Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Does Atlas Cedar essential oil pose a risk?

During pregnancy, many active ingredients are contraindicated to avoid risks, both for the mother and the future baby. In search of ingredients they consider safer, many women turn to natural actives, such as the Atlas cedar essential oil. Obtained by steam distillation, it is indeed renowned for its various beneficial properties for the skin and hair. However, Atlas cedar essential oil raises many questions about its safety during pregnancy, but also during breastfeeding.

To date, there is no study on the effects of the topical application of Atlas cedar essential oil in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Nevertheless, analysing its biochemical composition can help formulate hypotheses about the potential dangers it could pose during pregnancy. Indeed, like many essential oils, Atlas cedar oil contains low molecular weight sesquiterpenic ketones, such as atlantone (218.33 g/mol). Due to their small size, these compounds are believed to be able to penetrate the blood and cross the blood-brain barrier, controlling exchanges between the blood and the brain compartment, which can lead to effects on the brain. Ketones are also known for their ability to degrade the myelin sheath that protects neurons, thus posing a neurotoxic risk to these nerve cells. Furthermore, ketones could increase uterine contractions, thereby increasing the risk of miscarriage, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Thus, despite the lack of evidence and scientific studies regarding the dangers of Atlas cedar essential oil in pregnant women, the elements mentioned above urge caution, especially since this extract generally has a high content of sesquiterpenic ketones (around 30%).

Regarding breastfeeding, the natural method of feeding a baby provided by its mother, it can also have an impact on the baby's proper development. Therefore, it is necessary for expectant mothers to be cautious about what they ingest and apply to their skin, to avoid a potential transfer into the breast milk. Once again, scientific evidence is lacking concerning the topical application of Atlas Cedar essential oil and potential risks during breastfeeding. However, as with the pregnancy period, as a precautionary principle, the use of this essential oil is discouraged during breastfeeding, to avoid any risk of harm to the newborn.

As a precautionary principle, the topical application of Atlas Cedar essential oil is advised against during both pregnancy and breastfeeding.