Summary of how oils can help
see also Acne,
Age spots,
Bags or Dark Circles under
eyes, Bed Sores,
Boils, Cradle Cap (see dermatitis
below), Chapped Lips,
Chapped Skin,
Diaper Rash,
Dry Skin,
Itchy Skin,
Oily Skin,
Pressure Ulcers,
Rashes, Scabies,
Scar Reduction, Skin
cancer, Skin lesions, Skin tags,
Skin ulcerations,
Stretch marks,
Vitiligo
Your skin, the protection between you and the outer
world, is your body’s largest organ. It is there to
protect you from infectious agents, environmental extremes,
bumps, scratches, or invasive objects. It has a system
of nerves to warn against impending dangers, a system of
sweat glands for cooling, a capillary system that can bring
nutritional helps to the blood stream, and a system to exude
poisons from the body. A marvelous gland and so
important for our health and well-being.
The skin is made up of three layers:
The epidermis – This is the outer layer of
the skin. It the primary protective coating of the
body and is primarily non-living cells (no blood is
delivered to them) that are fed by the lower dermis layer.
The epidermis is continually being rejuvenated from the
dermis with the outer layer being completely replaced every
3 to 5 weeks.
The dermis – This layer, immediately below
the epidermis, has all of the working elements of the skin.
It has the outermost capillaries of the blood system, it is
the location of the sweat glands, it includes lymph nodes
housing immune system cells, it has nerve endings for our
sense of touch, and the hair follicles. Around the
hair follicles are the sebaceous glands that produce sebum.
The proper amount of sebum, an oily secretion, lubricates
and waterproofs our skin. Too much sebum, common to
adolescents, leads to acne. Too little sebum, common
to aging adults, leads to dry skin that promotes wrinkles.
Interestingly enough this same sebum is also a very
important element in the use of essential oils. This
fatty substance is nearly ideal for absorbing essential
oils, which then allows them, if applied topically (directly
on the skin) to quickly enter the bloodstream. A
demonstration by Dr. David Hill shows the effects of oils in
the blood stream within a matter of tens of seconds.
The subcutaneous layer – This is the
innermost layer of the skin. It is the insulation for
the body and is composed mostly of fat cell (adipocytes).
Besides insulation these fat cells provide texture for a
pleasing appearance of the skin. As these fat cells
are lost, often in aging, wrinkles appear and sagging
occurs.
Overview: Dermatitis is inflammation of
the skin and includes eczema (redness, itching and dryness,
swelling, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing,
or bleeding). Psoriasis is a disease that affects the skin
and joints. Red scaly patches appear on the skin which are
areas of inflammation due to excessive skin production. This
disorder is chronic and not contagious. Dermatitis, eczema
and the skin symptoms of psoriasis are treated with similar
oils. Lavender and frankincense are most helpful and can be
augmented with geranium and melaleuca. Psoriasis skin
problems may be treated the same way as dermatitis.
Application: Two application scenarios
should be considered depending on the severity, intensity,
and the area covered. Make an ointment with a carrier such
as coconut oil using 20% lavender and geranium or melaleuca.
Use the ointment for direct topical application to the
affected area. For larger area use a bath adding the 6 to 12
drops of the lavender and other oils.
Procedures (protocols) other folks
recommend
Sunny - I have a
friend whose adult
son frequently has bad eczema. I've learned that lavender,
frankincense, geranium and melaleuca are good to treat this
skin condition. I'd advise mixing lavender and frankincense
in a carrier oil. My question is, could you mix geranium in
it, too? Could you mix melaleuca in it? And what
proportions would be advisable?
Rob - The type of eczema depends on the
cause and where it occurs on the body. The general types
are: allergies, rashes, and nutritional deficiencies.
First you'll want to eliminate any internal cause of eczema
as in non-contact allergies, rashes, and nutritional
deficiencies.
For local causes of eczema such as contact dermatitis,
you want to avoid having your skin come into contact with
these things that might be the cause. It could be jewelry,
perfumes, chemicals in any cosmetics, soaps, fabric
softener, pesticides, latex gloves, lotions, soaps, metals,
or other chemicals in various products.
Certain types of eczema can also be aggravated by Candida.
Also, people that have eczema might easily react to
foreign substance on their skin, so always do a skin test
with the oils before application. (There are a couple oils
that make me itch.)
So assuming that you have eliminated or treated the any
of the above and you have a diagnosis of eczema...Yes your
oils are right on (lavender, frankincense, geranium,
melaleuca). I would use any combination of these at a
50/50 mix (my favorite would be frankincense and geranium).
Then I would add 3-4 drops of this mix to every teaspoon of
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. NOT the doTerra carrier coconut
oil. You get EVCO or VCO at the health food store. It is
solid and white. You need to melt it with low heat (NOT THE
MICROWAVE). Add the essential oils then allow it to harden
again. I even sometimes let it harden in candy molds so I
have little "buttons" of the mix. The VCO is important
because it helps with healing just as much as the essential
oils. It is very good for the skin.
