Natural First-Aid Remedy for Burns

A natural first-aid remedy for burns is useful to have in the home. Burns are injuries to the skin or tissues caused by sources of heat. They range in severity (first degree, partial thickness and full thickness) and are associated with many potential complications (Merck Manual).

Minor burns are a common occurrence in the home. When we accidentally burn our hand for example, our first instinct is to soothe the skin and numb the pain by running it under cold water. Have you ever noticed that the burning pain returns with a vengeance as soon as you remove your hand from the water? This illustrates the concept of antipathy, where ‘anti’ means ‘against’ and ‘pathos’ means ‘disease’. In other words, treating symptoms with medicines that produce the opposite symptoms. Most pharmaceutical drugs are antipathic and serve to palliate the symptoms. In this example, the body produces intense heat, swelling and redness in the area in response to the burn; an antipathic remedy will provide coldness to reduce the heat and swelling and numb the pain.

Homeopathy, where ‘homois’ means ‘similar’, refers to treating with medicines that produce similar symptoms, i.e. ‘like treats like’. In this example, we treat the burn with a remedy that is known to produce heat, swelling and redness in a healthy person. It seems counter-intuitive, but in theory, sticking your hand in warm water should do the trick. There is in fact some evidence to support this (see here).

I came across a very interesting case of a woman who describes her successful experience treating a severe burn (hand in the deep fryer!) with warm water and homeopathic remedies. She also describes a not-so-successful experience. It turns out that the temperature of the water and the soaking time are critical factors. Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, wrote on this topic in his Lesser Writings. Again, these are wonderful cases that illustrate the concept of ‘like treats like’ when thinking of burns. However, we do have important homeopathic remedies at our disposal.

Cantharis is a Well-Known First Aid Remedy for Burns

Cantharis (the Spanish fly) in its natural form, produces destructive blisters on the skin with burning and smarting sensations, where the pain is temporarily ameliorated by cold application. This fits the description of most burns, so we tend to think of Cantharis as a specific remedy for burns.

Cantharis symptoms

• Burning, smarting, and raw pains

• Violent and acute inflammation of destructive nature (like a burn on the skin!)

• Excitement during the pains

• Eruptions and blisters

• Itching vesicles

• Ameliorated by cold application (temporarily)

A Case Example

A man burned his hand in the kitchen by grasping a hot pan for a few seconds without realizing it had been in the oven. A blister immediately started to form on his finger with the associated painful burning sensation. Within minutes, he took one dose of Cantharis 30C. I instructed him to wait 15 minutes and if the burning had not reduced, to take another dose. After the 15 minutes, he reported feeling no pain. He could apply pressure on the area without causing pain and - the blister never formed. The skin healed quite quickly thereafter.

Cantharis is a great natural first-aid remedy to have in the cupboard. Burns can range in severity, so if you are at all unsure, please consult an emergency medical professional. (You may want to take your remedy in the car on the way!). Contact me for more information.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not meant to diagnose or cure. As with any serious burn, please consult an emergency medical professional.