Essential Oils for Surgery Recovery

By Caryn Gehlmann

“First do no harm” is a popular saying in the field of healthcare. The idea is that, in certain cases, it may be better to do nothing rather than intervening and potentially causing more harm than good. That is certainly true when it comes to using essential oils for surgery recovery. You need to consider various factors such as the type of surgery and the health of the individual.

However, with a cautious and well-researched approach, essential oils can be very beneficial for surgery recovery, particularly when it comes to minimizing scars. This month I interviewed St. Clair Potter, who is an absolute delight! He shares how essential oils assisted him to recover from a shoulder injury.

Tell us a little about your background.

I was born in Antigua and live in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands with my wife Felicia After 30 years of teaching middle school, I am now retired and enjoying time with my wife, children, and grandchildren. After my wife and I retired, we focused on our cooking talents. We now own and operate Slim’s Food Mobile, a destination spot for delicious island favorites!

Growing up in the Caribbean, my mother Margaret always had a natural remedy. Even my grandmother conjured up her own cough syrup. Our family was used to my mother picking herbs from the backyard. If anyone was sick, a tea, tonic, or rub was waiting to be picked from the backyard.

How were you introduced to essential oils?

My sister, Lydia introduced me to essential oils. She was at the time, intrigued by Young Living Essential oils. But growing up with my mother, I think essentials were easy for me to embrace. They were a part of my DNA before I even knew it!

How did you get to know Caryn and Essential 3?

I got to know Caryn and Essential 3 through my daughter. I was delighted to receive a gift from Caryn to help with my healing after my daughter had mentioned my accident, surgery, and post-care.

Tell us a little about your injury and what essential oils you used for your recovery after surgery.

I fell in the backyard, and initially could not move my right arm at all. After visiting a specialist, I discovered I had torn some ligaments in my shoulder. Yeah, I really did a number on my shoulder. I eventually underwent a successful surgery. My post-care required physical therapy and I’ve been attending for about three and a half months. Like I said, I did a number on myself!

The Essential 3 Bruise & Scar roll-on blend was specifically for post-surgery scarring. I was delighted because the blend had what I consider to be the powerhouse of essential oils, Frankincense. The product aided in the recovery process of my shoulder as I applied it around the affected areas. Because of Caryn’s product, no scabs formed and my scar is barely visible. My skin is soft and my shoulder movement is normal with no tightness or immobility thanks to the nourishing effects of the Essential 3 roll-on product. I really think the oil helped to speed up my healing process and prevent the scar build-up.

My doctor is quite impressed with my recovery. It’s a great feeling to be back in Slim’s Food Mobile, serving customers local delights like my one-of-a-kind veggie burger. The best part is extending my arm in service without pain. Now I would say that’s alright.

Thanks, St. Clair for sharing your experience with us! We’re glad your recovery went well and you’re back to doing what you love.

If you’re considering using essential oils for surgery recovery, the first thing to do is to speak to your surgeon about their recommendations based on your individual situation. Usually, they’ll want you to wait for the stitches to be removed. I share specific recommendations in my post, Essential Oils for Scar Massage: When & How to Use. If you’ve had radiation as part of your treatment, please read Essential Oils For Radiation Therapy for safety protocols when using essential oils. Remember, the idea is to do no harm!

If you have questions, please reach out e3’s team of clinical aromatherapists. And if you want to learn more about essential oils and how they work, download a free copy of our guide, Listen to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy.