Why is lavender so healing for the skin?

Ever had a burn? Poured boiling tea over your hand? Or taking out a hot oven rake with your bare hands? In our last post, we had Sinead’s, the founder of Yogandha, personal experience of tipping a pot of tea all over herself resulting in second-degree burns and how she is using essential oils to help her heal.

She isn’t the first to do so. French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé also used pure lavender essential oil for burns. It is thought this was how he was got interested in aromatherapy and later became one of the initiators of what we refer to as 'modern aromatherapy'.

Lavender is such a classic and versatile essential oil that it is included in many of our Yogandha Oils. Have a look at this selection if you too love lavender.

But are the benefits of lavender essential oil?

Lavender has an incredible array of qualities and many of them work together to help the holistic healing process of a burn (and so much more).

• Analgesic: it will lessen the pain.
• Antiseptic: which makes it perfect for any wounds or cuts too.
• Bactericide: killing bacteria in a wound or burn.
• Cicatrisant: to heal by the formation of scar tissue.
• Cytophyalactic: promote healing and reduce scarring.

But considering that burns or wounds can also cause shock and distress it is also worth noting lavender essential oil’s more emotional or mental properties.

Lavender is said to be normalising or balancing. It works on both the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous systems. It is one of those oils that most people love. And it is associated with calming down any stress and anxiety. It is even used to promote sleep.

Lavender is effective yet so gentle that it is safe to use neat on the skin (in small amounts) and with children too.

Chamomile, yarrow and healing

We also want to give a mention to the soothing and calming chamomile. Using it in a blend such as Yogandha Relax Body Oil it is extremely relaxing on the mind yet soothing on the skin. There are two commonly used chamomile essential oils: German and Roman.

Roman chamomile essential oil is gentle. Wonderful to promote sleep and calming anxiety.

German chamomile essential oil has a distinct aroma and an incredible blue colour. Yarrow essential oil also has a strong natural blue colour. The colouring is due to the natural content of chamazulene found in both German chamomile and yarrow. Studies suggest chamazulene to be anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and may reduce histamine-induced (allergic) reactions. It is often used externally to reduce skin irritations from itchiness to eczema.

We blended German chamomile, yarrow and lavender into our Yogandha Relax Body Oil to not only soothe the skin but also the mind. This is a perfect blend once a burn or cut is healing. Do not use it straight onto a new burn or cut! Please use neat lavender oil instead. This blend also contains frankincense which is renowned for its cellular regeneration properties. Uplifting petitgrain is added as the aromatic 'Rescue Remedy' it is perfect to use after a shock.

Coming off pain release

Sometimes we need more, or something different, than essential oils. And painkillers can truly help when healing from severe burns and injuries. Especially when any dressing needs to be changed. Please always follow and discuss with your medical advisor.

If you had medical intervention and feeling low after the hit of painkillers or morphine you may need some aromatherapy. Sinead made use of her Yogandha Salute Rollerball to keep her spirits high. It is created to boosts your mood, energy and immune system. Perfect to keep with you anywhere and use anytime.

Want to explore more about our Yogandha Oils and receive wellness support please have a look for the benefits in joining the Yogandha Year here.

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