Herbal First Aid: Minor Burns

 

Fire fills our lives with luxuries we now take for granted like cooked food and warm rooms in winter. When we forget about the power of the fire element, we get burned. There are several herbs that help us salve the burns left by this mistake. To treat a minor burn, first wash the wound with cool water, then apply the herbal treatment and cover the area with a bandage. The treatment recommended below is for first degree burns; more serious burns require help by a qualified health care practitioner.

Herbal Allies for Treatment of Minor Burns

The first herb that most people think of for burns is Aloe Vera. Fortunately, this is an easy plant to grow in a window sill or to keep in its gel form in the refrigerator. Another Aloe relative that is often at hand is Hen-and-Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum). The leaves of this common rock garden plant have the same soothing effect on burns as does Aloe Vera.

Another quick remedy for burns is available in the tea cupboard. Simply wet a black or green tea bag with slightly warm water and apply it to the wound. The tannins in tea shrink the swollen tissues that cause the pain while the antioxidant speed healing.

The third easy treatment for burns is hidden in a honey pot. Honey cools the burn and provides natural antibacterial agents that allow the wound to heal without scarring. Honey is an easy first aid herb to apply to children. Most kids have a sweet tooth, so I give the littlest burn victims a dab of honey to lick off the tip of their finger for being brave when the nursing is over.

List of Herbal Allies for Treatment of Minor Burns

• Aloe Vera
• Hen-and-chicks
• Tea
• Honey

Nutrition for Treatment of Minor Burns

The body needs antioxidants to heal burns. Vitamin E is an excellent topical ointment to use after the burned area is on its way to recovery. Vitamin A and D ointment is also designed for minor burn treatment.