnosed? Ever had it before, how long has this time been? HOw is our digestion?

with love,
Karen Joy

[Kara]

Hi, I just found out I am pregnant and have a question about essential oils. I use tea tree oil, undiluted, on my arm pits in lieu of deodorant. Is it safe to continue to use this? If not would you be able to recommend anything in its place? Thank you so much.

[KarenJoy]

Kara, hello, I do not consider this a good thing for anyone, pregnant or not, to put essential oils on daily.

There are many options people use, many I have tried - such as powders like clay and such under the arms, as well as herbal tinctures, though the alcohol seems strong to me. I have settled on a bought deodorant I love - Weleda Rose deodorant. It works better for me than their Sage. One day I may go back to homemade concoctions. I know this must have essential oils too so is not ideal, though I would consider it far safer than undiluted tea tree oil. I only need a little spritz in the morn, though skip some days.

Karen Joy

[amber j]

my dad used w/great success alfalfa pills to get rid of really bad foot odor he felt it also got rid of sweat odor too fyi. they sell these pills every and any where.

[Sara]

I would rather put tea tree oil deodorant on rather than all the toxic ingredients that are in For Ex. Secret deodorant!

[katie]

Hi I am in my first trimester and I am still nursing my 2yr old son , I would like to wean him and had heard that applying tea tree oil in a buffer oil to the breast area (avoiding the nipple) is helpfull in gettig the child to stop nursing I was wondering if it is ok to do during prenancy
thanks Katie

[Vanessa]

Hi, I am in my 11th week and have been using tea tree oil on my face for acne. Is this ok??

Thank you
Vanessa

[Andrea]

Hi, I am in the early stages of pregnancy and I am wondering what toothpaste to use, I have been told sodium lauryl sulphate and fluoride are bad for you, so this singles out all colegates and macleen etc then i get told herbal extracts and oils are bad so this singles out any toothpaste sold from a health food store and so now I am using tea tree oil toothpaste, Which I have just read on here is not good in pregnancy. Its getting rediculous, I dont even know which toothpaste is safe anymore? Can anyone shed some light on this issue??? Please Help Me?

[Tamara]

Hello, thank you for so many Wise Woman answers! I am in my first trimester of pregnancy and was attacked by a dog. In wanting to avoid an infection, I have applied tea tree oil externally on the sores where the dog bit me (right calf, right hand). I will no longer apply the tea tree oil. Is there anything else you might suggest as a natural way for keeping the bacteria under control? Thank you!

[generic viagra]

Tea tree oil is a known antifungal agent, effective in vitro against multiple dermatophytes found on the skin. In vivo, shampoo with 5% tea tree oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for dandruff due to its ability to treat Malassezia furfur, the most common cause of the condition.

[MadHippieLove]

My dog is currently having a tea tree oil spritz on his coat to help ease spring time itching he suffers from each year. I am 19 weeks pregnant, shold I avoid contact with him or is it ok to still be around him? So far I have not come in direct contact with the oil until after it has absorbed into his coat...

[Jeniffer]

I am in my first trimester of pregnancy. My doctor told me I have scabies. Is there a natural cure for this instead of the prescribed lotion that causes cancer? I heard soaking in tea tree oil helps but I am not sure.

[Jacki]

I am 7.5 weeks pregnant. I currently have bad bronchitis and have been using topical tea tree oil on my throat and chest for 2 days until I can see a physician. It is the only thing that slows the cough so I can get a little sleep. I just found out that tea tree is not recommended during pregnancy. Have I done any harm?

[Round and Brown]

Tea tree oil is a known antifungal agent, effective in vitro against multiple dermatophytes found on the skin. In vivo, shampoo with 5% tea tree oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for dandruff due to its ability to treat Malassezia furfur, the most common cause of the condition.

[heather]

there was a comment about toothpaste.. in my opinion since we use everyday items that turn out to be not so safe and the doctors dont tell you its bad, why would tea tree oil be so bad when used in really small amounts?there are so many things that we have been using that has been known to cause problems. thats all i have to say about that.

[Norma]

I am 10 weeks pregnant and have a mild nail infection that I got from a pedicure. Is it ok to use tea tree oil?

[Wise Woman Team]

EO's are very potent. Especially during pregnancy, I would either dilute it or see about trying something else first for the infection. Perhaps poultices of either violet leaves, mallow or plantain.

[Lee]

Hi im nearly 20 weeks pregnant and i was going to get brazillian waxing done but they use tea tree oil to relive and sooth the pain.
i was wondering if that would harm me or the baby?

[Julie]

I am 6.5 weeks pregnant and am having a problem with a weeping scalp.

About 6 months after the birth of my daughter my hair fell out around the frame of my face. Right after that happened, in September of last year, I had a horrible problem where my head was weeping and I had crust where the scalp was healing. This was right around the time that my daughter was cutting down on nursing and was starting solids. I went to a dermotologist and they put me on steriods that cleared up the problem.
Fast forward a year and now I am pregnant and it is happening again. I am not sure if one has anything to do with the other, hormone surge etc, but I have had 2 episodes where my head is sopping wet from the weeping. I have been trying to use balmex to help it but #1 it is disgusting to have balmex in your hair and #2 it doesn't seem to be helping. My doctor told me to just use the steriods but they are not approved for use in pregnancy and so I am not comfortable with that.
Any advice/help is most appreciated. I am so skeeved by this whole thing and just want my head to clear up!

[Kim]

Hello Lee,

With the strength of EO's I tend to avoid them unless absolutely necessary during pregnancy... I would look into a salve with infused oils of plantain, chickweed or comfrey to help skin after waxing...

blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team