Category Archives: Wounds/Sores/Burns

Flashburn (AKA: Welder’s Eye Burn)?

I remember my father having to pause, annoyed, as he rested his eyes from a sudden incident of “welder’s flashburn.” This is like a sunburn to the eye, the more serious burns resulting in pain and redness. A proper assessment by your doctor is highly recommended for this event; however, few will actually go. To preserve your vision for your senior years, here are 4 practical treatments that offer relief and effective recovery for an eye flashburn/sunburn:

  1. Raw potato poultice – shred potato, clump it together and apply to closed eye(s)
  2. Vitamin A oil drops – apply to open eye(s)
  3. Cold pack – apply to closed eye(s) for 10 minutes
  4. Euphrasia 30Ch homeopathic – take as per label

FYI: potatoes can stain purple or black.

Consult your ND or MD as to whether any of the above remedies are right for you.

Cold Sore Homeopathic?

Nat mur (Natrum muriaticum) is one of the most common homeopathic remedies prescribed for cold sores.  Try a low potency to start (30CH), or better yet – seek the advice of your ND.

How To Prevent A Scar?

Applicable for oozing injuries/wounds:

If the wound can be covered by a band-aid, apply organic, unpasteurized honey to the bandage and cover the wound. If the area is large (especially in the case of a burn), apply the honey to a sterile gauze, then cover with a sterile linen, and then wrap in plastic.  Change the bandage twice a day. If you see black dots appearing after a while, don’t freak out, they are most likely hair follicles growing back. This remedy has been successful since ancient Egypt.

Swish Away Your Canker Sores?

Here’s a recipe for a mouth wash that is pretty much guaranteed to take your canker sores away. You will have to go to a health food store to buy them:

  • 2 tsp Chinese Red Sage (Salvia officinalis var. rubia; leaves are preferred, but the root will also work (found at most Chinese herb stores); any of the other Salvia’s will also work
  • 2 tsp German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Add the herbs to a mug of hot water and let cool until comfortably warm. Then strain out the herbs (best to use a large tea ball), swish, rinse, and spit out. Repeat daily until you have a happy mouth. The two herbs carry out effective actions that kill bugs, lubricate, calm, and tighten the tissue, reduce inflammation, and speed up healing. It tastes terrible, and it works.

Enjoi!

Post Surgical Infection

If you are having surgery and would like to take something to help reduce the risk of infection, I strongly recommend consulting a naturopathic physician; they can suggest many things. However, if that is not an option, you can try a standard homeopathic first aid remedy known for treating post surgical infection – Calendula. Try a 30CH potency and use as directed.

First Aid Rescue For Bites & Stings

Got an animal bite, insect bite, or a simple sting? Ledum is the classic homeopathic first aid remedy used to treat such a case. Try a 30CH potency and take as directed or with increased frequency. Obviously seek medical attention if injury is severe or if you are worried about infection.

You Had Me At Potato…

Just like the carrot, a potato can be used as a beneficial poultice. Grate and wrap in a damp tea, paper, or thin towel (or use without wrapping) an apply to affected area for a minimum of 20 minutes (more repeats = more results) in the case of:

  • Sprains
  • Skin and Eye Inflammations
  • Burns (the lesser burn that you don’t go to the emergency room for)
  • Eczema

Caution: potatoes will stain purple or black. Do not apply heat to this poultice.

Ice Chamomile Tea for Cuts?

Got broken skin, a cut, or a split lip? Place a chamomile tea bag in a mug, add a tablespoon of hot water, and then stick in the freezer for 20-60 minutes. Ring out the bag enough so that the tea bag is not dripping, and then apply to the wound. Chamomile is a natural vulnerary, which means it speeds up healing, and is also an anti-inflammatory which reduces swelling. Drinking chamomile will also help speed up healing and reduce inflammation.

Honey: One of nature’s antimicrobials?

Worried about infection? To kill microscopic bugs, try spreading organic, unpasteurized honey on a wound or eating it to treat a sore throat. It will also help reduce inflammation and will speed up healing.

Do not give honey to a child under 2 years of age.