| Trends in health and beauty are placing more trust in | | | | quantities. If used in a recipe for stretch marks (see |
| the efficacy of natural and organic ingredients. Skin | | | | below), it should only be used post-partum. Despite it's |
| care is no exception, with more women coming to | | | | powerful components, however, when diluted and |
| realize the purity of what they put on their skin is as | | | | used with respect, one can use this oil safely. |
| important as that of what they eat. The skin is the | | | | Rosemary will be the final essential oil we'll mention |
| largest organ, and is generally permeable to | | | | here for scar treatment. For the skin, Rosemary of the |
| substances placed on it. This is particularly important in | | | | Verbenone chemotype has many important properties |
| healing wounds, for the skin may be broken and more | | | | - it contains regenerative ketone molecules, and |
| sensitive. Enter essential oils; these powerful plant | | | | stimulates cellular metabolism. This oil helps new skin |
| derived medicines have been used for many years for | | | | form, bringing nutrients into the cells and supports the |
| treating skin conditions, enhancing beauty and | | | | removing toxins and wastes. |
| promoting wellness. Oils have been found particularly | | | | The essential oils mentioned here must be diluted in a |
| useful for regenerating skin that has suffered from | | | | carrier oil for daily application. In aromatherapy, more is |
| accidents or surgery, or has their remaining signs in the | | | | not better! There have been numerous studies |
| form of keloid, acne, or other scars. Certain essential oil | | | | showing the great efficacy of essential oils in low |
| blends can speed healing time, reduce or eliminate | | | | concentrations based in seed or nut carrier oils. The |
| scars from recent wounds and even greatly diminish | | | | two most commonly used base oils for skin care are |
| the appearance of old ones. | | | | Rosehip seed and Hazelnut oils. Rosehip seed has |
| There are a few primary essential oils used in skin | | | | many documented uses in skin care, with it's |
| care which offer their regenerative properties; these | | | | triple-unsaturated fatty acids and it's vitamin A |
| oils can be used in low concentrations, and are | | | | compounds. Rosehip seed has the ability to support |
| generally well-tolerated - certainly more so than many | | | | tissue regeneration like Retin A, but without the drying |
| synthetic ingredients. The most important of these | | | | or redening side effects. Hazelnut oil is the most well |
| may be Helichrysum italicum, also known as | | | | tolerated of all the carrier oils, and with its mild |
| Everlasting oil. This wonderful oil is distilled from the | | | | astringent properties, can even be used in cases of |
| daisy-like flowers of the herb. It has a lovely earthy | | | | very oily skin. It will tend to leave the skin feeling |
| aroma and, despite it's apparent expense, works in | | | | nourished without feeling greasy. |
| very low concentrations (only a few drops per | | | | So how does one mix these natural botanicals for |
| tablespoon of your total blend). Helichrysum is strongly | | | | particular uses? There are a few simple but effective |
| anti-inflammatory and contains powerful regenerative | | | | recipes specifically for wound healing and scar |
| molecules unique to this oil only. | | | | reduction. For old keloid or acne scars, use one ounce |
| Helichrysum is the foundation of many blends for | | | | each of Hazelnut and Rosehip seed oils - to this, add |
| healing the skin, and can be used by itself in a | | | | one milliliter of Helichrysum Italicum essential oil and |
| synergistic carrier oil such as Rosehip seed. This | | | | Sage officinalis essential oil. Apply regularly for three to |
| combination may be all that is needed to speed the | | | | six months for best results. For more recent cuts, |
| healing of recent wounds - though often a little | | | | scrapes, and even surgical incisions (that have reached |
| Lavender oil is added as well. Kurt Schnaubelt, one of | | | | the point where they are safe to get moist), use the |
| America's leading aromatherapists notes in his | | | | same Hazelnut and Rosehip seed blend, adding one |
| quintessential guide "Advanced Aromatherapy" that | | | | milliliter of Helichrysum and one milliliter of Lavender |
| Helichrysum essential oil and Rosehip seed can "heal | | | | (Lavendula angustifolia). Apply twice a day while the |
| wounds with minimal or no scarring". | | | | wound is healing. For the reduction and possible |
| As mentioned above, Lavender is often included in skin | | | | elimination of stretch marks post partum, again to one |
| care blends - it has gentle anti-inflammatory and tissue | | | | ounce each of Hazelnut and Rosehip seed oils, add |
| regenerative properties, along with very soothing, | | | | one milliliter Sage and one milliliter Rosemary |
| anti-anxiety aroma. Lavender essential oil itself began | | | | verbenone. Like the formula for old scars, use this |
| the modern aromatherapy revolution when a scientist | | | | regularly for several months. |
| burned his hand in a laboratory accident, and after | | | | So there is a few effective combinations of natural |
| cooling the wound in a beaker of Lavender found the | | | | botanical ingredients that can support certain skin care |
| wound to heal remarkably quickly. It is also thought to | | | | conditions. Many, many more skin care formulas are |
| 'synergize' or improve the efficacy of other essential | | | | available when blending essential oils - with many oils |
| oils in combination. | | | | able to aid with very particular situations. If needed, a |
| The essential oil distilled from common Sage leaves is | | | | little research should go a long way in helping you find |
| also used in the healing of scars, particularly old or | | | | what you need. And as always with aromatherapy |
| unsightly scars. It's natural regenerative properties and | | | | oils, go slowly, pay attention to your body's reactions |
| ability to promote circulation aid in gently breaking down | | | | and remember that increasing concentrations of the |
| the tough skin resulting from wound healing. Sage oil | | | | essential oils will not make a more effective blend. Be |
| should only be used in these instances and in small | | | | safe and enjoy. |
| quantities, as it's Thujone content can be toxic in high | | | | |