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Childbirth

Is sunflower oil a base oil?

6 replies

clementine100 · 25/03/2018 16:30

I'm looking for a base oil to mix with peppermint essential oil to make a nice homemade massage oil to bring to the hospital for labour. Is sunflower oil, the kind used for cooking, ok for that?

You can buy sunflower oil online as a base oil, but I wasn't sure if that was a special kind!

Thank you :)

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WrenNatsworthy · 25/03/2018 16:35

No.
If you want to make your own blend you'll need to use a base oil that is cold pressed and intended for use on the skin.

I am an aromatherapist (just qualified yesterday after 18 months hard graft!). Why are you choosing peppermint specifically?

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WrenNatsworthy · 25/03/2018 16:42

Just realised my post doesn't read well.

Sunflower oil is a base oil. You will need to buy one intended for massage - an off the shelf cooking oil isn't going to be good enough.

There are lots of fabulous pre-blended massage oils out there specifically for labour.

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Footle · 25/03/2018 19:23

Grape seed or almond oil are good ones.

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clementine100 · 25/03/2018 22:33

Thanks guys!

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FartnissEverbeans · 28/03/2018 13:08

I know you said you're putting it on yourself but I wouldn't have peppermintnoil anywhere near a baby. As I understand it, even inhaling it can be dangerous for little ones. If it's still on your skin when baby is born then the fumes could be really damaging.