What are boils?
A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with infection-fighting white blood cells that the body sends from the blood stream to eradicate the infection. This collection of white blood cells, bacteria, and proteins is known as pus. Finally, the pus forms a "head", which can be surgically opened or drained out through the surface of the skin.
Causes
Ingrown hair, splinter or other foreign material that has become lodged in the skin, acne, clogged sweat glands that become infected.
Symptoms
Infection or abscess on the skin.
Remedy (Nuskhe)
- Slightly roast a big onion on a naked flame. Mash it and mix in 1 teaspoon each turmeric powder (haldi) and ghee. Apply and tie a bandage.
- Mash some garlic flakes (lasan) and apply externally.
- Grind neem leaves to a paste and apply on affected parts.
- Apply a paste of 1 teaspoon ginger powder (saunth) and 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi) on boils.
- Grind some black cumin (kala jeera) seeds in a little water and apply the paste on the affected areas.
- Heat black pepper powder in ½ teaspoon ghee until charred. Use this as an ointment.
- Take fenugreek leaf (methi patta) paste, heat it and when lukewarm, apply on the affected parts of the body.
- Soak bread in warm milk and sandwich the mixture in between the folds of a clean cotton cloth. Apply this poultice to the boil and hold in place with a cotton bandage. This draws the dirt to the surface of the skin and simultaneously bursts the boil.
