Have you ever found a painful, inflamed and red bump on your skin and wondered what it was? Chances are it is a boil, an infected lump often triggered by the staphylococcus bacteria. Sometimes it appears quickly and can be infected with pus within 24 hours. The pus can be drained, but be careful as the pus may spread and cause more boils. If a boil is extremely large, you may need medical attention to treat it. Alternative treatments include using essential oils.

How to Use Essential Oils for Boils

1. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has many benefits, including antimicrobial, antibiotic and antifungal properties. It has been used as a natural remedy to treat many ailments including skin disorders and infections. Derived from tea tree leaves, it can be used to cure boils by killing the bacteria and bringing it to a head faster.

To use:

• Wash area on and around boil with warm water and mild soap.
• Add one cup of salt to one gallon of hot water. Put a compress like a wash cloth in the mixture for about five minutes.
• Squeeze water out of cloth and press it on boil for about ten minutes.
• Gently rub a few drops of the tea tree oil onto the infected area. Make sure you cover the whole boil and surrounding skin.
• Cover the area with a bandage.
• Repeat up to three times daily.
• Make sure to wash your hands each time you apply this treatment and any other treatment mentioned in this article.

2. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has properties that can bring a boil to head faster, giving you quicker relief. It is one of the essential oils for boils.

To use:

• Wash area  with warm water and mild soap.
• Apply several drops of lavender oil to area and gently rub on boil.
• Cover with bandage.
• Throughout day, cover bandage with warm, damp compress for five minutes intervals.
• Then cover bandage with a heating pad on low heat.
• Change bandage a couple times a day.

3. Black Seed Oil

For centuries, black seed oil has been considered as a natural treatment for skin infections such as boils.

To use:

• Simply mix 1/2 teaspoon of black seed oil into your hot or cold beverage.
• Drink twice a day until infection is gone.

4. Castor Oil

Labeled as an antiseptic, castor oil is an alternative treatment for boils.

To use:

• Place several drops of castor oil onto a cotton gauze.
• Apply the gauze directly on the infected boil.
• Repeat several times a day until it brings boil to a head and draws pus out.

5. Bergamot Oil

Bergamot oil is considered a natural treatment for several types of wound and skin infections such as cracked skin, boils, ulcers, herpes, chicken pox, itching and eczema. It works by killing the infection causing the condition.

To use:

• Add several drops of bergamot oil to hot water.
• Soak compress in mixture and then apply to boil.
• Repeat until infection is cleared up.

6. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil has a broad history of medicinal use to treat numerous ailments including skin conditions and infections. It is also considered one of the best essential oils for boils. Derived from Eucalyptus leaves, it is known to have antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

To use:

• Mix 3 drops of Eucalyptus oil with 1 ounce of slippery elm in powder form.
• Make a paste by slowly adding boiling water until it reaches right thickness.
• Spread directly on boil.
• Repeat twice a day until infection is resolved.

Other Remedies to Heal Boils

1. Flour and Vinegar

Mix flour and vinegar until it forms a thick paste. Apply the mixture directly on the boil. Wrap it with gauze and leave overnight. In the morning, the mixture will be hard like a plaster cast. When you remove it, the boil head may come out. You may have to repeat a few times before it works. 

2. Banana

Besides essential oils for boils, you can also turn to banana for help. Take a ripe banana and remove the peel. Put the banana peel directly on the infected boil and leave overnight. When you remove, the pus may have been drawn out. Always wash your hands when handling the infected area.

3. Onion or Potato

Cut small thin slices of onion or potato. Place on top of infected boil and cover with bandage to hold in place. Repeat up to four times a day until the pus drains. Onions also have properties which can relieve pain.

4. Washcloth Compresses

Many consider a warm compress the most effective way to cure a boil. Simply take a washcloth and soak in warm water and salt mixture. Place on the infected area for 15 minutes. Repeat up to 5 times a day. This speeds up the healing process by draining the pus from the boil faster.

5. Turmeric

Considered an anti-inflammatory agent, you can mix turmeric with a glass of milk or water and drink. Repeat several times a day for five days. Alternatively, you can create a paste by mixing equal quantities of turmeric and freshly minced ginger. Directly apply to boil and cover with bandage. Repeat as needed. Wash your hands after applying bandage.

6. Milk

If you do not like the idea of using essential oils for boils, try milk instead. Milk has been considered a natural treatment for boils for a long time as it can relieve pain while treating the infection.

To use:

• Mix three teaspoons of salt with one cup of milk in a pan and heat.
• To thicken into a paste, add flour.
• Gently apply to the boil and cover with bandage.
• Repeat three to four times daily until boil comes to a head and infection clears.
• Wash hands thoroughly after treating boil.