Herbal Treatment for Minor Burns

Most people are aware that burns are classified by degrees of severity from first to third. First degree burns are the most common and minor of the three. Third degree burns are severe and usually leave the skin disfigured. Third degree burns aren’t as painful as first and second degree burns because of the depth and damage to the nerves that send pain messages to the brain. When these nerves are damaged, the pain signals don’t make it through.
What most people may not know about burns is classifying burns by type. There are seven types of burns; flame burns, scalds, electrical burns, contact burns, radiation burns, ultraviolet burns, and chemical burns.

Flame burns occur when the skin comes in direct contact with fire. Scalds occur when skin comes in contact with steam and hot liquids. Contact with electrical wires result in electrical burns. Contact burns occur when skin comes in contact with hot surfaces. Radiation burns occur when you are in close contact with high levels of heat or fire, but not in direct contact with it. Too much sun exposure will cause ultraviolet burns and chemical burns occur when the skin comes in contact with corrosive or hazardous chemicals.

These herbal treatments will cover first degree burns and possibly second degree burns if they aren’t covering large areas of the body. If you have third degree burns you should seek medical attention immediately. These are not the ones you want to play around with.

The most widely used herbal treatment for burns is the aloe vera plant.
Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years as a burn ointment and dressing for wounds. Reports suggest that aloe vera was used by Cleopatra as a moisturizer to combat the signs of aging from days in the Egyptian sun.
The majority of people in the United States have an aloe plant growing in their home. People who don’t consider themselves to have a green thumb, or grow any other houseplants, will have an aloe vera plant on their windowsill.
Aloe vera contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and a number of compounds that help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. The gel from aloe vera leaves also contain saponins which have antibacterial and antifungal properties to help prevent infection.
These ingredients also make aloe vera a good health tonic when taken internally.

Other herbs that have been used topically are the juice from garlic and plantains. Simply mash these fresh herbs into a pulp or paste and use as a poultice.
St. John’s Wort can also be applied as a tincture or salve.

Many herbalists also apply essential oils directly to minor burns. These oils include; lavender, camomile, camphor, eucalyptus, onion, peppermint, rosemary and sage.
If you decide to keep essential oils on hand please remember that these oils are toxic if taken internally. For this reason they should only be applied to the skin. Essential oils can be added to a little vegetable oil to use as a massage agent.

Herbs that can be taken internally are Echinacea and gotu kola. Echinacea has long been known as an immune system booster, so taking Echinacea would help with the prevention of an infection setting in.
Gotu kola taken along with vitamin C may help stimulate the synthesis of collagen, a protein in the skin that helps repair damaged skin.

If you receive a burn, you should put the burned area of skin in cold water as soon as possible and keep it there for at least 5 minutes. This is the fastest and best method used to stop the burning.
If your skin blisters you should not try to pop them, but let the blisters open on their own. After the blisters open, you can clean them with water and apply an antibiotic ointment.
If clothing irritates the burn or blisters, you can wrap them in sterile gauze dressing.