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Pregnancy

Lavender and clary sage?

10 replies

Cupcake11 · 25/03/2014 17:13

I was given a little aromatherapy for labour gift set which included a bottle of lavender essential oil, clary sage oil and an empty spritzer bottle - and DH threw away the instruction booklet that came with it Hmm
Does anyone know how exactly you're supposed to do with them? I know they're quite strong so I don't want to use them incorrectly!

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Mummyk1982 · 25/03/2014 18:18

If you go on to the Neal's yard website and look them up, or any aromatherapy website really and it'll tell you the quantities to use.
I've been using both- am doing about 6 drops with about a tablespoon or 2 of water in an oil burner. I also used them in a foot soak the other night- again about 6 drops in a big bowl of hot water. I think for massage it's literally a couple of drops in about 10mls of carrier oil (such as almond oil). And you can just put a couple if drops on a tissue to inhale. This is only from memory- I'm no expert so double check! Also be careful as clary sage can apparently set off strong contractions- it hasn't for me. I find the lavender very relaxing in the oil burner :-)

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CountessOfRule · 25/03/2014 18:46

A friend of mine brought on strong labour with clary sage - use with caution!

Lavender is probably safe any time.

Being cautious one wouldn't use any aromatherapy in pregnancy at all. But that's extreme caution.

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Cupcake11 · 26/03/2014 07:58

Thanks for the replies - I was only planning on using them in labour rather than in pregnancy.
That's what I'm confused about - do you use them in the bath while still at home or take them to the hospital and spray round the room? And what exactly do they do for you?
The Neals yard site only seemed to tell you how to dilute them etc.

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Catsmamma · 26/03/2014 08:01

another warning here about clary sage....it's been ages since I did any aromatherapy stuff but iirc lavender and i think tangerine are okay in pg

def not clary sage.

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Bambamb · 26/03/2014 08:07

Lavender is fine at any time in pregnancy. Onlt use clary sage at the end as it brings onlabour
Lavender can be used in lots of ways - drops on your pillow at night really helps with relaxation and sleep. You can mix a few drops with some oil (sweet almond oil is nice) and put it in your bath.
At the end of my pregnancy (day after my due date, desperate to have the baby) I put lavender, clary sage, and jasmine in a bath in the morning. Was having twinges by the time I was getting out. DD was born that evening.

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Bambamb · 26/03/2014 08:08

Mix up an oil for foot rubs that your DP can do. Lovely! Just leave the clary sage out until you're due.

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EeyoreIsh · 26/03/2014 08:09

Lavender is lovely during pregnancy and labour. I added some to the baths I took whilst in labour. I also use it in the bedroom to help dd to sleep, and in baths after birth as it helps stitches to heal.

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Ploppy16 · 26/03/2014 08:13

Lavender is fab all the way through, a clary Sage is to be avoided until Labour and then use in small quantities, it's potent stuff.
Quick word of caution re clary sage btw, also avoid if you've had caffeine, it can react . I used it in a foot rub after having a cup of coffee and felt hellish afterwards, sick, dizzy and like my head was going to explode.

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AndIFeedEmGunpowder · 26/03/2014 08:14

this link maybe useful.

I used lavender oil throughout my pregnancy. It's a class 1 oil so generally safe to use in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

My waters broke at the very beginning of labour so didn't want to put any oils in the bath, however I had a cold flannel which I sprinkled lavender oil on which was comforting. You could also use an oil burner if you have one.

I'd use them at home, they are good to distract yourself with during the first slower bit of labour, by the time I got to hospital I didn't care!

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greentshirt · 26/03/2014 08:39

I'm thinking of giving clary sage a try (am 38w tomorrow), where can you buy it from?

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