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Does Natural Pain Relief Really Exist?
Everyone will suffer pain at some point in their lives. Grim as this may sound, some pain is necessary – it’s a signal from our brain that something is wrong in our body, something we need to address to protect our health and well-being. It can be...
Healing Without Side Effects: Drugs vs. Herbal Formulas
"How can you say that an herbal formula will alleviate multiple symptoms, and yet have little or no side effects? How can there be a good effect without bad effects?" - Dr. W.H., MD, Great Falls, MT I understand your question, Dr. H., and the...
How Your Antibiotics Could Be Inflaming Your Sinuses!
If you have sinus problems, you know the physical misery that they can cause. In some cases they can also cause bad breath, which has many social ramifications - rejection, isolation, etc.
What's the first thing the average doctor reaches for...
Moxibustion works well with Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique for unblocking qi (the energy that allegedly permeates all things) by inserting disposable needles at particular points on the body to balance the opposing forces of yin and yang. When yin and...
Simple Weight Loss
Did you know that weight loss (and weight gain) is simple mathematics? For example, if you were to eat an extra 100 calories per day you would gain 10 lbs in one year. The good news is that the opposite holds true too – burn 100 calories more...
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Treating Boils Naturally
A boil is a pus-filled nodule that is a result of a staph bacteria which can result in an infection. It's actually an abcess that develops in the hair follicles and usually occurs on the neck, buttocks, face, ears or underarms, but can be located anywhere on the body. A boil can be painful, swollen, red and tender. The boil lies just under the skin as a bump, and later develops into a pustule. The boil can be contagious when the pus draws to the suface and can contaminate nearby skin causing more boils. When the infection spreads in a cluster, it is called a carbuncle. Recurrent boils and abcesses may indicate the immune system is depressed. Poor nutriton, diabetes and illness may be contributing factors for a person who is prone to getting boils.
It's important to look at the diet and see what's missing. A good balanced diet should include vegetables, grains, fiber and fruit. It is also wise to include yogurt, kefir, or acidophilus (friendly intestinal flora). Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of pure water daily. You may want to consider going on a short cleanse to rid your body of toxins and to re-balance the body's Ph. Several herbs have been indicated to help cleanse the blood as well. These are red clover, burdock root, celery, milk thistle and dandelion. Echinacea and goldenseal help cleanse the lymph glands.
To relieve pain and swelling, apply a hot moist cloth over the boil to help soften. Never squeeze the boil as it can cause infection to spread to the bloodstream. Allow the boil to come to a head, then you can lance it with a sterilized
needle. Sometimes a boil will drain on its own. When it's draining, cover with gauze and change the dressing several times a day to avoid spreading to other areas. Keep the infected area clean at all times.
You can apply honey, which is one of the oldest remedies for stubborn oils. It also helps raise the boil to the surface when left on overnight. Bruised fresh cabbage leaves or a raw potato are great for their drawing power. Place directly over the boil and cover with gauze. Aloe vera is a natural antibiotic which may also be used. This can be applied several times throughout the day. Fresh figs can also be used by mashing them up and applying to a warm poultice. This remedy has been shown to pull out infections fast. In health food stores you can find either an ointment or salve containing goldenseal and myrrh. These are also good infection fighters. An old folk remedy indicates using a piece of bread soaked in milk or lemon juice. The area can then be covered with a loose bandage and left on overnight.
If the boil becomes large, and they are recurring, surgical incision and draining may be needed. Consult your physician if the methods above are not working, as antibiotics may be indicated if the infection gets into the bloodstream.
This article is for informational purposes only!
Copyright 2003 by Patricia Valle
About the Author
I am a nutrition consultant at a major health food store in So. Califoria. I have been writing articles on health, nutrition and herbs for almost three years. Alternative medicine is my passion.
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