subject: Treating Wounds And Scars Effectively With Essential Oils [print this page] At one time or another, many of us have accidents or surgery that can result in unsightly scars. The same can happen from difficult cases of acne. Even stretch marks from pregnancy or significant weight loss can leave permanent un-smooth textures on the skin. There are few treatments available beyond silicone patches, and these won't work in all cases. If one is looking for a natural means to improve skin appearance as a wound heals, or to smooth old scars or stretch marks, scientific aromatherapy literature provides some formulas that may help.
Choosing the Essential Oils
There are a few primary essential oils used in skin care which offer their regenerative properties; these oils can be used in low concentrations, and are generally well-tolerated -- certainly more so than many synthetic ingredients. The most important of these may be Helichrysum italicum, also known as Everlasting oil. This wonderful oil is distilled from the daisy-like flowers of the herb. It has a lovely earthy aroma and, despite it's apparent expense, works in very low concentrations (only a few drops per tablespoon of your total blend). Helichrysum is strongly anti-inflammatory and contains powerful regenerative molecules unique to this oil only.
The Power of Helichrysum
Helichrysum essential oil is the cornerstone for many blends for healing the skin, and is the only one truly necessary for supporting currently healing skin damage - it should be used at appropriate concentrations with Rosehip Seed, Tamanu and Hazelnut oils, as mentioned later in this article. As noted by well-known aromatherapist Kurt Schnaubelt, "The triple unsaturated fatty acids (of Rosehip Seed oil) strengthen the cell membranes and, combined with the regnerative qualities of Everlasting oil (Helichrysum), heal wounds with minimal or no scarring".
Synergy with Lavender
As mentioned above, Lavender is often included in skin care blends - it has gentle anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerative properties, along with very soothing, anti-anxiety aroma. This stress-relieving action seems to be imparted even at the cellular level where wound healing occurs. Lavender essential oil itself began the modern aromatherapy revolution when a scientist burned his hand in a laboratory accident, and after cooling the wound in a beaker of Lavender found the wound to heal remarkably quickly. It is also thought to 'synergize' or improve the efficacy of other essential oils in combination.
Sage for Old Scars
The essential oil distilled from the leaves of common Sage is included in blends where the wounds are old - where the healing happened some time ago and has left some unsightly scarring. This can work on keloid scars, acne scars, etc., though application need be regular and should continue for 3 to 6 months. The sage oil is included in essence to break up the scar tissue and to stimulate regeneration with it's powerful components. Sage oil should be used with great care and in small amounts. While it is called for in formulas for stretch marks, it should only be use after pregnancy, and not during by expectant mothers. Sage is best used for wounds and scars that have already healed to reduce appearance.
Rosemary to Stimulate Cellular Metabolism
Rosemary is an essential oil with a wonderful aroma that is used in many skin care blends. The Verbenone chemotype is called for here as, like Helichrysum and Lavender, contains regenerating ketones (the Cineol type does not). Rosemary will also stimulate cellular metabolism, improving the nutrition and waste cycling of skin cells.
Other essential oils can offer important nutrient that may speed the healing process. Most importantly, they offer carotenoids and carotenes -- natural vitamin-A-like compounds needed for increasing the strength of the healing tissue. Vitamin A is considered absolutely critical to normal skin development, and indispensable during wound healing. Two essential oils can be chosen from: Sea Buckthorn and Carrot Root. These are both found as 'CO2' extracts with deep colors, indicating the high levels of nutrients.
Tea Tree: Nature's Finest Antiseptic
For wounds that are currently healing, a small amount of an antiseptic essential oil can help the process. It can prevent redness and irritation that is the result of your body dealing with bacteria at the sight of the injury. Lavender and Rosemary do have some antiseptic properties, and may be enough if you feel the wound has been well-cleaned. For stronger antiseptic activity, 1-5% Tea Tree essential oil can be added to any recipe. The use of the Tea Tree can be discontinued once the wound has sealed completely. If you're really not fond of the aroma of Tea Tree, Palmarosa essential oil can be used as a more mildly-aromatic substitute.
The Base of Your Formulas: The Carrier Oils
Finally, these essential oils need to be diluted carrier oils, which are seed or nut oils made up of fatty acids. These oils help the skin absorb the essential oils, and provide important nutritive oils to help the skin heal and look its best. The most important is Rosehip Seed oil, cold-pressed from Rosehip Seeds native to mountainous regions of South America. In addition to its unsaturated fatty acids, this oil contains natural vitamin A compounds similar in effect to the pharmaceutical preparation Retin-A but without the over drying or redness that often accompanies its use. Note that Rosehip seed should NOT be used for acne scars where acne outbreaks are still likely to occur. Tamanu Nut oil -- or Callophylum -- is a little known oil that actually lies somewhere between a 'fixed oil' and 'essential oil' in its chemistry. Tamanu is an excellent choice for healing all types of wounds. Finally, oils containing high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids can help healing by providing important nutrients while reducing inflammation.
Easy Mixin': Simple Recipes for Common Conditions
For effective wound healing of recent cuts and scrapes (and has been used successfully on surgical incisions), to 1 ounce Tamanu Nut oil (also called Callophyllum) and 1 ounce Rosehip seed oil add 1 milliliter of Helichrysum essential oil, 1 milliliter of Lavender essential oil and either 1 milliliter of Sea Buckthorn or 3 milliliters of Carrot Root CO2 extracts - apply twice a day for 7 to 10 days. For older scars from wounds or acne, including keloid scars, replace the Lavender in the previous recipe with Rosemary essential oil or Sage essential oil (not to be used during pregnancy). Where acne can reoccur, do NOT use Rosehip seed -- instead use Evening Primrose or Hemp Seed oils. Apply regularly for 3 to 6 months. For the healing of stretch marks, post partum, use 1 ounce Rosehip seed and 1 ounce Tamanu or Evening Primrose oil with 1 milliliter Sage essential oil and 2 milliliters with Rosemary Verbenone essential oil; again apply regularly until the marks are no longer visible.
