Wound healing is affected by both internal and external factors. Common wound healing will elapse hemostasis, inflammatory, proliferate, and maturation phases, which can be drawn forward on instead, backward depending on the wound size, depth, location, and to be kept in mind, proper treatments and medications. Healthy lifestyle plays an important role in speeding up wound healing. Adding certain beneficial remedies for improving the wound will also lead to surprising wound recovery. One of these best remedies are essential oils, which you can easily find and use during the healing phases.
Tips on using essential oils for wound healing
- When purchasing essential oils for wound healing purpose, always keep in mind that these oils are not similar to those for aromatherapy or fragrance purposes. Essential oils are mostly organic and thus, much more natural than the fragrance ones. While the former can be used topically all over the skin, the latter will be too harsh for this purpose and thus, may be irritating.
- Most essential oils, in spite of their natural properties, need to be diluted with carrier oils before applied on the skin. Some common carrier oils are coconut, almond, olive, and sesame oil. These oils will serve a base for the essential oils, making them less irritating to the skin and a wound site, to be specific. Hot oils such as oregano, cinnamon, clove, or peppermint definitely require a carrier oil before applied.
- Essential oils can also be used for wound healing in babies and children. For this purpose, carrier oil is always required, as their skin is still very sensitive and fragile. In addition, essential oils should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Read Also : List Of 15 Best Essential Oils For Burns
Best essential oils for wound healing
In order to make wounds heal faster, you need to provide proper treatments for each elapsed healing step. Here is the list of which essential oil should be used during wound healing and what they are going to do to speed up the entire healing process.
1. Helichrysum oil
Initial treatment is important for wound healing. Stopping bleeding will prevent anemia and bacterial infestation that may delay the entire healing. Helichrysum oil is a strong antimicrobial and antiseptic essential plant extract that plays a significant role in reducing bleeding. To use this oil on your wound site, simply add some drops onto a damp towel and press it gently against the wound until the bleeding subsides.
2. Lemon oil
Lemons are high in antioxidants. As an essential oil, lemon oil is well known for its cleansing ability. Proper wound cleansing plays an important role for the entire healing process. Add some drops into the water to purify cuts, scrapes, and other minor wounds and kill the infesting germs.
3. Lavender oil
Lavender has some amazing properties related to wound healing. This oil gives both physical and emotional improvement needed for wound healing. For longtime, lavender oil is known to give relaxing effect that can be helpful during wound healing. A few drops of lavender oil on your pillow will help you sleep and rest better, which is essential during tissues and wound site healing.
As a wound first aid, lavender essential oil can be applied after the bleeding subsides. To do this, dilute the oil with a carrier oil such as organic coconut oil and apply a thin layer all over the wound site. Lavender oil does not only works as an antiseptic agent for the infesting germs, but also gives soothing effect to the wound site.
4. Tea tree oil
As a potent antiseptic agent, tea tree oil has a significant role in wound healing. This powerful essential oil has long been used for a variety of wounds, including burns, cuts, and puncture wounds. This oil should be diluted first, before used as disinfectant. However, tea tree oil might cause stronger stinging effect when applied compared to some other disinfecting essential oils. Tea tree oil that has been diluted is also beneficial for facial wounds caused by cystic acne, psoriasis, or eczema. Its natural antiseptic substances will help eliminate infesting bacteria and boost healing. Some people also use tea tree oil for treating recurring cold sore and blisters.
5. Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil has refreshing scent and powerful antiseptic property. This oil may sting, yet it provides natural barrier to infesting germs that may worsen any kinds of wound. Eucalyptus is useful for disinfecting and promoting healing to cuts and other open wounds. Use the oil with cautions, as it needs to be diluted before application to prevent irritation and skin burning instead.
After you stop the wound bleeding and disinfect the wound site, you can apply eucalyptus oil that has been mixed with a carrier oil such as olive oil onto the wound. Afterwards, place sterilized gauze over the wound and replace it regularly.
6. Chamomile oil
Chamomile is widely known for its mild scent. This oil is in fact, a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Thus, it helps reduce swelling and inflammation caused by infections. Chamomile also contains potent antioxidants, which is essential for tissue regeneration and improving immune system.
7. Clove oil
Clove is enriched with vitamins and minerals, as well as the excellent antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. When applied topically, clove oil, which has a strong nature, needs to be diluted with a carrier oil. This oil will reduce pain and the possibility of infections in burns, cuts, and other types of open wounds. People with very sensitive skin, however, are not advised to apply clove oil over their wounds, as it may instead lead to skin irritation and further infection. Clove is also exceptionally helpful for oral wounds and thus, best to use after tooth extraction surgery as both pain reliever and healer.
8. Cinnamon oil
Another beneficial essential oil for wound healing is cinnamon oil. This oil does not only contain strong antibacterial properties, but is also enriched with eugenol, the natural anesthetic oil. Hence, this oil works great as a pain reliever for minor cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds.
9. Frankincense oil
This is another effective oil to be used as a wound remedy. Frankincense oil is an essential anti-inflammatory agent that relieves pain and reduces inflammation. This oil is also enriched with powerful antioxidants that preserve healthy tissues and support skin tissue recovery. Proper skin tissue recovery is really important in promoting faster wound healing.
10. Myrrh oil
Myrrh oil can also be chosen as your wound healing remedy. This oil is specifically useful for pain relieving and infection treatment. As a potent antiseptic agent, myrrh oil is beneficial for open wounds, including cuts, bruises, and burns. When applied to the wound, the oil stimulates blood circulation and consequently, promotes tissue regeneration. Check some best Myrrh oil available on market here.
11. Oregano oil
Classified as one of those hot essential oils, oregano needs to be diluted with a carrier oil before applied as a natural remedy for wound healing. This oil functions as a natural immune system support and is an effective treatment for treating bacterial infections. If you have an open wound as a result of athlete’s foot, this oregano oil will make a great treatment oil. Apply the oil directly over the infected area after diluting it. Do this several times a day until to promote better healing.