Clary sage oil - how did you use yours?

[Pickle]

Determined that nothing is going to stand in the way of me and my induction at the end of the week I've got myself some clary sage oil. I have a number of friends that swear by it, but they've all been overdue when they've used it, whereas I'll be 37+3 when induction takes place.

I've heard & read varying ways to use it:

- in the bath (mixed with milk?)

- directly on the bump (mixed with a bit of olive oil)

- in an oil diffuser

What did you do? Did it work? Happy to try snorting it through a rolled up ?50 note if I thought it would help get things started (joke, of course).

My vague plan is to start using it this evening, gradually upping the quantity until Thursday night when I'll drown myself in the stuff!

Any first hand experience welcomed!

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Pickle

I used it & Jasmine which is very expensive.

Ran a bath then put 3-4 drops of each in the bath when water is still so it floats on the top - was told this is the way but as you say there seem to be various approaches.

Was also advised to mix with a base / carrier oil and then massage on lower back.

Would be nervous to use neat or directly on bump though if you know others who have this is reassuring.

Good luck - I have an unopened bottle of Castor Oil if you want it!!

Molly

Xxxxx

[Pickle]

Thanks Molly - not sure I could stomach caster oil!

I wouldn't use it neat on the bump, would definitely mix with a carrier. This was actually the one way I was advised to use it by the guy at Healthmatters, who seems to know his stuff. A bit of Googling shows some people who swear by it and others who claim it put them to sleep with no results whatsoever.

Willing to try anything that might help get things moving naturally pre-Friday (or help move things faster when the induction takes place). There's a nice bottle of red wine looking longingly at me, it's been a long 8 months!

[Yak]

Aloued (Amy from the Dulwich Touch) made up a clay sage & carrier oil for me - I added it to the bath and also massaged it into area between thumb and fingers, and along tendon on the outside of my lower legs. I've explained appallingly but apparently these are accupressure points - maybe look on you tube? Amy does lovely induction massages too - they certainly helped me relax tho I went 11 days over, which is not what you want to hear, really....x

[snowboarder]

I put it on a tissue and tucked it into my bra! I was pretty desperate at that point though (I also have castor oil unopened!!).

[BellendenBear]

I used it in the bath and directly onto bump with carrier oil with bay 2. Each time it seemed to stimulate really intense Braxton-Hicks. In the end I stopped using it because the Braxton-Hicks were keeping me awake and it was starting to get embarrassing with the number of false alarm labours I was having!

Purely anecdotal of course, but when labour eventually happened it was very quick and straightforward with baby being in just the right position. I have often wondered if the Clary Sage contractions played a part in that.

Good luck.

[crystal7]

I used it in both pregnancies post 40 weeks. I've added quite a few drops to the bath and then got out and massaged bump with it (mixed with bio oil). Both my labours have started after doing this for a few nights but then I was overdue...good luck! Very exciting.

[Pickle]

I've had a bath in it this evening (much to the amusement of my children, as I never have baths and they found it hilarious!). Not terribly fussed on the smell and it hasn't done anything that I've noticed... I shall persevere!

[echo]

I mixed a a few drops (can't remember how much) with water and sprayed it around me:)

Good luck

[Jo'sEnglish]

When my labour wasn't progressing one of the midwifes massaged my feet with it (I think that is what it was anyway, I was a bit out of it!). I think there are some good acupressure points there, maybe worth looking up.

Hope it works!

[mrs f]

ohhh good luck Pickle! Very exciting, I can't believe you are going to have another one so soon!

I used it in the bath then massaged it onto my huge and very late bump.... of course I was late, 13 days.... so I tried everything apart from castor oil so who knows if it had any effect at all!

[Pickle]

I massaged some into the bump this afternoon and have been experiencing definite tightenings ever since! Could just be braxton hicks but have spurred me into making sure my middle of the night contacts are available. Having never gone into labour naturally I don't really know what to expect if I do!

Might give the clary sage bath I was planning tonight a miss, hospital bag isn't packed yet :-S

[bee74]

Pickle

i did the same as you and it never worked. Only sweeps did...Good luck.

[aloued]

For anyone who comes to me for a massage I can happily give you some oils to take home with you!

I will mix them for the individual be that for induction or for relaxation to save the cost o buying your own essential oils.

Clary Sage alone doesn't always appeal as a smell so I often mix with other sedative scents to stop the mind being active- et primal to get the labour happening! And some have been known to even sleep during labour as the smells work their magic.

Amy

Http:/www.thedulwichtouch.co.uk

Thedulwichtouch@me.com