Ayurvedic First Aid | Tips for Treating Minor Burns

There are many Ayurvedic home remedies that can be used for treating minor burns or redness that has a burning sensation. Below, Dr. Aparna lists a few of them.

• Aloe Vera
  Apply a generous amount of freshly cut Aloe Vera gel multiple times. It has an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, and anti-keloidal effect.
• Honey
  Apply a teaspoon of honey on the burn. Honey has antibacterial, antiparasitic, analgesic, antioxidant immunomodulatory, and anti-keloidal effects.
• Ghee
  Applying a thin paste of ghee on the burn will keep the burn area well-hydrated and lubricated. Ghee has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant immunomodulatory, and anti-keloidal effects.
• Coconut oil
  Apply a generous amount of coconut oil multiple times a day. The oil is antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant. Applying coconut oil keeps the affected area well-hydrated and prevents itching and the urge to scratch.
• Curcumin
  Turmeric mixed with water or ghee can be applied as a thin paste for antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and anti-keloidal effects.

Additional tips

• Honey and ghee applied as a thin paste also act as bacteriostatic and promote desloughing.
• To reduce the burning sensation, make a paste of banana and yogurt and keep it on the affected area for 30 minutes. Wash well with plain water and then apply ghee—very effective!
• A paste made of red and white sandalwood and honey will help reduce the burning sensation and scarring.
• Ayurveda has many medicated ghee and oil-based formulations and herbs to treat 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-degree burns, consult your doctor to find out which are best suitable.

Aparna K. BAMS, MD, PhD

Consultant advisor for the development of Oneworld Ayurveda and visiting physician

Aparna is one of the few specialists in the world with a Ph.D. in Ayurveda. Born into an Ayurvedic family which operates a traditional Ayurvedic Panchakarma hospital in Kerala, India, she grew up observing her father, the renowned Dr. Padmanabhan.