Minor Burns

Why it works: Cools, hydrates & supports moist healing. Aloe gel is mostly water plus polysaccharides that hold moisture on the skin—useful for soothing and maintaining a moist environment for r...

Instructions: Immediate first aid first (this is the most important part).. • Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes as soon as possible; remove rings/jewelry and cover with a cle...

Warnings: Not for serious burns. Do not use aloe as primary treatment for deep/large burns, chemical/electrica...

Studies: 2024 systematic review (Journal of Burn Care & Research)...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory & wound-modulating effects (preclinical): In a rat wound model, topical lavender oil accelerated closure and granulation tissue formation and up-regulated growth...

Instructions: Do first-aid correctly (non-negotiable):. • Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes ASAP (ideally within 3 hours). Do not use ice, oils, or butter. Remove jewelry/tig...

Warnings: First-aid standards come first: For anything beyond a tiny superficial burn (e.g., blistering; >3 cm...

Studies: Animal models (skin wounds): Multiple studies (not burns per...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory + antioxidant actions. Calendula flowers contain triterpenoids (e.g., faradiol esters) and flavonoids that down-regulate inflammatory mediators and scavenge free...

Instructions: Immediate first aid (do this for everyone):. • Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes (ideally within 3 hours of injury).. • Remove jewellery and loose clothing; do...

Warnings: Allergy risk (Asteraceae/Compositae). Avoid if you’re allergic to ragweed, daisies, chamomile, or ot...

Studies: Open randomized multicenter trial (n=156) of hospitalized pa...

Why it works: Antimicrobial action (incl. against some resistant bacteria). Mānuka honey has multiple antibacterial mechanisms: high sugar/osmolarity (draws water out of microbes), low pH, and—d...

Instructions: Immediate first aid (everyone should do this):. • Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes (ideally within 3 hours of injury). Don’t use ice. Remove jewellery/clothing...

Warnings: Use only medical-grade, sterile honey on wounds. Do not use kitchen honey (risk of contamination/spo...

Studies: Cochrane Review (topical honey for wounds): For partial-thic...

Why it works: Speeds tissue repair: The plant’s triterpenes—asiaticoside and madecassoside (and their acids)—stimulate fibroblasts, collagen synthesis (type I), angiogenesis, and re-epithelializ...

Instructions: First aid comes first (this is standard of care in Australia):. • Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes; remove jewelry/clothing; do not use ice, butter, toothpaste...

Warnings: Allergic reactions/dermatitis can occur with topical Centella; stop if you notice a rash. Memorial S...

Studies: Human data (not all burn-specific, but relevant to acute wou...

Why it works: Pain relief: The US OTC label lists menthol 1% as the active ingredient, which provides a cooling, topical-analgesic effect for pain/itch of minor burns and sunburn. Drugs.com. Moi...

Instructions: First aid comes first (within 3 hours of injury):. • Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes (don’t use ice). This is the Australian & New Zealand best-practice first...

Warnings: Follow the OTC label warnings: for external use only; avoid eye contact; stop use and ask a doctor i...

Studies: Direct, high-quality RCTs on Jing Wan Hong for minor burns i...

Why it works: Traditional / formula basis. • Zi Yun Gao is a classical Chinese external ointment documented in Wai Ke Zheng Zong (外科正宗) under another name (Run Ji Gao / 润肌膏) and later evo...

Instructions: Below are common instructions and caveats drawn from vendor literature, TCM references, and clinical-style sources. Always confirm with a qualified medical / herbal practitioner in...

Warnings: When using Zi Yun Gao (or any topical herbal ointment), several important safety considerations appl...

Studies: Relevant studies or reportsShiunko fibroblast / proteomics s...

Why it works: Drops tissue temperature + halts burn progression. Immediate cooling conducts heat away from the skin, limiting spread from the “zone of stasis” to deeper necrosis, which speeds re...

Instructions: Stop the burning (remove from heat/chemicals, douse flames). nhs.uk. Cool the burn under gently running tap water for 20 minutes, as soon as possible (still beneficial up to 3 hour...

Warnings: Do NOT use ice or ice water. Ice can worsen tissue injury and increase pain. Use cool/tepid running...

Studies: Large pediatric cohort (n=2,495): “Adequate” first aid (≥20...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial constituents. Plantain leaves contain iridoid glycosides (e.g., aucubin), flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides that hav...

Instructions: Cool the burn under cool running water for 10–20 minutes as soon as possible; remove jewelry and cover loosely with a clean dressing. (Strong evidence that this improves outcomes.)...

Warnings: Not a substitute for first aid: Always cool with running water first; this step alone improves outco...

Studies: Burns—human, case-control (n=15). Keshavarzi et al., 2022: 1...