Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This post is not medical advice. This is my personal experience about what worked for me and my family. What worked for me may not work for you.
July has not been the best month for our family. We’ve had injuries, illness, and homeowner emergencies one after another. But one positive that came from this ghastly month is I’ve proven the value of using essential oils – at least to myself and my family.
Essential oils for strains and pains
On July 4th, my son sprained a ligament in his elbow- the night before he was scheduled to leave for his beloved summer camp. He needed to be in a splint for 2 weeks, taking it off for gradually increasing periods of time, stretching, and applying moist heat.
Looking for ways to speed the healing process, I broke out the guidebook to essential oils I had ordered. PanAway – a blend of wintergreen, helichrysum, clove, and peppermint – can help ease muscle and ligament injuries, it stated. With some skepticism, I started massaging the oil on his elbow before applying moist heat.
He was pretty much good as new in a week and half, though there’s no way to know if the oil really had any effect. He’s young and healthy and could have just healed quickly.
Essential oils for throat infections
But when my daughter came down with a sore throat, low fever, and red, swollen gums, I decided to further test my oils in advance of the doctor’s appointment.
After some Googling, I determined it could have been strep throat, a mouth infection, or thrush. Based on her symptoms, I had her start oil pulling (swishing coconut oil in her mouth for 5 – 15 minutes) and using a mouthwash/gargle of Thieves, Peppermint and water.
The results here were pretty astounding. Her sore throat and fever were noticeably improved the next day and gone in two days. The swelling also improved within a day, taking about a week to be back to normal.
Since some illnesses resolve themselves naturally and my kids have pretty strong immune systems, there’s no way to know for sure what effect, if any, the essential oils had. But I was definitely intrigued and was able to avoid a costly visit to the doctor.
My daughter continues to suffer from frequent throat ailments (she’s a singer and puts a lot of strain on her throat) and we’ve found that gargling with warm salt water and a drop of Clove essential oil helps to keep her throat healthier.
Essential oils for poison ivy
Then I got poison ivy. I’m highly sensitive to this demonic plant. I didn’t touch it and I washed after gardening, but ended up with a serious rash all over my entire torso.
I had on a T-shirt and pants, so how did it get on my torso? I’m not entirely sure, but in any case, it’s not a fun place to have poison ivy. It was painful to even wear pants.
As a disgruntled veteran of Ivarest, Calamine and baking soda, I turned to essential oils for relief this time. Anticipating the itchy rash turning to oozing blisters and complete misery for about two weeks, I was amazed to find the poison ivy rash gone in a week with no oozing blisters. Here’s the recipe I used:
Poison Ivy Tonic Recipe
2T warm water
2T apple cider vinegar (use Bragg’s “with the mother”)
1t sea salt
3 drops tea tree oil (cleansing)
3 drops peppermint (cooling)
3 drops lavendar (calming)
Mix the salt and warm water first to dissolve. Then mix in the rest of the ingredients. I stored the mixture in a glass bottle.
Apply to the poison ivy rash 3-4 times a day with a cotton square. Be sure to shake or mix well before each application.
So while this hasn’t been the best summer on record for our family, I’m very happy to have discovered essential oils. I feel a bit like Claire in the TV show Outlander as I research the different oils, their history and legends, and how to use them. Not only has it helped our ailments but it’s also pretty fun.
Related: Five essential oils I always bring when I travel, and a recipe to protect you from airplane germs!
I use Young Living essential oils. Be sure to look for 100% pure therapeutic grade oils.
Heather says
I may try PanAway for my hand tendinitis.
Marti says
I get poison ivy every year. I have tried everything out there (I mean EVERYTHING). Nothing works as well and gives instant relief like this EO treatment. It also dried up amazingly fast. I use this and make it for everyone who complains about having poison ivy. This is the BEST ever remedy for poison ivy!!!
Katie says
I just put this on my daughter and she complained of it stinging. I put coconut oil on top of it to reduce the stinging. Does it sting for you as well or did I do something wrong?
Shannon Entin says
It does sting at first, but the sting goes away. The stinging is due to the drying action of the vinegar/salt. I wouldn’t advise putting any type of oil on poison ivy – you want to keep it as dry as possible.
Sierra says
Does the T stand for tablespoon or teaspoon?
Shannon Entin says
It’s Tablespoon. :-)
Amelia says
I came across poison ivy rash, no idea of even when I came into contact…I was delivering mail and rubbed against a shrub when I exited the vehicle to take a parcel to the door..Bush that was freshly trimmed. I would like to know What is EO
Kim says
My son screamed from the burning and stinging and ran to wash it off. He’s grown and so we are back to baking soda pastes, topical steroid cream and calamine lotion.
Tee says
I made this for my husband and grandson to relieve poison ivy itch and it is amazing; I also made this in a spray bottle for my nephew, he had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic and after he purchased several medications and a doctor’s visit with no relief from the stinging and itching, he sprayed this on and got instant relief. He called me the next day excited!
Patti says
Will this work for poison oak as well?
Shannon Entin says
I would think so, but I’ve never tried it (and I’m not a doctor) so can’t say for sure! It’s effective at drying a rash and the ingredients are all natural, so I would give it a try.
Rhonda says
I just got poison ivy- located just above my waistband of pants on my backside. I just have to look at ivy and end up getting it! I had all of the ingredients so I mixed a batch and dabbed it on three times that first day. Minor stinging after application. My husband checked it that night and said it hadn’t spread. Next morning, he said it looked better. So I would recommend this for immediate action when you first get it. I really think it will be pretty much gone by tomorrow. WOW