Herbal Treatment - Varicose Ulcer

[foxyferret]

Hi folks, anyone know or could recommend any herbal or natural treatment for a varicose ulcer? A friend told me that comfrey cream is good, but anyone know of any others so I can compare and decide. Thanks.

[arwyn]

I don't know of any herbal treatment foxy, but I know a person who's Doctors tried everything and it never healed, until she was layed up with another ailment and had to rest that she noticed the leg had healed.

[sebhfhion]

Arwyn: hello! I hesitate to suggest anything as although I am a Herbalist I would not like to try and diagnose or treat anyone online so this is just a suggestion;-)
Any herb that reduces inflammation or is astringent will help alleviate the symptoms of swollen veins . Witch hazel will sooth the area and is a mild astringent -keep it in the fridge for maximum effect. Comfrey cream will sooth and help to heal. You can buy dried comfrey from some health stores and on line and this can be boiled in water and cooled, refrigerated and used as frequently as necessary to bathe the area. Cream bought from a store will be ok but less potent than the herbal extract. You can also try taking the homeopathic remedy KALI SULPH which is good to promote health in the circulatory system and skin lesions.

[sebhfhion]

sorry! just realised the OP is foxy ferret! oh dear old age is fast catching me up ;-)

[society]

Sebhfhion, I am very itchy and no medication seem to be helping, tried pills and creams, ointments etc. Any help or suggestion from you would be greatly appreciated.

Foxy sorry for barging in on your thread.

[woofgang]

First of all what medical advice and interventions have you had and have you got any underlying conditions?
arwyn has made a solid point in that rest with the leg elevated as high or higher than the hip will help immeasurably.

[woofgang]

also are you absolutely sure its a varicose ulcer? My mum's turned out to be a skin cancer (benign) and was cured within weeks of proper treatment.

[sebhfhion]

Society: I would need to know a bit more about the itch -does it get worse when you're hot? Is the skin flaky or red? is the skin broken? like I said its not really a good idea to suggest things on a forum but with a few exceptions (ha ha) herbs won't kill you. let me know what type of itch and where it is and I'll point you in the right direction ;-)

[society]

No rash, not flaky, just normal looking skin. On occasions I have scratched until my skin have bruised. Not particularly different when I'm warm or hot either.

Seb, thank you for responding.

[sebhfhion]

@society ok have you tried Aloe Vera gel? its anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial and antifungal so should cover a few bases.
Witch hazel dabbed on cold from the fridge will calm the itching but may dry out the skin exaperating the problem.
Calendula cream (you can buy this at most chemists) will soothe and nourish the skin. Calendula is marigold and the dried petals can be bought on line -simmer the petals in water and strain the liquid -refridgerate and dab on as needed.
Taking a bath to which you've added a cup of oatmeal (not porridge oats) can also help.
Can I suggest you visit a herbalist or homeopath as each condition is unique to that patient and they will be able to make you a remedy from various mixed herbs. It really is worth a shot. I make up herbal remedies for animals that work when normal medicine has failed so it can't all be in the head!

[Sqad]

woofgang.........how can a cancer be benign?

[society]

Thanks for all your advice Seb. x I would speak to a herbalist.

Fox, thanks for using your thread for my issue.

[woofgang]

sorry Sqad, oldspeak, I think they say non metastatic now

[Sqad]

woofy....;-)

[foxyferret]

Yes, woofgang, definitely varicose ulcer. Its my mum, she has had them before and has varicose veins. Doc has given her steroid cream but she just wanted to know for future reference if there was any alternative treatment. She is a great believer in natural remedies and does not like taking drugs. She cannot rest as she should as she is a carer for my dad who is bedridden although when she does sit down, she sits with her legs up. Society, no problem with you asking on my thread, we are all here to help each other so if you can get answers good for you. Thank you all for your help and comments.

[shaneystar2]

I had ulcers on my leg from cellulitis .I cleared them up with Manauka honey .
You can get special honey dressings .
http://www.newzealandhoneyshop.co.uk/manuka-honey-leg-ulcers.html