Information on our Pruritis (anti-itch) Oil Blend
Pruritus Oil Blend to combat itching, promote healing and to sooth the skin.
NB! We do not advise use of this blend if you are pregnant, breast feeding or if you want to get pregnant as it contains Myrrh oleo-resin.
Pruritus or itching skin is common – we all enjoy a good scratch every now and again and there is very little like the feeling of satisfaction we get when an itch has been relieved!
Itching skin can however become an absolute misery. It can become maddening and debilitating if you are constantly itching and cannot get relief. It becomes all you can think of and you find yourself ready to resort to anything, just to get rid of the maddening itch!
Itching, or pruritus, is commonly caused by insect bites (mosquitoes), allergies and dry skin. The itching caused by these conditions can be easily remedied by applying a moisturising cream, or by cancelling out the allergen, but we need something extra when a constant itch is caused by a disease or a more serious condition.
We have all been told not to scratch at a bothersome itch, insect bite or healing wounds, and know that scratching an itch excessively makes the matter worse, as this damages the skin and causes further inflammation.
After personal experience with idiopathic eczema (a skin disease that seems to have no cure and that causes excessive itching), we decided to do some research on the matter and discovered that certain carrier and essential oils are known to relieve itching and help treat the irritation.
We find that the Pruritus Oil Blend that we created brings quick relief and helps to heal and moisturise the skin.
Our Pruritus Oil Blend was formulated after we experimented with various essential and carrier oils – we were personally trying to cope with maddening itches that constantly occur due to flare-ups of idiopathic eczema.
We finally settled on the following oils and noted that these essential oils work well in a massage blend when applied to the skin to relieve itching caused by various ailments:
Dry skin, Insect bites, Eczema, Psoriasis, Shingles, Hives, Dermatitis, Chicken Pox, Scabies and parasitic infections, amongst others.
We combined the following essential oils in our Pruritus blend and find that it brings great relief from itching:
Jojoba Carrier Oil in our Pruritis Oil Blend
Jojoba oil is not really an oil, but is actually a form of plant wax and is cold-pressed from the South American Jojoba bean.
This highly moisurising oil is included in many skin care preparations and replaced the use of Sperm Whale oil after this was banned.
Jojoba oil contains myristic acid which is found to reduce inflammation. Jojoba oil is found to have slight antimicrobial properties, to feed the skin and to also help unclog pores.
Jojoba oil is commonly used in its pure form as a natural moisturiser on the face, face body and hair – this oil has excellent properties and is used in our blend as a very effective base oil, as it also encourages the absorption of the essential oils.
Evening Primrose Carrier Oil in our Pruritis Oil Blend
Evening primrose oil is exceptionally high in fatty acids, and especially in gamma linolenic acid (GLA). This oil has a fine texture and is commonly used in formulas to combat pruritus.
Roman Chamomile oil is used to sooth and calm inflammation, to help heal the skin and promote healthy tissue formation.
Roman chamomile is also commonly used in Aromatherapy to calm impatience and irritation – a very real side effect of suffering from a maddening itch.
We included this essential oil in this blend for both these effects and as a skin sedative.
Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh was very popular in the ancient world and was used as a medicine by the Chinese and Egyptians, and as part of the Egyptian sun-worshipping ritual and mummification.
It was used in cosmetics, while Greek soldiers took a phial of Myrrh oil with them into battle, to stop bleeding wounds.
Myrh oil is still recognised for its effective healing properties and it is an excellent anti-inflammatory.
We included myyrh essential oil in this blend after reading a study, where it was found that myrrh can be used effectively to combat itching – view the study by clicking here
Geranium (rose and apple geranium) essential oil has been used for centuries as a skin treatment and is known to have potent anti-inflammatory effects.
Rose Geranium is commonly suggested to be an effective treatment for itchy skin.
We included this oil in our blend for its anti-inflammatory effects that should inhibit histamine response.
This essential oil also has a stabilising and calming effect on the human psyche.
Labdanum essential oil (also known as Rose of Sharon or Rock Rose) is suggested for use in cases of eczema and psoriasis. This oil is commonly used to help heal slow healing wounds.
Summary
Our Pruritus oil blend can be used as a massage blend on the skin, whenever you want to calm an itch.
Pruritis oil blend can also be used after a bath or a shower as a moisturiser, as the oils included in the blend are all chosen for their anti-inflammatory, calming and moisturising effects.
NB! As with all essential oil formulations, care should be taken before using – it is recommended that you do a skin patch test before using the blend for the first time: Rub a small amount of oil behind an ear and wait for 20 to 30 minutes to see if you have any adverse reaction. If you do, make sure that you are near a water supply where you can wash the blend off of your skin, using soap and water.
NB! We do not advise use of this blend if you are pregnant, breast feeding or if you want to get pregnant. Consult a doctor before use.