Cure Impetigo with Home Remedies

Impetigo is a staph infection, characterized by red sores that quickly rupture, ooze for a few days, and form a yellowish-brown crust. There is itching and painless, fluid-filled blisters.

When I was a young mother and knew little about natural healing, I found impetigo one of the more frustrating of (predominantly) children’s ailments. One common suggestion is to apply raw garlic to the sores, and I tried applying this to my toddler’s impetigo. It didn’t work, and it stung. Tea tree oil is often recommended for impetigo, but this too will sting, and I’ve never tried it.

The remedies I’ve listed below are given for their amazing effectiveness, and are preferable to garlic or tea tree oil.

BLACK WALNUT HULL TINCTURE

Black walnut hull tincture is perhaps the best of the folk remedies for impetigo. I would suggest using the water-based version of black walnut hull tincture for impetigo, so that the application doesn’t sting.

It is usually suggested that black walnut hull tincture be applied to gauze and the gauze applied to the sores and kept continually moist with the tincture. Alternatively, the tincture should be applied to the sores several times a day.

I learned about black walnut hull tincture for impetigo from a woman whose community used it extensively and very successfully for a severe impetigo outbreak. They also used it extensively for a community-wide ringworm outbreak. Black walnut tincture treated both conditions successfully.

Black walnut hull tincture may also be taken internally, to give the healing an extra boost, but this isn’t usually necessary. If you want to give it internally, about ½ teaspoon twice a day is about right for children.

Let me give you an idea how easily black walnut tincture may be made:

The woman who told me about using it to cure impetigo and ringworm said that local people obtained their black walnut hull tincture through a series of fortuitous events: A local man had a machine for hulling black walnuts, and the husks left over from the process chanced to be left sitting outside in the rain. After the husks had been sitting around in the rainwater for about 24 hours, everyone came by and collected some of the liquid and used it to cure impetigo and ringworm.

My informant also tells me that her water-based tincture is still good after two years, without preservatives.

Here’s the more usual procedure:

How to Make Black Walnut Hull Tincture, Water Based

Gather a few black walnuts that have fallen from the tree. (You may want to use gloves to avoid staining your hands.) The nuts will be encased in a thick green outer husk. Choose nuts whose husks have as much green as possible.

At home (preferably wearing plastic gloves), cut away the husks from the nuts, put the husks in a saucepan, and add water to cover. Heat to boiling, turn off heat, cover tightly, and let stand for 24 hours. Strain and bottle. Some suggest adding ¼ teaspoon Vitamin C per quart as a preservative. It would probably be best to keep this refrigerated.

How to Make Black Walnut Hull Tincture, Alcohol Based

To make the alcohol-based version, put the walnut husks in a jar and add grain alcohol (vodka) to cover. Cover the jar tightly and let it stand for two days. Strain off the tincture, add equal parts water, and bottle. No refrigeration required.

You can also purchase black walnut hull tincture at most health food stores.

COLLOIDAL SILVER

Scroll to Continue

Is soy safe for men?

Why The Moon Turns Red During A Total Lunar Eclipse

Poem: Loyalty Makes Family

Colloidal silver is another very effective treatment for impetigo, because it is a natural antibiotic, in common use before prescription antibiotics were developed. Colloidal silver is applied directly to the impetigo blisters.

It is sometimes suggested—though, again, probably not necessary—that colloidal silver be taken internally as well, at a rate of 1-3 drops per day.

ELECAMPANE ROOT

Prepared as a decoction this root is often effective against skin diseases. The decoction is applied externally and taken internally. The internal dose is one or two cups a day. Elecampane was formerly much used in curing the cutaneous diseases of horses, and was also called “Horse-heal,” and was also used to cure sheep of scab.

Helenin, one of the active principles, has been shown to be a powerful antiseptic and bactericide. Recent research indicates that elecampane is 100% effective against MRSA! Like impetigo, MRSA is a staph infection.

Because elecampane root is a hard, woody plant material, it is prepared as a decoction; that is, one ounce of the root is added to one pint of water, brought to a boil, simmered for 20-30 minutes, and strained.

COCONUT OIL

I have not tried coconut oil, but there are many reports that it has been used successfully to treat both fungal and bacterial skin infections—including athlete’s foot, ringworm, and impetigo. Coconut oil works by disrupting the lipid structure of microbes, to inactivate them, and kills bacteria both internally and externally.

Applying to the sores is said to often treat impetigo successfully—and there is a pretty good chance that you already have some on hand in the kitchen pantry.

If you don’t normally keep coconut oil on hand, you might want to pick up a jar. It is a delightful oil for adding to baked goods. Add it to the children’s or grandchildren’s pancakes to make them a special treat. Or add to cookies, brownies, cakes, and other baked goods. You will be queen of the bake sale, and you’ll have coconut oil on hand as a first resort for skin affections.

