Lavender Oil For Burns

Lavender oil, which is an essential oil derived from the lavender plant, is probably something you are familiar with- or have come across a couple of times in your life. If not, I'd bet one of your parents or grandparents could tell you all about it. You would probably recognize the scent because it is popularly used in linen closets, in bath salts, and in incense.

Lavender is one of those plants which has been used by man since ancient times, even warranting a mention by the Romans and before them, the Egyptians! So, we've got a long shared history with lavender.

Besides its use in the cosmetics and perfume industries, Lavender Oil has its use in the aromatherapy and medical fields as well. It is one of the very few essential oils that can be used as is, without necessarily diluting with a base oil first. In fact, a dab on the temples has been known to soothe headaches.

Lavender Oil for Burns

One of its less known uses is its effectiveness in the treatment of burns. The first modern proof for its effectiveness in this field is thanks to a French chemist and scholar by the name of René-Maurice Gattefossé.

Gattefossé was conducting an experiment in his laboratory when suddenly something went wrong and an explosion ensued. Apparently, the story continues, he ran out of the building and rolled around on the grass to squelch the fire. He got badly burnt, especially his hands. Infection set in and if things had been left to run their course at the time, he most probably would either have died from it, or have had to have his hands amputated. However, in his own words, translated from French, he wrote the following:

“The external application of small quantities of essences rapidly stops the spread of gangrenous sores. In my personal experience, after a laboratory explosion covered me with burning substances which I extinguished by rolling on a grassy lawn, both my hands were covered with a rapidly developing gas gangrene. Just one rinse with lavender essence stopped “the gasification of the tissue”. This treatment was followed by profuse sweating, and healing began the next day (July 1910).”

He continued using the lavender oil and was amazed at how speedily his burns healed. He continued with his experiments using essential oils and is largely responsible for the aromatherapy industry that exists today.

When using lavender to treat burns, we need to remain aware of the different types of burns we encounter and remember that in many instances, we would need to change our method of treating them.

Treating First Degree Burns with Lavender Oil (ex. sunburns)

First degree burns are those like sunburn, where only the top layer of skin is damaged. Spraying with a lavender spray will work wonders to alleviate the sting as well as healing the skin speedily.

Treating Second Degree Burns with Lavender Oil

Second degree burns are a little more severe, and usually have blisters and damage to the underlying skin and tissue.

Treating Third Degree Burns with Lavender Oil

Third degree burns are much more complex, and their treatment is much better left to the professionals! In such cases, see that the patient gets professional medical attention as soon as possible!

Treating Minor Burns with Lavender Oil

The first thing to do when dealing with minor burns, is to cool the area down by immersing it in cool water to which a few drops of lavender oil has been added. You could also apply a cool, moist compress to which a few drops of the oil have been added to the affected area. By applying a few drops of the essential oil to the burnt area regularly, the healing process will be speeded up.

Lavender oil is an excellent choice for use on burns because it contains properties that desensitize the nerves, relieves pain, heals, and also prevents scarring. It is recommended that you keep on using the oil until the area has healed one hundred percent so as to minimize scarring.

Ingredients

5 drops lavender oil

1 pint water, about 50°F

Stir the lavender oil into the water making sure it is well dispersed throughout. Immerse the burned area of skin into the water and leave there for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a soft cloth or wrap, soak in the lavender oil water and apply wrap to the burned area. Leave the wet cloth on the burned area for several minutes. Repeat this process at least two more times.

Ingredients

20 drops lavender oil

4 ounces aloe vera juice

200 IU vitamin E oil

1 tablespoon vinegar

Mix and shake all the ingredients in a spritzer bottle.Spray this mixture on the sunburned skin for relief and faster healing.Apply often until the skin is completely healed.

Tip: Try keeping this spray in the refrigerator for an especially refreshing feel.

Also be sure to use all natural aloe vera juice and not an aloe vera gel from the drugstore.

This lady talks about how she learned to keep lavender oil around for burns from her mother. She even keeps one in the kitchen next to the stove. She also talks about using it help relax, healing scraps, cramps, bug bites, cold sores, allergies, shingles, and sunburn.

Lavender essential oil is probably one of the most versatile oils out there, and one of those that most homes could benefit from, due to its healing, preventative and antibacterial properties. It is also one hundred percent natural and easy to come by.

Keep one in your first aid kit as well as the kitchen, because the kitchen is the place where the most household burns occur.

Finally, lavender oil need not only be used on burns. A drop or two is also great for use on small cuts and abrasions as well. Because of lavender oil's antibacterial properties, it will prevent infections and lead to a more speedy healing of the wounded area.