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Improve Your Beauty Using Aromatherapy - Healing Your Skin Naturally
by: Misty Rae Cech, ND
Trends in health and beauty are placing more trust in the
efficacy of natural and organic ingredients. Skin care is no
exception, with more women coming to realize the purity of what
they put on their skin is as important as that of what they eat.
The skin is the largest organ, and is generally permeable to
substances placed on it. This is particularly important in
healing wounds, for the skin may be broken and more sensitive.
Enter essential oils; these powerful plant derived medicines
have been used for many years for treating skin conditions,
enhancing beauty and promoting wellness. Oils have been found
particularly useful for regenerating skin that has suffered from
accidents or surgery, or has their remaining signs in the form
of keloid, acne, or other scars. Certain essential oil blends
can speed healing time, reduce or eliminate scars from recent
wounds and even greatly diminish the appearance of old ones.
There are a few primary esential oils used in skin care which
offer their regenerative properties; these oils can be used in
low concentrations, and are generally well-tolerated - certainly
more so than many synthetic ingredients. The most important of
these may be Helichrysum italicum, also known as Everlasting
oil. This wonderful oil is distilled from the daisy-like flowers
of the herb. It has a lovely earthy aroma and, despite it's
apparent expense, works in very low concentrations (only a few
drops per tablespoon of your total blend). Helichrysum is
strongly anti-inflammatory and contains powerful regenerative
molecules unique to this oil only.
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Helichrysum essential oil is the cornerstone for many blends for
healing the skin, and is the only one necessary for supporting
currently healing skin damage - it should be used at appropriate
concentrations with Rosehip Seed and Hazelnut oils, as mentioned
later in this article. As noted by well-known aromatherapists
Kurt Schnaubelt, "The triple unsaturated fatty acids (of Rosehip
Seed oil) strengthen the cell membranes and, combined with the
regenerative qualities of Everlasting oil (Helichrysum), heal
wounds with minimal or no scarring".
Lavander essential oil the most commonly used aromatic oil due
to it's pleasant, soothing aroma and broad range of healing
effects. Lavender is also included in many skin care blends as
it also contains ketone molecules which stimulate tissue
regeneration. The specific type of lavender oil is distilled
from the flowers of the Lavendula angustifolia species.
Lavender, also like helichrsum, is an anti-inflammatory, and is
generally thought to bring synergy to essential oil blends. It
can be included to almost any skin care blend to enhance the
effects and aroma.
The esential oil distilled from common Sage leaves is also used
in the healing of scars, particularly old or unsightly scars.
It's natural regenerative properties and ability to promote
circulation aid in gently breaking down the tough skin resulting
from wound healing. Sage oil should only be used in these
instances and in small quantities, as it's Thujone content can
be toxic in high quantities. If used in a recipe for stretch
marks (see below), it should only be used post-partum. Despite
it's powerful components, however, when diluted and used with
respect, one can use this oil safely.
Rosemary will be the final essential oil we'll mention here for
scar treatments. For the skin, Rosemary of the Verbenone
chemotype has many important properties - it contains
regenerative ketone molecules, and stimulates cellular
metabolism. This oil helps new skin form, bringing nutrients
into the cells and supports the removing toxins and wastes.
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The essential oils mentioned here must be
diluted in a carrier oil for daily application. In aromatherapy, more is not
better! There have been numerous studies showing the great efficacy of
essential oils in low concentrations based in seed or nut carrier oils. The
two most commonly used base oils for skin care are Rosehip seed and Hazelnut
oils. Rosehip seed has many documented uses in skin care, with it's
triple-unsaturated fatty acids and it's vitamin A compounds. Rosehip seed
has the ability to support tissue regeneration like Retin A, but without the
drying or reddening side effects. Hazelnut oil is the most well tolerated of
all the carrier oils, and with its mild astringent properties, can even be
used in cases of very oily skin. It will tend to leave the skin feeling
nourished without feeling greasy.
Now for the recipes. For effective wound healing of recent cuts and scrapes
(and has been used successfully on surgical incisions), to 1 ounce Hazelnut
oil and 1 ounce Rosehip seed oil add 1 milliliter of Helichrysum esential
oil and 1 milliliter of Lavander essential oil - apply twice a day for 7 to
10 days. For older scars from wounds or acne, including keloid scars,
replace the Lavender in the previous recipe with Sage essential oil. Apply
regularly for 3 to 6 months. For the healing of stretch marks, post partum,
use 1 ounce Rosehip seed and 1 ounce Hazelnut oil with 1 milliliter Sage
essential oil and 2 milliliters with Rosemary Verbenone esential oil; again
use for 3 to 6 months.
This is a summary of a particular aspect of using essential oils for natural
health, wellness and beauty. These are effective, tried and true recipes
used for their specific, wound healing applications. With some research, you
will find there are wonderful recipes using essential oils for a broad range
of skin care applications - they work, and they're heavenly to use! As with
all aromatherapy use, go slowly, watch for any (rare) skin reactions, and
remember that less is more with essential oils - almost all have been noted
to work in very low, well tolerated concentrations.
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