Monday, August 21, 2006

Minor Wounds and Scars/First Aid (Natural Alternative Medicine/Aromatherapy)

What essential oils can I use on minor wounds and scraps (for first aid)?

Many essential oils can be used to clean up/heal wounds (antibacterial and healing; first aid) including tea tree, lavender, and chamomile (which are the most often recommended by aromatherapists) but other good essential oils include: bergamot, helichrysum, geranium, eucalyptus, frankincense, myrrh, pathcholi, and lemon. Aloe is also good. To clean the skin, you can use the essential oils by blending with aloe or diluted apple cider vinegar (1 part water to 1 part acv). Use a 2% concentration of essential oils (add 12 drops of the essential oil blend per 1 ounce of acv or aloe). After cleaning apply an ointment/balm/salve (a carrier oil thickened with a little beeswax, or if you don't have beeswax, just use a carrier oil. Make a 2% concentration of essential oils) and cover with gauze. Natural remedies may take longer than conventional remedies to heal, but I've always found them to heal skin better.

For scarring, an excellent all natural remedy is helichyrsum essential oil and rose hip seed oil (12 drops of helichyrsum in 1 ounce of rosehip seed oil). This blend has been recommended by several aromatherapists and there have been many studies done in south america on this combination. For a review/info on the studies click here, and for reviews of this combination from Nature's Gift click here. I suggest making this combination yourself (since it is easy to make and also less expensive), but if you don't want to, you can buy it premade at Nature's Gift (at a 10% concetration, so you'll still have to dilute it a bit with another carrier oil).

4 comments:

KimiStar said...

Hey Li,
Did you post this after I asked about it on GOW's forum? To think I could be a source of inspiration for someone to blog about... :)
THANK YOU for the great info btw! my dh willingly used the emu oil serum I had available before putting on his new bandage. Let's hope the scar heals nicely!
THANKS again for your valuable information.

Solarkat said...

Hi Jamesie,

Yes, I did! For the last few weeks, the FAQ I have posted here have been based on what I've posted on forums (often with a bit more added info though).

You're very welcome; I hope your husband gets better soon! :)

Cheers,
Solarkat

Anonymous said...

Could you please advise me as to what is a good vegan alternative to Emu Oil. I have been using it for my skin with amazing results (wrinkles, fine lines etc), but now find it is derived from the rendered fat of an emu (I didn't know that!!)

Solarkat said...

Hi Heather

Thanks for posting :) It really depends on your skin type. Many carrier oils and butters are good for fine lines/anti-aging. You may like camellia oil (good for all skin types) which is very light. But if you prefer something slightly heavier to help retain moisture, I suggest shea butter (see my shea butter entry). Shea butter is good for dryness and also blemishes, and many people with oily skin love it too.

Cheers,
Li