Bedsores or Pressure Sores Treatment

Normal, healthy skin tissue has a rich blood supply that delivers oxygen to all its layers. If that blood supply is cut off for more than 2 to 3 hours, the skin begins to die from its outermost layer (the epidermis) inward. Constant pressure is the most common cause of reduced blood flow to the skin. Average movement in everyday life shifts pressure sources so that the blood supply isn’t shut off for any prolonged period. The fat layer beneath the skin, especially over bony projections such as the heels and shoulders, pads the skin and keeps the blood vessels from being squeezed shut.

Bedsores or pressure sores, considered secondary skin lesions, are skin ulcers that result from a lack of blood flow and from irritation to the skin over a bony projection where the skin has been under pressure, such as from a wheelchair, splint, cast, bed, or other hard object, for a prolonged period. Individuals who are bedridden or confined to wheelchairs are most at risk.

Pressure sores also affect people suffering from nerve damage, such as diabetics and stroke victims. The sensation of pain motivates movement to a more comfortable position; people who cannot feel discomfort or pain are at risk of developing sores. Extremely thin or malnourished people who don’t have sufficient protective fat layers generally heal more slowly and have a higher risk of developing skin ulcers.

When pressure from whatever source cuts off normal blood flow, the skin becomes starved for oxygen and becomes red, inflamed, sore, and possibly itchy. If the condition is allowed to progress, the area can become blistered, then raw and infected, with open, oozing sores exposing deeper layers of the skin. In the final stages, the ulcer will extend down through the skin and fat layers and into the muscle, eventually exposing the bone. At this point, the infection is a major problem and quite difficult to heal.

Prevention is of top priority. Careful daily inspection of those who are at risk by hospital attendants, a home care specialist, or family member is vital. Any sign of redness is a signal that immediate preventive action is needed. If you are caring for someone for whom bedsores or pressure sores are a potential concern, a health care specialist can advise as to the proper bedding, clothing, and skin care needed to prevent this malady. The following recipes aid the healing and offer comfort to mild- to-moderate level skin ulcers.

SAGE CHICK SALVE
This ever-so-gentle salve aids in healing tissue, relieving pain and associated itching, stimulating circulation, and reducing inflammation. It also helps eliminate potential odor emanating from infected bedsores or skin ulcers. Note: I prefer to use the stovetop method of extraction for this formula, as I feel that these particular herbs release their best medicinal properties when processed in this manner.
½ cup dried or 1 cup freshly wilted chickweed leaves and stems
½ cup dried or 1 cup freshly wilted meadowsweet flowers
½ cup dried or 1 cup freshly wilted sage leaves
3 cups extra-virgin olive base oil
3–4 tablespoons beeswax (depending on how firm you want the salve to be)
2,000 IU vitamin E oil

EQUIPMENT: 2-quart saucepan or double boiler, stirring utensil, candy or yogurt thermometer, strainer, fine filter, funnel, glass or plastic storage container (for the infused oil), glass or plastic jars or tins (for the salve)

PREP TIME: 4 hours to infuse the oil, plus 20 minutes to make the salve and 30 minutes for it to thicken
YIELD: Approximately 2½ cups of infused oil and 1¼ cups of salve

STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year

APPLICATION: 3 times daily, or as desired

PREPARING THE INFUSED OIL:
If you’re using wilted herbs, first cut or tear the herbs into smaller pieces to expose more surface area to the oil. You may include the bits of greenery and tiny stems attached to the meadowsweet flowers. Combine the chickweed, meadowsweet, and sage with the olive base oil in a 2- quart saucepan or double boiler and stir thoroughly to blend. The mixture should look like a thick, pale green herbal soup. Bring the mixture to just shy of a simmer, between 125° and 135°F. Do not let the oil actually simmer — it will degrade the quality of your infused oil. Do not put the lid on the pot. Allow the herbs to macerate in the oil over low heat for 4 hours. Check the temperature every 30 minutes or so with a thermometer and adjust the heat accordingly. If you’re using a double boiler, add more water to the bottom pot as necessary, so it doesn’t dry out. Stir the infusing mixture at least every 30 minutes or so, as the herb bits tend to settle to the bottom. After 4 hours, remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes. While the oil is still warm, carefully strain it through a fine-mesh strainer lined with a fine filter such as muslin or, preferably, a paper coffee filter, then strain again if necessary to remove all herb debris. Squeeze the herbs to extract as much of the precious oil as possible. Discard the marc. Add the vitamin E oil and stir to blend. The resulting infused oil will be a rich green in color. Pour the finished oil into a glass or plastic storage container; cap, label, and store in a dark cabinet.

