• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Essential Oil Haven logo

  • Get Started
    • What are essential oils?
    • How to use essential oils
    • Price Comparison Chart
    • Dilution Rates Guide
    • Which essential oils are safe to ingest?
    • Blending Essential Oils
    • Storage Tips
    • What are hydrosols?
    • Essential Oils Guide
    • 21 Day Challenge
  • Brand Reviews
    • Top 10 Best Brands
    • Young Living
    • doTERRA
    • Plant Therapy
    • REVIVE
    • Rocky Mountain Oils
    • Edens Garden
    • Mountain Rose Herbs
    • Jade Bloom
    • NOW Oils
    • Aura Cacia
    • More
  • Starter Kits
  • Diffuser Guide
    • What are Essential Oil Diffusers?
    • How to Use Your Essential Oil Diffuser
    • Best Diffusers Under $40
    • How to Clean Your Essential Oil Diffuser
    • Diffuser Blends
    • Diffuser Reviews
    • Best Portable Diffusers
  • Carrier Oils
  • 21 Day Challenge
  • Blog
    • Essential Oils For Beginners
    • DIY Recipes
    • Home Remedies
    • Wellness
    • Aromatherapy

Best 7 Essential Oils for Cuts, Scrapes and Wounds

September 25, 2020 by Emma Carter 11 Comments

essential oils for cutsCuts, scrapes, and minor wounds are something we all face quite often. Even if you are being extra careful, they can’t be avoided all of the time.

Sometimes it’s a small accident with the kitchen knife, or the razor blade slips a little while shaving… Maybe your child has fallen down on the playground and gets a little road rash on his knee. A little cut or bruise sometimes happens quicker that you can say O-U-C-H! They are a part of daily life.

PLEASE NOTE: Most minor wounds heal on their own. However, significant cuts, larger scrapes or deeper gashes often need medical attention and should get looked at by your physician or the emergency room personnel. If you have a cut that’s more serious, deep cuts will be closed with stitches to get rid of the danger of infection and make sure of appropriate healing. Please check yourself in to your nearest local emergency room. Small cuts (that are not gaping) may not need actual stitches, but might still benefit from steri strips.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Minor wounds usually aren’t anything serious, but it’s important to wash them, especially if you plan to apply essential oils to them afterwards. Start by rinsing the cut with clean water (straight water of with a clean cloth if you like), to ensure there isn’t anything inside of it. Most small cuts or scrapes will stop bleeding in a reasonably short amount of time.

RELATED:  PanAway Copycat Recipe & Alternative Blends to Use

Contents

  • Why Essential Oils Help Cuts and Scrapes
  • Which Oils Should I Use On My Wound?
    • 1. Myrrh
    • 2. Tea Tree
    • 3. Lavender
    • 4. Helichrysum
    • 5. Frankincense
    • 6. Rosemary
    • 7. Chamomile
  • Best Essential Oils To Prevent Wound Scarring
  • Recipes For Cuts, Scrapes and Wounds
    • First Aid Blend
    • Scar Oil Blend
  • What Do You Think?

Why Essential Oils Help Cuts and Scrapes

Essential oils are highly concentrated oils extracted from different species of plants; and an excellent home remedy for people who wish to use help from natural means. They contain the “immune system of the plant”, hence when distilled and extracted properly, they yield medicinal and therapeutic properties.

Most essential oils have antiseptic properties, which means the oil prevents the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. This is no surprise given the idea that the extracted oil contains the plant’s immune system. Of course it wants to fight bacteria, that’s what an immune system does.

Not only can essential oils disinfect the wound, they can also aid in wound healing by way of slowing down the bleeding, alleviating stinging or pain, counteracting future scarring, and reducing inflammation. In general, these natural oils are great for small wounds, cuts or scrapes.

Which Oils Should I Use On My Wound?

After your wound is cleaned, here are the top 7 essential oils you can apply, why they work, and how you can combine them for best effect. For a quick recipe, use 3-4 drops of oils to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil such as Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO) or Sweet Almond oil:

natural nail polish remover at Plant Therapy

1. Myrrh

myrrh essential oil from REVIVE

Myrrh is made from resin of the Commiphora myrrha tree.
Shop Here

Anytime someone has an open wound, I think of Myrrh! Greek soldiers used it in the battlefield to disinfect their wounds and stop them from bleeding. This is exactly what I want to do when I have a scrape or cut. So I go find my bottle of Myrrh.

