There are risks in using EOs, just like there are risks in taking medication. One risk in using essential oils is that they can affect certain medications. But does that include birth control? You may have heard rumors that EOs can contraindicate contraceptives, making them ineffective. If you’re using birth control or know someone who is, it is worth it to know the facts.

Like many areas in aromatherapy today, research on the subject of essential oils affecting birth control is scarce. The research that does exist points to essential oils having no contraindicating effects on contraceptives. According to expert aromatherapist, Robert Tisserand, it is unlikely that aromatherapy has any unwanted effect on oral contraception or hormone-replacement therapy. He also notes that evidence regarding EOs interfering with conception does not exist (Tisserand and Young, 2014).

It is interesting to note that certain essential oils may act as contraceptives, such as Wild Carrot (Tisserand and Young, 2014), Gromwell Root, Fenugreek Seed, Pomegranate and Costus (Schiller and Schiller, 2008). However, we don’t recommend replacing your birth control with essential oils.