Safety of Lavendar in Pregnancy by Robert Tisserand

  
ROBERT TISSERAND, one of my favorite ESSENTIAL OIL researchers and lecturers recently sent out a research paper on the disputed safety of Lavender essential oil for Pregnancy.  After all the years of using Lavender so successfully - and in seeing it's amazing therapeutic and safe results I was shocked that there still is confusion!  Robert states:

"Three herbal safety texts have concluded that lavender flowers are safe to use in pregnancy, and one of theses includes the essential oil. (These are the only such texts in my possession – there may be others that draw different conclusions.) McGuffin et al (1997) give lavender flowers a “Class 1” rating, meaning generally safe to use, with no contraindication for pregnancy or breast-feeding. They apply this to Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender) L. latifolia (spike lavender), L. stoechas (Spanish lavender) and L. x intermedia (lavandin). Mills and Bone (2005) state that using lavender flowers (L. angustifolia and L. spica) is compatible with breast feeding, and is safe in pregnancy: “No increase in frequency of malformation or other harmful effects on the foetus from limited use in women.”

The Complete German Commission E Monograph for lavender lists L. angustifolia, both flowers and essential oil, as officially “approved” and with no side effects and no contraindications. This includes internal use of 1-4 drops (20-80 mg) of the essential oil as a daily dose (Blumenthal et al 1998). The Commission E Monographs are generally regarded as the most authoritative source on the safety of herbal medicines.

What the research shows:
Camphor (one of lavender's chemical constituents) is neither reproductively toxic nor abortifacient except in almost fatal doses, and a lethal human dose is approximately 200 mg/kg. No adverse fetal effects were seen from feeding camphor to pregnant rats at 1,000 mg/kg/day, or pregnant rabbits at 681 mg/kg/day (Leuschner 1997). This non-fetotoxic rabbit dose is equivalent to an adult human dose of 48 g (1.6 oz), and a person would have to ingest 24 kg (52.9 lb) of lavender oil to reach that amount of camphor. Therefore the camphor in lavender oil presents no risk.

Linalool (another amazing chemical constituent in essential oils) is not reproductively toxic. When it was administered by stomach tube to pregnant rats at 250, 500 or 1,000 mg/kg/day, on gestational days 7-17, no fetal toxicity or teratogenicity occurred at any dose level (Politano et al 2008). The high dose is equivalent to an adult human ingesting 70 g of linalool, or approximately 200 g (7 oz) of lavender oil. Linalyl acetate has not been tested on animals for reproductive toxicity.

The research shows that lavender oil (L. angustifolia) is not a uterine stimulant. When used on the isolated rat uterus, it in fact reduced contractions (Lis Balchin and Hart 1999). And, lavender oil has no apparent adverse effects during childbirth. It was one of ten essential oils offered to 8,058 women in an 8-year study at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK. Aromatherapy did, however, reduce the need for pain medication. During the years of the study, the use of pethidine in the study center declined from 6% to 0.2% of women (Burns et al 2000).

One in vitro study found that lavender oil had a very weak estrogenic action in MCF-7 breast cancer cells (Henley et al 2007). However, there is no evidence that lavender oil has any adverse effects on human hormonal activity. In another in vitro study, lavender oil inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells (Zu et al 2010) suggesting that, while it may bind to estrogen receptor sites in the body, it is not an estrogen mimic, and so does not promote estrogen.

Conclusions:

Proving safety in pregnancy is always a challenge, but all the indications are that lavender oil is completely safe to use. It is certainly not a uterine stimulant – in any dose. The online references to lavender oil as a uterine stimulant presumably originated from the few books (probably beginning with Valnet in 1964) that describe it as having an emmenagogic action. An assumption was then made that this was due to a uterine stimulant effect, and a further assumption was made that therefore lavender oil could pose a risk of miscarriage in pregnancy. However, there is not even any evidence that either lavender flowers or lavender oil stimulate menstruation. Thus are myths conceived. Patricia Davis, I’m sure, felt her caution was well-founded, but with the benefit of hindsight we can see that it was an over-reaction. Erring too heavily on the side of safety has a downside – it creates fear, doubt and confusion.

Finally…while searching the internet for the alleged dangers of lavender oil in pregnancy, I came across this advice on a Vitamins and Health Supplements Guide page: “Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender, as it is a uterine stimulant.” What, breastfeeding women too? The logic of this escapes me. Surely a woman wants her uterus to contract back to it’s normal size after childbirth. (Not that lavender oil would do this anyway.)

