- St. John's Worth Help Treat Boils - crabchick
Contrary to popular belief, the best way to treat a boil does not involve heading to the mirror and squeezing it. This can merely cause more irritation to the surrounding skin and unless one's hands are meticulously clean will likely spread more bacteria.
Self-Help for Boils - Heat, Tea, Homeopathy, Herbs
One of the simplest ways to treat a boil, involves using moist heat, which will bring the boil out. This is done through using a clean flannel soaked in hot water. In 1,001 Home Health Remedies, Browne et al. (2007) highlight that using both thyme and chamomile tea is also an effective approach. While thyme is a natural antiseptic used to prevent infection, chamomile has soothing anti-inflammatory properties.
Homeopathic tinctures, such as calendula and hypericum are also recommended by Browne et al, (2007) for their ability to decrease pain and inflammation. Hypericum is otherwise known as St. John's Wort, and should not be taken when already on prescribed antidepressant medication, unless recommended by a doctor.
Green Cabbage, Tea Tree Oil Boil Treatments
Another popular remedy for boil treatment, as identified by Browne et al. (2007), involves using cooked green cabbage leaf. This is used to help draw the pus out of the boil, when wrapped in gauze and placed over the area. Tea tree oil has also long since been recognised for its healing and antibacterial properties, which help skin heal faster.
In Healing Properties, Lakin et al. (2007) highlight key benefits and healing properties associated with using tea tree oil, as follows:
- antiseptic action
- powerful antibiotic
- mixes with skin oils to attack infective agent
- minimizes scarring
Further Boil Treatment, Prevent boils
In addition to the above approaches to the treatment and prevention of boils, Browne et al. (2007) recommend the following:
- draining boil using sterilized needle
- using liquid antibacterial soap
- wearing loose, comfortable clothing
- soaking in hot bath
- losing weight (if over BMI 25) will help prevent boils
- using talcum powder for preventing skin friction from causing boils
- applying acne medication containing benzoyl peroxide twice daily
As highlighted above, boils are a very common problem and there are plenty of home health remedies and alternative approaches to treatment. Key ways to treat boils include using tea tree oil, homeopathic tinctures (calendula and St. John's Wort), green cabbage, heat, chamomile and thyme tea. Simple approaches to preventing boils typically involve weight loss (when medically overweight), using liquid antibacterial soaps, applying talcum powder, wearing loose clothing and discussing medications with the family doctor.
Sources:
Browne et al. (2007) 1,001 Home Health Remedies London: Reader's Digest
Lakin et al. (2007) Healing Supplements London: Reader's Digest
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
