Minor Burns including Sunburn care using essential oils

by Penny Keay

During the 'heating' months many folks use their fireplaces or other wood or heating appliances. If you are not careful you can easily get burned.

Even lighting candles you can get burned from the molten wax. Pots & pans on the stove can give you a 'steam' burn.

Burns- OUCH! No matter what degree of burn you have they can all be extremely painful.

It was well documented by French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse', considered the father of present day "Aromatherapies", that Lavender oil will give quick relief and promote fast healing.

As many of you know, he was burned in his laboratory and submerged the burned body part in a vat of Lavender oil. Amazingly the pain was quickly dissipated and the burn healed rather quickly, without blistering or scarring.

The information in this article are for minor burns. Not burns that involve blistering or actual damage beyond the first layer or two of skin aka 3rd degree burns.

Seek medical attention if more than a minor burn.

The following list of essential oils are also handy in your first aid kit.

They can help with burns and include: Roman chamomile, Geranium, Eucalyptus, Neroli, Helichrysum and Rose oils.

Lavender, the most popular essential oils for the treatment of burns can be applied to minor burns by mixing with water, shaking well and spraying on the area.

Or it can be added to carrier oils such as Sweet Almond or Sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is especially high in natural vitamin E which has been known to be good for your skin.

Apply the lavender blend several times a day to the affected area. If pain is an issue you might want to add a bit of Helichrysum which is also known for it's analgesic properties along with fast healing properties.

To make a Simple Homemade Burn formula

To a cold water bath (bowl of water) - 5 drops Roman chamomile or 8 drops lavender oil for each cup of cold water to which a few ice cubes have been added. Submerge the burned area to give relief.

If the affected area is not a hand, finger or part that is easily submerged, then use a cold compress that you refresh in your bowl of cold water.

Personally we have found that you will get much relief if you can hold your burned area in the cold water for about half an hour.

Use caution to not freeze your burned area. You should use cold water not ICE water. A few ice cubes will help to chill the water but not to freeze the skin.

A nice After Burn formula

to apply after the initial cold treatment listed above is to use

Lavender - 25 drops
Peppermint -2 drops
High Oleic Sunflower oil - 2 ounces

Shake well and apply several times a day to the burned area.

In place of the Peppermint you can use Helichrysum.

This recipe works on sunburn too. Be sure to have plenty on hand as you venture out to the beaches!

Another choice that can also help minimize scarring is our Scar Lightening blend. It has Lavender, Helichrysum and Neroli along with two wonderful skin healing carrier oils of Rosehip seed oil and Hazelnut oil.

Of course, any serious or widespread burn including sunburns should be attended by a medical professional. Do not attempt to treat serious burns without consulting a physician.

If your burns are blistered or 3rd degree seek medical advice before using essential oils. Once your doctor has given you the okay, then you can use essential oils to help speed the healing process.

All essential oils have healing properties and will help your body to heal itself.

Soothing Sun burn Bath

In a tub of cool water add

Lavender- 8 drops
Roman Chamomile - 2 drops
Helichrysum - 2 drops
Peppermint - 1 drop

Place the oils in the tub of cool water. Soak for fifteen to twenty minutes. Do not rub the burned areas.

You can repeat this bath every few hours until the pain subsides. Add a few ice cubes to the water if you want to keep the water cool.

Use a small cup to gently poor water over hard to soak areas.

You can also add a cup or two of Baking soda to your bath to help soothe the burned areas.

All the products listed in the article are available at our Shopping Site.

© 2005, 2013, 2015, 2017 Penny Keay All rights reserved Worldwide.
Please do not use my information without my permission.

For all your aromatherapy needs please visit us on line:

CLICK HERE to Go Shopping with us.

• Print this Article CLICK HERE

To the Top of the Page

---

• Click Here for the Aromatherapy Tip Index
• Click Here for the Health & Beauty Index
• Click Here for the Newsletter Index

---

Sign up for Email Notices to further your Aromatherapy Experience CLICK HERE