How To Use Essential Oils For Eczema Relief

If you want to use essential oils for eczema, always spot test first to make sure you don't react badly to either the essential oil or the carrier oil.

Using authentic, high-quality essential oils is a must, as low-quality oils are likely to do more harm than good.

Start by testing carrier oils without any added essential oil. If you don't have an adverse reaction to the carrier oil within 24 hours, then make a natural treatment using one of the following essential oils for eczema:

• Lavender
• German chamomile
• Geranium
• Frankincense
• Cypress
• Sandalwood
• Melissa
• Juniper

If you are new to essential oils, start with a one percent dilution, that is, 1 drop of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Test the blend on a small area before using it on a larger area.

• Apply the blend to your skin two to four times a day, as needed. 
  
  
• You can potentially make up to a 10 percent dilution (10 drops essential oil in 1 teaspoon carrier oil), if you need something stronger, and it doesn't irritate your condition.
  
  
• Carrier oils that are especially good for eczema include borage, evening primrose, rosehip seed, and wheat germ, but you can also use other carrier oils.
  
  
• Try different essential oils and carrier oils to find the ones that work best for you. 

Aromatherapy Treatment For Eczema

To relieve the itching and inflammation of eczema, try this natural treatment from Massage & Aromatherapy: Simple Techniques to Use at Home:

• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops German chamomile essential oil
• 2 drops calendula essential oil
• 1 drop geranium essential oil
• 1/2 cup cool water

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Soak a clean, soft towel in the liquid, wring it out, and place on affected area.

Here's another blend for symptom relief from The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils. Blend the essential oils into the vitamin E cream. Apply to skin as needed:

• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops geranium essential oil
• 5 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 4 drops bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) essential oil
• 4 ounces (1/2 cup) vitamin E cream

More Essential Oils for Eczema

The following two aromatherapy recipes are from Healing With Aromatherapy.

Compress For Weeping Eczema

1. Add 4 drops birch essential oil to a bowl of cool water. 
2. Dip compress in the water and then apply to affected area. 
3. Reapply newly dipped compress every 15 minutes.

Aromatherapy Blend For Dry Eczema

• 15 drops German chamomile essential oil
• 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) calendula-infused oil
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) aloe vera gel

Mix thoroughly in a small bottle. Shake before use. Apply the blend to lesions 4 times a day. (If the aloe vera gel is from a fresh plant, keep this blend refrigerated.)

Another blend for dry eczema, from Hands-On Healing Remedies:

• 20 drops palmarosa essential oil
• 15 drops German chamomile essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 1/4 cup evening primrose oil
• 1/4 cup jojoba oil
  

Drop essential oils into a dark bottle and then add the carrier oils. Shake well. Let set in a cool, dry place for 24 hours before using.

To use: Clean the affected area using one part baking soda to eight parts water. Pat dry. Shake the essential oil blend. Gently massage a small amount of oil into the affected area. Repeat two or three times a day.

Photo Credit: Jambula [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons