A-Z wound healing Articles

What Is Calendula?

Due to its bright colour, the beautiful Marigold flower was historically thought to elevate people's moods and encourage cheerfulness. Medicinally, calendula is used for its benefits that decrease inflammation and stimulate the growth of skin and mucus membranes. 

Extracts of calendula have also been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses. All of these medicinal properties make calendula excellent for wound healing and a good addition to your first aid kit.

Health Benefits of Calendula

Calendula is an herb that's been used for many years for its multiple healing benefits. Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Calendula is commonly used as a topical remedy for burns, cuts, rashes, acne, eczema, psoriasis and any other skin conditions. Some calendula products that are formulated for internal use can be gargled to heal sores, and abrasions in the mouth or stop toothaches.

Other internal benefits of ingestible calendula include soothing the stomach lining and it is often recommended for gastritis and stomach ulcers. 

Calendula Supplements & Products

Given the different applications for calendula, topical or internal, it is available in a range of formats. For external use, calendula can be found in many herbal salves and creams. Dried flowers can also be used as a wash or soaked into a poultice. 

For internal consumption, dried calendula can also be made into tea or can be found as a supplement in capsule or tincture formats. 

Calendula Cautions & Considerations

Calendula should not be used internally in pregnancy because it may lead to miscarriage. Calendula is a member of the ragweed family and should be used with caution by sensitive individuals.

Comfrey is also known as 'knit bone' for its ability to speed the healing of broken bones. However, comfrey has many more health benefits. It contains agents that help heal the skin, reduce bruising, decrease inflammation and reduce pain.

Key Health Benefits of Comfrey

Topical comfrey is commonly recommended by natural health practitioners for the following conditions: 

• Broken bones
• Muscle injury
• Sprained ligaments
• Pulled tendons
• Bruises
• Insect bites and stings
• Skin ulcers
• Eczema, psoriasis & rashes
• Healing sunburns

Active Properties & Uses For Comfrey

Comfrey root contains more active ingredients than the leaf. In Canada, the sale of comfrey, in any form, is currently illegal. If you are cultivating your own comfrey you can make a decoction or tea from the leaves and root. 

It can also then be used as a wash or soaked into a poultice. Comfrey can also be used in creams and salves. Homeopathic comfrey is also used for injuries. However, ingesting homeopathic comfrey can be dangerous because the dosage needed to see medicinal effects is also close to the dosage that causes toxicity. This is why this herb isn't legal for sale in Canada because it needs close guidance from a healthcare practitioner. External use in creams or salves; however, is deemed safe. 

Final Cautions & Considerations of This Herb

Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding or those with liver disease should not take comfrey. This is because the alkaloids in comfrey may be absorbed, in small amounts through broken skin. If taken internally, comfrey can be highly toxic and should not be ingested. 

In Pacific island folk medicine, tamanu oil is applied topically to treat a wide variety of skin conditions. Some examples include: cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and stings, abrasions, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores, sunburn, dry or scaly skin, blisters, eczema, herpes sores, and to reduce foot and body odour.

What is Tamanu Oil?

The oil is valued for its analgesic and pain-relieving properties and has also been used to treat neuralgia, rheumatism, and sciatica. It is used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, skin infections, wounds, leprous nephritis, pain, eye diseases, and inflammation. This oil contains constituents that are believed to be anti-microbial and anti-viral as well as regenerative, causing this oil to become extremely popular in the cosmetics industry. It has recently exploded into the spotlight due to being mentioned as an anti-aging oil by Dr. Oz on his popular TV show. There is very little research into the effects of topical use of this oil, and current recommendations are generally based on its traditional uses.

Tamanu Oil Research

Of the scarce available research on this oil, there were two interesting findings on certain constituents having antibacterial and antiviral properties. Xanthones isolated from tamanu have antibacterial activity, and the constituent calophyllolide found in the oil has been reviewed as having potential anti-HIV activity. More recent research has also examined its possible role as a bio-diesel fuel and as a UV protectant. More research is required on the safety and efficacy of the use of this oil.

How Can I Use Tamanu Oil?

Tamanu oil can be found alone in bottles or in combination products for use on the skin. Simply apply topically as required and gently massage into the affected area, or use as a general skin moisturizer on problem areas.

Important Information

There have been reports of allergic reactions to contact with tamanu oil. People with sensitivity to plants in the Clusiaceae family should avoid its use.