Overall, in comparison to pharmaceuticals, risk of herbal side effects is mild. In manufactured supplements, toxicity is often a result of contamination with adulterants.

Risk of this occurrence is higher for herbs imported from other countries or from suppliers more concerned with lower costs who may compromise purity. Dose is the essential consideration. A strong-acting herb can be toxic if taken at a higher dose than recommended.

Effective dosing is based on age and body weight, criteria not often reflected on product package recommendations. There is a vast number of medicinal plants and an herb or several herbs to cure or relieve every possible ailment. Many references offer extensive herbal Materia Medica lists.

org 17 and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Improved circulation and wound healing. Botanicals help reduce the risk of delayed wound healing, enhance the healing process, and decrease incidence of infections. Plant chemical constituents are classified into broad categories that assist with skin integrity such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and immune stimulant.

For support of circulation, herbs stimulate blood flow to better deliver oxygen and nutrients to the wound area as well as provide cleansing to prevent contamination. Herbs fight specific wound-compromising bacteria and aid in treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and venous leg ulcers see Table 2.

Aid to mental function. Botanicals influence cognition in two ways. The biochemical constituents of plants provide specific therapy for anxiety, depression, stress reduction, improving memory, and hormone-related imbalances.

Plants also address the mind-body connection, offering energy that nourishes the spirit see Table 3. Support urinary function. Botanicals often act as mild diuretics, providing benefit to kidney function by decreasing excess accumulation of fluid.

Many herbs are specifically anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothingly demulcent to the urinary tract, providing treatment for infections and irritations see Table 4. Aid to digestion. Botanicals provide a multitude of healing qualities for digestive imbalances, including heartburn, nausea, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

They act as adjunctive therapy for inflammatory bowel disease, gastro-esophageal reflux, leaky gut syndrome, and treatment of food allergies.

Herbs often are calming, relieving stress-induced or emotion-related digestive responses see Table 5. The intricate science of herbalism is growing as a specialized field and has far-reaching benefits in the area of wound care.

With rising popularity of alternative approaches, the clinician who takes the time to review existing herbal supplementation and then educate patients on safety, appropriate dosing, pure product availability, and the potential risks of mixing with prescription or nonprescription pharmaceuticals has made an important contribution to patient autonomy and supported an all-inclusive approach to healthcare.

Although the following list of considerations can help with safe herbal use, consultation with a qualified herbal practitioner is recommended for complex issues and concerns.

The concept that if a small amount is beneficial, more is better does not apply. Risk is substantially increased if taking more than six medications and is highest in the elderly population. Dina Ranade, RD, has practiced as a clinical dietitian in the healthcare setting for the past 24 years.

She has completed formal studies in herbal medicine and now merges herbal and nutritional therapeutics. com and Wounds For the past 20 years, she has served as a consultant to healthcare institutions and as a medico-legal expert to law firms involved in healthcare litigation. Oxford Dictionary.

Oxford University Press; Available at: www. Accessed April 12, Mehta DH, Gardiner PM, Phillips RS, McCarthy EP. Herbal and dietary supplement disclosure to health care providers by individuals with chronic conditions. J Altern Complement Med. Bent S.

Herbal medicine in the United States: review of efficacy, safety, and regulation. J Gen Intern Med. Lindstrom A, Ooyen C, Lynch ME, Blumenthal M. Herb supplement sales increase 5. Natural Marketing Institute. Consumer and Market Trends of Botanicals. Accessed April 25, Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels.

Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of US Department of Health and Human Services; November 24, Accessed April 20, US Food and Drug Administration.

Dietary Supplements. US Department of Health and Human Services; March Accessed April 18, Smith T. Nonprofit Collaboration Addresses Adulteration of Botanical Dietary Ingredients. Gardner Z, McGuffin M ed. Confirm Are you sure to Delete? Yes No. If you have any further questions, please contact Encyclopedia Editorial Office.

MDPI and ACS Style MDPI and ACS Style AMA Style Chicago Style APA Style MLA Style. Vitale, S. Natural Herbals and Spices in Wound Healing.

Vitale S, Colanero S, Placidi M, Emidio GD, Tatone C, Amicarelli F, et al. Accessed February 15, In Encyclopedia. Vitale, Stefania, et al.

Copy Citation. Home Entry Topic Review Current: Natural Herbals and Spices in Wound Healing. This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper Herbal medicines have been employed in folk medicine to accelerate wound healing since ancient times.

Many plants and various preparations thereof have been used traditionally in relation to wound treatment, especially due to their immense potential to affect wound healing. Currently, the efficacy of many of these herbs is well documented together with their mechanisms of action.

Therefore, natural products as well as their pure compounds are an emerging source of alternative medicinal compounds for the management of various diseases, among which is wound healing.

wound healing herbs medicinal plants secondary metabolites natural wound dressing. Achillea millefolium Achillea millefolium L. yarrow is an important species of Asteraceae family with common utilization in the traditional medicine of several cultures from Europe to Asia for the treatment of various disorders including wounds, cuts, abrasions, and diabetic ulcers [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ].

Essential oils, the most active part of the yarrow flower, are used in wound therapy as a hemostatic [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ]. However, there are reports on the presence of higher levels of sesquiterpenes compared with monoterpenes [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ].

A wide range of other chemical compounds has also been reported in the methanolic extract of A. millefolium aerial parts. In different in vitro and in vivo experiments, active compounds derived from A. millefolium showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, mostly attributed to the presence of flavonoids [ 4 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ].

Despite yarrow being extensively used for wound healing and skin inflammatory disorders in traditional medicine [ 17 ] , modern studies of yarrow extract effects on wound healing are lacking.

In a recent paper, Dorjsembe et al. This effect was associated with an increase in β-catenin, and Akt expressions [ 18 ]. Based on these results, a beneficial positive effect of yarrow flower extract on wound healing can be hypothesized [ 18 ].

Aloe vera L. or Aloe barbadensis Miller family Xanthorrhoeaceae is a perennial green herb with bright yellow tubular flowers. The mucilaginous gel has been extensively used in pharmacological and cosmetic applications [ 19 ].

