Lavender Oil for Sunburn

Lavender oil refers to the essential oils of a variety of lavender plants in the genus Lavandula. Most people are familiar with lavender oil as an aromatherapy treatment for insomnia, stress, and headache. However, lavender oil can also be used topically for sunburn and other minor skin injuries.

History

According to Kathi Keville and Mindy Green in "Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art," people have used lavender to disinfect and heal wounds as far back as ancient Greek and Roman times. In fact, the name lavender comes from the Latin word "lavare," which means "to wash."

Essential Oil

Producers of lavender essential oil extract the oil from lavender flowers. The effects and uses of the oil may vary depending on the species and variety of lavender used. When purchasing lavender essential oil, look for the Latin name Lavandula angustifolia. Aromatherapists such as Keville and Green prefer this variety of lavender, popularly known as English lavender, for use therapeutically.

Choose Natural

The true essential oil of lavender contains no synthetic ingredients, which can be harmful to place on the skin. Choose 100 percent natural essential oils from a reputable supplier. Only buy oils that come packaged in dark blue or brown bottles. Essential oils are volatile substances that are highly sensitive to light, so true essential oils always come in dark bottles.

Therapeutic Properties

According to "Delmar's Integrative Herb Guide for Nurses," lavender essential oil is one of the safest and most popular essential oils. It has pain-relieving, scar-preventing, antiseptic, and antistress properties. Because of this, aromatherapists refer to lavender as a universal first aid oil. In fact, Rosemary Gladstar calls it "a first aid kit in a bottle."

Application

For small sunburns, Keville and Green recommend applying a small amount of the undiluted essential oil to the sunburn several times during the first day of treatment. To treat sunburn over a large area of the body, these authors recommend you dilute the lavender oil in aloe gel.

If you do not wish to apply the essential oil to your skin at full strength, Penelope Ody suggests that you dilute several drops of lavender oil in a little water or carrier oil, such as olive oil.

Warning

According to Keville and Green, lavender essential oil is one of the few essential oils that you can apply neat--that is, undiluted--to your skin. Other essential oils, such as basil or clove, can irritate your skin or cause toxicity. However, lavender oil may still cause allergic reaction and irritation in those who are sensitive. If you are using lavender essential oil topically for the first time, dab a small bit of it on the inside of your wrist and wait a day for any sign of reaction before you apply it to a larger area.

References

• "Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art (Second Edition)"; Kathi Keville and Mindy Green; 2009
• "Delmar's Integrative Herb Guide for Nurses"; Martha Libster; 2002
• "Rosemary Gladstar's Family Herbal"; Rosemary Gladstar; 2001
• "The Complete Medicinal Herbal"; Penelope Ody; 1993