Boils & Skin Eruptions

Sep 20

2 min read

A boil is a tender, inflamed, postulant area of skin, usually due to staphylococcus infection; furuncle. -Practical Herbalism

I have found that many of these remedies work for any type of skin eruption including blisters, ingrown hairs, acne, etc. These remedies have helped heal and relieve the pain.

First rule for healing a boil or skin eruption, is one of the hardest, DON'T SQUEEZE! It is so tempting to help that yucky pus out by squeezing but it could spread staph infection to other parts of the body and can also lead to blood poisoning. What you want is to have the pus come out naturally, using a warm compress to help it drain on its own. You can use an herbal tea preparation or tea bags themselves as the compress and apply 2 times a day for at least 15 minutes. Use one of the herb suggestions below.
Fill a bottle with boiling water, empty the water and place the bottle over the boil to form a heat suction. Be very careful the bottle gets hot. This should help naturally bring the pus to the top and drain.
Redmond Clay (betonite clay) - Apply the gel (mud) ¼ inch thick or so and cover with plastic wrap or gauze. Leave on for an hour or overnight if possible. Clean off gel with a warm wash cloth. The clay "pulls" the infection out of the skin or at the least nearer to the skin surface. Can be repeated as often as needed. I like to apply a disinfectant essential oil blend after removing the clay. (REVIVE Fresh or Purify)
Apply a paste using Golden Goodness Mix or ½ tsp ginger powder and ½ tsp turmeric powder, add warm water and stir until a paste is formed. Rub the paste in and cover with gauze, leave on for at least a half hour.
First Aid Liniments - apply to area with a cotton ball as often as needed until the infection has subsided.
Raw Honey - topical application then cover with a bandage.
Garlic Oil

These herbs can be prepared for external use by making a poultice, tea, bath, compress, salve or herbal oil/tincture.

Aloe vera
Black Walnut
Birch
Burdock
Chickweed
Comfrey
Dandelion
Echinacea
Garlic
Ginger
Goldenseal
Marshmallow root
Mullein
Oregon grape root
Passion flower
Plantain
Red clover
Sassafras - internal
St. John's wort
Turmeric

Apply directly to the area of concern with a little carrier oil. Frankincense, lavender and tea tree I have used neat.

Oregano
Clove
Myrrh
Galbanum
Melaleuca (alternifolia)
Frankincense
Lavender
Rosemary
Thyme
Patchouli
Infection fighting blend from your favorite essential oil company