Bad Cough ** EO Use During Pregnancy

[Guest guest]

Hey Marlen,

 

> Good Morning everyone I was wondering if you all had any suggestions

> for me I have a horrible cough along with a horrible flu, it's a dry

> cough but when it starts I get to the point that I end up hugging

> the porcelain bowl.

 

Dry air can cause dry coughing .. but seeing as you live in Florida I

reckon we can scratch that one.

 

Might be bronchitis along with the (cold/flu?) problems. I remember

back when I used to get bronchial problems often .. haven't dealt with

them in 5-6 years now .. but I would get to coughing so bad I would lose

my breath .. get dizzy .. and of course, wind up with a very sore throat

from the constant hacking. I'd gargle with warm salty water to make my

throat feel better .. but it was rough.

 

I'm assuming you don't smoke .. but if you do .. or if anyone else in

your house is smoking in the house .. they gotta stop NOW if you want

the coughing to cease. Dry coughs are often caused by the pollutants

around us .. many homes have air inside more harmful than air outside.

Pet dander and dust and mold and commercial cleaners and such can cause

dry hacking coughs. Warm liquids, herbal teas and such will do a lot to

stop the stimulation of cough reflexes.

 

Seeing as its a dry cough .. were it me or mine I'd not use ANY type of

essential oil to stop the coughing. If it were not dry then I would

consider a drop or three of Eucalyptus, Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus)

or Rosemary, Cineole (Rosmarinus officinalis) in a coffee cup of warm

water and sniff a bit .. but either of these MIGHT cause you to gasp and

that might not be cool if you're already coughing to a point where its

hard to get your breath.

 

Of course, your doctor would recommend one of the OTC preparations to

stop coughs .. and it would probably work.

 

> I'm also 20 weeks pregnant so I know I'm limited in what I can

> use does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Being 20 weeks pregnant has exactly NOTHING to do with use of EO. That

is one of the many untruths commonly found in the cottage industry of

aromatherapy .. an industry based on misinformation/disinformation,

extrapolation and marketing hype. There is not not one bit of credible

information to be found that would suggest a pregnant lady avoid the use

of ANY normally safe essential oil she had previously used.

 

There is, however, the point of common sense and CYA we need to consider

when dealing with EO during the first trimester .. simply because when

Mama Nature discovers She has made a mistake its almost always during

that period that She will correct it .. and though there is really no

danger to use of EO even during that period there is danger of EO being

named as the culprit should something happen. This also applies if one

has a history of early miscarriages.

 

I understand that even the credible references .. like Sylla's Manual

http://www.AV-AT.com/manual01.html will have a note alongside many EO

saying they are UNTESTED, therefore should be avoided during pregnancy.

 

BUT .. Sylla does this for the reasons I mention above. Its not unwise

to CYA. Write her and I bet a purty she will tell you this.

 

Check out the info on Martin's article on Essential Oil Safety

http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/eosafety.html

 

Specifically, it states:

 

Miscellaneous claimed adverse effects:

 

" Pregnancy: Almost all of the claims made in aromatherapy books about

not using certain oils during pregnancy are unfounded. Many such claims

are based not on the essential oil concerned, but are from the

traditionally claimed effects of the water soluble herbal extracts when

taken internally. Such extracts are frequently totally different to the

same plants oil.

 

(MY NOTE: Essential Oils contain the NON-Water Soluble chemical

components of the aromatic plant)

 

The facts are that most common essential oils are permitted food

flavourings. If there were the slightest evidence that using essential

oils externally was any threat to the health of a foetus, then the oils

concerned would have been restricted by legislation long ago.

 

If someone was suffering from severe morning sickness early on in

pregnancy, then the smell of something like peppermint or spearmint oil

may well subdue the nausea. In such a case of constant vomiting, the

implanted foetus is far more likely to be dislodged by the traumatic

muscular contractions of the uterus, than from the effects of the

inhalation of ANY essential oils.

 

The birch and wintergreen oils are best avoided during pregnancy. This

is because indications are that the main chemical is readily absorbed by

the skin. High levels of this in the bloodstream are not desirable in

pregnancy.

 

Clary sage is perfectly safe in a normal pregnancy, but should perhaps

be avoided by anyone with a history of early miscarriages.

 

The main contra-indication of essential oils use during pregnancy is the

heightened chance of causing skin irritation. It is quite common in late

pregnancy for the skin to become very itchy and sometimes inflamed. In

such circumstances essential oils in massage or the bath might make the

condition worse. " UNQUOTE

 

I agree with the above .. with one exception. I think Wintergreen and

Sweet Birch should NEVER be used .. and I understand that there are many

who will say its safe when used infrequently by those who are aware of

the dangers, etc., etc., ad nausea. My point is that MOST folks who use

these oils use them for conditions that are chronic and they do find

relief when they use them .. so odds of them being used infrequently are

slim. Odds of permanent liver damage, however, are GREAT!

 

There is more information on Incorrect Safety Teachings at these URLs

 

http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/incorrectsafety.htm

http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/pennyroy.html

 

It will all pass .. but that doesn't do much for your morale in the

meantime. Wish I had something to offer in the way of aromatherapy but

I don't. Probably someone else will .. they normally do. ;-p

 

> Marlen

 

Get well soon .. and keep smiling. :-) Butch http://www.AV-AT.com