PREPARING THE SALVE:
Combine 1 cup of the herbal infused oil and the beeswax in a small saucepan or double boiler, and warm over low heat until the beeswax is just melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes, stirring a few times. Pour into storage containers. Cap, label, and set aside for 30 minutes, until it has thickened.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
First, clean and disinfect the skin ulcer using a natural antibacterial solution or liquid soap. Pat dry. Apply a small dab of salve to each sore and gently massage into the affected and surrounding area. Place a sterile pad atop each sore; you can make one from cotton, several layers of flannel, or gauze — just make sure it won’t stick to the sore. Fasten securely in place with medical tape. What’s the

Difference between a Salve and a Balm?
Salves and balms (sometimes referred to as unguents or ointments) are basically the same delightful product: a fatty, semi-solid mixture of a base oil combined with beeswax, cocoa butter, or shea butter, or a blend of these three, and usually mixed with essential oils and/or infused with medicinal herbs. They can vary in consistency from soft and greasy to thick and relatively hard, depending on the ingredients used and the intended purpose. Prepared as external healing agents, when applied to the skin they soften with body temperature and provide an emollient, vulnerary, nourishing, healing, protective effect. The oil, being compatible with the skin, delivers the medicinal herbal components down deep within the tissues where they are needed. The wax or butter solidifies and gives firmness to the finished product for ease of application plus offers additional skin-conditioning benefits. The main difference between them is that salves are quite bland in the aroma department, containing minimal or no added essential oils, while balms contain a stronger, more potent fragrance due to a higher amount of volatile essential oils. Bonus Use this salve as an aid in healing cuts, scrapes, bug bites, blisters, rashes, and minor burns. It’s gentle enough to use on infants. Good stuff!

SKIN ULCER COMFORT DROPS

Easy-to-make and easy-to-apply medicinal herbal drops aid in healing tissue, relieving pain and associated itching, stimulating circulation, fighting infection, and reducing inflammation. They also help eliminate potential odor emanating from infected bedsores or skin ulcers.

Note: This is an aromatherapeutically concentrated formula, so use only by the drop as directed.

12 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops German chamomile essential oil
5 drops myrrh essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil
2 tablespoons jojoba base oil

EQUIPMENT: Dropper, dark glass bottle with dropper top or screw cap

PREP TIME: 15 minutes, plus 24 hours to synergize YIELD: Approximately 2 tablespoons

STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 2 years

APPLICATION:
2 times per day Add the lavender, German chamomile, myrrh, and tea tree essential oils drop by drop directly into a storage bottle. Add the jojoba base oil. Screw the top on the bottle and shake vigorously for 2 minutes to blend. Label the bottle and place in a dark location that’s between 60° and 80°F for 24 hours so that the oils can synergize.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Shake well before each use. First, clean and disinfect the skin ulcer using a natural antibacterial solution or liquid soap. Pat dry. Apply 2 to 6 drops to each sore, depending on size, and gently massage into the affected and surrounding area. Place a sterile pad atop each sore; these can be made from cotton, several layers of flannel, or gauze — just make sure they won’t stick to the sore. Fasten securely in place with medical tape.

Bonus
Use these aromatic drops as an aid in healing cuts, scrapes, bug bites, blemishes, infected ingrown hairs, blisters, rashes, boils, minor burns, or any minor to moderate skin infection. A wonderful addition to your herbal first aid kit!