Herbs & Natural Remedies:
Aloe (Aloe vera), tea tree, calendula (Calendula officinalis), honey, and vitamins C and E.
Form:
Aloe vera: gel scooped from the plant. Tea tree: oil. Calendula: flowers. Honey: bulk honey. Vitamins C and E: tablets.
How it Works:
Aloe vera has antimicrobial action that helps prevent infections. It reduces inflammation, stimulates skin regeneration, and contains vitamins C and E. Tea tree oil is antiseptic–it prevents infection. Calendula stimulates the growth of new skin and blood vessels. Honey has antimicrobial action that helps prevent wound infection. Vitamins C and E speed wound healing.
Dose:
Aloe vera: cover the wound with a layer of gel. Tea tree oil: apply 100 percent pure oil to the wound. Calendula flowers: use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried flowers per cup of boiling water. Steep until cool and apply using a compress, or mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of tincture in a cup of water and apply. Honey: apply a thin layer to the wound. Vitamin C: 1,000 mg per day. Vitamin E: 400 to 800 IU per day.
Cautions:
Do not ingest tea tree oil. Large doses of vitamin C may cause diarrhea. Vitamin E has anticoagulant action. Use it cautiously if taking other anticoagulants including garlic, ginkgo, willow bark or aspirin.
Other Information:
To stop bleeding, press firmly on the wound. Wash all wounds thoroughly with soap and water.
San Francisco health writer Michael Castleman is the author of 11 consumer health books. Visitwww.mcastleman.com.
