Natural Remedies for a Burn

Burns are very common. Certain natural remedies can help to heal a burn fast. You may burn your fingers when you’re cooking. First degree burns are generally superficial. They affect only the top layer of the skin (epidermis). This may cause blisters, swelling and redness of the skin. Second degree burns will penetrate to the dermis, the second layer of the skin. Third degree burns will destroy the skin completely and may damage the underlying muscles. It can result in scarring.

Aloe Vera Plant

Source: Wikimedia Commons: Erin Silversmith

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is an excellent remedy for burns. Just cut a aloe vera leaf with a knife and squeeze the gel to the affected skin. It will reduce the pain and the burning sensation. According to the New York Times, a group of surgeons studied the effects of Aloe Vera on burns. They concluded that aloe vera could make a difference when applied to first degree burns.  However second and third degree burns require medical attention.

How to Treat Burns

The burnt area should be washed with cold water. Don’t use ice, as it may aggravate the problem

Open a capsule of vitamin E and apply the oil on the affected area. Consuming vitamin A and vitamin E can also heal the burn quickly.

Potato Skin

Potato skin can replace bandages in treating burns. Dr. Narayana a plastic surgeon of Jubilee Medical College in Kerala (India) says that potato skin is not sticky and heals the wound fast. It helps to keep the wound moist and can be peeled of easily. Water evaporates from the burn wound quickly, making it dry. Potato peel helps to prevent this. The ability of the potato peel to keep the wound moist, helps to heal the burn wounds faster.

Bandage

It is advisable to put burn wounds under cold water for about 5 minutes. Then the skin can be covered with sterile bandage. This can help to reduce the pain and irritation. You can also take pain killers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

It is necessary to keep the wound as clean as possible to prevent infection. Several OTC creams for burns are available. One of these can be applied to the affected area.

Alternately you can apply an antibiotic cream on the burn wound to prevent infection. You should use a non stick cotton bandage to cover the wound. It is necessary to change the bandage every day. Blisters should not be broken as they prevent infection.

Don’t apply butter, oil or Vaseline on the burn, as the burn requires moisture to heal.

Vinegar

Dilute vinegar can be applied on minor burns. As vinegar is acidic it helps prevent infection. After the application of vinegar, cover the wound with a sterile cloth.

To Treat Burn Scars

Aloe vera gel is quite useful in minimizing scarring due to burn. Apply aloe vera gel on the scar 3-4 times every day.

Papaya is also effective in minimizing the scars. Rub ripe papaya fruit chunk on the affected skin several times a day.

Paste made from Fuller’s earth helps to fade the scars. Add a tbsp of lemon juice and some rose water to make a paste. Apply the paste and wash it off after ten minutes. Repeat the process 3-4 times a day. 

If the burn is serious consult a doctor immediately. It is extremely important to prevent infection.

Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers are very common and there are several home remedies that can help to get over the problem. 

What is Mouth Ulcers?

Mouth ulcers is a sore that develops in the mouth. It is also called as canker sores. Some people develop mouth ulcers more often than others. Some of the common causes of mouth ulcers are allergies, infection and drug side effects. It could be quite painful and extremely uncomfortable.

Mouth ulcers could affect people of any age. Small sores can take up to 10 days to heal and large sores can take much longer.

Turmeric
Source: Wikimedia Commons:  Elke Wetzig

Turmeric Powder and Glycerin

Turmeric powder has antiseptic properties. It also provides a cooling effect to the mouth relieving the burning sensation. Take a tbsp of turmeric powder and add some glycerin and make a thick paste. Apply the paste to completely cover the mouth sore. Rinse the mouth with water after 5 minutes. Do it several times a day to get rid of mouth ulcers.

Guava Leaves and Fruit
Wikimedia Commons:  Lallji 

Guava Leaves

Grind guava leaves and make fine paste. Apply it to the sore 3-4 times a day. Alternately chew guava leaves several times a day. Another method is to prepare decoction from guava leaves by boiling guava leaves in water. Rinse your mouth with the decoction after it cools down.

Mulberry Juice

Mulberry juice can help to get rid of the burning sensation due to mouth sore. Take a glass of mulberry juice and drink it, holding each sip in the mouth for a while. It provides a soothing effect and reduces the inflammation

Salt Water Mouth Wash

Add a tbsp of salt to a cup of warm water. Stir it well and rinse your mouth with it. The process has to be repeated several times a day. This would not only help to reduce the pain and irritation but would also heal the sores.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a very good home remedy for mouth ulcers. You can rinse your mouth 3-4 times a day with coconut milk. You can also mix honey with coconut milk and apply to the sores.

Coriander Seeds

Add some coriander seeds to water and boil it. Rinse your mouth with the water when it cools down.

Raw Onions

Raw onions are a very good remedy for the sore. Cut onions to pieces and chew them several times a day.

Baking Soda

Add some water to a tsp of baking soda and make a thick paste. Apply it to the mouth sores. Alternately you can rinse your mouth with water mixed with baking soda.

Licorice

Licorice extract is made by boiling licorice root in water. It is sweet to taste. It is in the syrup form. It can be added to warm water and used as a mouth wash to get rid of mouth ulcers.

These are some of the home remedies for mouth ulcers.

Health Benefits of Cinnamon and Honey: Weight Loss: Diabetes

Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of a small tree which grows mostly in Sri Lanka. This is used as a spice in Indian cuisine. An aromatic essential oil can be obtained from this bark. It has excellent anti-microbial properties. Honey also has similar anti-microbial properties. There are several heath benefits of  cinnamon and honey. It also aids weight loss. 

Wikimedia Commons :Robert

Heart Ailments

Plaque buildup along the artery walls makes them inflexible and narrow. This will hamper the smooth flow of blood. Plaque buildup is the result of high levels of cholesterol in blood. Make a paste by mixing a tbsp of honey and a tsp of cinnamon.  You can use this as bread spread instead of jam and butter. It will help to reduce the LDL levels and arterial plaque.  It will also help to make the blood vessels more flexible, improve heartbeat and reduce the chances of heart attack.

Arthritis

Honey and cinnamon paste is a very good remedy for arthritis. Alternately make honey cinnamon tea by adding a tbsp of honey and a tsp of powdered cinnamon to a glass of warm water. Drink it twice daily. It will help to reduce arthritic pain.

Skin Remedies

Honey cinnamon paste can be used as a topical application for a variety of skin problems as it has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It provides relief from eczema and ringworm infections. It is also a very good remedy for acne. Apply the paste on the affected area before bedtime and wash it off next morning. It will help to reduce the inflammation and itching.  

Weight Loss

Drink honey cinnamon tea every day before breakfast on an empty stomach. Honey is a rich source of carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Even though honey is a kind of sugar, it does not hinder the metabolism of fats and cholesterol. Cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar levels and fights against insulin resistance. It also helps to fight against obesity. Intake of cinnamon and honey over a period of time helps to bring down your weight substantially.

You can also add lemon to this honey cinnamon concoction. Addition of lemon accelerates weight loss.

For Diabetics

Honey and cinnamon tea helps to bring down blood glucose levels. Diabetics are prone to high LDL because of the increased blood glucose. Cinnamon and honey brings down the high cholesterol levels reducing the chances of heart attack.

Sore Throat

If you have a sore throat drink warm honey- cinnamon tea several times a day. It can also be used as a throat gargle. Gargle this liquid once every two hours. It provides relief from sore throat and opens up the blocked sinuses.

These are some of the health benefits of cinnamon and honey