According to HealthGuidance.com, a website that provides free medical information, the most common causes of thick toenails are fungus under the toenail or in the toenail itself, as well as psoriasis, eczema and damage to the nail itself. While there are medical treatments for thick toenails, there are also natural home remedies that can help, according to Julia Lawless, author of The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well-Being.
True Lavender Essential Oil, White Birch Essential Oil, Carrot Seed Essential Oil, German Chamomile Essential Oil, Clove Bud Essential Oil, Galbanum Essential Oil, Grapefruit Essential Oil, Lemongrass Essential Oil and Jojoba Oil.
Step 1
Combine ½ tsp. true lavender essential oil, ½ tsp. White birch essential oil, ½ tsp. carrot seed essential oil, ½ tsp. German chamomile essential oiw, ½ tsp. clove bud essential oil, ¼ tsp. galbanum essential oil, ¼ tsp. grapefruit essential oil, ¼ tsp. Lemongrass essential oil and 1 cup jojoba oil in a dark colored bottle with a tight-fitting lid.
Step 2
Cover the bottle and shake it for 10 to 15 seconds to combine all of the essential oils and the jojoba oil.
Step 3
Pour 2 tablespoons of the essential oil mixture into a small bowl and add 2 clean cotton pads. Allow the oil to soak into the cotton pads for 1 minute.
Step 4
Dab the cotton pads onto the infected toenails of each foot. Leave the essential oil mixture on your toenails for 15 minutes after applying it.
Step 5
Rinse your feet with warm water and wash with your regular soap. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel and apply a light moisturizer to the skin on your feet.
Step 6
Use this treatment twice per day--once in the morning and once in the evening. Stop using the essential oil mixture if it causes redness, swelling, itching or other irritation.
Step 7
Store unused portions of the essential oil mixture in a cool, dark place for 60 days. Throw the mixture away after 60 days if you have not used it all.
Tips and Warnings
- Susan Worwood, author of Essential Aromatherapy: A Pocket Guide to Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, recommends avoiding direct exposure to sunlight for 2 hours after using this treatment. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen for 4 hours.
- This treatment has not been tested by the FDA. Consult your doctor or a qualified dermatologist if you are concerned about the safety of effectiveness of this treatment.
Things You'll Need
- ½ tsp. True lavender essential oil
- ½ tsp. White birch essential oil
- ½ tsp. Carrot seed essential oil
- ½ tsp. German chamomile essential oil
- ½ tsp. Clove bud essential oil
- ¼ tsp. Galbanum essential oil
- ¼ tsp. Grapefruit essential oil
- ¼ tsp. Lemongrass essential oil
- 1 cup Jojoba oil
- Dark colored bottle with a tight-fitting lid
- Small bowl
- 2 Clean cotton pads
- Soap
- Clean towel
- Light moisturizer
References
- Health Guidance: What Causes Thick Toenails
- "The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well-Being"; Julia Lawless; 1992
- "Essential Aromatherapy: A Pocket Guide to Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; Susan Worwood; 1995
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