Wounds

Definition

Wounds are classified as damage to the skin or fundamental tissues. Skin injuries should be taken seriously due to the high risk of infection.

Symptoms

Pain is the primary symptom associated with wounds; however, the degree of pain varies greatly depending on the severity of the injury. In many cases, bleeding or bruising can also occur but not all wounds will have visible signs.

Types

Many different types of injuries result in wounds, these include shallow paper cuts, surgical injuries, pressure blisters, stomach ulcers caused by diabetes, and injuries caused by accident such as razor nicks.
Wounds caused by small cuts or scratches are minor enough that they need nothing more than a thorough cleansing and bandaging. However, severe wounds generally require professional medical attention, and stitches or sutures. Persistent wounds, such as arterial, venous, or stomach ulcers attributed to diabetes, usually take more time to heal.

Causes

Wounds have many common causes including cuts, surgical procedures, bites, and full body trauma. Prolonged bed rest can lead to skin wounds more commonly known as bedsores. Complications from disease, such as diabetes can also create internal wounds such as ulcers.

Natural Cures

Aromatherapy: Useful oils such as lavender, bergamot, tea tree, eucalyptus, juniper, and rosemary can give your immune system a boost, helping to speed up your recovery time.

Diet: A diet rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc helps speed wound healing. Foods with these nutritional vitamins include organic vegetables, yellow vegetables, raw seeds and nuts, ova, fresh natural fruits, and fresh water fish. Avoid all saturated and processed fats, refined and processed foods, sugars, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol.

Herbal treatments: Calendula cream has anti–inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities and is known to decrease healing time. Other useful herbal remedies include comfrey underlying powder, and goldenseal, both applied as a salve. Echinacea and distilled witch hazel may also help promote recovery.
Juice Treatment: Useful fruit juices include beet greens, carotene, vitamins C, vitamin E, and magnesium. Beet juice is rich in potassium, folic acid, and glutathione. Carrot juice provides healing antioxidants as well as vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, and minerals. Celery juice also provides your body with potassium and antioxidants, as well as sodium.

Homeopathy: The three most useful homeopathic remedies are Calendula, hypercurium berries, and ledum.
Nutritional Supplementation: Suggested nutrients include vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin B, vitamin C, pantothenic acid, and zinc. Noni fresh fruit extract is also useful due to its known ability to enhance immune performance, stimulate cell regeneration, and fight pain and irritation.

Topical Treatment: Unprocessed honey applied topically can help disinfect wounds, sores, and actively promote wound healing.

Alternative Professional Care

If signs and symptoms persist, despite using the measures listed above, seek the help of a qualified medical expert. The following expert care therapies have all been shown to be helpful in treating injuries: Energy Treatments, Light Therapy, Permanent Magnetic Field Therapy, Neural Therapy, Naturopathic Treatments, Oxygen Therapy, and Chinese Medicine. (See glossary for descriptions of these optional therapies.)