Summer’s sun is shining and we are all vulnerable
to sunburn, bug bites, bruises, sprains, scratches,
and various problems with “itchy” skin. Lucky for us
there are many essential oils that offer relief from
these seasonal problems.
The essential oils I put in my first aid kit include:
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), Lemon tea tree
(Leptospermum petersonii), Helichrysum (Helichrysum
italicum), Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum
nobile), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), and
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus).
The first thing I think of with summer is sunburn! Lavender is probably one of the
best essential oil choices for any type of burn, based on the infamous work of
French aromatherapist Maurice Gattefosse. It is also one of the few essential oils
that can be used “neat” or without a carrier.
An easy and effective blend for sunburn relief is a mixture of Lavender and
Peppermint essential oils in a 1 oz. spray bottle of spring water. A tepid bath in
lavender oil and vinegar will also cool the heat. My favorite blend for this ailment
is a mixture of essential oil of Lavender, Roman chamomile and Peppermint in a
base of pure aloe vera gel and fractionated coconut oil with a boost from Vitamin
E and Calendula. This can be prepared and sprayed over the effected area for
soothing relief and enhanced healing.
The most annoying part of summer is the mosquitoes. During a lab session of
The Basics of Aromatherapy Class at Parkland College, we made a bug repellant
for the first responders during Hurricane Katrina that received rave reviews. Many
of them contacted us to share how well it worked for them, and so I will share it
with you. It is a mixture of Lemon Tea Tree, Atlas Cedarwood and Patchouli
essential oils in a base of spring water and witch hazel or grain alcohol in a 4 oz.
spray bottle. Be sure to shake before you spray!
If you are looking for itch relief, I recommend a blend of Lavender, Roman
chamomile, Peppermint and Tea Tree in a base of spring water and witch hazel. It
works well for bug bites and athletes foot. For poison ivy, add the above essential
oils to calamine lotion for more rapid relief. Remember to keep any spray away
from your eyes!
Essential oils and aromatherapy are especially well suited to the minor injuries
and ailments that occur at home or while traveling. They serve as a healthy and
natural alternative to many over the counter products. Any Essential Oil First Aid
Kit should also have bandages, band-aids, a handkerchief, first aid tape, small
scissors, tweezers, a cold pack, ace bandages and bottled water. If flying you will
need to remember that everything must be prepared in a 3oz. size or less. All of
the above blends are suggestions and there are many variations on the theme.
So if you don’t like one of the oils I have chosen, you can choose another with
similar properties.
Before using any essential oil blend check for sensitivity and contraindications.
Consult a Registered Aromatherapist if you have any questions and always
educate yourself in the proper use of any healing modality. If you need more
ideas on what to make you can contact me at www.botanicalhealingarts@hotmail.
com.
Have a great and safe summer!
to sunburn, bug bites, bruises, sprains, scratches,
and various problems with “itchy” skin. Lucky for us
there are many essential oils that offer relief from
these seasonal problems.
The essential oils I put in my first aid kit include:
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), Lemon tea tree
(Leptospermum petersonii), Helichrysum (Helichrysum
italicum), Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum
nobile), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), and
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus).
The first thing I think of with summer is sunburn! Lavender is probably one of the
best essential oil choices for any type of burn, based on the infamous work of
French aromatherapist Maurice Gattefosse. It is also one of the few essential oils
that can be used “neat” or without a carrier.
An easy and effective blend for sunburn relief is a mixture of Lavender and
Peppermint essential oils in a 1 oz. spray bottle of spring water. A tepid bath in
lavender oil and vinegar will also cool the heat. My favorite blend for this ailment
is a mixture of essential oil of Lavender, Roman chamomile and Peppermint in a
base of pure aloe vera gel and fractionated coconut oil with a boost from Vitamin
E and Calendula. This can be prepared and sprayed over the effected area for
soothing relief and enhanced healing.
The most annoying part of summer is the mosquitoes. During a lab session of
The Basics of Aromatherapy Class at Parkland College, we made a bug repellant
for the first responders during Hurricane Katrina that received rave reviews. Many
of them contacted us to share how well it worked for them, and so I will share it
with you. It is a mixture of Lemon Tea Tree, Atlas Cedarwood and Patchouli
essential oils in a base of spring water and witch hazel or grain alcohol in a 4 oz.
spray bottle. Be sure to shake before you spray!
If you are looking for itch relief, I recommend a blend of Lavender, Roman
chamomile, Peppermint and Tea Tree in a base of spring water and witch hazel. It
works well for bug bites and athletes foot. For poison ivy, add the above essential
oils to calamine lotion for more rapid relief. Remember to keep any spray away
from your eyes!
Essential oils and aromatherapy are especially well suited to the minor injuries
and ailments that occur at home or while traveling. They serve as a healthy and
natural alternative to many over the counter products. Any Essential Oil First Aid
Kit should also have bandages, band-aids, a handkerchief, first aid tape, small
scissors, tweezers, a cold pack, ace bandages and bottled water. If flying you will
need to remember that everything must be prepared in a 3oz. size or less. All of
the above blends are suggestions and there are many variations on the theme.
So if you don’t like one of the oils I have chosen, you can choose another with
similar properties.
Before using any essential oil blend check for sensitivity and contraindications.
Consult a Registered Aromatherapist if you have any questions and always
educate yourself in the proper use of any healing modality. If you need more
ideas on what to make you can contact me at www.botanicalhealingarts@hotmail.
com.
Have a great and safe summer!
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Essential Oil First Aid
by Sara Holmes
by Sara Holmes
Sara Holmes, B.S. (Greenville College) is a Registered Aromatherapist
and the owner of Botanical Healing Arts www.botanicalhealingarts.com in
Tuscola, IL. She is also an instructor at Parkland College and a
contributing writer to The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy
Journal.
and the owner of Botanical Healing Arts www.botanicalhealingarts.com in
Tuscola, IL. She is also an instructor at Parkland College and a
contributing writer to The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy
Journal.