Hope I'm posting this in the right area. If not, please let me know.
Does anyone know if lemon eucalyptus essential oil can really help clear up mild acne?
I'm 30 years old and have never in my life had a problem with pimples, blemishes - whatever, never - until now. All of a sudden I have several on my forehead. I haven't messed with them at all because I'm terrified of scarring.
So I pulled out my aromatherapy handbook book and see a few recipes, but they call for several other oils that I don't have on hand right now. All I have is the lemon eucalyptus.
I tried google-ing but I got everything but what I was looking for.
Any advice???
Lemon Eucalyptus question
I have no experience with lemon eucalyptus but am lusting after that plant. Sorry you have this aggravation.
I find the best things to clear up complexions is vitamin B complex and Dr Bronners peppermint castile soap. My Dr recommended the B complex for canker sores or mouth ulcers which came from high acid fruits and vegies. It really worked and I was amazed to see it cleared up other blems as well. Wish I had learned that many years ago when younger and more vain. LOL
I recently had a major case of poison ivy or oak and a DGr suggested tea tree oil which did work, slowly but thoroughly. May I ask what you normally use the lemon eucalyptus essential oil for?
For the last weeks of my grandmothers life, last February, we used it for aromatherapy in her room for relaxation and comfort. I kept the bottle so I would remember what the room smelled like. It was always so pleasant. It was also used as an antiseptic & eases aches & pains.
Someone told me that it was good for mild acne, but I wanted other opinions before I put it on my face. I have also heard the tea tree works really well too. Thanks for your help.
Not much help ~ sorry but I intend to shop for a lemon eucalyptus plant. It sounds like a wonderful fragrance.
Good luck and please post what success you have...
I think the plant is actually citronella - the "mosquito plant".
According to the "aggies" they are two different plants, with similar uses (at least as far as repellents goes).
Lemon eucalyptus:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/aransas/eucalyptus.htm
Citronella plant:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54668/
Debbie
For mild acne, try witch hazel on a cotton ball and swiping your face with that. And podster's advice about B vitamins is right on. You'll also feel more energized when taking B vitamins. If you do decide to use any sort of essential oil on your face, remember essential oils need to be highly diluted before use, especially on sensitive facial skin.
All right, Herbalbetty ~ that makes me wonder. When I applied tea tree oil to the poison whatever, I just put it on a q-tip and swabbed the blistered areas. Should I not have applied it directly? I did not dilute. Did I make it take longer to heal using it in that manner? This was just on my forearms...
Podster, here's my take on essential oils, and this is my opinion, others may see it differently. But, essential oils are HIGHLY concentrated. It takes pounds and pounds of plant material to make an ounce of essential oil (sometimes it takes hundreds of pounds to make an ounce). Although many use lavender or tea tree "neat", there have been many instances where those individuals later become highly sensitized to that same oil. And, many essential oils can actually burn or otherwise damage tissue when used undiluted. And this happens with the purest essential oils - don't let someone tell you only an inferior product would hurt your skin. I like to play it safe and use essential oils diluted. But, that's just me.
That is a valid reason thank you. May I ask what the best thing would be to dilute with?
you can dilute in a number of things, depending upon the usage. If it were acne, you might put a drop or two of say lavender essential oil in some witch hazel. You can dilute essential oils in water for a compress, in oils for topical application, in rubbing alcohol for topical application, in vinegar for topical application, etc. Always check labels of essential oils as well. You might think you are purchasing 100% pure essential oils, but some come pre-diluted in jojoba or almond oils.
Good, thanks for that information. It easier to ask than to read but I do appreciate your knowledge.
I am growing lemon eucalyptus-started it last year and it sprouted from seed very easily and smelled heavenly-a late season hurricane toppled 4 trees in my yard, crushing my shed and several plants (including the lemon eucalyptus, unfortunately)-so I'm sprouting again this year- I'm not so sure about using any type of eucalyptus oil on the skin-it can REALLY burn- I have used a combination of freshly ground ginger root, freshly ground garlic mixed with honey on infections, cuts, zits, etc and it has worked incredibly well-did you know that raw garlic actually contains over 100 different antibiotic compounds? It is important to mix it with the honey because it can burn by itself and honey is an aseptic medium, which means nothing can grow in it and it is very soothing to burns and cuts. Richters herbs has a wonderful selection of herb seeds, and is where I order the majority of my herb seeds every year-they are very knowledgeable, professional and quick to fill orders-good luck!