An Overview of Lavender and Pregnancy
Lavender is used for a variety of purposes. It is used in foods, beverages, cosmetics, and various other products. It is also used medicinally, taken by mouth, applied to the skin, or inhaled as aromatherapy. Lavender is often claimed to help promote relaxation. As with most herbal remedies, it is not known whether lavender is safe for use in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before using lavender products during pregnancy.
Is Lavender Safe for Pregnant Women?
It is not known whether lavender is safe for pregnant women. There are no reliable studies that show that lavender is safe (or unsafe), since lavender has not been adequately studied in any pregnant women. There is some evidence that lavender may have some effects on hormones, and it is possible that lavender could disrupt the normal hormone balance in pregnant women.
Many women try to avoid medications in pregnancy and turn to alternative remedies instead, assuming that "natural" automatically means "safe." However, natural products can be quite toxic. For instance, many poisons and toxins are natural products.
If you are pregnant, it is always a good idea to ask your healthcare provider before taking any medication or supplement. You and your healthcare provider can consider the possible risks and benefits of using lavender in your particular situation, as well as any other treatment alternatives. Of course, some lavender products carry more risk than others. For instance, a lightly lavender-scented body lotion is probably much more safe than lavender taken internally.
