Essential oils for first aid - Part One

I am about as clumsy as anyone can get. I trip, I slam my fingers in the screen door, I've been caught by the dog's leash, I even recently had a box spring fall on me causing a lot of bruising. I always keep an essential oil first aid kit nearby for these incidents.

Essential oils, specially blended for first aid are a wonderful way to treat a bruise, cut, bug bite or other small injury immediately after the injury occurs.

Important to remember

Never just treat an injury with essential oils and forget about it. Be SURE to assess the situation and ask yourself these question:
• Is the injury bad enough to require stitches?
• What bit you? Was it a snake bite? Poisonous spider? Bee or wasp and are you allergic?
• Did the person hit his/her head hard enough to sustain a concussion?

Never simply substitute essential oils for a physician's or emergency room care. A bump or scrape or simple bug bite can easily be treated by essential oils, but serious injuries may very well require extended care – so be smart about what you use and when you use it.

How to handle a simple booboo that results in bruising

I also bruise very easily. I am light skinned and have always been that way. I love the way my bruise blend helps prevent bruising from occurring.

My favorite recipe:
• 3 drops helichrysum (excellent for pain, swelling and the bruising)
• 6 drops lavender
• 4 drops lemongrass
• 4 drops geranium (wonderful for skin regeneration)
• 3 drops peppermint
• 3 drops black pepper
• 5 drops arnica

Add the above to a glass essential oil bottle and fill to the top with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or extra virgin olive oil.

Apply 1-3 drops to the affected area, depending on how big the injury. One of the tricks to preventing bruising is to apply immediately after injury – waiting hours will still help with pain and swelling but will not prevent bruising/discoloration.

You can add a cold compress as well to prevent swelling and apply the oils as often as needed. One application is not enough.

Cypress and marjoram are also good oils to add as they help to strengthen the capillary walls that cause the bruising. Marjoram is great for aches and pains, however, that is also the job of the black pepper, arnica, helichrysum and peppermint in the recipe above.

Birch, clove and nutmeg (individually) can be added to the above recipe as well. Birch is an analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory. The clove and nutmeg can be especially helpful if there is deep tissue bruising and a great deal of pain.

Be sure that you label any blends you create so no one mistakenly uses oils from a bottle for another malady. Keep all bottles tightly sealed and away from sunlight. ALWAYS use glass bottles, amber or cobalt colored.

Do not apply anything with arnica in it to open wounds.

First Aid Blend

One should always take into consideration the type of wound and the whole body's reaction to the injury. This blend is truly meant for small wounds, small cuts, blisters, bug bites. It is also good in a pinch for pain relief such as from headaches.

Remember: assess all injuries and NEVER substitute essential oils for a trip to the emergency room or clinic if such a trip is required.

My favorite recipe:
• 10 drops lavender
• 10 drops birch
• 5 drops melaleuca (tea tree)
• 3 drops German (or Roman) chamomile
• 5 drops geranium
• 5 drops helichrysum

Add the above to a glass essential oil bottle and fill to the top with a carrier oil such as: jojoba, extra virgin olive oil, grape seed oil or sweet almond oil. Tighten lid and store in a cool dry place. Be sure to label the bottle before storing.

Apply 2-3 drops to injury and add a cold compress if a new injury, warm compress if old. Sometimes a warm, wet cloth is called for. Apply as needed.

You can alter this recipe to use strictly for bug bites by adding 5 drops of citronella and 3 drops of lemongrass.

Tip of the Day

Essential oils are the oldest and some of the most powerful therapeutic agents known. They have a lengthy history of use in healing and anointing throughout the ancient world. There are over 200 references to aromatics, incense and ointments in the Bible – both the Old & New Testaments.

Always use therapeutic grade essential oils – that is – oils that come from plants organically grown and are carefully low temperature and long steam distilled.

Note: This information is intended for educational purposes only. These recipes are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are allergy prone or sensitive to scents, test the oils in small amounts. The essential oils are not for internal use. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness or injury should consult with a physician.