How to Use Natural Medicine for Abscesses - Abscesses

How to Use Natural Medicine for Abscesses
by eHow Health Editor

Introduction
An abscess is an infection deep within the skin that causes a hard, tender and red boil. Proper treatment of abscesses is important, as they can spread and further damage surrounding tissue. Abscesses are most commonly caused by ingrown hairs, splinters or other foreign materials in the skin, clogged glands or simply a cut that breaks the skin and causes an infection. Severely infected abscesses should be treated with antibiotics; however, you can prevent an abscess from becoming serious with natural medicine.

Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You'll Need
Fresh garlic
Fresh onion
Milk cream
Apple cider vinegar
Turmeric powder
Cumin seeds

Steps
1Step OnePress the juice from one small onion and five large garlic cloves. Apply a small amount of the garlic and onion juice mixture to the affected area three or four times a day to help bring the infection to the surface, shortening the life span of an abscess. Onion and garlic are both natural medicines that kill germs and bacteria, helping to relieve the causes of boils.
2Step TwoMake a natural medicine poultice to help heal abscesses before they become septic. Mix one teaspoon of milk cream, a half teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply the mixture to a small cloth and cover the abscess, leaving for at least 30 minutes and applying two or three times a day.

3Step ThreeApply a cumin seed paste to the abscess between applications of the poultice. Cumin is the perfect natural medicine for abscesses as it contains high levels of thymol, a natural antiseptic that will help relieve and prevent the spread of boils. Grind one tablespoon of cumin seeds with a mortar and pestle and apply the paste to the affected area two or three times a day.
4Step FourCleanse your body by eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and eliminating coffee, fat, sugar, alcohol and tobacco. While abscesses are most commonly caused by a bacterial infection, toxins in the bloodstream can reduce the immune system response and increase the ability for a boil to grow and spread. Therefore, it is important that you maintain a healthy, toxic-free diet.

Tips & Warnings
As an abscess progresses a white pus filled head will form. Do not break the abscess, as the condition is contagious. The pus can cause the infection to spread to healthy tissue. If the abscess breaks on its own, clean the area regularly with antibacterial soap before applying the onion and garlic juice mixture to prevent spreading.

If you notice that the abscess has begun to spread to surrounding areas, seek medical attention immediately.