Natural Way of Healing Scars

Scar tissue results from an injury or trauma on your skin; injuries cause your body to send out signals to basal cells in your skin to create thicker tissue to reinforce and heal the injured area. The site of the injury will develop a scab over the surface; beneath the surface your basal cells, located in the bottommost layer of the derma, will begin the process of forming keratinized tissue: thick scar tissue to protect the area. A scar can occur after an injury or a surgical incision, but there are numerous natural remedies to help diminish their formation.

Gotu Kola

In The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Comprehensive Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing, James A. Duke explains that gotu kola is a natural remedy for dealing with scar tissue and for scar prevention. This herb contains triterpenoids that can speed wound healing and increase the blood supply to wounds. Use gotu kola either topically or ingest it for the treatment of scars, tissue swelling, psoriasis, boils, and other skin problems. This herb speeds wound healing and deters scarring while softening the skin. Take 60 to 120 mg capsules of gotu kola two to three times a week to reduce scarring. As an ointment, place gotu kola directly on scar tissue; apply the product as the packaging instructs.

Children under 18 years old should not use gotu kola. Do not take this herb orally for more than six weeks to avoid potential liver damage. Gotu Kola contains asiaticosides, a component that may cause cancer in mice. Do not use this herb if you have a history of cancer. Possible side effects include a skin rash, gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, and burning sensations. Pregnant and breast feeding women should not consume gotu kola; this herb can affect female fertility. This herb may interfere or interact with cholesterol-controlling medications, diabetic medications, diuretics, and some sedatives.

Aloe Vera

In Aloe Vera: Nature's Soothing Healer Diane Gage explains that aloe vera is a natural remedy that speeds the bodily healing process, stimulates cellular growth, and hinders the formation of scar tissue. Aloe is 99 percent water, but it also contains polysaccharides and glycoproteins; this plant diminishes inflammation and pain, and encourages skin growth and reparation. Use aloe on children and adults as a topical application. Use a plant leaf slit down the middle to derive the gel directly from the plant. Apply the gel three times a day to reduce the appearance of scars and to prevent scar formation. You can also purchase aloe vera gel over the counter to apply to scars.

Do not use aloe vera for wounds that are not scabbed over, or for deep wounds that are still healing. Signs of allergy may include a skin rash when using aloe vera; stop using it if you develop skin irritation.

Vitamin E

In The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book, 4th edition: The Definitive Guide to Designing Your Personal Supplement Program, authors Shari Lieberman and Nancy Bruning explain that vitamin E is a natural remedy for treating scars. Vitamin E naturally promotes wound healing; apply vitamin E topically or consume it internally to diminish scar formation. Puncture a hole in one or two vitamin E capsules with a pin, then spread the oil directly on scabs to promote faster healing and to diminish scarring risks.

Abundant food sources of vitamin E include eggs, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, liver, corn oil margarine, sunflower seeds, spinach, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, collard greens, beet greens, asparagus, sweet potatoes, yams, mayonnaise, and dark green leafy vegetables. Consume 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin E per day for scar formation prevention, but do not exceed that amount to avoid vitamin toxicity. This vitamin may interfere with antidepressants, antipsychotics, aspirin, AZT, beta blockers, cholesterol-controlling medications, cyclosporine, mebendazoel, tamoxifen, hormone replacement medications, warfarin, and Orlistat.