herbs for scars

Click to view images

Scars

General characteristics

A scar is a patch of fibrous tissue on the skin that results from the skins repair efforts to heal from damage such as a graze, burn or wound. Scars can also occur internally from surgical procedures or from damage to organs from interrupted blood supply for example (eg. scar tissue forms in the heart muscle after a heart attack).

In response to an injury the skin or tissue forms a glue like composition consisting of collagen and fibrous tissue in an attempt to replicate the tissues of those involved in the wound. A detailed description of what happens during scar formation and healing is described here.

Healing objectives are to provide proper nutrition and optimal conditions in order to help promote proper healing of the damaged tissue.

Diet and lifestyle

Eat a diet rich in anti-oxidant foods such as fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, whole grains, sprouted seeds etc.

Include plenty of foods that are rich in zinc such as pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds as zinc is crucial to the process of normal tissue repair

Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated.

Sulphur rich foods such as onions and garlic are also useful in proper skin healing.

Useful herbs

Drink a daily a tea made from equal parts of rosehips, marigold flowers, chamomile flowers, sea buckthorn berries or powder and a pinch of turmeric powder to increase your anti-oxidant levels and aid skin health and repair.

Cayenne (chilli) powder, if applied liberally to a fresh or near fresh wound will stop bleeding and promote speedy healing with minimal scarring.

An oil made from st johns wort flowers can be applied to the scar to reduce and improve its appearance.

Using comfrey leaf and cleavers tea as a compress or poultice during healing can reduce the liklihood of thick scars forming.

Echinacea root tea (as a wash or regular compress) can help to prevent and resolve a build up of scar tissue.

Natural healing

Coconut oil (cold pressed, organic) is rich in anti-oxidants and helps to feed the skin and reduce the 'angriness' of a scar. Apply to the scar direct and also eat a teaspoonful daily.

Many essential oils are known as 'cicantrissant' which means skin regenerating. These include helichrysum, lavender, tea tree, geranium, chamomile and neroli. Dilute a few drops of some or all in a base of rosehip oil, almond oil and carrot oil and apply to the formed scar to help reduce its appearance and improve its condition.

Sage essential oil is particularly good at improving the appearance of old scars.

Warm castor oil can help with scars that keep producing tissue or are unsightly and malformed. Apply daily and cover to protect clothing.

Vitamin E oil also has a good reputation for improving and lessening the appearance of scars. Cut open a vitamin E capsule and apply to the scar daily.