A close family member developed a nasty abscess on her back near the spine. Thinking it was a cyst, she fussed with the sore lump trying to get it to open…only to find the infected skin boil getting worse and intensely painful as days passed.
Mid-week while visiting us (before the recent Mothers Day holiday), mentioned she couldn’t lean back against her car seat when driving due to pain from the pressure. She was getting alarmed. The skin boil was so close to her spine, she feared the infection might become systemic. She was also afraid of what a doctor might do, attempting to lance the abscess, etc. and really didn’t want to make a medical appointment.
I asked if she would be willing to give gentle, strongly antibiotic, therapeutic-quality essential oils a try at least through the weekend to see how her body responded? Told her how essential oils bolster our immune system, infusing the body with natural compounds to fight and neutralize infections*. Despite having been an essential oils skeptic and naysayer, she now was willing to give them a try.
Four anti-infectious essential oils came to mind: CLOVE EO, LEMON EO, and two wonderful essential oil blends – one made from spices and another favorite blend with Tea Tree and Rosemary essential oils (my favorite reliable go-to choice for infections). Our relative has very sensitive skin, so I hesitated to offer either CLOVE or the spice blend, both ‘hot’ oils (skin and sensitive tissue-irritating)….which would need dilution.
Decided to check via dowsing, which essentials oils would be most effective to heal her skin boil…..a LEMON+TEA TREE-ROSEMARY essential oil blend was indicated. Further dowsing determined a 75% LEMON EO with 25% TEA TREE-ROSEMARY EO ratio as best for her. So I made this custom mix in a little 2.3ml bottle for her use. A bonus was its wonderful fragrance!
She gave me permission to apply the essential oils gently to the swollen, red, angry-looking abscessed skin boil twice before she left. In the couple of hours between applications, I could see a visible change in the surface texture of the abscess…the hard inflamed surface was softening. Suggested she carry the little bottle in her purse, continuing to apply the LEMON EO+TEA TREE-ROSEMARY EO blend am/pm after her morning shower, when she got ready for bed, and whenever she thought about it during the day.
If you don’t have essential oils on hand, and would prefer a convenient option, try one of our custom-formulated antibiotic blends: StaphRx™ or Trinity™. You’ll be happy you did.
Antibiotic Essential Oils Speed Healing Response* in Painful Boil
(Left) Abscess opened and began draining less than 24hrs after applying therapeutic essential 0ils & a hot compress. (Right) Abscess continues to heal steadily 13 days after first using therapeutic essential oils, hot compresses, and antibiotics.The next morning (Thursday) her mother suggested applying a hot compress to the skin boil and within 10 minutes the skin broke open, so the abscess could begin draining. My relative was really surprised at the quick results, happy the infection would now begin healing. In doing further research on-line, we found hot compresses are a classic remedy to use on boils and abscesses.
She did make a doctor’s appointment for the following day (Friday). The doctor examined the abscess, confirming it was very good it was draining and to keep it open. A lab test sample was taken to check for staph (a common cause of skin infections) or other bacteria. (I never heard the results of that test.)
My family member asked if the essential oils may have helped the skin boil start draining so quickly? The doctor, unaware of therapeutic essential oils anti-infectious properties, assured her they likely had helped by ‘softening the skin.’ The MD advised her to continue the hot compresses, morning and evening; to wash her hands well, before-and-after touching it; and prescribed a dose of antibiotics to prevent systemic infection.
By Sunday, 4 days later (when I took the left photo above), the sore had begun itching…a sure sign of healing. Putting on the LEMON EO+TEA TREE-ROSEMARY EO blend relieved the itching*. The next time we saw her, nine days later (photo on the right), her skin was well on the way to recovery. She was being erratic with applying hot compresses, was taking the antibiotics as prescribed, but experiencing diarrhea from intestinal disturbances, and applying the LEMON EO+TEA TREE-ROSEMARY EO blend at least morning and evening. Once the course of antibiotics is complete, she will have to repopulate healthy intestinal flora by taking a probiotic for several weeks, since she doesn’t like to eat yogurt.
Heal Abscesses and Skin Boils Quickly with Essential Oils and Old-Fashioned Remedies
If I had a skin infection, my choice would be to not take an antibiotic prescription. Rather, I would use strongly anti-infectious, therapeutic essential oils frequently: bolstering my immune system by putting 3-6 drops of an immune bolstering essential oils blend on the soles of my feet, morning and evening. I would apply a gentle essential oils blend on and around the sore, often. And definitely apply the comforting hot compresses once or twice daily to speed the healing process.
In researching healing protocols for abscesses and infected boils, came across an old-fashioned remedy: applying a thin slice of raw potato over an infection will draw out the toxins!* I wouldn’t leave it on longer than 30 minutes, flipping the slice over or changing to a new potato slice with each application. Our relative remembers using grated raw potato poultices over skin infections as a child to help them heal, something she learned from her mother. Simple old folk remedies often work, if we give them a try!
NOTE: *These anecdotal experiences and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
If you don’t have essential oils on hand, and would prefer a convenient option, try one of our custom-formulated antibiotic blends: StaphRx™ or Trinity™. You’ll be happy you did.
