Whether lost in the wilderness or simply enjoying a camping weekend, the likelihood of sustaining minor cuts, scrapes and burns is fairly high. It therefore helps to know which plants feature the properties you need to heal flesh and make pain go buh-bye. Check out a mere few of the many plants you can use for minor skin abrasions:
Yarrow
A common garden plant, yarrow features tall green stalks and small white blooms. If you find yourself bleeding and have access to yarrow, crush its flowery tops in your hands until they’re green-gray mush. Apply your newly-created poultice directly to the affected area to stop bleeding immediately and close the wound.
Aloe Vera
One of the most widely-used plants for its ah-mazing healing properties, aloe vera is a green succulent featuring fleshy “leaves” you can easily break open. Leaves contain healing gel used to treat burns, scrapes, cuts, acne, rashes, razor burn and pretty much any other skin condition. Apply fresh aloe vera pulp (it doesn’t smell great, but anyway) to affected areas for instant soothing relief and quicker healing.
Plantin
You know that broad-leaved, bright-green plant that grew all over your back yard growing up? That’s plantin, a common plant featuring fantastic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Place bruised or crushed leaves directly onto cuts, scratches and other skin irritations.
Goldenseal
A favorite ingredient in salves and ointments thanks to its disinfecting abilities, Goldenseal is another green, broad-leafed plant with many healing properties. Its leaves lend themselves to antiseptic washes and poultices for treatment of cuts and other small wounds.
Comfrey
As with the other plants on this list, use of comfrey root and leaves dates back to ancient times. Favorited by Greek and Roman civilizations, comfrey features a long list of uses, and its salves, ointments and teas are excellent for treating skin irritations. Use comfrey to treat cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, ulcerations, and more. Comfrey features hairy green leaves and small, bell-like blooms, usually cream or purple in color.
What are your favorite healing plants? Share your picks in the comments section!
References