How To Treat Wounds And Cuts With Herbs

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64kman

How To Treat Wounds And Cuts With Herbs

When it comes to cuts and wounds, most people rely on conventional methods such as medication, bandages and antibiotics. However, you can also use herbs to treat these injuries. In fact, some herbs are even more effective than conventional treatments.

Here are a few of the best herbs for wound healing:

Calendula

This herb is a potent antiseptic and helps to prevent infection in wounds. It also helps wounds heal (1) and reduces inflammation. Calendula oil (made from the marigold flower) is probably one of the best oils for healing wounds, soothing eczema and relieving diaper rash. Calendula balm is very effective in treating conditions that wound the skin like psoriasis, eczema and acne. Simply apply to clean skin. Calendula is also proven to protect the skin during exposure to the sun. Prevention is always better than cure so make sure you put plenty on before heading out for a bit of sun-bathing (2).

Chamomile

This herb is very soothing and anti-inflammatory. This makes it ideal for treating wounds that are sore or inflamed. It also has antiseptic properties which means it kills germs and bacteria. It has even been shown to be just as good as steroid cream to heal skin ulcers. In some cases it works faster (3). When chamomile oil is combined with lavender oil it works even better than on its own (4).

Eczema can cause open wounds if left untreated. These can be very sore. Chamomile oil not only moisturises the dry skin but also reduces the inflammation and heals the skin extremely well (5).

Lavender

This herb not only smells nice, it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which help to speed up the healing process. It is also reported to reduce the amount of scarring too; which is worth considering if the wound is on your face (6).

If you are susceptible to insect bites and stings, lavender oil is the best essential oil to have on hand. Lavender oil’s pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties can provide relief from the itching and soreness. It is often found in mosquito repellent sprays so make sure you use it to prevent getting bitten and wounded in the first place (7). Lavender is therefore a great natural addition to your holiday first aid kit.

Lavender oil has also been found to help soothe and heal cuts following childbirth. These cuts are particularly tender so this herbal treatment is gentle on this delicate area (8).  Aloe Vera gel is another gentle herbal treatment for cuts on this part of the female anatomy.

Echinacea

This herb is a powerful immune booster and helps to fight infection in wounds. It works well on cuts and burns and has been used for hundreds of years. With the widespread use of anti-biotics in modern times herbal treatments are not always considered. However, one doctor has said echinacea is the best product to have in your first aid kit (9). And the best thing is that, unlike anti-biotics, germs don’t develop resistance to it. I don’t know about you but I’m off to buy some.

Garlic

This herb has antibacterial properties and can help to clear up infections in wounds. The active ingredient in garlic is allicin. This compound is amazing as it is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. If you don’t like the taste you can get it as a tasteless supplement.

Unfortunately, it is less effective when it is cooked and as much as I love garlic I don’t really want to eat it raw. Having said that you can get it pickled or in oil which seems to make it more palatable.

Garlic has also been found to heal wounds when applied to the skin. I think I would rather use one of the other options listed in this article due to the pungent smell but if none of them are available at least you now know that garlic can help (10).

Goldenseal

The root of this herb is a powerful antimicrobial agent and can help to clear up infections in wounds. It is especially good for healing mouth ulcers which can be incredibly sore (11). Extract of goldenseal is made into an oil that can be applied to cuts and wounds.

Tea tree oil

This oil is antibacterial and antifungal, making it ideal for treating wounds that are infected or inflamed (12). Tea tree oil is also good for healing skin wounded by acne (13). In fact, tea tree oil has been shown to speed up the healing of cuts and wounds compared to conventional treatments (14). Be aware that if you are pregnant you do need to avoid using this powerful oil. This is because it can interfere with hormones which are very important in regulating pregnancy (15).

Aloe Vera

The gel from the Aloe Vera plant is often found in balms and creams to heal cuts and wounds. It is one of the best herbs to use when you have a cut or graze. Its gentle healing powers along with its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help to soothe wounds. It is also a great moisturizer and can even help to prevent scarring.

Aloe Vera gel is particularly good for burns and psoriasis. It is also great for soothing cracked nipples caused during breast-feeding (16). It is definitely worth having a few plants around the house to use in an emergency. Just break some off and squeeze the soothing gel onto the wound, cut or burn.

Arnica

This is another popular herb that is often found in first aid kits. It helps to control the pain and inflammation associated with cuts and wounds. It is particularly good at reducing swelling. However, its superpower is that if you apply it immediately after injury it goes a long way to reducing the pain and development of bruising (17). If you prefer to use natural products to pharmacy drugs, arnica is a great choice. It has been found to be just as effective in treating wounds as anti-inflammatory drugs (18).

You can use any of these herbs to treat cuts and wounds. You can crush them up and apply to the wound as a poultice. Alternatively, many are available in creams or balms that can be gently rubbed into the skin.

Before using herbs to treat wounds, be sure to consult a health professional. This is because some herbs can be harmful, especially if eaten. Finally, whether using herbs or not, be sure to clean the wound thoroughly and cover with a clean bandage to prevent infection.

 

References

 

  1. The Impact of Aloe vera and Calendula on Perineal Healing after Episiotomy in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25276736/
  2. Assessment of In vitro Sun Protection Factor of Calendula Officinalis L. (Asteraceae) Essential Oil Formulation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3326776/
  3. Comparative analysis between Chamomilla recutita and corticosteroids on wound healing. An in vitro and in vivo study https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2612
  4. Two US practitioners’ experience of using essential oils for wound care https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/jowc.2002.11.8.26432
  5. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
  6. Wound healing potential of lavender oil by acceleration of granulation and wound contraction through induction of TGF-β in a rat model https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4880962/
  7. Laboratory evaluation of toxicity of 16 insect repellents in aerosol sprays to adult mosquitoes https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/content/part/JAMCA/JAMCA_V19_N3_P271-274.pdf.
  8. A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Lavender Oil Versus Povidine Iodine on Healing of Episiotomy Wound among Postnatal Mothers https://bit.ly/3FhGdVm
  9. Echinacea angustifolium as a Wound Healing Agent http://doctorschar.com/echinacea-wound-healing-agent/
  10. Mechanism of Action of Topical Garlic on Wound Healing https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/Abstract/2018/05000/Mechanism_of_Action_of_Topical_Garlic_on_Wound.5.aspx
  11. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) and its active constituents: A critical review of their efficacy and toxicological issues https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32683037/
  12. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22998411/
  13. Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009436.pub2/full
  14. The Effect of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) on Wound Healing Using a Dressing Model https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2012.0787
  15. Tea Tree Oil During Pregnancy https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2021/06/tea-tree-oil-during-pregnancy/
  16. The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6330525/
  17. Accelerated resolution of laser-induced bruising with topical 20% arnica: a rater-blinded randomized controlled trial https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09813.x
  18. Efficacy of Arnica montana D4 for healing of wounds after Hallux valgus surgery compared to diclofenac https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18199022/