Herb Corner Issue 7

Sorry it is late this month, it has been a crazy start. This month I would like to talk about burns. These burns can be sunburns from being outside too long to burns from other things. As most already know there are 3 different degrees of a burn. First degree burns make the skin red. Second degree burns cause the skin to blister. Third degree burns cause blackening of the skin.

Despite the degree, all of these can be treated at home. The first thing to do is to get it cool to stop the burning. This could be as simple as holding the burned area in a tub of cold water or running cold water over it. I know this is discouraged for third degree burns, but it is worth doing, instead of going though extra agony. What is this agony? In the burn treatment centers, they take a hard brush and scrub the skin to debris it. No pain medication is given, and if the burn is bad enough and the pain too much to deal with, they put the victim in a coma. So, if I can save myself all that extra pain I will.

After the burn is cooled down, then there are a few things that can be applied. The first is Aloe Vera gel. This is very soothing to the skin as well as healing. This would be good to use on first degree burns. The second one, that is also good for first degree burns, is a few drops of Lavender oil diffused in a bottle of water. This is to be sprayed on the burned area for a soothing effect. Be sure to find the best quality possible, because if the quality is not good, it can irritate the burn more than help. The third one, which can be used for all the degrees, is Dr. Christopher's burn paste. It is simple to make: Fresh Comfrey leaves, Wheat Germ oil, and Raw Honey. This is to be applied thick enough that the top can be smoothed out, do not try to spread the paste as it can peel the skin off for some of the more severe burns.

The only concern that I know of about the burn paste is the fact that there is oil in it. However, if the burn has been cooled before the oil is applied it is not a problem, the only problem would be if the oil was applied before the burn was cooled down.

As the burn heals it will probably be covered with a thick white piece of skin. Leave it alone. This is new cell growth to replace that which has been damaged. If the paste is used until it is completely healed there should be little to no scaring.