Keep the mix in an airtight container in your fridge
(unless your home is 70 degrees or lower) and apply 3-4
times daily. You should see or feel a change within a couple
days, but continue using for several days after the eczema
appears gone. If it takes longer than a week or two, there
might be further issues with Candida or other internal
issues. In this case consider Candida protocol or a
cleansing diet such as the "Master Cleanse" or the "GAPS
diet" (Google them).
Finally, be consistent!
Maria - I was with my Dad today and he
showed me his arms and they are covered with sunspots or
eczema. I'm not really sure what they are to be honest, but
they look like eczema patches, but they stop where his
shirtsleeve ends. He's outside a lot playing tennis and it
seems like the sun has caused this, but it looks strange.
I instantly thought of the Candida blend of oregano,
melaleuca and lemon, but I'm also thinking he should take
some frankincense. Are there other suggestions?
Pat - I think the Candida blend taken
internally along with lavender topically. The lavender can
be applied neat (undiluted) as often as convenient.
(Can’t apply too much)
Oilhealer - Birch is specifically used
for psoriasis and eczema. Also, melaleuca is used for
anything relating to the skin. I would layer them.
Anon - Why would you suggest the Candida
blend for psoriasis or eczema? I have dealt with this all
my life, could Candida really be the underlying cause?
Pat - Anything that comes out through
the skin like eczema or psoriasis is caused by Candida
and/or inflammation in the system. The blend of lemon,
melaleuca and oregano will clear this all up. Really!!
Rob - I have suggested frankincense and
lavender for people with sunspots. Not knowing for sure
what it is, you might want to experiment a bit. Neat or
with EVCO a couple times per day would be good. Be patient
and give it some time.
Other good "skin oils"... melaleuca, geranium, rosemary,
helichrysum
Kathy - I have had great success
combining essential oils with VCO (virgin coconut oil - the
hard white stuff). Consider frankincense, geranium,
lavender and/or lemongrass. Find the oil or combination
that works for you (there may be others) and make a salve to
apply at least twice daily topically to the affected areas.
(about 10 drops to every 1 tablespoon) Also fight it from
the inside with the Candida blend. Continue applications and
internal protocol at least for two weeks after it is
visually gone.
Especially for Kids protocols
folks recommend for children
Stephanie - What can I recommend to moms
when their baby gets cradle cap? Also what to recommend
when a breast fed baby is experiencing eczema.
Rob - For baby cradle cap, I would try
one drop of lavender, melaleuca or geranium with a small
amount of carrier, either coconut or olive. Test the skin
first because children can be very sensitive. Don't use so
much that it will run into their eyes. If you can let it
absorb into the scalp for a while before washing it.
It should take but a few applications to be effective.
With the infant eczema eliminate these possibilities.
The mother might want to do some testing with what she eats
to eliminate the possibility that it is a reaction to her
milk. Then make sure it is not a contact dermatitis.
Always be mindful of dryer sheets, detergents, lotions,
etc. Beyond this the suggestions for eczema for adults
but scaled appropriately for the age of the infant.
Science and Research what the
research is saying
Layman’s summary:
Trichophyton mentagrophytes is the technical name for a
common found fungus that is the source of superficial
infections on the skin of humans and some animals. It
commonly infects the skin, hair, and nails being a frequent
causative agent of chronic infection of the feet, nails, and
groin. The common names of such infections are jock
itch and ringworm.
The study only explored exposing this fungus to the
vapors of essential oils and did not explore direct
(topical) application. The essential oils tested in
this research were clove, geranium, lavender, oregano,
perilla, and tea tree (melaleuca). The findings were
that they all were effective in killing this fungus.
Oregano was the most effective; clove and perilla second
most effective; and geranium, lavender and melaleuca third.
Further oregano, perilla, melaleuca and lavender were
effective in 3 hours while clove and geranium required
overnight exposure.
Original report (from SpringerLink):
The vapor activity of oregano, perilla, tea tree,
lavender, clove, and geranium oils against a Trichophyton
mentagrophytes in a closed box.
Inouye S, Nishiyama Y, Uchida K, Hasumi Y, Yamaguchi H,
Abe S.
Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, 256
Otsuka, Hachioji, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0395, Japan.
s-ino@p08.itscom.net
The vapor activity of six essential oils against a
Trichophyton mentagrophytes was examined using a closed box.
The antifungal activity was determined from colony size,
which was correlated with the inoculum size. As judged from
the minimum inhibitory dose and the minimum fungicidal dose
determined after vapor exposure for 24 h, the vapor activity
of the six essential oils was ranked in the following order:
oregano > clove, perilla > geranium, lavender, tea tree. The
vapors of oregano, perilla, tea tree, and lavender oils
killed the mycelia by short exposure, for 3 h, but the
vapors of clove and geranium oils were only active after
overnight exposure. The vapor of oregano and other oils
induced lysis of the mycelia. Morphological examination by
scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that the cell
membrane and cell wall were damaged in a dose- and
time-dependent manner by the action of oregano vapor,
causing rupture and peeling of the cell wall, with small
bulges coming from the cell membrane. The vapor activity
increased after 24 h, but mycelial accumulation of the
active oil constituents was maximized around 15 h, and then
decreased in parallel with the decrease of vapor
concentration. This suggested that the active constituent
accumulated on the fungal cells around 15 h caused
irreversible damage, which eventually led to cellular death.
