abscesses and boils

Healing Wonders of Herbs

Guide to the Effective Use of Medicinal Plants

By Herminia de Guzman-Ladion,
R.N., A.R.P.T., P.T.R.P.

abscesses and boils

    An abscess is the center of a suppuration or pus collected within a tissue. A boil is a furuncle. Boils and abscesses are characterized by pain, heat and swelling.

Water Treatments
    1. Hot compress for 30 minutes, 2 times a day until the abscess of boil       has  ripened.
    2. Hot sitz bath for 30 minutes, 2 times a day if abscess or boil is on or around the rectal and perineal area.

Herbal Medications
    1. Alugbati leaves poultice
        * Crush 2 leaves.
        - Apply as poultice, 2 times a day.

    2. Amarillo leaves poultice
        * Crush 3 leaves and two flowers.
        - Apply as poultice, 2 times a day

    3. Gumamela leaves and flowers poultice
        * Chop 5 leaves and 2 flowers.
        - Apply directly on abscess or boil as poultice, 2 times a day.

    4. Langka juice or sap (milky juice from the tree trunk) compress
        * Get the milky juice from the trunk and mix with a little vinegar.
        - Warm the mixture and use it for hot compress. Use small pieces of    clean cloth or gauze as compress.
          Apply for 20 minutes, 2 times a day.

    5. Sambong leaves poultice
        *Chop 5 fresh leaves.
        - Apply directly as poultice on abscess or boil, 2 times a day.

    6. Charcoal poultice
        * Chop or powder charcoal, then wet with water and wrap in a handkerchief or a clean piece of cloth.
        - Apply directly as poultice, 2 times a day.