Don’t be alarmed if your Myrrh essential oil pours slowly, or if you have a hard time getting a drop out of your bottle. This is completely normal. Myrrh is made from resin of the tree and is inherently quite sticky and slow-flowing.

Since Myrrh also has a quite distinct smell, I tend to blend Myrrh with a more palatable scent, such as Lavender, Lemon or Peppermint – all of which are also great for treating little ouchies (read on for details). Creating a DIY recipe or blend to treat your wound is actually a great practice! Use a blend of 3-5 different oils to get the best balance of help available for your cut or scrape. Here’s why you should blend your oils for combined best effects.

2. Tea Tree

tea tree essential oil from REVIVE

This Tea Tree Oil from REVIVE is absolutely amazing!
Check Price

If you don’t have Myrrh at home, Tea tree oil is also a great start to protect your open wound. You definitely want Tea Tree on your wound to ward off infections. It helps to establish a barrier to keep bacterial and viral invaders out of the blood stream.

Its antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties lessens the chance of possible infection and bacteria in your wound. Tea tree oil destroys harmful microorganisms, that if left untreated, could cause ugly infections in your cut. It may also help to soothe the itchiness, burning, and redness that frequently comes alongside wounds and scars.

Tea tree is one of those all-around powerful essential oils that has enjoyed much publicity in the alternative health and medicine circles. It has become a natural ingredient in all kinds of cosmetic products such as face soaps, shampoos and ointments.

3. Lavender

lavender essential oil from REVIVE

Lavender from REVIVE Oils
Shop Here

Lavender oil is an absolute powerhouse in the world of essential oils, too. It will assist in speedy healing of cuts and scrapes.

Not only will it disinfect the wound, it will also aid in calming and soothing the stinging, pain or itching that goes along with an open sore on your skin. Since Lavender is such a gentle oil, it’s a perfect home remedy for kids as well. Personally, I also use a Lavender roll-on for insect bites, taking away the stinging and burning sensation almost immediately.

Stocking up on Lavender isn’t expensive. It’s an easily accessible oil and absolutely worth the spend to have on hand. It smells heavenly and works wonderfully!

4. Helichrysum

helichrysum essential oil from REVIVE eo

Helichrysum is great for many skin conditions
Check Price

Helichrysum oil has many beautiful properties that you can use to treat almost any kind of skin condition. It disinfects bacteria and works especially well for injuries that are also bruised and swelling. If you’ve hit your ankle or leg with force on a sharp object so that you have open scrapes but also blue-green bruising underneath, use Helichrysum.

However, Helichrysum is a very expensive essential oil. To offer it affordably, Helichrysum is sometimes sold at a dilution with carrier oil (such as Jojoba), which is fair and still works great as a therapeutic home remedy.

But if you find a Helichrysum that seems too cheap to be true, please check the ingredient list to see if it’s pre-diluted. Using a pre-diluted Helichrysum for topical application is totally fine. But please do not use it in your diffuser. You don’t want to put carrier oils through your ultrasonic diffuser unit.

5. Frankincense

frankincense essential oil from REVIVE

Frankincense Boswellia is a greatly valued essential oil for your medicine cabinet

Get It Here

Frankincense essential oil helps to rejuvenate damaged skin. It is a great partner in any wound healing blend. It is one of the best skin healers in the world, right up there with Lavender and Helichrysum. I add it to almost all of my skin care blends such as this all-time favorite dry skin oil recipe.

If you’re intrigued by Frankincense, you can learn more about its 4 separate botanical varieties here.

6. Rosemary

rosemary essential oil from REVIVE

Rosemary is fresh and spicy.
Check Price

Rosemary essential oil shares a lot of traits with Lavender. It is a very regenerative oil and will help prevent infection in your cut. Rosemary has several chemotypes, the most common being ct. camphor, which reduces swelling and encourages circulation.

It has a strong, fresh, herbal and woody aroma and is a top-middle note. Beware though, it is a lot more uplifting than Lavender so don’t use it in the evening.

7. Chamomile

german chamomile oil bottles

German Chamomile
Check Price

Chamomile comes in two popular species, German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).

