Ayurvedic & Essential Oil healing for Scars

scar

/skɑː/

noun

1.
a mark left on the skin or within body tissue where a wound, burn, or sore has not healed completely and fibrous connective tissue has developed.
Source - google.

Ayurvedic and Essential Oil healing for Scars

Recently I was asked for Ayurvedic Essential Oil tips to encourage the healing of damaged skin, the intention being to lessen the probability of developing a scar.

The answer offered will be expounded upon here, however, I have since been pondering the ‘Shakti’ of the proposition and felt to write a little more about the scars we can see and the ones that go a little further than skin deep !

First thing is first, lets talk about the Scars we know and see

The way a scar forms is dependent a several factors including a persons skin type and colour, their age, ethnicity and overall health, as well as the nature of the skin injury.

Our skin in the largest organ of the body and unlike once thought, is more than a barrier to the outer world, our skin is the protectress and mirror of what lays beneath.

According to Ayurvedic anatomy, there are both 7 layers of bodily tissue and also 7 layers of the skin.

(if you wish to skip to the information pertaining to Essential Oil based home remedies, please scroll on !)

7 layers of body tissue (Dhatu)

Rasa dhatu – Lymph
Rakta dhatu - Blood
Mamsa dhatu - Muscle
Meda dhatu - Fat
Asthi dhatu - Bone
Majja dhatu – Bone marrow & Nerves
Shukra dhatu - Reproductive fluid

Skin Focus - The Rasa dhatu

The qualities of Rasa are oily, stable, heavy and cool; therefore the Rasa dhatu responds well to good nutrition with similar qualities to build it. Healthy fats (reflectively supportive of ones constitution and the season) as well as demulcent herbs in the form of herbal tea such as liquorice root, marshmallow, fennel &/fenugreek seeds - nourish the Rasa dhatu. These happiness enhancing suggestions are best companied along with adequate rest, gentle Yoga and daily walking.

When Rasa is fully matured and healthy it gives the skin a superior quality (Rasa sāra) and thus a person with a strong presence of Rasa sāra, glows with the kind of inner glow that originates from a strong sense of faith, connection, compassion and Self.

Conversely, negative emotions such as fear, anxiousness, and nervousness also flow within the Rasa dhatu creating biochemical changes which draw lustre from the skin and promote cellular ageing.

On that note..

I promised in our introduction that this piece would go a little further than skin deep !

To my knowledge and experience, there is no science more wonderful at revealing the connectedness of all things, other than Ayurveda.

As shown in the Rasa dhatu, the outermost tissue of the body, it is not only the foods that we eat that can effect the lustre of our skin, we are also effected by the implications of the company we keep and our mental impressions resulting from daily impressions and interactions.

“Unattended, unhelpful interactions that develop impressions upon the sub-conscious mind, can become deep grooves, difficult to move and responsible for the way we continue to interact with life ! These mental scars are called Samskara or repetitive patterns that need loving awareness to resolve.”

It is my observation that we live within a world that is geared towards constant overstimulation. It seems that on order to find the quietude and sensory withdrawal required (pratayhara) to maintain a connection with the love and healing presence that we are (atma) we need to ‘die a little’ to the external and prioritise our practices !

So in the case of this or that skin sensitivity (which otherwise defies explanation, broadly categorised as eczema) I think its immediately easier to apply a little cortisone cream, wouldn’t you agree ?

Or, as the approach of Ayurveda suggests, practice reduction and rest. Remove any blockages to the vital force (Prana) and healing will naturally arise. We all need to begin somewhere and lifestyle changes require a dedication to self love, and time.

Moving on

The 7 layers of the skin

Avabhasini - Lohita - Shweta - Tamra - Vedini - Rohini - Mamsadhara

Firstly Each layer helps to support the correct functioning of the ones above it and when this system is in integrity, the indication is healthy balanced skin. For the coherence of this article we converse for a practical comprehension of the first layer (called Avabhasini) and the 6th layer (Rohini).

In the case of the aforementioned Rasa dhatu, this lives within the outermost/1st layer of the skin (Avabhasini)

One of the most beautiful, life-affirming and effective skin supporting practices I know is the Ayurvedic gift of warm self-oil massage, called Abhyanga, as described here on the blog. Abhyanga is the direct application of loving touch to this outer layer of skin (Avabhasini) that has an immediate effect on our immunity, sense-of-self and the lustre of our inner conviction’s outwardly expressed.

The natural oils we use during Abhyanga, have the ability to be carried all the way into the deepest layers of bodily tissue to sustain healthful and radiant cellular support, over time.

The 6th layer of skin tissue called (Rohini) is responsible for healing and regeneration. It is here were strength and elasticity reside and any imbalance can hinder the healing of scars.

Practical solutions for scars by home remedy

Scars difficult to treat by home remedy include ones that are raised, aged, and scars that deepen over time due to acne or chicken pox. In such cases of discomfort, seek out a skilled Ayurvedic practitioner &/or dermatologist for additional support.

To prevent the probability of a scar developing and thus becoming ‘aged’, a little know how of day-to-day skin care can go a long way.

As indicated throughout this article, how we nourish our body with food and what we apply to our skin sets the foundation for its resilience. Our skin is porous; meaning, what we apply to our skin, sinks in !

Essential oils are true ‘gifts of the earth’ and naturally when sourcing your Oils, choose only Certified Pure Tested Grade. I choose doTERRA essential oils - to read more about my why and possibly purchase your own, with my guidance, read a little more here.

Essential oils can be wonderfully supportive for topical application during the early stages of skin tissue regeneration with oils high in sesquiterpenes assisting in scar healing.

These include the following;

Myrrh, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Patchouli, Rose, Lavender, Frankincense, Neroli, Palmarosa, Sandalwood, Mandarin and Tangerine.

Dilute your chosen essential oils in a carrier base. Good base oils, known for their restorative effect on the skin include; Vitamin E Oil, Rose-hip Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Infusions of St. John's Wort, Calendula, Comfrey or Trauma Oil.

For a healthy adult, a dilution ration up to 3% is a good choice for daily massage over your fading scar.

Have lust for an all-in-one ? Try the doTERRA Salubelle blend; a roller filled with precious, rare and renewing Botanicals. Salubelle combines Rose, Hawaiian Sandalwood, Myrrh, Frankincense, and Helichrysum for the ultimate offering of skin nourishment and repair.
To use: empty the tube into a fresh glass dropper, add your favourite carrier back into the roller plus 10 drops of your Salubelle. Replace the roller and apply lavishly over freshly cleansed skin - do away with any unnecessary additives.
Use your Salubelle in kind, to enjoy maximum benefit that can be replenished ongoing. The rich, heavenly aroma a bonus every time.

Footnote

Every word written here is from my own direct experience garnered over decades of practice. I source the trickier Ayurvedic medical content from my time spent studying with the honourable and deeply respected, Dr Vasant Lad. Also my interpretation of the content within his books.

I offer these writings to you from my heart. There is no dogma, no religious connotations, no suggesting that you ‘should’ be any other way that you already blessedly are - You are perfect exactly how you are and that’s the point ! - Rather a language is given, one that eludes to a pathway that you might enjoy walking for the miracle of You.

Upon the Yoga mat, we practice to bring strength and flexibility to not only the body, also to witness the nature of the mind. It's enjoyable and it's beautiful. Similarly within the Embody Happy coaching program and the propagation of plant medicine for all. If I can be of service in anyway, please reach out.