Burns: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A burn is a type of injury to the skin and underlying tissues caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, or radiation, resulting in damage to the skin's outer layer and potentially deeper tissues.

Burns can be caused by accidents, negligence, or intentional acts, and have severe negative impacts on health, including infection, scarring, and even organ failure. To alleviate burns, herbal remedies like aloe vera, calendula, and plantain can be used to soothe and promote healing.

However, precautions must be taken when using medicinal herbs, as some may cause allergic reactions or interact with other medications, making it essential to consult a medical professional before application.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of burns, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of burns?

The main causes of burns are thermal, electrical, chemical, and radiation injuries.

Thermal burns occur due to contact with flames, hot liquids, or solids at temperatures above 120°F (49°C), with severity depending on the temperature and duration of exposure. Electrical burns result from electrical currents passing through the body, causing tissue damage and potentially cardiac arrest, typically due to electrocution or electrical shock. Chemical burns are caused by corrosive substances, including acids and bases, that damage tissue by denaturing proteins and disrupting cellular function, often resulting in severe and disfiguring injuries.

Radiation burns, also known as radiation dermatitis, occur when the skin is exposed to ionizing radiation, causing damage to skin cells and potentially leading to severe burns and long-term health consequences.

• Scalds: Scalds are the most common type of burn, typically caused by hot liquids or gases coming into contact with the skin, resulting in damage to the epidermis and dermis layers.
• Flames: Flames are a significant cause of burns, as they can produce temperatures of up to 1800°C, causing rapid damage to the skin and underlying tissues upon contact.
• Electrical: Electrical burns occur when an electric current passes through the body, causing damage to skin and underlying tissues due to resistance heating, which can result in severe burns.
• Chemical: Chemical burns are caused by corrosive substances coming into contact with the skin, resulting in damage to skin cells and underlying tissues due to the chemical reaction.
• Friction: Friction burns, also known as burn abrasions, occur when skin is rubbed against a rough surface, causing damage to the skin and underlying tissues due to friction and heat generation.
• Radiation: Radiation burns, also known as flash burns, occur when the skin is exposed to high levels of ionizing radiation, causing damage to skin cells and underlying tissues due to energy absorption.
• Conduction: Conduction burns occur when heat is transferred through direct contact with a hot object, causing damage to the skin and underlying tissues due to heat conduction.
• Convection: Convection burns occur when heat is transferred through the movement of hot fluids or gases, causing damage to the skin and underlying tissues due to heat transfer.
• Arc: Arc burns occur when an electric current jumps from one object to another, causing damage to the skin and underlying tissues due to heat generation and electrical discharge.
• Static: Static burns occur when static electricity generates heat in the body, causing damage to the skin and underlying tissues due to electrical discharge and heat generation.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for burns?

The main medicinal herbs used for burns are Calendula officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Symphytum officinale, Aloe barbadensis, Arnica montana, Aloe vera, Echinacea purpurea, Plantago major, Plantago lanceolata, Glycyrrhiza glabra.

Calendula officinalis contains triterpenoids and carotenoids that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which help to promote wound healing and prevent infection. Hypericum perforatum or St. John's Wort has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and promote healing. Symphytum officinale or Comfrey has allantoin that promotes wound healing and tissue repair by increasing collagen synthesis.

Aloe vera and Aloe barbadensis have anti-inflammatory properties and glycoproteins that promote wound healing, while Arnica montana has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and swelling.

• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis helps with burns by providing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that aid in the healing process, reducing pain and promoting tissue repair.
• Hypericum perforatum: Hypericum perforatum helps with burns by containing hyperforin, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with burns.
• Symphytum officinale: Symphytum officinale helps with burns by providing a natural source of allantoin, which can help stimulate collagen synthesis and promote tissue repair, reducing the risk of scarring.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with burns by providing a gel that contains anti-inflammatory compounds, such as aloin and aloe-emodin, which can help reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, and soothe pain.
• Arnica montana: Arnica montana helps with burns by providing anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and promote wound healing.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps with burns by providing a gel that contains anti-inflammatory compounds, such as aloin and aloe-emodin, which can help reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, and soothe pain.
• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea helps with burns by providing immunomodulatory properties that can help stimulate the immune system, promoting wound healing and reducing the risk of infection.
• Plantago major: Plantago major helps with burns by providing mucilages, which can help soothe and protect the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.
• Plantago lanceolata: Plantago lanceolata helps with burns by providing mucilages, which can help soothe and protect the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with burns by providing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and promote wound healing.

What are the main herbal preparations used for burns?

The main herbal preparations used for burns are Decoction, Salve, Ointment, Cream, Tincture, Gel, Poultice, Capsule, Tea, Suppository.

Decoction, a liquid extract, is effective in treating severe burns due to its high concentration of antioxidants and antimicrobial properties found in herbs like Aloe vera and Chamomile. Salve and Ointment, semi-solid preparations, provide a protective barrier against bacteria and promote wound healing with ingredients like Aloe vera, Tea tree oil, and Calendula. Tincture, a concentrated liquid extract, is used topically to accelerate wound healing and reduce pain with herbs like Arnica and St. John's Wort.

Capsule, a solid dose form, is less commonly used for topical treatment but can be used to deliver oral anti-inflammatory compounds found in herbs like Turmeric and Ginger to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

• Decoction: A decoction of Aloe barbadensis leaf is administered to help with burns because the gel within the plant's leaf contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that promote wound healing, reduce pain and prevent infection.
• Salve: A salve of Plantago major leaf is applied topically to burns to help with wound healing due to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which reduce swelling and prevent infection.
• Ointment: An ointment of Calendula officinalis flower is applied topically to burns to aid in wound healing due to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which reduce swelling and prevent infection.
• Cream: A cream of Symphytum officinale leaf is applied topically to burns to help with wound healing due to the plant's anti-inflammatory and protective properties, which reduce swelling and protect the wound from further irritation.
• Tincture: A tincture of Hypericum perforatum is administered orally or topically to help with burns due to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which promote wound healing and reduce pain.
• Gel: A gel of Aloe barbadensis leaf is applied topically to burns to help with wound healing due to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which reduce pain and prevent infection.
• Poultice: A poultice of Epsom salt and Calendula officinalis is applied topically to burns to aid in wound healing due to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which reduce swelling and prevent infection.
• Capsule: A capsule of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) root is administered orally to help with burns due to the plant's anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce swelling and pain.
• Tea: A tea of Chamomilla recutita flower is administered orally to help with burns due to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which promote wound healing and reduce pain.
• Suppository: A suppository of Aloe barbadensis leaf is inserted rectally to help with burns in the anal or genital area due to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which reduce pain and prevent infection.