Roman Chamomile is in general more gentle, so you’re reaching for essential oils for a cut or sore on a child, use Roman Chamomile. This essential oil is also balancing and calming to the spirit, so it can also help your little one to better deal with the emotional stress related to his or her injury.

German Chamomile is a light blue in color, so please note that if you’re applying it topically and are wearing light-colored clothing, it may leave stains if you’re not careful. That said, German Chamomile is a great skin soother and helps support your skin’s healing after a scrape.

Both varieties of Chamomile aren’t the cheapest oils, but don’t let that deter you. They are powerful beyond means and also find beautiful applications in other uses such as digestion, nausea and vomiting, and for kids’ well-being.

Best Essential Oils To Prevent Wound Scarring

essential oils for wound scarringThe skin is the biggest organ of the human body and deserves maximum care. If a cut or wound has happened and you would like to prevent later scarring, here are some tips for you:

  1. Keep your scrape moist and clean. Not only does this help to speed up the healing, it will also decrease future scarring. Your skin needs a good moisture balance to heal itself and produce new skin. If you let it dry out, especially over a wounded area, the skin becomes much more susceptible to additional environmental stressors such as heat, cold, dry air, chafing or irritation. This may slow its healing process or interrupt it completely, leaving behind unwanted scars and blemishes.
  2. After the initial wound has healed for about 2-3 days, add wound-healing essential oils to your blend. Geranium works amazing to deeply heal scars.
  3. If your bruise won’t heal on its own, you will have to deal with the underlying cause before attempting to tackle any secondary bruising or infection that develops consequently. Contact your physician as early as possible if you believe you’ve got an infection.

Recipes For Cuts, Scrapes and Wounds

essential oil blend recipes for cuts scrapes and wounds

Here is what I recommend you use for home treatment of all sorts of little scrapes and cuts. BONUS: The “Scar Oil Blend” also works fantastically against itchy skin and dry skin conditions.

First Aid Blend

  • 1 oz (30 ml) of Fractionated Coconut Oil
  • 6 drops Myrrh
  • 6 drops Frankincense
  • 6 drops Lavender

Start by pouring the carrier oil into a 1 oz (30 ml) empty amber glass bottle (such as these ones here). Add essential oils, shake well. Apply it immediately to the scar. For best results, repeat every 2 hours for the first day. Back off frequency after that. After 2-3 days, switch to the “Scar Oil Blend” below, which adds scar-healing oils to the mix:

Scar Oil Blend

  • 1/2 oz (15 ml) Hazelnut carrier oil
  • 172 oz (15 ml) Sweet Almond carrier oil
  • 6 drops Lavender
  • 4 drops Helichrysum
  • 3 drops Frankincense
  • 2 drops Geranium (will make the blend smell quite sweet and somewhat minty)

Mix carrier oils in your amber glass bottle. Add the essential oils. Shake well before each use, and apply to the scar as often as needed – especially when you can feel it starting to itch!

What Do You Think?

How is your journey going with essential oils as a first aid helper? Have you found favorite blends for your scars and bruises? Let us know in the comments below!

3K Shares
Pin3K
Share97

Filed Under: Home Remedies, How To Use Essential Oils

About Emma Carter

As I'm getting started with essential oils for more natural well-being in my life, I hope to provide you with many valuable resources, tips, tricks and reviews to help you do the same. My essential oils journey has evolved over the past 5 years and I am now also studying to become a Certified Aromatherapist!

Previous Post: « Which Essential Oils are Toxic to Cats? Which Ones Are Safe? (A Complete Guide)
Next Post: 10 Best Essential Oils for Psoriasis »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Care

    March 21, 2021 at 3:48 am

    Hello and thanks for this article. Does the coconut oil have be ‘fractionated’ coconut oil?

    Thanks

    Reply
  2. Carole

    February 7, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    If you were going to put it in a spray with witch hazel, what volume would you use for your healing and scar recipe? (6 Lavender, 4 Helichrysum, 3 Frankincense, 2 Geranium)
    Good luck with your studies!!

    Reply
    • Emma Carter

      February 11, 2021 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks so much Carole! For your recipe, I’d keep the base amount the same as with carrier oil in my recipe. So use 30 ml of witch hazel instead of 30 ml of carrier oils. That’ll equal the same dilution rate for the recipe, which is just under 2%.

