Herbal Cures: Burns

Minor burns are usually treated at home, and folk medicine enlists dozens of remedies to soothe and protect slightly burned skin. Burns range from minor sunburns, scalds, and rope burns to blisters and charred skin. The level of seriousness is classified by degrees and can be determined within 30 minutes of being burned. The usual effects of a first-degree burn are pain, discomfort, and a reddening of the skin's surface; a typical sunburn is an example. The skin heals quickly, with the damaged top layer peeling away after a day or two. Second-degree burns are characterized by blisters, sharper pain, deeper redness, and swelling. Third-degree burns destroy all the layers of the skin, sometimes turning the area white or charred black. The nerve endings may also be damaged, so that little or no pain is felt after the excruciating initial pain. Serious burns over more than 10 percent of the body may cause shock.

Home remedies should be used only for first-degree burns and small second-degree burns. Anyone with second-degree burns affecting the hands, feet, or genitals, or with blisters more than one inch across should consult a physician immediately.

All third-degree burns are considered medical emergencies, since muscle and bone may be exposed and the risk of infection is high. Electrical burns may also require a doctor's evaluation; they can penetrate muscle and damage the heart and other internal organs with only minimal marking of the skin.

For first- and second-degree burns, no first aid is better than cold water. However, water that is too cold, as well as ice, may irritate the tender skin. Holding the affected area in a container of cold water or under a running tap for at least 5 to 10 minutes can reduce the potential degree of the burn.

Additional treatment for a minor burn is simply to take a mild analgesic and apply a light antibacterial dressing, which allows exposure to the air while disinfecting, protecting, and preventing dryness. Butter, lard, animal fat, and a variety of oils frequently used to treat burns are not recommended; they trap heat in the skin and increase the risk of infection.

Herbal Remedies

Aloe vera To extract the anti-inflammatory gel directly from the plant, carefully slice along the center of the leaf, peel back the leaf edges, and scrape the gel from the inner portion of the leaf. Avoid scraping the rind, which can adulterate the gel with laxative anthraquinones. Apply the gel directly to sunburn and other minor burns; as it dries, it will form a protective layer on the skin and promote healing. The fresh gel is generally more effective than store-bought lotions, which often have insufficient amounts of aloe.

Calendula To make a mildly antiseptic compress, add 1 to 2 teaspoons flower heads to 1 cup boiling water. Steep, strain, and let cool. Apply with a clean cloth. To make a lotion, add freshly crushed calendula flowers to olive oil and let stand overnight. Apply to minor burns only. Commercial lotions containing calendula are also available.