Best herbs for treating burns (Scalds)

SYMPTOMS

There are first degree burns (redness), second degree burns (redness and blisters), and third degree burns (entire skin and some of the underlying muscle is destroyed). For third degree burns, immediately go to a doctor or an emergency room. Even more extreme is a fourth degree burn. Instead of oozing flesh, the area is dry and charred.

CAUSES

Tissue damage to the skin as a result of heat, chemical, electrical or radiational injury.

First degree burn: usually from sun or water.

Second degree burn: generally from hot metal objects, flame- contact burns or severe sunburn.

Third degree burn: hot-fluid burns, steam from a pressure cooker, electrical burns or high-flame contact. (Third degree burns are often not painful because the nerves have been destroyed.) Each year, 2 million Americans get burned, 50,000 are hospitalized and 5,000 die. So be careful.

NATURAL REMEDIES

• First degree: Mix equal parts of white vinegar with water and cover the burn surface, twice a day. Also apply Aloe Vera, tea tree oil, or vitamin E oil locally. Tannic acid has been used in clinics for surface burns that have begun to heal. At home, you can effectively use white oak bark tea. Apply locally as a tea and wet compress.
• Second degree: Apply vitamin E oil or zinc oxide. Take vitamin C to bowel tolerance. Apply Aloe Vera after healing begins.
• Third and fourth degrees: Immediately take the person to a professional! Do not try to remove clothing stuck to the burned area. Apply Aloe Vera after healing has begun.

MORE HELP

• Soak the clothes, so hot cloth will not increase the burn. Apply cold until the pain subsides.
• Immediately apply cold water or cold, wet cloths on the area to reduce pain and swelling. Immerse in cold water (not ice or ice water!) immediately until there is no pain. This will prevent blister formation, if first degree, and reduce damage in second degree. Cover the burn, to reduce likelihood of infection. Mix and apply olive oil with baking soda to the area. Elevate the area, to reduce swelling, and keep it out of the sun. Do not break the blister, and never put salves or butter on burns. Watch for indications of infection, odor, pus, or angry redness. Cold clay poultices are useful.
• Second degree, on up, requires a high protein diet and 5,000 calories per day. Increase fluid intake. Also important: vitamins A, B, C, E and F. Calcium and magnesium help structure protein for healing.
• Applying vitamin E oil and spraying on a 1% to 3% solution of vitamin C every 2-4 hours is very helpful for pain. This reduces pain and accelerates healing. Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C orally, every hour.
• Have the patient breathe deeply every so often. He needs the vital oxygen for the healing of the burn.
• Fresh Aloe Vera juice is outstanding on burns, to hasten healing. But this can only be done if you have a growing plant to cut the leaves from.
• Lavender essential oil is a wonderful remedy for burns. This includes 2 oz. each of distilled water, witch hazel, and 25 drops lavender from a glass spray bottle (dark glass best). Store in refrigerator. Give a shake and spray on burn area. Do not use it on broken skin.
• Make a paste of wheat germ oil and honey (in blender at low speed). Then add comfrey leaves to make a thick paste. Apply to burn. Keep rest in refrigerator.
• Taking Echinacea stimulates immune responses. Since ancient times, mashed garlic has been applied directly to burns. Plaintain juice is widely used on burns.
• Burns dehydrate the body quickly. If it is a minor burn, give him drinking water. Add a little cayenne to the water to help against shock. Ice water compresses or applications help relieve pain.

IF SPLATTERED

• If splattered with hot grease or hot soup, remove soiled clothing first. Then wash grease off skin. Soak burn in cold water. If clothing sticks to skin, rinse water over clothing and go to a medical facility. Do not pull clothing off the skin! Do not put butter, honey or vegetable peelings on the burn. If you do, it will seal the heat in. Greasy substances may cause infection. Do not break blisters. Keep bandages loose. With your fingers, gently move burned area of skin immediately. This will keep skin supple and bring blood to area.
• To remove hot tar, wax or melted plastic from the skin, use ice water to harden the heated substance. But no ice water after that, only cold water. For acid or chemical burns, use baking soda or apple cider vinegar added to warm water. Apply 5 minutes once a day. Keep burn injuries elevated to minimize swelling and aid healing. To avoid bacterial infection, keep burn lightly covered.