It has more than 75 different compounds, including vitamins A, C, E, and B12, enzymes amylase, catalase, and peroxidase , minerals zinc, copper, selenium, and calcium , sugars glucomannans, acetylated mannans, polymannans , polyphenols anthraquinones , sterols lupeol and campesterol , and hormones auxins and gibberellins [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ].

Traditionally, the therapeutic uses of A. vera have ranged across a broad list of conditions, as do its associated pharmacological activities. This medicinal plant has been employed to treat different skin problems such as rejuvenation, wound healing, and other dermatologic conditions, i.

Indeed, despite its widespread use as a folk remedy, scientific studies on its physiological function in wound repair have only recently been conducted [ 21 ]. Numerous A. vera gel-based cosmetics and medicinal products that are marketed are made from the mucilaginous tissue of A.

vera leaves. However, Aloe gel has been linked to a variety of beneficial effects and therapeutic indications for skin inflammation [ 21 ]. Individual components of A. vera gel may promote wound healing in animal models, and specific glycoproteins are responsible for the beneficial effects when the gel is applied to acute wounds in various animal models; however, controlled clinical trials in humans demonstrated no benefit when A.

vera was incorporated into topical therapy, and one study reported delayed wound healing [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ]. Recently, topical use of A. vera in rat cutaneous wound models has shown that it significantly increases the rate of wound contraction, epithelialization, and maturation.

Moreover, it reduces inflammation, decreases scar tissue size, and increases alignment and organization of regenerated scar tissue, increasing the concentration of collagen and glycosaminoglycans compared to the control lesions [ 26 ].

To clarify the mechanism by which A. vera gel for 12 and 24 h [ 27 ] and found that Transforming growth factor -beta1 TGF1 and Fibroblast Growth Factor basic Protein bFGF genes were found upregulated during the first 12 h and down-regulated at the end of incubation. This suggests that A. vera exerts beneficial effects by stimulating collagen deposition, fibroblast proliferation, and angiogenesis and inhibiting the overproduction and accumulation of matrix proteins that cause hypertrophic scarring [ 27 ].

In in vitro models of human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] , A. vera accelerated wound healing by strongly stimulating fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation and moderately stimulating cell migration.

Surprisingly, A. vera also protected keratinocytes against preservative-induced death [ 32 ]. These previously unknown protective actions may account for some of the beneficial benefits of A.

vera in wound healing. According to a recent review A. vera compounds such as aloesin can modulate the inflammatory response [ 31 ].

Aloesin promotes leukocyte extravasation as well as cytokine and growth factor release during the early stages of wound healing. As a result, aloesin appears to influence both fibroblast and leukocyte migration [ 27 ].

Aloesin is thought to influence leukocyte migration by phosphorylating Cdc42 and Rac1, two signaling proteins that coordinate and regulate actin dynamics and cell polarization [ 28 ]. In the presence of aloesin, TNF-alpha, Interleukin 1 beta IL-1beta , Interleukin 6 IL-6 , and TGF-1 are pro-inflammatory markers that mediate leukocyte signaling, migration, and phagocytosis [ 29 ].

Recently, a study by De Oliveira et al. Aside from flavonoids such as aloin and emodin, polysaccharides such as glucomannan, acetylated polymannan, acemannan, and mannosephosphate appear to promote wound healing [ 22 ].

Some studies showed that acemannan appears to stimulate macrophages and boost bactericidal activity [ 24 ] [ 25 ] , the expression of keratinocyte growth factor-1 KGF-1 , cell proliferation, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF , an important molecule in the formation of new blood vessels, and type I collagen synthesis [ 33 ] [ 34 ].

Studies in skin fibroblasts revealed that acemannan not only increased proliferation but also shifted the cell cycle from the G1 to S phase, increasing the expression of proliferation markers such as cyclin D1 in a dose-dependent manner [ 35 ] [ 36 ]. Some studies have found no significant differences between A.

vera treatment and control groups in terms of wound healing, with little evidence of decreasing microorganism concentrations or improving scar maturation in burn wounds, no significance in fibroblast migration dynamics, and no difference between sample groups in terms of wound repair [ 31 ].

This is likely due to a problem of standardization of extract concentrations. Some of these studies may have used aloe extracts with insufficient concentrations of active compounds with known anti-inflammatory and proliferative effects, or they may have been combined with other unsuitable alternative therapies.

Bletilla striata is a member of the Orchidaceae family and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over years to promote wound healing and treat alimentary canal mucosal damage, chapped skin, ulcers, bleeding, bruises, and burns [ 37 ].

Phytochemical research on B. striata yielded the identification of monomeric compounds. These compounds, extracted from B.

striata tubers, are primarily triterpenoids: Phenanthrenes, biphenanthrenes, dihydrophenanthrenes, anthocyanins, quinones, steroids, glucosides, bibenzyls, and phenolic acids [ 38 ].

According to pharmacology studies, the plant has many biological activities, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulatory effects [ 38 ]. Bletilla striata also contains several polysaccharides, which have been identified as the major active components in its dried tubers, and are responsible for antimicrobial, anti-aging, antioxidative, and antiviral activity [ 39 ].

Natural polysaccharides have been used in a variety of biomaterials in recent years due to their high biocompatibility, low toxicity, and pharmaceutical biomedical activity. Bletilla striata polysaccharides BSP can be used as natural biomaterials for drug delivery and wound dressing in addition to promoting wound healing [ 40 ].

The most common polysaccharide in BSP is glucomannan, which is made up of D-glucose and D-mannose and has a high molecular weight [ 41 ]. BSP plays a critical role in the three main phases of wound healing: Inflammation, granulation tissue proliferation, and repair [ 42 ].

During the inflammation phase, BSP promotes the expression of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor TNF -, interleukin IL -1, and interferon IFN -, increases NO, and promotes neutrophil, monocyte, and macrophage chemotaxis [ 43 ].

By controlling the expression of TNF-, BSP can reduce the inflammatory reaction in the wound and prevent damage to remaining cells during the phases of granulation tissue proliferation and repair [ 44 ].

