The first thing to understand is that the area that has been burned is intensely heated and aggravated, and so you want to cool and soothe it. Most people recommend running your burn under cool water. I have heard that you may not want to do this for a severe burn. Please consult your doctor or use your best judgment on this one.
For me, the easiest and most accessible treatment for burns is honey. Honey is not only soothing and cooling, it also contains antibiotic properties and provides a protective barrier over the burn. Cover the entire area with a thick layer (though not too thick that it drips off). Continuously add honey as needed. I personally would use raw honey because I believe it is more medicinal and moisture-rich, or another high quality honey, but any honey would be helpful.
Some people recommend wrapping plastic wrap around your honey-covered burn. Feel free to try this treatment if it resonates with you, however for me I would think that wrapping your burn in plastic wrap would trap heat in and suffocate it, and what we want to do is allow your wound to breath and cool.
Aloe vera is also a great external natural burn treatment. You can sometimes find an aloe vera leaf at a farmers market or health food store. You can also plan ahead by having this beautiful and easy plant in your home. If you cannot find an aloe plant or leaf, then you can buy aloe vera gel at many different places. Take care to look at the ingredients and try to find one that is 100% aloe, or only a few other natural ingredients. The one I have contains sunflower and safflower oil.
Herbal Remedies for Burns...
Now for some less-accessible, but very effective burn treatments....
I have learned that St. John's wort oil is superior for burns. St. John's wort contains, among other chemicals, hypericin- a powerful antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory substance. As my teacher Gail Edwards states in her book, St. John's wort "promotes rapid
I have learned that St. John's wort oil is superior for burns. St. John's wort contains, among other chemicals, hypericin- a powerful antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory substance. As my teacher Gail Edwards states in her book, St. John's wort "promotes rapid
healing of the skin and prevents infection. Studies of people with severe burns found St. John's wort oil substantially cut healing time and significantly reduced scarring. I once pourned an entire pot of boiling potatoes on my foot (don't ask me how). I used honey and St. John's wort internally and externally. The discomfort was soothed and I healed beautifully... Today you cannot see a trace of that burn."
I have an infused oil of St. John's wort that I made in Maine in my medicine chest. You can purchase the oil and tincture from Blessed Maine Herb Farm, click here. You can also make it yourself. All you need is to know where to harvest the plant, olive oil, and a ball jar. Infused oils need to sit for about 6 weeks so this is something you have to prepare ahead of time in case you or someone you know gets burned!
To be sure that the plant is St. John's wort, pick off a yellow flower and crush between your fingers. If it gives off a purple dye, it is St. John's wort. You can also identify it by holding it up to the sun- you should see tiny holes and little red dots. Gather the top part of the plant, both the leaves and the flowers, on a sunny day. Any dew on the plant can cause your oil tooil. Stir to make sure all parts of the plant are covered in oil and to release any air bubbles. Fill to the brim with oil, doing your best to keep all plant material under the surface. Cover with lid. There should be no air in the jar, which for me usually means a little oil spills
I have an infused oil of St. John's wort that I made in Maine in my medicine chest. You can purchase the oil and tincture from Blessed Maine Herb Farm, click here. You can also make it yourself. All you need is to know where to harvest the plant, olive oil, and a ball jar. Infused oils need to sit for about 6 weeks so this is something you have to prepare ahead of time in case you or someone you know gets burned!
To be sure that the plant is St. John's wort, pick off a yellow flower and crush between your fingers. If it gives off a purple dye, it is St. John's wort. You can also identify it by holding it up to the sun- you should see tiny holes and little red dots. Gather the top part of the plant, both the leaves and the flowers, on a sunny day. Any dew on the plant can cause your oil tooil. Stir to make sure all parts of the plant are covered in oil and to release any air bubbles. Fill to the brim with oil, doing your best to keep all plant material under the surface. Cover with lid. There should be no air in the jar, which for me usually means a little oil spills
over when I fill it. For St. John's wort oil AND ONLY FOR ST JOHNS WORT, you want to leave it in the sun for about an hour to activate the medicinal properties. Then leave in a cool dark place for 6 weeks, checking on it every once in awhile. It will be purplish. If mold appears at the top, scrape off the top layer of plant material and fill with oil. If mold is throughout then the oil is ruined and you must throw it away and start again. Use topically on your burn. Shannon liked to mix it with honey. Gail used the tincture internally and the oil externally to aid in healing.
If you want to make an oil for your medicine
chest and you can't find St. John's wort, another
great plant for burns, and very easy to find, is Plantain. It is soothing, cooling, and healing.
Follow the directions above, omitting the part where it is left out in the sun. THE ONLY OIL YOU LEAVE IN THE SUN IS ST JOHNS WORT. Again, this oil is for external use only.
To help reduce the risk of infection while treating your burn the natural way, be sure to eat lots of antibiotic raw garlic and honey.
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