Do Essential Oils Work For Sunburn?
I, too, love to spend time outside in the summer months. Sunburns are a consequence of all the fun you have having in the sun. Ouch! You've probably experienced some of them?
There are natural remedies that can help soothe the skin and speed up healing. We'll explore essential oils and the ways they can treat sunburn. Read on to learn more.
What are essential oils?
First, let's talk about essential oils. These are extracts of plants that have the "essence", or the fragrance of the plant. They're called oils because they don't evaporate like water-based fragrances.
Essential oils are used for thousands of years to treat ailments. Certain users swear by them, and they use for treating all kinds of ailments, from headaches to anxiety.
The scientific evidence supports the claims of essential oils. One study demonstrated that lavender oil could assist with anxiety (source ). However, further research is required to verify the claims.
Essential Oils: How Do They Do Their Work?
Let's talk about the functions of essential oils. Skin absorbs essential oils into the bloodstream (source ).
Essential oils can also be inhaled. This allows them to enter the brain via the smell pathway. Once they're in the body, essential oils can be absorbed by cells, tissues, and organs.
Some of the claimed benefits of essential oils are: reducing inflammation, boosting energy levels as well as aiding digestion and improving sleep quality. Essential oils are thought to work by stimulating the nervous system which then causes changes in hormone levels or blood circulation
Essential oils are effective in curing Sunburn?
Let's now discuss the potential advantages of essential oils to treat sunburn. The evidence available from the scientific community does not support the claims that essential oils are able to cure sunburn. However, certain essential oils can offer relief from the signs of sunburn.
Lavender oil, for example, has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation when applied on the skin. It is also beneficial as it contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving) properties.
Try the oils of chamomile or lavender to help soothe sunburns. Make sure to dilute the oils with an oil carrier such as jojoba or coconut before applying the oils to your skin.
Types Of Essential Oils:
- Lavender oil
- Oil of Chamomile
- Jojoba oil
- Coconut oil
What to Use:
- Douse with carrier oil
- Apply this treatment to the area affected.
There are other essential oils that may aid for treating sunburn. Peppermint oil is cooling and analgesic qualities that can relieve itching and discomfort. Tea tree oil is a different alternative, since it's famous for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
If you do decide to experiment using essential oils for treating your sunburn, be sure to perform a patch test on a small part of your skin to make sure you don't have any allergies. It is recommended to consult your doctor before you try any home remedies, particularly if pregnant or nursing.
Do Essential Oils Work For Sunburn?
There isn't any scientific evidence that essential oils can be used to treat sunburns, some people swear to their efficacy. To ensure that you aren't sensitive to essential oils, perform an initial patch test. And as always, consult with your physician before using any natural remedies particularly in case you're nursing or pregnant.
Conclusion:
We'd like to conclude by saying that while essential oils haven't been shown to cure sunburn, they can help to soothe the skin and provide relief from pain and discomfort. If you do choose to give them a try make sure you do a patch test first, and always consult with your physician before making any changes.