I think the oils have been marketed unsafely to the young, pregnant and elderly by a few of the oil companies out there. I feel that some of these companies do not train their sales representatives enough and equip them with the knowledge to keep their customers safe. But fortunately, there are really great companies out there and professionals that work hard to keep us all safe.
So, if we start from the beginning at conception, there aren’t really any contraindications unless the individual has some existing conditions to take into consideration. Oils can be used to enhance the mood and to create a relaxing atmosphere, Sandalwood (Santalum album), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) can help with that, and some floral oils like Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) and Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum, Jasminum officinale) can act as aphrodisiacs.
Now if pregnancy has occurred different rules apply, like for the first trimester no oils should be used except for minimal use of diffusing, 1 hour in a 24-hour period. Oils will be limited to a handful of oils like ginger (Zingiber officinale), peppermint (Mentha piperita), and lemon (Citrus limon) for morning sickness, Lavender for relaxing. After the first trimester gentle oils like Lavender can be used topically for a relaxing massage for example, keeping to about 1%dilution which is about 5-6 drops per ounce of carrier. (1)
There is still a discussion amongst professionals, in books, and amongst users whether essential oils are safe at all during pregnancy. Also, there isn’t enough evidence to know for sure if oils have caused complications during pregnancies, and if those oils had been ingested or used topically. There is some “evidence” that they could be abortifacients, and could cause uterine contractions, the dosage is also unclear in these reports. Most of the research has been done on pregnant animals. Tisserand and Young’s book on essential oil safety is the best source of information on this matter. (2)
There is a list of safe oils, and unsafe ones that one should always refer to before choosing an oil while pregnant, as well as when breastfeeding.
Unsafe oils during pregnancy, labour, and breastfeeding.
Aniseed
Pimpinella anisum
Basil ct. estragole
Ocimum basilicum
Birch
Betula lenta
*Camphor
Cinnamomum camphora
Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis
Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
Parsley seed or leaf
Petroselinum sativum
Pennyroyal
Mentha pulegium
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Tansy
Tanacetum vulgare
Tarragon
Artemisia dracunculus
Thuja
Thuja occidentalis
Wintergreen
Gaultheria procumbens
Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
*Note that this is not the same as Ho Wood/Ho Leaf chemotype Linalool (Cinnamomum camphora ct. Linalool), which has no known contraindications.
(3)
Fragrant Aroma 