These actions promote epithelial cell growth, fibroblast proliferation, and wound healing by contracting the wound [ 37 ] [ 45 ]. Yue and colleagues [ 46 ] measured the response induced by BSP pretreatment in terms of ROS levels and proinflammatory cytokines after Ang II stimulation with and without BSP and investigated the signaling pathways potentially involved in the anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory functions mediated by BSP in a human mesangial cell model in vitro HMCs study.

Furthermore, BSP effectively inhibited NADPH oxidase 4 upregulation NOX4. Furthermore, BSP has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties that can help stop ROS production and the production of proinflammatory cytokines [ 46 ]. BSP derived from B.

striata has been used in wound dressings for many years, with outstanding biocompatibility, biodegradability, and gelling properties [ 44 ]. BSP hydrogel demonstrated excellent performance in the absorption of wound fluids and exudates and was able to provide water to the wound, thus creating a suitable fluid environment for the wound bed [ 44 ].

Surprisingly, recent research has revealed that BSP has hemostatic activity, likely mediating blood clotting and fibrinolysis [ 47 ] [ 48 ] [ 49 ]. BSP has been made into a new type of hemostatic agent that can be used as a drug delivery vehicle and wound dressing.

Ding et al. The upper layer was made of chitosan-Ag nanoparticles that were cross-linked with genipin, extracted from gardenia fruits [ 51 ] , and exerted antibacterial activity. The lower layer was a hybrid cross-linked chitosan with genipin and partially oxidized BSP that revealed potent cell proliferation activities.

Based on its ability to accelerate the healing rate of cutaneous wounds, this novel composite bilayer has a great deal of potential in wound-dressing applications [ 52 ].

Song and colleagues [ 52 ] discovered that the fibrous residues of polysaccharide extraction from B. striata used in traditional medicine have a high phenolic content, strong DPPH 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant capacity, and tyrosinase inhibition activity [ 52 ].

Based on these findings, the authors concluded that wound-healing functions of B. striata are due not only to the composition of the polysaccharides, but also to the activity of the polyphenols [ 52 ]. In a more recent study, Cheng et al. striata EEB to create new composite sponges through simple mixing and freeze-drying processes.

The degradation, biocompatibility, hemostatic, bacteriostatic, and wound-healing-promotion properties were also tested in vivo and in vitro [ 53 ].

This plant could be used to make plant-based components for wound dressing and drug delivery systems on a large scale. Calendula officinalis , belonging to the Asteraceae family, is a common garden plant used medicinally in Europe, China, the United States, and India.

It has numerous common names in use, including Marigold and Pot Marigold. Traditionally, it has been used externally to treat small wounds, burns, and other skin problems [ 54 ] [ 55 ]. officinalis can be used in the form of an infusion, tincture, liquid extract, cream, or ointment for numerous uses, including the treatment of herpes, wounds, scars, and skin and hair products [ 54 ] [ 55 ] [ 56 ] [ 57 ].

Over the past decade, chemical and pharmacological studies have found that C. officinalis possesses many secondary metabolites with various pharmacological properties that contribute to its medicinal use [ 56 ] [ 57 ] [ 58 ] [ 59 ] [ 60 ] [ 61 ] [ 62 ]. The most active components are triterpenoids, both in their free and esterified forms, flavonoids, coumarines, quinones, volatile oil, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as calendic acid, and amino acids [ 31 ] [ 60 ].

Most of the research on the role of C. officinalis in healing acute wounds came from in vitro fibroblasts and keratinocytes cells and in vivo rodent animal models studies [ 59 ] [ 62 ] [ 63 ] [ 64 ] [ 65 ] [ 66 ] [ 67 ].

Clinical studies have focused on chronic wounds [ 60 ] , and only one clinical trial looked at acute wounds [ 61 ]. Calendula flower alcohol extracts CFE have shown anti-inflammatory and antiedematous properties in vitro.

Furthermore, they increased human fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation and migration, promoted angiogenesis in the chorioallantois membrane model, and decreased collagenase activity [ 66 ].

CFE influenced the inflammatory phase in keratinocytes by activating the transcription factor NF-kB and increasing the amount of chemokine IL-8 at both transcriptional and translational levels, whereas it had a minor effect on keratinocyte migration. CFE induces fibroblast proliferation [ 59 ] [ 67 ] and upregulates the expression of connective tissue growth factor CTGF and alpha-smooth muscle actin alpha-SMA during the early stages of wound healing [ 67 ].

In a previous in vivo study, CFE reduced the presence of fibrin and hyperemia while increasing collagen deposition in a rat cutaneous wound model. These findings indicate that CFE has anti-bacterial properties, stimulates fibroplasia and angiogenesis, and positively influences the inflammatory and proliferative phases of the healing process of cutaneous wounds [ 67 ].

Terpenoids seem to be primarily responsible for all these effects. In vitro studies with fibroblast cells demonstrated this mixed film increased cell proliferation, growth, and adhesion and inhibited cell collagenase activity with a subsequent increase in collagen production.

In vivo studies of rat wounds revealed that this dressing has an excellent wound-healing capacity In all the studies examined, CFE was associated with a statistically significant improvement in wound healing according to the outcomes measured [ 59 ] [ 65 ] [ 66 ] [ 67 ] [ 68 ].

Casearia sylvestris is a Brazilian herb in the Salicaceae family [ 69 ]. sylvestris contains many chemical constituents in the leaves [ 69 ]. These compounds, which primarily consist of volatile oils, tannins, and triterpene content [ 70 ] , are responsible for a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant and cytotoxic effects [ 71 ] [ 72 ] [ 73 ].

Pharmacological studies have shown that C. sylvestris extracts ethanolic, hydroethanolic, and aqueous extracts and bioactive compounds have antitumoral, antiulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties [ 69 ] [ 70 ] [ 71 ].

The anti-inflammatory and wound healing actions have been attributed to the casearin-like clerodane diterpenes isolated from C. sylvestris leaves, such as ellagic acid [ 73 ] [ 74 ] [ 75 ].