      Reply
  3. Susan Matthews

    January 3, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    I tried your recipe for wounds after taking a couple inches of skin off my leg and it getting infected. The first night with the salve helped ease some of the pain and tightness around the wound. After a week, the entire wound has healed. It’s still red, but there is no cut, scab, or infection at all anymore. I HIGHLY recommend this recipe. I now keep stashes of it around the house, just in case. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Emma Carter

      January 4, 2021 at 2:28 pm

      Susan, thank you so much for circling back and letting me know your amazing testimonial. I am thrilled to hear you’ve found natural relief for your wound by treating them with essential oils. So happy to hear your success story! Thanks again.

      Reply
  4. Joyce Stafford

    June 13, 2020 at 11:46 am

    Thanks so much for the information and the first aid recipe. I have type 2 diabetes, so my wounds take several weeks to heal. Well not anymore! I used your first aid recipe on my wound that was very fresh. It’s day two, and I can’t believe how much it’s healed. It’s about half the size! I’m so amazed! Thanks so much for the information you posted. It’s a life saver for me.

    Reply
    • Emma Carter

      June 14, 2020 at 2:29 pm

      Joyce, I’m thrilled to hear that. That’s amazing! Thank you for taking the time and coming back here to post your story. It is so appreciated! 💖 I hope it encourages others to try out a natural recipe for wounds and scars.

      Reply
  5. Bruce Roberts

    October 26, 2019 at 7:21 am

    Really good information! I have a question: what oils to use on wound that just won’t totally heal–the skin stays open and tender to the touch–want the wound to ‘skin over’ and heal. Can you please advise me on the oils to use?
    Thank you much!

    Reply
    • Emma Carter

      October 29, 2019 at 9:59 pm

      Hi Bruce, I would use a blend of Myrrh and Geranium essential oils, 2 drops each, to calm any inflammation in the wound and get it to start healing. Geranium balances out the resinous Myrrh, and also helps to alleviate pain around the injury.

      Reply
  6. Neia Glynn

    January 21, 2019 at 1:48 pm

    I can’t thank you enough for your wound oil recipe. I have never seen a wound heal faster. Ten days ago I had a fall while cycling and hurt my knee, face and hand. I was using calendula as usual but was still really sore…until I started using the oil. I have slept better since using it, and following your advice. May God bless all your work.

    Reply
    • Emma Carter

      January 27, 2019 at 10:00 pm

      That is amazing to hear Neia. Thank you for sharing! I am so glad. 💜

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Meet Emma

essential oil haven author emmaHello and welcome to Essential Oil Haven! I'm an Aromatherapist in training. I use essential oils daily for more natural well-being in my life, and hope to provide you with many valuable resources, tips and reviews to help you do the same.
More about me…

21 Day Essential Oils Challenge with any Starter Kit Essential Oils Journal Planner Workbook Essential Oils to Boost Your Immune System Essential Oils for Cough young living thieves blend comparison Best essential oil diffusers under $40

Search My Site

Sign Up for My Newsletter

Recent Posts

  • The 9 Best Essential Oils for Bruises
  • Piping Rock Essential Oils Review
  • PanAway Copycat Recipe & Alternative Blends to Use
  • Blue Tansy Essential Oil Benefits and Simple Recipes
  • DIY Headache Rollerball Recipe with Essential Oils
  • Best Essential Oils for Snoring
  • DIY Vapor Rub Recipe

Looking for a Deal?

Essential Oil Subscription Box

Footer

Resources & Downloads

  • 130+ Diffuser Blends
  • Essential Oils Journal & Organizer
  • 21 Day Challenge
  • Free 5-Day Mini Course
  • Best Essential Oils Books
  • Essential Oil Coupons
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Essential Oils for Beginners

  • The 9 Best Essential Oils for Bruises
  • Piping Rock Essential Oils Review
  • PanAway Copycat Recipe & Alternative Blends to Use
  • Blue Tansy Essential Oil Benefits and Simple Recipes
  • DIY Headache Rollerball Recipe with Essential Oils
  • Best Essential Oils for Snoring
  • DIY Vapor Rub Recipe

Copyright © 2021 Essential Oil Haven
All Rights Reserved. DMCA Notice. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Site Map