Ayurvedic First Aid | Tips for Treating Minor Burns
There are many Ayurvedic home remedies that can be used for treating minor burns or redness that has a burning sensation. Below, Dr. Aparna lists a few of them.
- Aloe Vera
Apply a generous amount of freshly cut Aloe Vera gel multiple times. It has an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, and anti-keloidal effect. - Honey
Apply a teaspoon of honey on the burn. Honey has antibacterial, antiparasitic, analgesic, antioxidant immunomodulatory, and anti-keloidal effects. - Ghee
Applying a thin paste of ghee on the burn will keep the burn area well-hydrated and lubricated. Ghee has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant immunomodulatory, and anti-keloidal effects. - Coconut oil
Apply a generous amount of coconut oil multiple times a day. The oil is antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant. Applying coconut oil keeps the affected area well-hydrated and prevents itching and the urge to scratch. - Curcumin
Turmeric mixed with water or ghee can be applied as a thin paste for antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and anti-keloidal effects.
Additional tips
- Honey and ghee applied as a thin paste also act as bacteriostatic and promote desloughing.
- To reduce the burning sensation, make a paste of banana and yogurt and keep it on the affected area for 30 minutes. Wash well with plain water and then apply ghee—very effective!
- A paste made of red and white sandalwood and honey will help reduce the burning sensation and scarring.
- Ayurveda has many medicated ghee and oil-based formulations and herbs to treat 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-degree burns, consult your doctor to find out which are best suitable.
Aparna K. BAMS, MD, PhD
Aparna is one of the few specialists worldwide with a PhD in Ayurveda. Born into an Ayurvedic family which operates a traditional Ayurvedic Panchakarma hospital in Kerala, India, she grew up observing her father, the renowned Dr Padmanabhan.
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