Regarding the toxicity, C. sylvestris extracts and isolated diterpenes showed low toxicity both in vitro and in vivo [ 69 ] [ 71 ] [ 74 ] [ 75 ] [ 76 ] [ 77 ] [ 78 ] [ 79 ]. De Campos et al. sylvestris extract and observed significant extension of the healing area, neovascularization, fibroblast proliferation, and epithelialization, concluding that C.

sylvestris may have a potential therapeutic benefit in second-degree scald burn injuries. This effect has been ascribed to rutin, a C. sylvestris bioactive compound with powerful antioxidant properties [ 71 ].

When Casearia sylvestris leaves extract was tested on wound healing in beef cattle, cattle, a positive effect on the macroscopic aspect of cutaneous lesions in cattle was observed during the first two treatment days [ 78 ].

In a recent paper, the authors developed membranes for wound healing dressing by combining a natural latex from Hevea brasiliensis Euphorbiaceae providing angiogenic action, with leaf ethanolic extract of Casearia sylvestris Sw.

diterpene concentrated fraction and casearin J characterized by anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activities [ 79 ]. Permeation and retention assays demonstrated the dermal penetration of phenolic compounds from the membrane with ethanolic extract and penetration of casearin-like clerodane diterpenes from all membranes, indicating that these topical systems have great potential for therapeutical application of C.

sylvestris components [ 79 ]. Crocus sativus L. sativus stigmas dried. Saffron is used for medicinal purposes in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Persian, and Unani traditional medicines [ 80 ]. The therapeutic properties of saffron used for healing purposes could be found in Materia Medica, written by a Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides in the first century A.

Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that saffron extract or its bioactive constituents, such as apocarotenoids, mono-terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and phytosterols, have a wide range of therapeutic effects [ 82 ].

Major carotenoids contained in saffron extracts SE include crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal [ 83 ]. Crocin, the digentiobiosyl ester of crocetin, is one of the few water-soluble carotenoids found in nature [ 83 ]. These compounds have been shown to have a wide spectrum of biological activities, including several antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [ 82 ] [ 83 ] [ 84 ] [ 85 ].

Recent studies have shown that the effects of crocin, crocetin, and safranal against oxidative stress include the reduction in lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde levels and nitric oxide levels, and an increase in the levels of glutathione, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase , and thiol content [ 86 ] [ 87 ] [ 88 ] [ 89 ].

Despite the large number of papers indicating that saffron and its carotenoids have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, only a few studies have reported these effects in wound healing [ 90 ] [ 91 ].

In an in vitro study, anti-inflammatory properties and ROS scavenging activity of crocin were investigated in human epidermal keratinocyte and human dermal fibroblasts, [ 92 ]. Crocin inhibited squalene peroxidation and UVA-induced cell membrane arachidonic acid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner µM and, from µM to 1 mM, prevented the release of inflammatory mediators, modulating the expression of NF-kB-related genes and glycosylation-related genes [ 92 ].

Given the impact of UV exposure on skin quality [ 93 ] , this study suggests that crocin can be regarded as a molecule with potential beneficial effects against skin aging. More recently, an in vivo study was conducted to compare the effect of saffron extract to silver sulfadiazine SSD , the most widely used topical treatment for burn injuries, in a burn wound model in rats.

Based on the scratch test, in vitro experiments confirmed the positive role of saffron in fibroblast migration and proliferation during the remodeling phase, as well as regenerative and anti-scarring properties of saffron [ 94 ]. In the production of saffron spices, copious amounts of floral bio residues are generated and wasted.

Interestingly, polyphenols and anthocyanins found in the sepals and stamens of C. sativus have been used as a source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules with beneficial effects against skin pathologies [ 95 ] [ 96 ]. Khorasani and colleagues [ 91 ] previously evaluated the efficacy of saffron pollen extract in cream in the treatment of thermally induced burn wounds in rats.

When compared to those treated with silver sulfadiazine, the results showed that saffron cream accelerated wound healing and reduced healing time. Furthermore, wounds treated with saffron cream had fewer inflammatory cells than the other groups, and histological studies of wound sections confirmed the formation of new epiderma, and fewer inflammatory cells infiltrated the dermis.

These effects were most likely mediated by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, though the exact mechanism has yet to be determined [ 91 ]. Zeka et al. When kaempferol or 10 µM crocin-enriched hydrogels were used in fibroblast cell cultures isolated from newborn mice as a model for skin , it was found that cells grew faster when compared to the control [ 90 ].

Although more research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action and pathways involved in wound healing, the antioxidant potential of compounds extracted from saffron petals and other floral bio residues can be effectively used in wound management.

Curcuma longa is an herbaceous, perennial, rhizomatous plant belonging to the Zingiberacee family one of the many species of the Curcuma genus. In Ayurvedic and folk medicine, turmeric has been used for a long time to treat various inflammatory diseases.

The anti-inflammatory effect of turmeric is due to its ability to decrease the production of histamine and prolong the action of the natural anti-inflammatory adrenal hormone, cortisol [ 98 ]. The structure of curcumin 1,7-bis 4-hydroxy-3methoxyphenyl -1,6-hepadiene-3,5-dione was first described by Milobedska et al.

in [ ]. Curcumin is a highly pleiotropic molecule [ ]. In recent times, it has been extensively studied as an anti-cancer [ ] , anti-aging [ ] , antiviral [ ] , antibacterial [ ] , and wound-healing agent [ ]. The wound-healing potential of curcumin is attributed to its anti-inflammatory [ ] , antioxidant, and radical scavenging [ ] activities.

Curcumin acts in all wound-healing stages. In the inflammation stage, curcumin was shown to inhibit the activity of NF-kB and the production of TNF-alpha and IL-1 [ ] [ ]. Radical-scavenging activities of curcumin have been reported in studies on wound healing, although this compound can act as a pro-oxidant when used at high doses [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].

