Is Camphor safe during pregnancy?
Found in rubs and some balms. A review advises avoiding camphor-rich oils in pregnancy and breastfeeding; it is toxic if swallowed.
PregnancyNot recommended
BreastfeedingNot recommended
EvidenceLimited
What the sources say
A 2021 review on essential oils in pregnancy notes camphor crosses the placenta and advises avoiding camphor-rich oils in pregnancy and breastfeeding, as camphor is thought to be more toxic to humans than animals. MedlinePlus lists camphor (in rubs like vapor rubs and camphorated oil) as poisonous in overdose, with seizures possible. Keep camphor products away from babies.
Also listed as
camphor oil, camphorated oil, cinnamomum camphora, d-camphor, dl-camphor, ho leaf oil
Sources
- NIH PubMed (peer-reviewed review): Maternal Reproductive Toxicity of Some Essential Oils and Their Constituents (Int J Mol Sci, 2021)
- NIH MedlinePlus: Camphor overdose
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.