Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robin (N.IL zone 5) on December 23, 2011 at 3:30pm

Unfortunately, I have never found a Herbal fix for burns. I'm a Redhead that burns easily. The best product I've found for burns (was given to me when I had a nasty oil burn)

Silver Sulfadiazine

ingredients listed:

10mg silver Sulfadiazine in a Hydrophilic base consisting of csytal  alcohol,isopropyl myristate, polyoxyl 40 stearate, propylene glycol, purified water, stearyl slcohol, sodium hydroxide, sorbitan monooleate, white petrolatum, with 0.3% methylparaben as a preservative.

I know this is a scripted item, but what I have found is if you search on the words it can lead to the common name. 

The other thing that had worked for me with mild burns was Noxema not sure what is in that though.

Permalink Reply by Ivan M. Byam z5 on December 23, 2011 at 4:38pm

Sandra, are you talking sunburn? If so, two that I know of are 1) toss a handful of whole rolled oats (oatmeal) into a teppid bath, mix it around then soak yourself for several minutes then let yourself air dry ... 2) make a compress of apple cider vinegar and hold onto burned area. That will cool and help heal the area. Hope this helps some.

Contributing GardenerPermalink Reply by Sandra on December 27, 2011 at 10:01pm

I've used colloidal oatmeal to soothe sunburns and help stop the itching, so yes I know oatmeal is good for that - thanks for reminding me.

But I'm thinking more of burns caused by hot surfaces, fires, and such... 2nd degree to even 3rd degree burns.  Any ideas?

Permalink Reply by Alma V. Patterson on December 24, 2011 at 3:06am

hi, Sandra.how about a raw potatoes that are washed, cut and pressed on a burn can bring soothing relief almost instantly. thin slices work best to cover the burn in a compress,but this remedy should be reserved for a small burns. and another one a chinese herbalists they have the ointment for scalds and burns name , ching wan hung ointment available at natural foods stores (and at chinese pharmacy)apply the ointment directly to a clean burn. the ingredients are secret,but according to the herbalists the ointment heals burns quickly.-but i donnot know what kind of burn your talking about,

Contributing GardenerPermalink Reply by Sandra on December 27, 2011 at 10:03pm

Great ideas!  Love the potato idea.  But again, I am looking for herbs and plants that grow wild and are native to American, especially California... something you could walk out into the woods and pick.  Maybe plantain would work, not sure.

Permalink Reply by Ivan M. Byam z5 on December 28, 2011 at 8:21am

I'll check a little further Robin. One thing though is it depends on the size of the burn and that 2nd and 3rd degree burns need to be attended to by physician. I worked 9 years in Rescue and volunteer work at an Emergency room, those burns need to be assesed for damage to deep tissue, muscle etc. Anything applied such as a salve, will most likely have to be scraped off at considerable discomfort, not to mention good chance of infections. An immediate responce is as easy as a lint free cloth soaked in cool water placed over the burn and changed frequently and kept cool. It draws some of the heat from the wound and blocks air getting to it, that causes some of the pain. If you find some remedies let us know. Take care.

Permalink Reply by Robin (N.IL zone 5) on December 28, 2011 at 9:12am

Ivan, my burn though considered 2nd and 3rd degree needed ER care but no where near what you would be used to seeing. (I volunteered for Red Cross so I've seen what you are talking about) Loyola here in northern IL has one of the best burn units. With my burn I was boiing up some cooking oil for taco shells and my son went to close to the stove and instead of him pulling it down on himself I grabbed the pan and it went on my hand and wrist. I had my hand dipped in a cup of cold water the entire trip to the ER. They cleaned it more (ouch) <--understatement and put the salve on it and gave instrustions to clean it daily.

I think for Sandra to find what she is looking for she would need to visit an indian resereve and talk to the shaman.

Contributing GardenerPermalink Reply by Sandra on December 29, 2011 at 3:04am

Oh, yikes!  That's a bit more severe than what I'm thinking of.  Wow.
And certainly a doctor should tend to any serious burn, no question.  I've just been trying to come up with herbal answers to common ailments this year... but plants and herbs that are native to America or California.  Just a kind of hobby and interest of mine...

And yes, I'm thinking more along the lines of what a Native American "medicine man" would use to treat various problems back in the late 1800's.  As I said, it's just an interest and hobby of mine.  I want to learn how to make tinctures and salves and all that, too. 

Permalink Reply by Alma V. Patterson on December 29, 2011 at 1:40am

did you everseen a thistle blossoms, they boil the thistle blossoms and apply the liquid to the burns or skin sore.and  native american herbal.

Contributing GardenerPermalink Reply by Sandra on December 29, 2011 at 3:06am

Oh - really!  Thanks!  I didn't know about this one, didn't know a thistle blossom could be used to treat burns or scrapes.  Thanks!  :)

Permalink Reply by Darlene de la Plata on January 7, 2012 at 6:14pm

There is a great recipe from Dr. Christopher, one of the great herbal healers of our time.  He had a recipe that was basically 1/3 each:  fresh comfrey, honey and wheat germ oil.  From what I have read this was used even on the most severe burns (yes even with the oil).  It was applied to the burn, wrapped with bandages changed a few times per day ... just shaking off the excess and rewrapping the burn with more plant material.  His notes suggested even finger prints would grow back and full function even on deep tissue damage.  Personally now I would also add a few drops of therapeutic grade essential oil of REAL lavender ... not the stuff they get away with selling in the store.  Not sure too if they used comfrey leaf or root or a combo of both but am sure it would be good with whatever was available.

Permalink Reply by Ivan M. Byam z5 on January 7, 2012 at 9:26pm

This is all interesting for sure. I like the sound of the thistle as well. I hope all turned out good for you Robin with the hot oil.. that's not good stuff! The guy I asked info from still hasn't gotten back to me, so no more input from me for now. Keep posting!