Treating Skin Infections Naturally

Treating skin infections naturally at home is pretty easy. There are some amazing ways to deal with bites, cuts and skin infections without using industrial medicine.  

Our loving Creator knows us inside and out.  He knows what we need.  And I believe He has provided what we need for health all around us.  

Yes, I’m thankful for the men and women who have thoughtfully and prayerfully taken raw created resources and made medicines and tools to help.  Unfortunately, there are many in this world who create “cures” that do more harm than good.  There are so many reasons to stick with time tested natural medicine.  

Treating simple skin infections is one of the easier home remedies.  So, even if you are new to herbalism and natural living, read on.  

Disclaimer: If you’re like me, you want to stay with natural health as much as possible.  What I’m sharing with you here is for your information.  Be smart.  Don’t let things get out of hand.  Don’t let any condition continue to grow worse, and consult a professional as needed.  Also, realize plants are potent.  Don’t write them all off as harmless.

No, I don’t meant the banana-like fruit.  Broadleaf plantain is a common weed with a powerhouse of healing substances in it.  The Latin Name is Plantago for the Genus and you can use any of the species, but Plantago lancenolata or major work really well.  This is a very tenacious weed that loves to grow in poor soil along walk ways as well as in gardens.  Plantain is full of nutrition and is also an excellent antimicrobial and pain reliever. 

So what is the trick with plantain?

Sounds icky – but really works.  Here it is:

When you or your child has a cut or sting or any skin complaint.  Right away have them chew on a plantain leaf and spit the chewed leaf out and put it on the cut or sting.  If they are too little to chew it themselves they you do it for them.  Use a bandage if needed to keep it on for several hours. This works if infection has begun as well.

“But, Joanne, do I have to chew and spit ?” You ask.  Yes.  That works best.  Enzymes from your saliva breakdown the leaf so that it will work.  

For something that may have gone on a little longer I would add a bit of comfrey leaf to the plantain and do the same chew, spit and apply technique.

Impetigo

What is it?

Impetigo is just a skin infection.  It’s usually caused by the strep bacteria, but can be caused by staph as well.  Strep impetigo will have a honey crust over the red areas and staph is more likely to have blisters.  Usually anyway.  

How do you get rid of it?

So… the same plantain and comfrey mixture can be used for impetigo. 

Use warm magnesium soaks to help loosen the crust.  You can do this by mixing 1/2 cup of good quality epsom salts or magnesium flakes. Into a quart of warm water.  Soak the area or dip a wash cloth in the liquid and hold it on the area.  Do this for about 20 to 40 min.  Then see if you can gently lift the crust off.  If it won’t lift easily just leave it there.  

Next apply the plantain and comfrey.

OR you can use tinctures of Myrrh and goldenseal in a 1:1 ratio.  These should be alcohol tinctures as glycerine will just feed the germs. Apply the tincture every 2 hours the first day and every 3 to 4 hours after that.   Caution – alcohol will sting and burn open or raw skin.  So, if the area is really raw and open you might just use the plantain and comfrey.     Or try this salve from Mountain Rose Herbs.  

Things that I have seen NOT work: Tea tree oil, colloidal silver, lavender essential oil.  

I don’t know why they didn’t work, I just know the child came to me because those things failed.  

Give the natural treatment a few days to see improvement.  Remember to be consistent and frequent with application.  Natural things need to be applied more often than the prescriptions from industrial medicine. 

Treating skin infections naturally can be done at home with simple plants. If you are foraging your own plantain and comfrey, be SURE you know what you are using. Use good information and,. better yet, have a knowledgable person confirm what you are using.

God has given use so many resources. I just love learning about them.

For more about helpful weeds, check out this post

For more about helpful herbs to grow, check out this post.

O.K. Are you grossed out or interested in trying the broadleaf plantain trick?

Let me know in the comments below.