Jacque's Comments:  Lavender is the safest of all essential oils and it would be absurd to call it dangerous or toxic when years and years of historic use show no risks.  When I used Lavender with one of my daughters-in-law for delivery to calm her down, it also slowed down her delivery - thus it would be strange to call it abortifacient (at delivery time the body is trying to abort the baby!).  Pregnancy and Nursing are perfect times for Lavender's beautiful calming effect - as both the mother and the baby benefit.  The key thing is to have a QUALITY, ORGANIC essential oil source.  Yep, I still use Forevergreen's line of TruESsence essential oils because they qualify for the European markets with their labeling showing Batch and Lot numbers, and backed with gas chromatographs showing the levels of chemical constituents.  I want GUARANTEED RESULTS!  You can buy them from me or get your FREE membership by logging on to http://www.8468701.myforevergreen.org/ and click on SIGNUP!

References

Bartram T 1995 Encyclopedia of herbal medicine. Grace Publishers, Christchurch UK, p166
Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A et al 1998 The complete German Commission E monographs: therapeutic guide to herbal medicines. American Botanical Council, Austin, Texas, p160
Burns EE, Blamey C, Ersser SJ et al 2000 An investigation into the use of aromatherapy in intrapartum midwifery practice. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 6:141-147
Culpeper N 1652 The English Physitian, or an Astro-physical discourse of the vulgar herbs of this nation. Being a compleat method of physick, whereby a man may preserve his body in health; or cure himself, being sick. Thomas Kelly, London
Davis P 1999 Aromatherapy an A-Z. CW Daniel, Saffrom Walden, p322
Franchomme P, Pénöel D 1990 L’aromathérapie exactement. Jollois, Limoges, p364
Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, Bloch CA 2007 Prebubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine 365(5): 479-485
Lawless J 1992 The encyclopaedia of essential oils. Element, Shaftsbury, p118
Lis-Balchin M, Hart S 1999 Studies on the mode of action of the essential oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia P. Miller). Phytotherapy Research 13:540-542
McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R et al 1997 Botanical safety handbook. CRC Press, Boca Raton, p68
Mills S, Bone K 2005 The essential guide to herbal safety. Churchill Livingstone, St. Louis, p493
Politano VT, Lewis EM, Hoberman AM et al 2008 Evaluation of the developmental toxicity of linalool in rats. International Journal of Toxicology 27:183-188
Tiran D 2000 Clinical aromatherapy for pregnancy and childbirth. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh p137
Valnet J 1964 Aromathérapie. Librairie Maloine, Paris, p225 (English translation: Valnet J 1990 The practice of aromatherapy. CW Daniel, Saffron Walden, p144
Zu Y, Yu H, Fu Y et al 2010 Activities of ten essential oils towards Propionibacterium acnes and PC-3, A-549 and MCF-7 cancer cells. Molecules 15:3200-3210

FREEZE DRIED FOODS and HERBS FOR OPTIMUM NUTRITION PROTECTION DURING STORAGE

Check out this blog! 



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Check out this blog!  It is very helpful and you will want to pay attention to it!  http://standeyo.com/NEWS/11_Food_Water/110516.nat.diz-crop.impact.html  


I have spent a lot of time this past year studying, testing, and using freeze dried foods and herbs. My interest was picqued when I was studying NETTLES during the intense seasonal allergy season last year. Nettles is "stinging nettle" that you are warned about when you go out hiking for its brutal skin irritation - yet when it is harvested in its early vegetative stage, it is HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS and is an amazing plant to STOP ALLERGIC REACTIONS. However, the best Nettles products (herbs) that you can purchase are when those that are prepared FREEZE DRIED - because Nettles maintains its potency better and protects you better in freeze dried form.

When people come to visit, and I can see that they are sensitive to my husband's cat (yes, he had a miraculous change from a cat-hater to a cat-lover - quite humorous!) I pull out a bottle of Nettles and give my guests a couple capsules. It's a miracle in itself to see how quickly their sensitivity goes away - and they are amazed.

 

So ... I found THRIVE freeze dried foods, by a company called Shelf Reliance. In the past year I have casually sent out a few emails to a few people, telling them about how I feel about the importance of food storage, about escalating food prices, and also about freeze dried foods nutrition maintenance. By being a consultant I have earned over 40 FREE cases (6 cans per case) of free food. Now my food storage is filled with fruits, vegetables, proteins, and condiments - and I do not fear what is ahead! I CAN SHOW YOU HOW I DID IT! I am pretty busy, so if I can do it in my schedule, anyone on earth can protect their family and provide nutrition that will not be lost when it is stored. Email me at jacquegurney@gmail.com or go to my website at http://www.jacquegurney.shelfreliance.com/ .

FREE CLASS for HOLISTIC NUTRITION CERTIFICATION

This is a good class to help you with outside credits towards your HOLISTIC NUTRITION CERTIFICATION through Botanical Education Foundation.

