Certain herbs may be helpful in treating your gangrene, which is the death and decay of tissues caused by impaired blood flow to a certain part of the body. Gangrene usually affects the extremities, including your fingers, toes and limbs, although it can also affect your muscles and internal organs. Before taking herbs to help treat your gangrene, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal, also known as Hydrastis canadensis, may be a helpful herb in treating your gangrene. According to the University of Michigan Health System, goldenseal, a member of the buttercup family, has been used topically for centuries by Native Americans to help treat numerous health problems, including skin infections and irritation of respiratory, digestive and urinary tract mucous membranes. Goldenseal is a perennial herb native to certain parts of Canada and the United States, has an astringent and bitter taste, and possesses drying and cooling tendencies. The root of the goldenseal plant is used for medicinal purposes, including gangrene. Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that goldenseal is an effective herbal remedy for gangrene. Gangrenous ulcers of your feet and lower legs may respond particularly well to goldenseal.
Echinacea
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that echinacea, also known as Echinacea angustifolia or Echinacea purpurea, is an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal that contains polysaccharides, alkylamides and chicoric acid. According to Mitchell, echinacea may be helpful in treating gangrene, septicemia and pyuria. When using echinacea to help treat your gangrene, notes Mitchell, you may benefit from increased consumption of flavonoids, which can be obtained from concentrated mixed berries taken multiple times per day. Echinacea is an herbaceous, flowering perennial plant that grows in certain parts of North America. Practitioners of herbal medicine use the root of the echinacea plant to make medicine. The root has a pungent and sweet taste and possesses drying, stimulating and cooling tendencies.
Calendula
Calendula, a member of the aster family, is an herbaceous annual or perennial plant that grows throughout North America and Europe. The flowers of the calendula plant are used medicinally. Calendula, also called Calendula officinalis, has a salty and slightly bitter taste and possesses drying tendencies. According to Tilgner, calendula is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and vulnerary, or a substance that helps promote the healing of wounds and damaged tissue. Application of a calendula salve may help speed healing of damaged tissue, and should only be applied to the affected area once the affected area is dried. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that calendula is an effective topical antibacterial and antiviral. Calendula contains essential oil, flavonol gylcosides, saponins, sterols, carotenes and other constituents. If you are pregnant, warns Tilgner, you should avoid using this herb, due to its ability to stimulate menstruation.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Gangrene
- University of Michigan Health System: Goldenseal
- "Plant Medicine in Practice;" William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
