Herbal remedies

[SimonCole]

In the herbs section there is a post about using a herbal poultice made from comfrey as a treatment for cuts... To me that just sounds like a bad idea from the start. What's wrong with using plasters?

[Earthbabe]

Sorry to be picky but I can only find a recipe for a salve or cream. Plasters are good to a point as they can create an effective barrier between the skin and the outside world. And that can also be the problem. Sometimes you want a little cream or something to help the healing (a la TCP ointment, sudocrem or Savlon). I make lots of different creams and regularly use lavender in many forms for burns, scalds, cuts, bites etc. and other herbs and essential oils.

Feel free to use plasters if you prefer though.

[bramble]

My daughter makes all her own creams as well. When I had a bad skin problem she used to mix creams for me, and i have to say they worked really well.

[Two_Sheds]

comfrey as a treatment for cuts...What's wrong with using plasters?

Some people like to use natural things...there's nothing natural about a plaster. And what do you think folks used before Elastoplast was invented?

[muckdiva]

I use a few different herbs in handmade soap. Chamomile, lavender, rosemary and comfrey all work well and create a nice looking rustic effect. I also use herbs in creams and salves for family, and also for my horses. I tend to only use comfrey only on unbroken skin, such as bruised areas where it works remarkably well.

With cuts, particularly deep ones, you want them to heal from inside out, and applying comfrey may mean the accelerated healing of the top layer of skin doesn't allow this to happen fully, causing problems later on. I haven't experienced this myself, but it's documented, so worth bearing in mind.

I once slipped getting out of a swimming pool and caught my leg on the pool steps. It was v painful, but applying some comfrey oil (infused dried comfrey leaves in olive oil) brought out the most amazing black bruise over the next few days, and amazingly there was hardly any pain or stiffness. I think this was directly due to using the comfrey. Try it - it's a great herb!

[Snadger]

Some people like to use natural things...there's nothing natural about a plaster. And what do you think folks used before Elastoplast was invented?

They used wines healing properties, and before that pee!

[Two_Sheds]

Yup, wine makes a great anaesthetic. Hic

[Snadger]

Yup, wine makes a great anaesthetic. Hic

Thats why the shaman admiistered/tested it!

[madderbat]

Arnica is great for bruises and injuries on unbroken skin as well.
cabbage leaves are good for burns. Lots of the old things work.

Whisky is good for toothache but it doesnt' stop you teeth from rotting, just takes the pain away!

[SimonCole]

I will concede! Some natural medicines are very effective. But I do not understand why anyone should want to use one to treat cuts. Surely, given modern medicine we have safer, better alternatives. I also disagree with the 'natural' ideal... we live in very synthetic environments, why then choose to use natural products?... man-made antiseptic creams won't do you any harm.

[shirlthegirl43]

As with everything, it is all down to personal choice and each person should feel able to make their own informed decision. Personally I reach for a dock leaf if I get a nettle sting before reaching for a man-made alternative. Only trouble is there are no docks in my garden but plenty of nettles - can anyone advise how to get a good dock growing please?

[muckdiva]

As with everything, it is all down to personal choice and each person should feel able to make their own informed decision. Personally I reach for a dock leaf if I get a nettle sting before reaching for a man-made alternative. Only trouble is there are no docks in my garden but plenty of nettles - can anyone advise how to get a good dock growing please?

Keep horses. Docks seem to come as part of the package in horse paddocks. They are a pain to get rid of so I'd stick to picking your docks from someone else's ground!

[shirlthegirl43]

Keep horses. Docks seem to come as part of the package in horse paddocks. They are a pain to get rid of so I'd stick to picking your docks from someone else's ground!

I do keep horses, never thought of bringing a dock from their field!! Will keep it in a pot though - thanks for the warning.

[Earthbabe]

I disagree that no harm will come from man made antiseptic creams etc. There is increasing evidence that this is not the case. Most of the herbal remedies used have been in use for hundreds if not thousands of years and their track record is well documented. Most man made products have been in use for at most a few decades but already we are discovering the problems of use of petrochemical based ingredients, over use and poor use of synthetically produced antibiotics and antiseptics and scientists are increasingly turning to the natural world to find ingredients or new "drugs".

I concur that just because something is natural does not mean if can be used with complete disregard for any safety and that if someone has a serious illness it is best to take professional advice.

As others have said many of use prefer to use products that are as natural as possible and if that means producing them ourselves, knowing the exact provenance of all ingredients, we are willing to go to that time and effort.

However it is a matter of personal preference, but it is useful to be able to share thoughts, suggestions and info with others, which is what this forum is about.

[Snadger]

I disagree that no harm will come from man made antiseptic creams etc. There is increasing evidence that this is not the case. Most of the herbal remedies used have been in use for hundreds if not thousands of years and their track record is well documented. Most man made products have been in use for at most a few decades but already we are discovering the problems of use of petrochemical based ingredients, over use and poor use of synthetically produced antibiotics and antiseptics and scientists are increasingly turning to the natural world to find ingredients or new "drugs".

I concur that just because something is natural does not mean if can be used with complete disregard for any safety and that if someone has a serious illness it is best to take professional advice.

As others have said many of use prefer to use products that are as natural as possible and if that means producing them ourselves, knowing the exact provenance of all ingredients, we are willing to go to that time and effort.

However it is a matter of personal preference, but it is useful to be able to share thoughts, suggestions and info with others, which is what this forum is about.

I am lead to believe that certain people can have severe allergic reactions to many things, sometimes with even fatal consequences i.e nut allergies.
This in itself, would make me think twice about using herbal remedies indiscriminately!