GREEN SMOOTHIE GIRL coming to MESA, ARIZONA to teach a class on nutrition with whole foods in only minutes per day to help improve health!

When: July 8th
Where: LDS Church, 3815 E Broadway, Mesa, AZ
Sponsored by: Hood Chiropractic
Phone: 480-452-6951

Register by going to: http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/events/free-mesa-arizona-class/

Note

Millenial Wellness office will be closed from April 25th thru April 29th, 2011 and will open again on May 2, 2011 at 10am.

Spring Classes - Herbs, Essential Oils and Nutrition!

Rains came in February - the freezes came too and spectacular desert wildflowers will have been delayed this year!

The germination of seeds, and the plants that come from them are miraculous to those of us who do not fully understand the powers of creation! The Earth provides what we need, and it is our responsibility to learn how to use what God has given to us for health and for happiness!

With all the news on high costs of medicine, food prices surging, and world unrest, it is comforting to know that the Earth is bounteous! We just need to learn how to use its bounty!
Join us for our annual DESERT HERB CLASS - a 2-mile hike to the Petroglyph Falls - where we will learn about the herbs, food and healing that is provided by the plants in our southwest area. We will meet at The GOOD EGG, April 9th (Saturday) at 8:30 am and drive together to the site. Bring your lunch, water, hat, sunglasses, notebook and pen. This is a beautiful, sacred and historical site in Arizona, and a wonderful place to study the gifts of the desert! The class will finish at 3:30 pm. Those who are certifying will receive the class manual, which is included in the $75 registration fee.

If you need to drive separately, meet us at the trailhead - which is erroneously named Hieroglyphics Trail - out of Gold Canyon. Take US 60 East, leaving the city limits. After passing Apache Junction area, continue approximately 3 miles until you are in the Gold Canyon area. The 2nd main light will be KINGS RANCH ROAD. Turn RIGHT on Kings Ranch Road and drive 2.7 miles until you reach BASELINE Road. Turn RIGHT on Baseline and continue .2 miles until you reach MOHICAN road, where you turn LEFT. Drive .2 miles again and turn LEFT on VALLEY VIEW road - which will turn into WHITETAIL road. Follow Whitetail road .6 miles until you reach CLOUDVIEW road - where you will drive .5 miles into the parking lot of the trailhead.

We will study the plants as we walk the trail towards the Superstition Mountains, then we will eat lunch at the waterfalls - enjoying the hierglyphics that have been left by native Americans (and some yahoos who thought it funny to leave their marks). You will want to bring your families and teach them what you learn! The hike is easy enough for my 3-year old grandkids to walk - yet there have been some through the years who have struggled! Make sure that you are walking so that your legs are strong and you can enjoy the beauty of this experience!

Email our office at www.botanicaleducation@gmail.com to let us know that you will be joining us. Bring a new friend who has not attended our classes before and your registration is reduced to $50 each! We are excited for this special day - which many students say is their favorite of all the classes!

YOU CAN BE PREPARED! IF YOU ARE PREPARED YOU WILL NOT FEAR!

HOLISTIC NUTRITION AND WEIGHT COACHING COURSES BY ERLEEN TILTON BEGIN!

JOIN US BI-WEEKLY ON TUESDAYS TO LEARN WHOLE FOODS THAT EMPOWER YOU THAT KEEP YOU TRIM - EXPERIENCE AND TASTE - YOU'LL BE EMPOWERED AND YOUR FAMILY WILL BE BLESSED!

Class #1 of the Holistic Nutrition Certification Course Level 2 began Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011 (and will be held every other week on Tuesdays at 7pm - 9pm).

Erleen Tilton, Holistic Nutrition Specialist, Wellness Educator and Author (of Nature's Healthy Choices), taught what food is supposed to provide for our bodies and how we can measure if our food choices meet the standards of health. Erleen also discussed Dr. Weston Price's study which shows how societies are critically affected by their food choices - including how whole foods assist the brain's ability to think correctly, to use logic in choices, creating a reduction in crime and reducing social burdens from poor choices - as well as to provide bodies of health in the children that are born as well as reducing genetic degeneration.

Students were shown how to use oils, nuts, fruits, vegetables and aloe vera to create juices and smoothies that will cleanse the body and prepare it to be able to absorb the nutrients from a healthy diet. Class manuals include the recipes assignments and a test to complete.

Students who are certifying as HOLISTIC NUTRITION EDUCATORS will record the hours that they spend preparing whole foods, other classes they attend and books that they read in order to complete the 50 hours for this program. It's not too late to join us! To CERTIFY each class is $25 and includes the manual. To attend for personal information (without the manual and certification) is $10 per class. Call and prepay if you want to join us!