In in vitro studies on keratinocytes and fibroblasts [ ] [ ] , curcumin provided optimal protection against hydrogen peroxide. In the proliferative stage, curcumin enhances fibroblast migration, granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, and re-epithelialization.

Curcumin improves wound contraction during the remodeling stage by increasing TGFbeta-production and, as a result, fibroblast proliferation.

The suppression of acute and chronic inflammation also occurs by blocking the formation of cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and inducible nitric oxide synthase enzymes [ ].

Curcumin was used in a recent study to optimize the survival and tolerance capacity of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, which were used to improve tissue repair in chronic wounds and burns, in terms of self-renewal and paracrine factor production [ ].

Furthermore, curcumin was explored for potent antiherpetic actions against herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2, and the associated inflammation connected to these diseases [ ].

Indeed, clinically, HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections cause lesions on the mucocutaneous junctions of the face and genitalia. Vesicular lesions can sometimes ulcerate, leaving recalcitrant wounds that are difficult to treat [ ]. Until now, the foundation of treatment has been the eradication of viral infection.

Little attention has been paid to the outcome of the viral infection and the wounds that resulted, specifically whether this represents an epidermal or dermal injury.

Curcumin represents an opportunity for dressing and healing these lesions. Unfortunately, the use of curcumin is limited by its low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, poor solubility, and light sensitivity [ ]. A large number of recent papers [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] reported the incorporation of curcumin into nanocomposite materials such as nanofibers, nanoparticles, hydrogels, or novel combinations of these.

Recently, numerous researchers have developed biocompatible and biodegradable composite nano-fibrous materials and hydrogel systems containing curcumin for wound healing applications, for example as an anti-scar or in chronic wounds [ ] [ ].

These scaffold systems include polyvinyl pyrrolidone PVP [ ] , cerium nitrate hexahydrate Ce NO3 3·6H2O [ ] , nanofibers of carboxymethyl guargum CMGG [ ] , electrospun amine-functionalized SBA Santa Barbara Amorphous incorporated with PVA Poly Vinyl Alcohol [ ] , nanofibers of cellulose acetate CA integrated with graphene oxide, TiO2 [ ] , electrospun fibers comprising SBA Santa Barbara Amorphous , amine-functionalized SBA polycaprolactone PCL [ ] , nanofibers of electrospun poly ε-caprolactone PCL , Chitosan CS [ ] , thermo-sensitive sodium alginate hydrogel cross-linked with poly N-isopropylacrylamide , and curcumin Alg-g-pNIPAM copolymers [ ].

All these nanofibrous scaffolds exhibited high porosity and biocompatible characteristics that enhance the solubility of this hydrophobic drug, aiding its release in a controlled manner [ ].

A novel curcumin-loaded sandwich-like nanofibrous membrane was prepared using sequential electrospinning. The nanofibrous membrane in the sub-layer consisting of gelatin, chitosan, and PCL provided efficient hemostatic activity and was effective in absorbing exudate and keeping the wound moist.

The curcumin-loaded nanofibrous membrane in the mid-layer released curcumin, therefore reducing wound oxidative stress and inflammation. Finally, the top layer, consisting of Ag nanoparticles, silk fibroin, and PCL, released Ag nanoparticles, which acted against external bacteria [ ].

In a further study, when the eggshell membrane, a highly proteinaceous thin layer present between the egg white and shell, was added to the bottom layer made up of PVA with curcumin nanoparticles, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action was implemented with positive effects on the migration of dermal fibroblasts [ ].

This patch contributed to wound healing by providing exudate absorption, releasing therapeutical components, and supporting the deposition of extracellular matrix [ ] [ ].

Glycyrrhiza glabra is a herbaceous perennial legume of the Fabaceae bean family, from whose root is extracted sweet and aromatic flavoring known as licorice. The licorice plant is widely used as an herbal remedy [ ] and in skin-care products [ ]. Numerous articles have reported pharmaceutical therapeutic properties, such as antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties, but these are only some of the possible therapeutic properties [ ].

Licorice root extract has been used for years as an effective medication, especially in gastric ulcers. The main biologically active components of licorice include terpenoids such as triterpene saponins, chalcones, and glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, and isoflavonoids, which are responsible for the observed activities [ ].

Some studies have demonstrated antiulcer effects of G. glabra in the healing of gastric [ ] , oral [ ] , and colitis mucosal ulcers [ ] , as well as corneal neovascularization [ ] , but only a few studies have reported its wound-healing activity on full-thickness dermal wounds [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ].

Previous research has shown that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds of G. glabra , such as triterpenes and flavonoids, reduce free radicals and pus in the wound area, aiding in wound healing [ ] [ ]. Zangeneh et al. glabra aqueous extract ointment significantly accelerates wound-healing activity in rats by reducing the wound area, total cells, macrophage, lymphocyte, and neutrophil levels while increasing wound contracture, fibrocyte, hexuronic acid, and hydroxyproline levels when compared to the basal ointment and control groups.

According to the findings of Siriwattanasatorn et al. glabra promoted proliferation and accelerated wound closure by inhibiting superoxide anion and nitric oxide production with IC 50 values of The bioactive compound, glycyrrhizin, exhibited antioxidant activities with an IC 50 value of More recently, Hanafy et al.

glabra extract on full-thickness wound healing in a Guinea pig model. glabra extract accelerated wound healing with statistically significant differences in the re-epithelialization of treated wounds, which were likely due to the presence of flavonoids [ ].

Malva sylvestris The use of Malva sylvestris , a species of the mallow genus Malva in the family, has been documented since long ago. sylvestris is recommended for acne and skincare, as an antiseptic and emollient [ ] [ ] [ ] , and as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent for burn and cut wound healing [ ] [ ] [ ].

The healing capabilities of this plant relate to the mucilage and flavonoids found in the leaves and flowers [ ]. Indeed, M. sylvestris flowers extract contains anthocyanin, malvidin, flavones, flavonols, malvin, malvaline, niacin, and folic acid, which are responsible for their pharmacological and biological activities [ ] [ ] [ ].

