Last week I discussed the anti-anxiety benefits of lavender, rose, basil, and rosemary essential oils. While these oils smell amazing I wanted to talk about something that doesn’t always smell so rosey. Feet. In this article, I will explain what causes smelly feet and tell you what oil is the easiest fix for it. I will also describe oils that are good for your skin, as many of my anorexic patients have chronic dermatitis.
Starting at the bottom, smelly feet are caused by sweat mingling with bacteria on your feet. Infections like athlete\’s foot (fungal) can also cause your feet to be smelly. Two weeks ago I discussed how oregano oil has many benefits, one of which being antifungal, but who wants to walk around with feet that smell like oregano? What other oil can you use to treat the bacteria or fungus on your feet without smelling like a mix between a locker room and the local pizzeria? Tea tree oil! Tea tree oil has antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Awesome oil!
With all of these benefits, it is also great for treating skin issues such as acne, dandruff, and contact dermatitis, which is when skin becomes irritated by an allergen. Other oils that are great for the skin are:
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Bergamot (acne, eczema, dermatitis)
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Cedarwood (acne)
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Geranium (acne, eczema, dermatitis)
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Juniper (acne, eczema, dermatitis)
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Lavender (acne, eczema, dermatitis)
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Patchouli (acne)
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Sandalwood (acne)
This is beneficial to individuals with anorexia because they often pick at their skin, causing various skin infections that can be treated with a combination of one of these oils and coconut oil.
Tea tree oil is also a perfect first aid buddy for helping to disinfect small cuts or scrapes and is a quick treatment for nail fungus. Besides being an effective treatment oil, tea tree oil can be used as a hand sanitizer, an all-natural household cleaner, or an insect repellent. It is also part of natural laundry detergents.
While tea tree is a good topical oil it is not safe to eat. If you want an oil to help you with an infection inside your body, reach for food-grade oregano oil or diatomaceous earth. If you want to treat something outside your body but don’t want to smell like oregano, reach for tea tree oil. Also, remember that essential oils are very concentrated and it is always best to dilute them in a carrier oil before applying them to your skin. My favorite carrier oil is coconut oil because of its antimicrobial properties.
References
Camp, D. (2021). My Essential Oil Companion: A Guided Journal Featuring 50 Key Essential Oils. Harvest House Publishers.
Carson, C. F., Hammer, K. A., & Riley, T. V. (2006). Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical microbiology reviews, 19(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006
Elmore, L. K. (2014, May 7). Treatment of Dermal Infections With Topical Coconut Oil. Natural Medicine Journal. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/treatment-dermal-infections-topical-coconut-oil
Kramer, O., & West, H. (2019, August 14). 14 Benefits and Uses for Tea Tree Oil. Healthline. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tea-tree-oil#What-is-tea-tree-oil-and-how-does-it-work?
Sullivan, D., & Martinez, K. (2017, July 26). How to Get Rid of Smelly Feet: 14 Treatments. Healthline. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-smelly-feet