ERLEEN TILTON, instructor, kicked-off The Biggest Loser Contest and Weight Management Coaching course with a bang! The first class covered "The Mental Cleanse - Beginning with the end in Mind". Registration fees are divided in half, and this week $70 was put in the contest fund. At the end of each month the most diligent and successful student will be awarded all the monies in the fund! What a great way to get healthy and to earn some cash!

Class members were given tools for mentally mapping out a plan for now (and for life) creating food choices and behavior choices that build health, vitality and confidence! Join us - it's not too late! You can do it!

CLASS SCHEDULE for HOLISTIC NUTRITION LEVEL II: (7-9 pm)

January 25: Intro to Empowering Foods - Definition of food, Juicing, Green Smoothies

February 8: Nutrition Advantages of Sprouting, How to, Salads, Soups, Dips, Smoothies

February 22: Raw Nuts, Non-Dairy Proteins and Milk, Cheeses, Mayo, Dressings, more!

March 8: Raw n Live Food Creations with Enzymes and Antioxidants for True Health

March 22: Using Whole Grains instead of Floured Grains, Breakfasts, Lunch, Stir-Fry

April 5: Making Whole Grain Pitas, Tortillas, Sub Sandwich Buns, Thin Breads, n more

April 19: Legumes n Beans, Gravies, Hummus, Sprouting, Bottling, Cooking Benefits

May 3: Healthy Cooking; Steaming, Broiling, Convection, Healthy Parties, On-the-Go+

May 17: Treats n Desserts with NO Sugar, Frozen Desserts, Raw Food Nibblers, Pies+

CLASS SCHEDULE for HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS or WEIGHT COACHING (5:50 - 6:50 pm)

January 25: The Mental Cleanse, Beginning with the End in Mind, Weigh In

February 8: 3 Components for a Complete Workout, Permanent Weight Loss

February 22: Identifying the Fat Producers, Power to Eliminate Sugar, Flour, TFA's

Cash Payout to the Biggest Loser!

March 8: Creating a Metabolism that Works for You - Anatomy of Metabolism

March 22: Water, the Fat Wash, Fat Flushing and Healthy Cell Creation

Cash Payout to the Biggest Loser!

April 5: Proteins without Hormones and Anti-biotics, Identifying Main Stream Foods

April 19: Why Don't Diets Work? What Eating Plan Works for Me?

Cash Payout to the Biggest Loser!

May 3: The Home Cleanse, Avoiding Eating Disorders, Getting a Fresh Start

May 17: The Power of Your Mind; You Can Accomplish Anything! For Life!

Cash Payout to the Biggest Loser! Includes the $70 from Week 1!

HOLISTIC NUTRITION 2, WEIGHT LOSS WITH BIGGEST LOSER CONTEST, AROMATHERAPY CLASSES AND HERB CLASSES BEGINNING NOW!

CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR VITALITY, HEALTH AND WEIGHT LOSS - CLASSES in Holistic Nutrition, Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy are all beginning this month!
See our class schedule (click on the tab above) and join us for the new Holistic Nutrition Level 2 Classes and a Biggest Loser contest and Weight Management Naturally Class beginning January 21!

This course focuses on achieving permanent weight loss by helping your body receive what it needs so that it can allow the body systems and organs to work and to release the stressors that create fat. Did you know that 65% of Americans are overweight (obese) and that the weight gain over the generations has come from a lack of nutrition from whole foods and lack of movement? This course focuses on the "whys", and "how" to lose weight - - and "when" is NOW! Build a NEW YOU this year! Join us in learning which movement and exercise will speed up your metabolism, how to burn your unneeded and unhealthy fat, and how to build health and vitality that you have been missing through food choices, cooking skills and much more!

Don't count on the diet aids, the high cost extreme diet plans, shots, or magic to give you the body you want! You can do it naturally and you can get control of the life you want!

Every cell in your body will be replaced within approximately one year. Choose what kinds of cells you want to live in this year! Be healthier, more fit, and younger (physically) than you are today!

Erleen Tilton, Holistic Nutrition Specialist, Wellness Educator and Author, owner of Nature's Healthy Choices, will be teaching the Nutrition Level 2 class and the weight loss class.

Passport to the World of Aromatherapy and Passport to the World of Herbs certification courses are taught by Jacque Gurney, Certified Natural Health Professional, Transformational Health Coach, Professional Herbalist, Professional Aromatherapist, Owner of Millenial Wellness and Botanical Education Foundation. Our desire is to empower you with knowledge and desire to create health and happiness in your life and the lives for whom you are responsible! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YOU!