Editor’s Introductory Note: The following is a eview and summary of a book by John W. Keim. This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. Get any patient with severe burns to a hospital emergency room, immediately.
If you have an interest in herbal medicine or just want to be prepared if modern medical care is not available in the future, I recommend reading this wonderfully informative book that I discovered a few years ago. The book is titled “Comfort for the Burned and Wounded”, by John W. Keim. Mr. Keim is not a medical professional; he is an Amish farmer and wrote this book based on his decades of experience helping people in his community. He describes his method very thoroughly and clearly, providing many case studies. The case studies are informative, detailed, and inspiring.
The book was first published in 1999, and is getting harder to find, but is still available if you search online. It is a small paperback, so it can even be put in your medical kit. I’m going to take you through the highlights and add additional information that I have learned through my studies of herbal medicine.
Disclaimer: I am not a licensed medical professional. This information is provided only for informational and entertainment purposes. This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure any human or animal.
Keim’s basic approach is to immediately extinguish the flames or fire by using water or snow, smother with fireproof blanket, use the “stop, drop and roll” method or a proper extinguisher for chemical burns. Once the flames are extinguished then cool the burn, apply an ointment or salve and then apply dried leaves that have been scalded in hot water to the burn (let them cool before applying over the wound).
JWR Adds This Important Proviso: Keep in mind that burn ointments should not be applied to severe burns where there is any chance that the burn victim is headed to the hospital. For many years, the standard procedure by hospital staff has been to remove anything covering/coating a burn by irrigation, or if need be, by debridement. The latter can be incredibly painful. Also, note that any “do-it-yourself” burn treatments for anything worse than first-degree burns may result in permanent scarring.
Wrap the leaves with gauze and a towel, then replace every 12 hours. He prefers to use burdock leaves but has had success with many other leaves. Burdock (Arctium lappa) leaves also help stop bleeding, but do not work as well as Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) leaves.
Other leaves that can be used
Comfrey – excellent for stopping bleeding and is a excellent cell proliferent. Use externally only.
Plantain (Plantago major) – effective, but too small, need a lot and are harder to find
Grape leaves – the younger the better
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaves – would need a lot, excellent for treating mastitis (inflammation of the breast or udder).
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf – will stop bleeding, including vaginal. Use scalded leaves or tea.
Tree leaves – just about any deciduous tree leaf will work in an emergency
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) leaves – Yarrow leaves are very effective at controlling bleeding. Yarrow is an antiseptic, helps reduce pain, heals wounds and is anti-inflammatory.
Other: The author has successfully used alfalfa (Medicago sativa) sprouts and even regular lettuce from the grocery store.
Sphagnum Moss was used during World War I to dress wounds when sterile bandages were in short supply, and it was effective at fighting and preventing infection. An informative article was published in the Smithsonian magazine in 2017. Links to other academic articles on the subject: Hotson, J. W. (1921). Sphagnum Used as Surgical Dressing in Germany during the World War (Concluded). The Bryologist, 24(6), 89-96. Morton, E., Winters, J., & Smith, L. (2010). An analysis of antiseptic and antibiotic properties of variously treated mosses and lichen.Continue reading“Comfort for the Burned and Wounded, by C.J.”
