Wounds

Calendula: Benefits, Uses and How to Prepare It IMPORTANT: Calendula is generally considered a gentle and safe plant for external use, but people allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (daisies, chamomile, ragweed, chrysanthemums) may develop skin reactions. Taken internally, calendula is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as folk tradition attributes to it effects that may stimulate the uterus. If you are taking sedatives, blood pressure medication or anticoagulants, talk to your doctor before drinking calendula tea or tincture. Never apply calendula to deep, infected wounds or wounds requiring medical care without a specialist’s advice. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. ...

Plantain Herb: Benefits, Uses and How to Prepare It Step by Step IMPORTANT: Plantain is generally a gentle, well-tolerated herb, but there are situations in which it should be used with caution. People with known allergies to plants in the Plantaginaceae family or with pollen sensitivity may react to plantain, especially to leaves harvested during the flowering period. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should use plantain only after consulting their doctor, particularly in the form of concentrated preparations. Because plantain may have a mild blood-sugar-lowering and blood-thinning effect, people with diabetes and those taking anticoagulant medication should be attentive and check with their physician. Plantain does not replace medical treatment: in the case of a cough lasting more than two or three weeks, persistent fever, or a deep, infected, or non-healing wound, see a doctor. Applying leaves to the skin should always be done with well-washed leaves, to avoid contaminating the wound. ...

Yarrow: Benefits, Uses and How to Prepare It IMPORTANT: Yarrow is a plant with real effects on the body, which is why it should not be used carelessly. It is contraindicated during pregnancy (it may stimulate uterine contractions) and should be used with caution while breastfeeding. People allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (daisy, chamomile, wormwood, ragweed) may develop allergic reactions, including contact dermatitis. The plant can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight (a photosensitizing effect) and may interact with anticoagulant medication, blood-pressure drugs and sedatives. Do not give it to small children without medical advice and do not use it in prolonged, uninterrupted courses. If you are on any medication, pregnant, suffer from a chronic condition or are about to undergo surgery, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using yarrow. This information is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. ...

Comfrey: Benefits, External Uses for Bones and Skin, and How to Prepare It IMPORTANT: Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, substances that can be toxic to the liver if swallowed in significant amounts or over a long period. For this reason, the firm recommendation of modern herbalism is that comfrey be used EXCLUSIVELY EXTERNALLY, on intact skin, for short periods. Do not drink the tea, take the tincture, or eat the leaves internally; do not apply it to deep open wounds; and do not use it on young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. People with liver conditions should avoid the plant entirely. Comfrey is not a substitute for medical care: a fracture, a serious sprain, or a wound that will not heal must be evaluated by a doctor. ...