For centuries, St. John’s Wort was known for its healing power (it is more so today for its action against depressive moods): in external use, the red oil of the flowers in buds was used to treat burns. St. John’s Wort oil is effective on the latter, whether in immediate treatment or in the aftermath, in massage. It eliminates bacteria, has anti-inflammatory properties and activates healing.
Soak a compress with it and put it on like a bandage. Another solution is to gently massage the area with the oil. Be careful, St. John’s Wort oil is photosensitizing. We therefore do not expose ourselves to the sun without a protective bandage, at the risk of reactions and stains. To have your homemade oil on hand, Mélanie Wensel, author of “Health through plants” (ed. Delanchaux and Niestlé), explains how to prepare it.
Homemade St. John’s Wort Oil Recipe
- Take a handful of dried St. John’s Wort flowers and flower buds (double the amount if they are fresh flowers), put in a jar and fill with olive oil (the flowers should be completely bathed).
- Expose the jar to light (if possible in the sun) for 6 weeks, and shake daily.
- The oil obtained has a red color. Filter it, the buttons are no longer useless, they have transmitted their active ingredients. Stored in a cool place, protected from light, this oil can be kept for about a year.
Burns that can be treated at home
Only small, simple burns, with painful redness, and possibly a small blister or two, are treated at home only, provided the burn is less than half of the palm of the victim’s hand. . Otherwise, medical advice is essential.
It is also necessary to consult, this time whatever the surface:
- for any burn having a blackish appearance, often with blisters and a more or less extensive redness, or a whitish appearance.
- for any insensible burn (the periphery can be painful): the absence of pain is always a sign of seriousness.
- for locations such as face, hands, vicinity of natural orifices.
For further
Beat depression naturally with St. John’s Wort
Treat small burns