We suffer cuts and wounds of varying degrees, and depending on the magnitude of the injury, the adoption of a healing therapy is important. Essential Oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquids that contain volatile aroma compounds from plants. They are extracted from the best parts of the plants, are 100% pure and contain no fillers or additives.

They have been used medicinally in history, and have found application in treatments ranging from the skin to cancer. These oils are all-around therapeutic. Their anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties make them very suitable for the fast healing of wounds and cuts.

Essential Oils For Wound Healing

Some cuts or scrapes are harmless and go away after a few days, but sometimes they can become infected and that is why it is better to treat them fast before they become infected. Every wound or cut’s healing process can be divided into three phases:

Kit needed for treatment of wounds and cuts with essential oils

Some of the materials needed for treating wounds and cuts with essential oils are the same with the ones found in a regular medical first aid kit. Below is a list of them.

• Cool water
• Clean towel
• Tissue
• Essential Oils
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Roll of Bandage
• Carrier oil
• Pair of Scissors
• Cotton ball
• Glass Dropper Bottle
• Bottle sprayer

Pre-Treatment

The pre-treatment phase is simply preparing the surface of the wound for treatment.

Before attempting to treat any wound or cut, wash your hands properly with a disinfectant. This gets rid of the germs that the hands may be carrying.

Take a good look at the wound. Examine its severity. Check to see if it is a fresh wound or otherwise.

In cases of fresh wounds and cuts, the first step is to try to control or stop the bleeding. Place a clean towel on the wound and apply a substantial amount of pressure, sufficient to cause blood flow to cease, at the affected area. Follow this up by washing off the blood with cool and clean water.

If the wound or cut is not fresh, clean out the area with water and apply a clean towel. If the surface still has some dirt or is not clean enough, clean with hydrogen peroxide. After this, dry the area.

The Treatment

After preparation, leave the wound exposed to air for about 2 – 3 minutes so that oxygen can reach it. This makes the wound heal faster.

Following the preparation is the treatment of the wound. Essential oils have anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties that promote the healing of wounds and cuts fast. The topical method of application is employed in this case.

Some oils could be applied directly to the affected area while others are very concentrated and have to be mixed with carrier oils before application but on the overall, it is advisable to mix the essential oil with a carrier oil.

The rule of thumb for dilution is:

This will give you a 2.5 % dilution. You can use an oil that is slightly more concentrated if you are applying it to a small, localized area of the body.

• Pour the mixture into a clean glass dropper bottle and shake properly to ensure distributed concentration throughout the blend.

Some essential oils perform more specific tasks in the process of healing of wounds and cuts.  Meanwhile others could do a variety of tasks.

Reducing bleeding

Helichrysum, Myrrh, and Geranium are common essential oils used for reducing or stopping the bleeding. They possess coagulative properties that aid the coagulation of blood.

• Apply 3 – 5 drops with a dropper bottle on a cold compress or cool damp rag when controlling bleeding.
• Then set the cool compress or cool damp rag on the wound. This should stop the bleeding quickly. If not, remove the rag and add a few more essential oil drops to the rag.
• Place it again over the wound.

 Disinfecting wounds and cuts

Most essential oils are very good for disinfecting wounds. Some oils may produce more of a sting than other oils when disinfecting. Common oils used to disinfect wounds and cuts are lavender, lemon, clove, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, rosemary, and tea tree oil.

Depending on the magnitude of the cut or wound:

• apply 3 – 5 drops of essential oil with a dropper bottle to the surface of the wound.
• Ensure to have the drops fall directly on the surface for effective disinfection.

 Preventing inflammation

• Squeeze 2 – 3 drops of essential oil to the wound and its surrounding area to prevent the swelling of tissues around the wound and to prevent it from becoming sore red.
• Cut a small portion of the cotton ball and rub over the area.

Post-Treatment

Finishing

Over time, I have discovered that treating a wound is not enough anymore but treating and giving the wound a very good finish. Treated wounds not finished properly tend to become scars.

Minimizing scars

• Apply 2 – 4 drops of essential oils to the surface and surrounding environment of the wound.
• Use the cotton ball to rub the oil over the surrounding area. This will minimize the risk of scars.
• Covering up the wound

Use scissors to cut enough from a bandage roll. Hold it up in your hands and place gently over the wound. Roll it over the wound in layers until you exhaust the cut out portion. Fasten the loose end portion of the bandage to the layered portion using a safety pin, adhesive (sticky) tape or bandage clip. (http://www.essentialoilspedia.com/essential-oil-first-aid-kit/)

The Healing Stage

• After covering up the wound, the healing stage commences immediately. Essential oils mix with the blood to stimulate cell growth. This is very vital to the fast healing of wounds and cuts.

 Continued treatment

• After 5 – 7 hours of the first treatment, examine the wound again.
• Unwrap the bandage and dispose of properly.
• Check the surface of the wound to observe its condition.
• If dirty, clean again with water and a dry towel.
• Leave wound exposed to air for 2 – 3 minutes.
• Shake the essential oil in the glass dropper bottle properly and squeeze the same dose that was applied during the first treatment.
• Make sure the dose is sufficient depending on the magnitude of the injury.
• If the application was done to the surrounding area earlier, add just 2 drops to the area and rub with a cotton ball.
• Using the bandage roll, hold it up in your hands and place gently over the wound.
• Roll it over the wound in layers until you exhaust the cut-out portion.
• Fasten the loose end portion of the bandage to the layered portion using a safety pin, adhesive (sticky) tape or bandage clip.
• Repeat the continued treatment again in 5 – 7 hours. Treatment should be done at least three times daily until healing is completed.

Other extended treatments

Bathing

Before bathing, remove the bandage over the wound. Place drops of the essential oil into a bowl and mix with a carrier oil as explained in the treatment phase. Mix until a blend is achieved. Do not expose the skin to undiluted essential oils. Add 2 spoonful of blended mixture to the water to be used for bath. Stir properly until a diluted mixture is achieved.

As a spray

In addition, essential oils could be sprayed over wounds or cuts.
Mix essential oil with the carrier oil as described in the treatment section above. Ensure to mix properly until blended. Get a bottle sprayer. Pour the blended mixture into it and shake well. Spray moderately to the surface of the wound.

Precautions

• Ensure to wash hands clean with disinfectant before treating any cuts and wounds.
• Use only clean materials during treatment.
• Do not use essential oils directly on the skin. This is an unsafe practice as it could lead to skin irritation and sensitization. Shake the blended mixture of essential oil and carrier oil very well before use.
• Dress the wound properly to avoid infection.