House Plants That Treat Injuries
There are a number of plants that can be grown in or around your home to serve medicinal purposes. Aloe, goldenseal and calendula are just a few of those that can help heal minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
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Aloe
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When sliced open, the stalks of aloe plants ooze a gel-like substance that is excellent for rubbing on cuts, scrapes and burns. It also can be used to alleviate the pain and irritation of sunburn. In addition, aloe is good for soothing more general skin irritations, such as rashes and even acne redness, due to its immunomodulatory properties.
Goldenseal
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The root of goldenseal can be dried and made into a powder that is useful for treating burns and cuts. Due to its antiseptic (germ-killing) properties, goldenseal is also believed to aid the healing process of injuries and inflammations.
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Calendula
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Calendula flowers are another treatment for cuts and burns. To prepare the flowers for application, they are steeped in water to make a tea of sorts. The mixture is then applied to the injury and left to sit for five to 10 minutes. That is done a few times daily until the injury is healed.
Arnica
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The fresh or dried heads of arnica flowers can be used for treating inflammation from insect bites as well as for wound healing. Despite this, they should never be placed directly on an open wound or broken skin. Also, prolonged use actually can lead to skin irritation. So be careful as to how long you use arnica. Discontinue use if you notice irritation where there was once healing. Some people may experience an allergic reaction to arnica as well.
Echinacea
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The roots and flowers of echinacea, also known as the coneflower, can be used to treat burns and scrapes. Additionally, echinacea is useful in treating boils, abscesses and eczema.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Christian Guthier
