While abscesses and boils aren't the most pleasant of topics, it's good to know how to treat them if they catch you off guard. You may think you'll never get one, but you'd be surprised how easy it can be for an ingrown toenail, an ingrown hair, or an oral wound to become infected.

Thankfully, essential oils have the ability to draw out infection and heal both abscesses and boils quickly and easily if applied on a consistent basis.

I even know people who have used essential oils as a poultice on dental abscesses and were able to completely heal themselves without any medical intervention.

Obviously, if the abscess or boil is really infected, causing a lot of pain and discomfort, have swollen lymph nodes, or you're running a fever, you need to get it taken care of by an actual doctor before it gets worse.

However, for mild instances, essential oils are the perfect remedy to use if you're looking to avoid antibiotics and are confident in treating yourself naturally.

So, without further ado, let's get into the oils.

The Best Essential Oils for Abscesses and Boils

Abscesses and boils are fungal or bacterial infections that cause small pockets of pus to collect under the skin.

Abscesses often look like red bumps that are painful to the touch. In fact, many people mistake them for acne because they are filled with the same pus-like fluid. However, abscesses can occur anywhere on the body, most commonly near the base of the spine, groin area, and other areas where there are dense hair follicles on the body.

They can come to a head and be drained to help speed up healing and combat infection. If abscesses are not properly cared for, they can turn into more serious infections.

Boils are more superficial infections compared to abscesses which are usually larger infections that are deeper in the skin.

Many essential oils can help reduce the inflammation associated with abscesses and boils and also combat infection so that the pus can come to the surface, be drained, and then healed.

Essential Oils for Abscesses and Boils

- Bergamot (FCF)
- Birch
- Clove - great for dental abscesses!
- Elemi
- Frankincense
- Galbanum
- Helichrysum
- Lavender
- Melaleuca (M. alternifolia – aka tea tree)
- Myrrh
- Oregano
- Patchouli
- Roman chamomile
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Wintergreen

Essential Oil Recipes for Abscesses and Boils

Recommended Blend #1

- 1 drop lavender
- 1 drop Roman chamomile
- 1 drop tea tree

Recommended Blend #2

- 1 drop tea tree
- 1 drop lavender
- 1 drop myrrh

Cleanse the area thoroughly.

Mix one of the above blends (or 3-5 drops of essential oil from above) in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil (coconut oil is especially anti-bacterial) and apply it to the area 3-6 times daily using clean hands or a cotton swab to help draw out toxins and infection.

A hot compress may be helpful here.

For dental abscesses, mix 1 drop each of helichrysum and roman chamomile in 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.

Soak a cotton ball with this solution and apply it directly to the dental abscess 3-6 times daily to help draw out infection, kill bacteria, and heal the abscess.

For more quick guides, please go to the essential oil quick usage guide page here.

What have been your favorite essential oils to use for treating abscesses and boils? Please share in the comments!

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Essential Oils for Inflammation
Essential Oils for Pain Relief
12 Ways to Treat Acne Inside and Out