You've probably heard that lavender, and especially its essential oil, helps with burns. You may have even read about a French perfumer named RM Gattefossé, and how he saved his burned hands with lavender oil. But how did it really happen?! Read the true story about lavender oil from 1910.
Explosion in perfume laboratory
At the beginning of the 20th century, an explosion occurred in the laboratory of the French chemist and perfumer René-Maurice Gattefossé. The famous chemist was covered in flammable substances. Human instinct told him clearly – he needed to extinguish himself immediately. He immediately started rolling on the lawn and soaked both his hands in lavender essential oil, which stopped the so-called “gasification of tissue” or gas gangrene. This disease ends in death in 20% to 25% of cases! Especially during the First World War, when this disease was very common, the affected limbs of soldiers were, at best, amputated, and at worst, the men’s lives could not be saved.
Rinsing with lavender essence
According to Gattefossé himself, his hands began to visibly heal the very next day: “The external application of a small amount of the essence quickly stops the spread of gangrenous ulcers. In my personal experience, after an explosion in the laboratory, I was covered with burning substances, which I extinguished by rolling on a grassy lawn, both hands were covered with rapidly developing gas gangrene. With just one rinse with lavender essence (lavender essential oil), the "gasification of the tissue" stopped. This treatment was followed by profuse sweating, and healing began the next day. (July 1910) taken from the professional article by R. Tisserand: Gattefossé's burn, 22.4.2011
Lavender oil without myths
The aforementioned French chemist wrote his story in the famous and first book on aromatherapy, “Aromathérapie” from 1937. As R. Tisserand writes in his article: “His application of lavender oil was clearly a deliberate act. He was very impressed with the result and may have saved his life. It was a special moment for him and for aromatherapy.” Over the years, this story has been retold and edited by others. Even though it has been mythologized, the fact remains that lavender essential oil is one of the best oils for treating burns! In addition, it relieves pain and its aroma reduces stress, panic and nervousness.
How to use lavender oil at home
Can lavender essential oil be used at home?! Of course it is! We will show you a simple recipe on how to do it. Prepare with us Healing oil for minor “burn” accidents at home. We will need the following essential oils:
5 drops lavender (treatment of burns, relieves pain and reduces stress)
2 drops chamomile (accelerates healing and reduces inflammation)
2 drops straws (regenerates and accelerates the formation of new tissue, acts against inflammation)
2 drops geranium (helps with burn healing and scar reduction)
up to 30 ml rosehip oil (100% cold-pressed rosehip oil also helps regenerate tissues, smoothes scars and promotes collagen production)
Mix and apply to the affected area for quick relief and regeneration. This healing oil is a great helper and a “must have” in your home herbal medicine cabinet. Then store it in the refrigerator and keep it on hand in case of minor accidents in the kitchen.
Are you interested in other information about lavender? Read other articles from our lavender section here on the blog.
This blog post is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Essential oils and hydrolates in our e-shop are not sold as medicines. The article is for educational purposes only.
Sources:
KG STILES – Essential Oils Complete Guide, 2019.
Robert Tisserand, Rodney Young – Essential Oil Safety, 2014.
