Could lavender oil be the answer to healing your rashes? What are the properties and benefits of lavender oil for skin rash and how does it work? These are the question we shall be addressing in this article.
The Nature of Skin Rashes
A skin rash is not a specific diagnosis but rather a term used to categorize any sort of explained or unexplained swelling, redness or darkening and bumpiness of the skin.
Some rashes can be explained such as eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and hives. Other rashes seem to appear for no reason and doctors often just prescribe an antibacterial or antifungal cream for topical application.
In many cases allergies, such as food allergy to eggs or shell fish can result in rashes.
Many rashes are benign and non-infectious and can be treated with natural remedies such as lavender oil.
But if you have a rash accompanied with fever, you must consult your doctor or health care professional for further diagnosis and treatment.
The Composition of Lavender Oil
Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) is extracted via steam distillation of the lavender flower. The biggest producer of lavender today is Bulgaria. Some of the main constituents of lavender oil are:
- Linalool – a naturally occurring phytochemical that is found in many plants including coriander, palmarosa, bay laurel and basil leaves and flowers. It is what gives lavender is rich floral, sweet aroma. Linalool is used to create vitamin E. It is also used as an insect repellent and is an ingredient in many skin care products.
- Linalyl acetate – an ester of linalool
- Lavandulyl acetate – an oil terpene unique to lavender oil
- Eucalyptol – a terpenoid oxide
- Camphor – a ketone
The Properties of Lavender Oil
1. Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties
Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce inflammation, redness and swelling in rashes.
2. Lavender has antioxidant properties
Lavender’s antioxidant properties help to fight free radical damage and enable the healthy regeneration of cells. It also helps repair damaged cells and small wounds that may have formed when scratching the rashes.
3. Lavender acts as a sedative
Lavender has long been used to treat insomnia and promote peaceful sleep. It also helps dispel depression, quell anxiety and calm the nerves.
4. Lavender alleviates muscle pain
Lavender has analgesic properties that help relieve headaches and can also soothe sore muscles and painful joints.
5. Lavender heals acne
Lavender oil is rich in antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties that help fight bacterial infections, heal cuts and scrapes as well as treat acne and pimples.
Where to Get Lavender Oil
Remember to source 100% pure lavender oil without any additives. Get Plant Therapy’s lavender essential oil here. It’s a very reputable and trusted brand that I have found to be exceptional over the years of my essential oil use.
How to Use Lavender Oil for Skin Rash Treatment
1. Applying Lavender Neat
Lavender (where to get it) is one of the few essential oils that can be applied “neat” on the skin, that is, without dilution. To use, simply apply a few drops of lavender straight out of the bottle on to the rash. The drying properties of lavender will help absorb excess moisture from the rash and dry out the rash, while at the same time soothing and reducing inflammation in the rash.
2. Make Soothing Lavender Balm
It’s easy to make your very own soothing lavender balm using shea butter, a natural plant fat that also has anti-inflammatory properties and is another great remedy for skin related issues like rashes.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of raw shea butter (where to get it)
- 10 drops of lavender oil (where to get it)
- 6 drops of chamomile oil (where to get it)
Directions
- In a double boiler, melt your raw shea butter, making sure to stir in between to fasten the process.
- Once the butter is melted, take it off heat, allow it to cool down a bit and pour it into a 4 oz amber glass container.
- Now add in the essential oils and stir with a glass rod or popsicle stick.
- Allow the balm to set in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 2 hours.
3. Refreshing Lavender Spray
Create a cooling lavender mist using the aid of another refreshing essential oil, peppermint! Peppermint’s minty, invigorating aroma creates a tingly sensation when applied on the skin and this can help distract from the itchiness of rashes. Its analgesic properties help to dampen any pain caused by the rashes.
We are also adding aloe vera gel, a natural plant gel found inside the thick, juicy leaves of the aloe very succulent. It is innately cooling and helps soothe the itchiness in heated rashes.
Witch hazel is a natural astringent that has disinfecting properties that can help prevent infections in rashes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of witch hazel 2% solution (where to get it)
- 2 tbsp of aloe vera gel (where to get it)
- 2 tbsp of lavender hydrosol (where to get it)
- 10 drops of lavender oil (where to get it)
- 5 drops of peppermint oil (where to get it)
Directions
- In a large spray bottle (preferably glass), measure out and pour in all the ingredients using a funnel to avoid spills.
- Firmly close the lid and shake the entire solution to get it all thoroughly mixed.
- Spritz away on the rash areas holding the spray bottle 2 inches away from the skin for maximum and fine coverage.
- Spray as needed.
4. Healing Lavender Bath
Sometimes a rash may cover a large area of the body such as the back. In these situations, a lavender bath works a charm in soothing the entire body.
Ingredients
- Warm water to fill a tub
- 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal (where to get it)
- 25 drops of lavender oil (where to get it)
- 15 drops of sandalwood oil (where to get it)
- 1/2 cup of Epsom salts (where to get it)
Directions
- Simply run a warm bath and pour in all the rest of the ingredients and mix them in with your hand.
- Soak in your healing lavender bath for at least 15 minutes.
- By the time you’re done, your rashes will be soothed, and visibly smaller in appearance.
5. Homemade Lavender Powder
A homemade lavender powder could be just the thing you need to absorb excess moisture from the skin and dry out the rashes. This will help drastically reduce itchiness and may help the rashes heal faster.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of organic non-GMO cornstarch or arrow root powder (where to get it)
- 20 drops of lavender oil (where to get it)
Directions
- In a clean glass container pour in the cornstarch or arrow root powder and the lavender oil.
- Tightly screw on the cap and begin shaking vigorously to get the contents nicely mixed through.
- Use a powder puff to apply your soothing lavender powder all over the rash.
Other Essential Oils for Treating Skin Rashes
- Cedar wood (where to get it)
- Geranium (where to get it)
- Roman Chamomile (where to get it)
- Rose (where to get it)