Afshar et al. sylvestris using a wound mouse model. sylvestris extract, where increased collagen synthesis was observed [ ]. Another in vitro study investigated the effect of M.

sylvestris or silver sulfadiazine on wound healing using a second-degree burn model [ ]. sylvestris cream was superior to sulfadiazine in terms of reducing the time required for complete wound healing [ ]. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism underlying these actions requires further investigation.

Recent research has examined the effect of M. sylvestris extract inserted into a novel polyurethane PU -based nanofibers used as dressing for diabetic wounds [ ]. When animal wounds treated with M.

sylvestris nanofibers were compared to control groups, the wound area was shown to be significantly decreased. In comparison to the control group, treatments with extract-loaded wound dressings were significantly more effective at reducing acute and chronic inflammation, increasing collagen deposition and neovascularization, and demonstrated acceptable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli [ ].

Plantago L. Plantaginaceae is a worldwide genus including approximately species of annual and perennial herbs and shrubs [ ].

Phytochemical studies have shown that the Plantago genus contains a great number of compounds such as acteosides, iridoids, glucosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, saponins, sterols, and phenyl carboxylic acid derivatives [ ].

The genus Plantago is widely used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent for various diseases, including the treatment of wounds [ ]. Fresh plantago leaves were shown to have antibacterial effects and to be beneficial for wound healing.

Crushed leaves are used to treat chronic wounds, abscesses, and acne [ ]. Not many studies have investigated the effects of Plantago species on wound healing.

An in vitro investigation of human oral epithelial cell lines H indicated the anti-inflammatory properties of P. major are due to the synergistic actions of polyphenols and water-soluble substances i.

Genc et al. investigated the wound healing ability of P. subulata in vitro using fibroblasts L cell line , whereas the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using macrophages RAW subulata methanolic extract PHE exerted protection against oxidative stress in fibroblasts, although not in correlation with PHE concentrations.

Acteoside was thought to be the chemical responsible for these effects [ ]. Recently, a clinical investigation assessed the efficacy of a gel comprising A. vera and P. major in treating diabetic foot ulcers [ ].

The application of P. Additionally, the proportion of patients who completed the wound-healing process was higher in those who received P. major dressing [ ]. However, this study was limited by its relatively small sample size, absence of placebo and blinding due to technical issues , short duration of intervention, and use of novel dressings in the control groups because of different characteristics of ulcers necessitating this.

These results showed that Plantago and its compounds may be good candidates for future drug studies. Salvia officinalis L.

also called sage, garden sage, or common sage is a perennial evergreen subshrub with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers [ ] [ ]. multiflorum ointments led to wound changes and healing similar to that of the positive control over the 15 day period.

On the same period E. abyssinica leaves and E. abyssinica bark ointments did not show notable differences from the negative control. Cissus quadrangularis and A. multiflorum treatments had significantly higher wound healing effect as compared to E. However, E. The effects of C.

The regression plots Figure 1 of the wound healing area percentage change over the period of 15 days showed that all the extracts have significant percentage change of wound size as compared to the negative control.

The plots also show that the positive control had the greatest rate of wound healing properties followed by C. multiflorum, E. abyssinica leaves, and E. abyssinica barks treatments, respectively.

Protein content Figure 2 in the groups treated with C. multiflorum was found to be significantly high and comparable to that of the positive control especially the A.

multiflorum group. Erythrina abyssinica leaves had considerably high protein content and E. abyssinica bark group had somewhat higher protein content relative to that of the negative control. As shown in Table 3 , C. quadrangularis treated group exhibited normal and complete healing; E.

abyssinica ointment did not show significant healing the bark ointment especially exhibited healing effects that were weaker than the negative control. abyssinica leaf ointment were somewhat better than the negative control. multiflorum ointment exhibited some healing properties better that the negative control.

Table 1. Wound healing properties as observations in wound changes over time as effected by ointments of three plants used in ethnoveterinary practices. Table 2. Wound healing properties as percentage wound area changes over time on treated patches as effected by ointments of three plants used in ethnoveterinary practices.

Table 3. Wound healing properties as histological observations on the wound area after 15 days of treatment as effected by ointments of three plants used in ethnoveterinary practices.

Figure 1. Wound healing properties as regression plots of the wound area percentage change over time as effected by ointments of three plants used in ethnoveterinary practices.

Figure 2. The ointments of C. The ointment of C. quadrangularis exhibited the best wound healing properties compared to the rest considering the parameters followed in this study including the positive control Figure 1.

Erythrina abyssinica leaf and bark ointments exhibited wound healing properties comparable to those of the negative control used with observations failing to distinguish them from the negative control Table 1. When analysing the wound area, it was however, observed that the ointments of E.

abyssinica leaf and bark performed better than the negative control Table 2 and Figure 1. The histological observations Table 3 highlighted the strong healing properties of C. quadrangularis ointment relative to all the other ointments.

As highlighted above, C. quadrangularis ointment exhibited better wound healing properties than the positive control with skin and appendages returning to normal by day 15 Table 3. Adenium multiflorum ointment, though exhibited good wound healing properties, it was inferior to C.

quadrangularis ointment and the positive control used. Erythrina abyssinica bark ointment exhibited very poor wound healing properties as compared to the negative control. The leaf ointment of E. abyssinica exhibited somewhat better wound healing properties relative to the negative control.

Wounds are common in both humans and animals as a result of physical, chemical or thermal injuries Barreto et al. The tissue damages if not managed often lead to chronic inflammation and secondary infections, further damaging surrounding tissues.

With production animals untreated wounds may lead to significant losses due to reduced productivity as well as death. Extracts of plants such as C. abyssinica have been used to manage different types of wounds. Their uses over time have thus proven efficacy and safety.

Damages associated with injury may involve the epidermis, local vasculature, dermis and possibly other underlying tissues and this usually kick starts various wound healing processes Daunton et al.

The ideal wound healing process usually follows the sequence: restoration of barrier functions of the skin e. The sequences described fits in the four phases of wound healing i.

