Study: Essential Oils and Coconut Oil Effective For Skin Disorders on Dogs

The results of research published in April 2014 in the Journal of Medical Mycology demonstrated the benefits of using essential oils for treating Malassezia dermatitis. The researchers treated 20 dogs with dermatitis caused by Malassezia pachydermatis. They used a blend of essential oils containing a mixture of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) 1%, lavender (Lavandula officinalis) 1%, oregano (Origanum vulgare) 0.5%, marjoram (Origanum majorana) 0.5%, peppermint (Mentha piperita) 0.5% and Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum var. italicum) 0.5%. These essential oils were mixed into a base of sweet almond oil and coconut oil. The essential oil blend that they tested was a safe and natural solution to a common problem, which offered an important alternative to conventional pharmaceutical treatments.

Virgin Coconut Oil Beats Mineral Oil for Skin Health in New Study on Dermatitis

A study published in the Philippines compared the topical effects of virgin coconut oil and mineral oil on 117 children suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD). The study was published in the International Journal of Dermatology. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, virgin coconut oil was the clear winner: "among pediatric patients with mild to moderate AD, topical application of virgin coconut oil for eight weeks was superior to that of mineral oil based on clinical (SCORAD) and instrumental (TEWL, skin capacitance) assessments." No surprises in this study, as the healing properties of coconut oil in treating various skin conditions are quite well known in tropical climates where coconuts grow, and supported by several other studies published in recent years.

Virgin Coconut Oil Bests Mineral Oil for Dermatitis

Virgin coconut oil is superior to mineral oil for lessening both the signs and symptoms of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children and senile xerosis in elderly adults, according to findings from separate randomized controlled studies.