Natural Herbs for Hypertrophic Scars
Scarring showcases the body's natural healing ability by growing new tissue and skin over a wound. A hypertrophic scar is a scar that is a raised area that is a different color than the skin around it. It does not grow outside the boundaries of the original wound. Scars are usually most noticeable two months after healing and eventually fade in time. Natural herbs offer a gentle way of shrinking and making hypertrophic scars less noticeable.
-
Calendula
-
Apply a calendula ointment to a wound twice a day until it heals. Calendula has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes the growth of new, healthy skin. Use this herb to get a jump-start on healing a scar before it even appears. Look for calendula products in health food stores.
Calendula and Cottonwood
-
Apply a calendula and cottonwood salve to your hypertrophic scar twice a day. Mix together 6 tbsp. petroleum jelly, 3 tbsp. calendula oil and 2½ tbsp. cottonwood oil. Apply this salve morning and night to your scar. Use this salve for two to three months to shrink your scar.
-
Gotu Kola
-
Apply gotu kola paste to your scar two times a day until the scar heals. Mix 1 tbsp. of gotu kola powder with enough water to make a thick paste. Apply it directly to the scar. Gotu kola is related to parsley. This herb soothes inflammation, strengthens skin-building tissue and helps to repair damaged skin.
Bromelain
-
Take a 500-mg capsule of bromelain twice a day between meals until your scar heals completely. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and breaks down excess materials around the scar area. Bromelain is an enzyme found in the pineapple plant.
Comfrey
-
Apply comfrey ointment twice a week to your scar. Comfrey promotes healing and contains vitamin B12 to help grow new skin cells. Put a handful of chopped comfrey roots in 2 cups of water in a pan. Bring to a boil and simmer until a white cream forms on top of the mixture. Mash the comfrey root after it has cooled. Strain out chunks of the root. Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Apply to your scar and leave on overnight. Wash the ointment off in the morning. Be aware that the older to scar, the longer it will take to heal.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Theogeo: Flickr.com
