| Author | Message | ||
     Charlotte Jernigan |
What are the different options for scar reduction and prevention? (I ask this for post-surgery as well as post-salve situations?) It would be interesting to have this issue as a separate topic in this practioners area since the issue of scar reduction crosses surgical, "escar" and any option which first "wounds". All of these provoke tissue healing which includes the desire to return things to "best function" for that individual. The alarming trends toward casual purchase of liposuction and other cosmetic surgeries are making this topic a "must know" in my practice...this makes me sad but its reality. Superfically there are cosmetic concerns (often foremost to the client, nearterm) but as practitioners we also want to insure that deeper functions (blood/lymph, etc.) as well as SUBTLE (a.k.a., meridians, nadis, energy pathways, etc.)are all left in the best-possible state...of more longterm concern. I could not find the word "scar" or any variation in the CS book index so I may have missed other scar discussions(?) In the Q&A section of the CS book I found the following (quick summary): 1) Turmeric (implies also Curcumin, its derivative?) both internally and externally. (Works slowly.) 2) Proper use of poltice and disinfection to insure that wound is sound before it starts to heal. 3) Edgar Cayce SCARGO. (Is this the one now provided by "Home Health" products...its called SCARGO on the bottle I think? Camphor is a key ingredient in their product and this matches Dr. Lad's views from an Ayurvedic perspective.) 4) Vicco "VANISHING CREAM"...very mild in my experience but as Ingrid says, all forms of turmeric work slowly. 5) VVC (above) mixed with Christopher's RED SUN BALM...this struck me as the most interesting looking combination on paper but I have have not had a chance to try it. The Vicco is so mild and the RS is so strong...perhaps a great marriage. Would you mix them 50:50? 6)Hildegard's violet salve. I got stumped on the "Billy Goat Fat" in this recipe...could we use Ghee or ??? Does anyone have new insight or sure-fire herbs or products (internal or external)...and/or application & stroke techniques which minimize both superficial and deep scarring around mastic and/or other fatty tissues? Ingrid (et al) what do you think of camphor - in external application - to prevent scarring? Regards, \cj (Charlotte Jernigan, Ayurvedic Practioner and aspiring medical astrologist) | ||
| Ingrid |
Charlotte, Nice to hear from you. This is something I am working on constantly and while my knowledge base has not increased as much as I would have hoped, there is a little more to add to what is in the book and what was discussed in New Mexico. First, at very minimum, I feel strongly that we know enough about the various ointments and their antiinfective properties to dare to use them postsurgically, almost immediately. This would serve two purposes: first, it might address any morbid matter or malignancy missed or moved during the operation, and secondly, it could dramatically reduce scarring. Homeopaths, going all the way back to Hahnemann, used calendula to force open old wounds so they would heal properly. Brilliant case histories of this type exist in the literature, but I know absolutely no one who has tried this successfully in modern times. I may be out of the loop, but we are determined to combine the best of all worlds and are coming out with a new product within a few days. We are using helichyrum hydrosol as a base for a lotion-type product. It's rather gorgeous in its own right. To this, we are adding the herbs that are believed to help. Turmeric works, but it really is slow. I have dissolved 50 year old scars on patients and friends by rubbing a homemade turmeric ointment into the skin. Then, my mind plays tricks on me and I wonder if it's my determination or the curcumin, as you suggest. At this juncture, I'm betting more on calendula-turmeric-helichrysum than violets or cayenne. As for billy goat fat, I don't know. Can we write it off because it's historic or not vegetarian? It wasn't an anti-scarring cream. Ghee penetrates pretty well and would be very stable with turmeric added, but we ended up using hazel nut oil as our base. I think it will be interesting, but we'll find out soon. A lot of people are eager to try it . . . and how long has it been since you met someone who had never had any operation at all? Red clover, internally, is discussed a lot in the literature and some use it both internally and externally. Thanks to D'Adamo, many people won't take it because of their blood types. Others won't use it because they equate phytoestrogen with estrogenic, not correct reasoning, but someone invented that unfortunate terminology and now we are stuck with the thought-forms that arise. Let's see what others say. Good to see you on this board. | ||
| Anonymous |
Ingrid: Have you come up with the new product for scars yet? | ||
| Tracysway |
Check with my zinc chloride post where I give a proven formula using Willard Water and CS for scars, infections, wounds with the use of black salve to burn the cancer out. It works with any cut into the skin and sometimes will heal old scars. It's fantastic healing burns. Tracy | ||
| Ingrid |
I agree basically that the cleaner, meaning also disease-free, an area is kept, the less probability there will be of serious scarring. I feel that we have mostly dealt with the issue of scar avoidance and treatment soon after escharotic use. My recent focus has been on older scars and I am anxious to get feedback on the new Heiau Creme. | ||
| tracysway |
The same formula has been used on old scars with success. Tracy | ||
| Bronwyn |
I am researching what one can take for internal scarring. So far I see tumeric and red clover, but these work slowly. Is thre anything else that can be taken internally, safely? Or are these the best and safest? Thank you. | ||
| Ingrid |
Bronwyn, Some people think that helichrysum essential oil can be taken internally. In this case, one would use a single drop of a truly pure product, therapeutic grade, to a glass of water, one time per day. Otherwise, what you have found is basically what I have used but without really knowing how effective the strategies are. |