How to Use Aloe Vera to Treat Burns

Aloe vera plants have been used for centuries to treat burns holistically. While the science to verify the long-held beliefs about the efficacy of aloe vera as an herbal remedy is conflicting, anecdotal evidence is strong. The clear sap inside the leaves of the plant has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and heal burn injuries.

Instructions

1. Cool a burn by running it under cool water. It's important to take the heat out of the burn so that no further damage is done.

2. Assess the degree of the burn. First-degree burns are red and swollen but superficial, while second-degree burns are deeper and feature blisters. First- and second-degree burns can be treated at home, but third-degree burns are very severe and require immediate medical attention.

3. Break off a leaf from an aloe vera plant and cut it lengthwise. Choose a plump leaf from the outer edge of the plant because aloe plants grow from the inside out.

4. Scoop out the inside of the aloe leaf, including the clear sap and the pulp, with a spoon.

5. Mash the aloe leaf contents into a paste.

6. Apply aloe vera gel paste to the burn when it has cooled down sufficiently. Aloe vera gel has analgesic properties that can help with the pain of the burn, and the anti-inflammatory properties can prevent swelling from causing additional pain and blood restriction.

7. Continue to apply aloe vera gel until the burn heals.

8. Use aloe vera gel to help diminish burn scars. Aloe vera gel promotes cell regeneration and can help skin grow back healthy.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an aloe vera plant in your kitchen to treat cooking burns immediately. All an aloe plant needs to grow is a little bit of water, some natural light and a warm place to live.

• For small burns, you can break off the aloe leaf and squeeze the clear gel out of the end.

• If you don't want to grow your own aloe, you can purchase commercial preparations of aloe vera gel in health food stores and online. Use these commercial preparations just like raw aloe or as directed.

• Use aloe vera gel to treat sunburns. There are many inexpensive aloe vera lotions available, but you should look for high aloe vera content for the best quality.

• For burns that are large or severe, call 911 or go immediately to the emergency room for medical attention.