The best way to prepare a home remedy for chilblains is to use essential oils, as several plants, especially aromatic ones such as rosemary and thyme, have oils with strong antiseptic action, capable of eliminating various types of microorganisms, including fungi, which are the causes of chilblains. chilblains on the toes.
Another option is to use a concentrated infusion of the plant, however, as it ends up being a more diluted version than using the essential oil, the treatment can take longer. Still, it is an excellent way to complete medical treatment, as it can be used to wash the affected area before applying the medicine recommended by the doctor.
During treatment, it is also important to avoid creating a humid and hot environment in the affected area, as this encourages the development of fungi. The ideal is to always keep the place very dry and ventilated. See other important precautions to treat chilblains.
9 home remedies for chilblains
Some home remedy options for chilblains are:
1. Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary essential oil is very rich in thymol, a component with strong antiseptic action, capable of eliminating fungi and bacteria, making it a good option for a home remedy for chilblains.
Ingredients
- 5 to 10 drops of rosemary essential oil;
- 1 teaspoon of another vegetable oil such as olive, coconut, avocado or almond.
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients in a clean, dry container. Then put a little of the mixture on a cotton pad and apply it to the area affected by chilblains. Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
In addition to the essential oil, another way to use rosemary is in the form of a tincture that can be prepared by placing 10 g of dry leaves or 20 g of fresh rosemary leaves in a bottle with 30 ml of grain alcohol and 70 ml of water.
Cover the bottle tightly and place in a dark, dry place for 8 to 15 days, shaking the bottle daily. After this time, apply 2 or 3 drops to the affected area. The tincture is valid for approximately 1 year, as long as it is stored in a dark and dry place.
Concentrated rosemary infusion is also a good option for a home remedy for chilblains and can be used to wash the area affected by chilblains.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of rosemary leaves;
- Half a cup of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water and then add it to the cup with the rosemary leaves. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain, let it cool and use the mixture to wash the affected area.
3. Lemongrass essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil is made up of more than 80 substances, such as citronellol, citronellal, limonene and geraniol, with a strong antifungal effect, which means they are capable of eliminating fungi and preventing their development.
Ingredients
- 5 to 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil;
- 1 teaspoon of another vegetable oil such as olive, coconut, avocado or almond.
Preparation mode
In a clean, dry container, mix the ingredients. Then put a little of the mixture on a cotton pad and apply it to the area affected by chilblains. Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
4. Concentrated lemongrass infusion
Concentrated lemongrass infusion is another good option for a home remedy for chilblains.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of lemongrass leaves in pieces;
- Half a cup of water.
Preparation mode
Add the lemongrass leaves to the cup of boiling water and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain, let it cool and wash the affected area with the mixture.
5. Tea tree essential oil (tea tree)
Tea tree essential oil has a composition rich in monoterpenes, such as terpineol, cineole, pinene and limonene, which are substances with strong antifungal action capable of causing damage to fungal membranes and eliminating them.
Ingredients
- 5 to 10 drops of tea tree essential oil;
- 1 teaspoon of another vegetable oil, such as almond, coconut, avocado or olive.
Preparation mode
Mix tea tree essential oil into vegetable oil. Then, apply to the affected region 2 to 3 times a day.
6. Thyme essential oil
Thyme is another aromatic plant that has excellent antifungal properties due to its essential oil, rich in compounds such as thymol, carvacrol, pinene and terpinene.
Ingredients
- 5 to 10 drops of thyme essential oil;
- 1 teaspoon of another vegetable oil such as olive, coconut, avocado or almond.
Preparation mode
Mix all ingredients in a clean, dry container. Then apply the mixture to the affected area with a cotton pad. Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
7. Concentrated thyme infusion
Concentrated thyme infusion can also be used as a home remedy for chilblains, due to its antifungal properties.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of thyme leaves;
- Half a cup of water
Preparation mode
Boil the water, turn off the heat and add the water to the cup containing the thyme leaves. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain, let it cool and use the mixture to wash the affected area.
Another option to enjoy the benefits of thyme is to prepare your tincture by placing 10 g of dried leaves or 20 g of fresh thyme leaves in a bottle with 100 ml of grain alcohol.
Cover the bottle tightly and place in a dark, dry place for 8 to 15 days, shaking the bottle daily. After this time, apply 2 or 3 drops to the affected area. The tincture is valid for approximately 1 year, as long as it is stored in a dark and dry place.
8. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil has a powerful antiseptic action, being able to eliminate bacteria and various types of fungi, including fungi responsible for skin mycoses, such as chilblains.
Ingredients
- 5 to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil;
- 1 teaspoon of another vegetable oil such as olive, coconut, avocado or almond.
Preparation mode
Mix the drops of peppermint essential oil with the vegetable oil in a clean, dry container. Then apply the mixture to the affected region, repeating 2 to 3 times a day.
9. Concentrated peppermint infusion
Concentrated peppermint infusion is another good homemade option to combat chilblains, due to its antiseptic properties.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of peppermint leaves;
- Half a cup of water.
Preparation mode
Bring the water to a boil and then turn off the heat. Add the boiling water to the cup with the peppermint leaves and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain, let it cool and wash the affected area with the mixture.
Care when using essential oils
Although they bring several health benefits, essential oils should be used with caution and, ideally, under the supervision of a healthcare professional accustomed to the use of medicinal plants and essential oils.
During topical treatment with essential oils, it is important to take some precautions, such as:
- Take a tolerance testapplying the mixture to a small area of the skin to check the reaction within 24 hours: some people have increased sensitivity to essential oils, which can cause skin irritation;
- Always dilute the essential oil with a vegetable oil: direct use of essential oil on the skin increases the risk of skin irritation;
- Avoid exposing the treated area to the sun: Because they are oils, essential oils can increase the effect of sunlight on the skin, increasing the risk of burning.
The use of essential oils should also not replace medical treatment, but should only be a complement to treatment. It is also important to inform the doctor that you are using essential oils, to assess the possibility of an interaction between the essential oil and the prescribed medication.