Some authors however have compressed the phases of wound healing in three phases inflammatory including clotting , proliferative and remodeling Wild et al. Herbal extracts often contain numerous molecules that are important in or as signaling molecules, lubrication, aids to proliferative process, wound contraction, cofactors, antioxidants, radical scavenging, anti-infectives, and nutrients Raina et al.

Extracts of C. quadrangularis were found to contain a range of molecules Chanda et al. see Table 4 known to have significant biological effects which include antioxidants, radical scavenging, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects Mohanambal et al.

It also contains several elements e. key aspects in wound healing Sen and Dash, ; Marume et al. Adenium multiflorum like other members of the genus contains phytoconstituents that have toxic effects as well as key pharmacological properties in wound healing like antimicrobial, radical scavenging and anti-oxidant properties.

These compounds include alkaloids, glycosides, tannins and flavonoids as well as essential trace elements Sharma et al. Erythrina abyssinica leaf and bark methanolic extract was also shown to contain flavonoids and total phenolic compounds as well as several trace elements although in relatively lower amounts relative to C.

quadrangularis Marume et al. This may explain the weak wound healing effects observed and justify possible future evaluations of ointments of E. abyssinica extracts. Table 4. Qualitative phytochemical screening of extracts of Cissus quadrangularis CQ , Erythrina abyssinica leaves EAl and barks EAb , and Adenium multiflorum AM.

The presence of all phytoconstituents known to be biologically active in the extract of C. quadrangularis could help explain its efficacy.

Marume et al. quadrangularis extracts relative to the other plants studied. In the same study Adenium multiflorum extract's profile followed that of C.

abyssinica exhibited the weakest which may also explain the weakest wound healing properties it exhibited in this present study. Figures 3 — 5 are infrared spectra of the clean crude extracts of A. abyssinica leaves done using PerkinElmer Spectrum Version Of all the plant extract ointments, Cissus quadrangularis ointment exhibited the best wound healing properties followed by Adenium multiflorum ointment.

Erythrina abyssinica leaf and bark ointments exhibited wound healing properties similar to the negative control though the leaf ointment exhibited slightly better healing properties.

All authors listed have made a substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication. AM conceptualized the ideas and planned the research. TM, SKh, AN, and GM supervised the work.

SK, IM, and TM-T assisted with data collection and execution of research. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Authors' special thanks go to Ellen Mwandiringana Pre-clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Josephine Tendayi Chidaushe Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences for help in conducting the histological evaluations.

Authors also want to acknowledge support from Rommel Ndabaezinengi Siziba, Tavonashe E. Musingarimi, Munyaradzi Malvin Munoda, and Pride Marume for help in plant material collection, identification and preliminary evaluations.

Isaiah Mjakwi and Highson Madzivanyika are also acknowledged for their significant technical support during the conduction of the experiments. National Research Foundation South Africa, Pretoria is acknowledged for the mobility of ARN to project sites.

Ayyanar, M. Herbal medicines for wound healing among tribal people in Southern India: ethnobotanical and scientific evidences. Google Scholar. Barreto, R. A systematic review of the wound-healing effects of monoterpenes and iridoid derivatives. Molecules 19, — doi: PubMed Abstract CrossRef Full Text Google Scholar.

Chanda, S. Spectral analysis of methanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis L. stem and its fractions.

Talk with your healthcare professional before supplementing with ginseng if you take any medications. Do not take ginseng if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners, such as Coumadin warfarin. One of the most popular herbs in the world, lavender Lavandula is a pleasant-smelling evergreen shrub that grows in low mounds and is native to the Mediterranean.

Lavender is in the mint family and thrives in many places around the globe. The versatile herb is used in personal care products, baking, and essential oils, and has become one of the most well-studied herbs due to its potential health benefits.

Lavender has been used by humans for centuries, for everything from perfumes to aromatherapy to medicinal purposes. Evidence suggests that lavender promotes sleep, improves memory, relieves pain, and uplifts mood. In animal and human studies, lavender has been proven to have anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities.

Lavender is a powerhouse herb that offers many medicinal and therapeutic uses. Lavender is available in many forms, including dried herb, powder, and essential oil. You can grow lavender in your garden if you live in a climate that supports its growth.

The essential oil can be diffused in an air diffuser or massaged directly onto the skin once diluted with a carrier oil, such as almond or olive oil. You can also apply it to your linens or on a cotton ball to inhale it for aromatherapy. Lavender tea is available in premade tea bags, or you can steep dried lavender flower buds in hot water for a caffeine-free tea.

Lavender essential oil may cause an allergic reaction or skin irritation in some people. Always dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil before applying directly to the skin. If you experience headache, nausea or vomiting after use, stop using it immediately. Do not consume lavender essential oil orally, as it may be toxic.

Oral consumption of lavender, such as in a tea, may cause constipation, headaches, or increased appetite. Saint-John's-wort is a plant with yellow flowers. It is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, though it now grows throughout the United States. The flower and leaf are used to create herbal remedies and supplements as an alternative treatment for various ailments.

Saint-John's-wort has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years and various conditions, including insomnia, wound healing, depression, and kidney and lung ailments.

Today, Saint-John's-wort is most popular as an herbal remedy for depression. Studies show it may have a positive effect on mild to moderate depression if used over 12 weeks. Saint-John's-wort is also used to reduce menopausal symptoms and for obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD and skin conditions.

It may be used topically to promote wound healing and reduce muscle pain. Saint-John's-wort is available in dry, oil, and liquid forms, including capsules, tinctures, and elixirs. There is not enough data to provide a standard recommended dose of Saint-John's-wort. The appropriate dose of Saint-John's-wort will depend on your age, sex, and medical history.

They can personalize your dose to ensure effectiveness and safety. When taken in large doses, Saint-John's-wort may cause sensitivity to sunlight.

Speak with your healthcare professional before using this herbal remedy. It can have serious interactions with certain medications. Do not take Saint-John's-wort if you are taking antidepressants, as a life-threatening increase in serotonin may result.

Native to South Asia, turmeric is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the ginger family. It has been used for its medicinal properties for over 4, years. Turmeric is one of the most widely studied herbs. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer properties.

In Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems, it is used for upper respiratory infections, the digestive system, and skin problems. Ayurvedic herbs are a major component of Ayurveda , a traditional-medicine practice that originated in India. Practitioners use herbs to keep the mind, body, and spirit in balance.

Turmeric is still a popular herbal remedy. It's touted as aiding in such conditions as allergies, arthritis, digestive disorders, respiratory infections, depression, and liver disease.

Research says turmeric may provide therapeutic benefits for skin health as an oral supplement or topical on the skin application. Turmeric is also proven effective at reducing joint pain caused by arthritis.

One study found that participants who took milligrams a day of turmeric extract experienced reduced joint pain. Turmeric is used around the world as a cooking ingredient. Turmeric supplements are made from the dried rhizome underground stem and are often sold in capsule form. Turmeric paste is made to apply topically to the skin for certain skin conditions.

The recommended dosage for turmeric varies, depending on its intended use. Studies often use dosages ranging from to 2, milligrams of turmeric daily.

The amount you take will vary depending on your age, medical history, sex, and intended use. Some people experience significant symptom relief when taking smaller doses, so start small to determine which dose works best for you.

Turmeric is generally considered safe when eaten in foods, consumed as an oral supplement, or applied to the skin in recommended amounts. Concentrations of curcumin —an active ingredient in turmeric—is higher in supplements than in foods and may cause stomach upset when taken in large doses, as well as diarrhea, skin rash, yellow stool, and headache.

Speak with your healthcare professional before taking a turmeric supplement. It may have interactions with some prescription medications and other herbal remedies. Turmeric can enhance the effect of blood thinners, increasing your risk of bleeding.

A review found that turmeric may interact with several medications, including antidepressants, anticoagulants, antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, and antihistamines.

The FDA regulates dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients and tracks side effects by consumers. You can report any side effects and safety concerns through the U. Health and Human Services Safety Reporting Portal. Humans have used plants for thousands of years to treat ailments, pain, and disease.

Healing herbs are available in several forms, including supplements, tinctures, teas, and essential oils. Scientific evidence on popular herbal remedies varies widely.

For some, there is a lot of information, while there may be just a little for others. Do your best to research any remedies you plan to use before taking them to understand any potential side effects along with their purported health benefits.

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to healthy middle-age adults. Hum Psychopharmacol. Lee YY, Saba E, Irfan M, et al. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Korean black ginseng. In: Drugs and Lactation Database LactMed.

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Herbal Supplements. Chronic inflammation is problematic, but this is a perfect example of temporary and helpful inflammation in the body.

At this stage, infection-fighting white blood cells also make their way to the wound site to get rid of any bacteria and produce growth factors that will help to repair the wound area.

This stage often lasts four to six days. Stage 3 — Proliferative Stage Skin Rebuilds : This is when your body starts building new skin cells, which includes providing the wound with oxygen and nutrients it needs to heal properly.

Chemical messengers also signal skin cells to synthesize collagen, a key protein required to rebuild the damaged area. A reddish scar may form at this stage but can fade with time and the use of natural scar remedies. Stage 3 can be between four to 24 days. Stage 4 — Maturation Phase: This final stage of healing mainly consists of the new skin becoming stronger.

This final stage can take anywhere from 21 days to two years. How can I make my wound heal faster? You may have been asking yourself this question before you came across this article. For minor wounds, clean your wound with running water and a gentle soap, dry it and then cover the wound with a sterile bandage.

There are many healing foods that can help, including:. Topical use of collagen in wound dressings is also known to encourage new tissue growth. To incorporate collagen into your diet, try making homemade bone broth or using a protein powder made from bone broth, which is rich in collagen.

Research demonstrates collagen powder may even be helpful as adjunctive therapy for chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers.

Not surprising, a knee scrape healing time will be noticeably less than the healing time required for a deeper wound. Raw honey is an excellent remedy to help heal wounds quicker. Honey can help to clean the wound, decrease signs of infection, including pus and odors, reduce pain and even speed up the healing process.

Research shows honey acts as an effective antiseptic wound dressing. Some wounds have been known to heal with honey application when other wound care treatment is unsuccessful. Honey has been shown to help a large variety of wounds, including those that occur after surgery, chronic leg ulcers, abscesses, burns, abrasions and cuts.

Honey seems to reduce odors and pus, help clean the wound, reduce infection, reduce pain and decrease time to healing. A mixture of honey and ghee has also been advocated for and used as dressing for infected wounds since in four Mumbai hospitals.

For the treatment of burns and wounds, a high-quality honey can be applied directly to the affected area or in a dressing that you should change every 24 to 48 hours. You can also make a homemade healing salve by mixing raw honey, tea tree oil and lavender oil. Essential oils like tea tree and rosemary have impressive antibacterial properties against a wide range of bacteria and fungi.

Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut oil in a ratio before applying it. You can do this up to three times per day. This also increases the moisture level of the wound area, which is great for healing.

Do wounds heal faster wet or dry? According to experts, wounds require moisture to heal. Do wounds heal faster covered or uncovered? So, make sure to apply essential oil diluted with a carrier oil and then cover the area with a sterile bandage.

Discontinue use of essential oils if sensitivity develops. In general, always keep essential oils away from your eyes and other mucous membranes. Zinc promotes immune function and improves skin healing. Having a zinc deficiency can actually impair the wound healing process. There are many zinc-rich foods you can incorporate into your wound healing diet plan including lamb, grass-fed beef, pumpkin seeds and cashews.

You can also supplement with zinc. Another key nutrient that can really boost your wound care efforts, vitamin C helps to manufacture collagen, which as you now know is critical for healing damage to skin tissues and blood vessels.

Vitamin C actually plays a key role in all phases of the wound healing process. You can also take a high-quality vitamin C supplement. As your wound heals, do not pick or scratch at any scabs that form because this can lead to scarring or infection.

Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following signs of an infected wound:. If you have a serious wound, check with your doctor before using any topical alternative remedies.