• Cure Children's Growing Pains
  Children's growing pains--muscle cramps that usually occur in the feet and legs--are nothing more than magnesium deficiency.

• Cure Menstrual Problems--Excessive Menstrual Flow (Menorrhagia) and Bleeding Between Menstrual Perio
  Many menstrual problems are simply an indication of iodine deficiency, possibly along with other micro-nutrient deficiencies, and can be easily cured by adding seaweed to your diet.

• Cure Ringworm with Easy Home Remedies
  Ringworm is easily cured at home using iodine, black walnut hull tincture (which you can make at home), and other simple products.

• How to Make Real Wild Cherry Cough Syrup at Home in Your Kitchen with Wild Cherry Bark
  Real wild cherry cough syrup is easy to make—and it’s the world’s most effective cough remedy!

• Gooseberry Jam with Elderflowers
  Elderflowers added to gooseberry jam impart a delicate “muscat” flavor, and give the jam a beautiful “calico” look, that makes these jams excellent for giving as gifts.

• How to Make Herbal Medicines: Infusions, Decoctions, Tinctures, Syrups, Oils and Salves
  Many of the expensive tinctures and other herbal preparations available from health-food stores and herb dealers can be prepared at home for pennies!

• Cure Kidney Stones with Herbs
  Kidney stones may be passed painlessly and/or dissolved without surgery or other conventional medical treatment using inexpensive herbal treatments.

• Cure Shingles Fast with Echinacea
  Shingles can be cured in 24-48 hours with Purple Coneflower.

• Cure Gout with Natural Remedies and Herbs
  Gout can be cured with natural remedies, diet, and herbs, without conventional medical treatment.

• Cure Yeast Infections with Yogurt or Probiotics
  Here’s how to cure yeast infections (Candida albicans) naturally.

• Dislocated Wrist in Toddlers and Young Children--What To Do
  A child who seems unable to use her hand, but lets it hang limply her side, may have a dislocated wrist. Here’s what to do.

• Cure Burns with Slippery Elm and Comfrey
  An Easy Home Remedy for Burns, Wounds, and Other Skin Affections

• Cure Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Fast with Castor Oil
  Pink eye is easily cured with home treatment. I learned of this cure when I took my oldest daughter to a naturopathic physician for pink eye, and used it to cure a severe case. I have since used it successfully many times.

• The Best and Most Fragrant Roses for Making Rose Water and Potpourris
  To make the most fragrant rose waters and potpourris, use the most fragrant roses. Modern roses often lack the sweet perfume of the old-fashioned roses traditionally used to make attar of roses.

• Cure Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) with Echinacea
  Quickly cure UTIs Using Purple Coneflower! I have found that Echinacea tincture (my own homemade version) will cure a UTI in a couple of hours--though later doses are needed to keep it from returning.

• How to Make Echinacea Tincture--Growing and Using Purple Coneflower for Medicinal Use
  You can easily make Echinacea tincture at home, using the roots of your own Echinacea plants from your garden and a pint of vodka.

• Cure a Toothache without Dentistry
  If you have a painful toothache because of and infection or impacted wisdom tooth, you can cure the infection with Echinacea.

• Natural Home Treatment for Stomach Flu--Vomiting and Diarrhea
  Herbal and Natural Treatments and Home Nursing Care for Diarrhea and Vomiting, Symptoms of Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning

• Cure Plantar Warts with Oil of Thyme
  Plantar warts can be cured without , laser therapy, cryotherapy (freezing), acid treatments, or surgery, and without wasting time and money on frustrating and discouraging over-the-counter products.

• Cure Your Bad Back
  Does your back periodically "go out," leaving you prostrate and with severe back pain for weeks? Chances are, all you need is magnesium!

• How to Cure Warts, Moles, and Skin Tags with Castor Oil and Baking Soda
  You can avoid surgery or other medical procedures, and remove moles and skin tags painlessly at home, using castor oil and baking soda.

• Rid Your Home of Fleas Naturally
  There is no need to spray your home with toxic pesticides to get rid of fleas--and flies, too. Several essential oils repel and kill fleas and flies, especially when used in household cleaners.

• How to Cure Scabies Naturally, without Chemical Pesticides
  Scabies can be cured with Vitamin E oil applications, or with diluted oil of thyme. There's no need to see a doctor or apply chemical pesticides.

• How to cure bronchitis naturally
  A fast cure for bronchitis: a few drops of the essential oil of sandalwood on a lump of sugar. Real wild-cherry cough syrup and elecampane root tea give this cure a boost.

• Understanding and Managing Type II Diabetes
  A discussion of diabetic diet, choosing herbs and supplements that help, and understanding causes of insulin resistance, and the causes of diabetes.

• How to Cure Ear Infections with Olive Oil, Mullein Flowers, and Brewer's Yeast
  How to cure ear infections--permanently--using herbs and nutrition!

• Cure Psoriasis with Natural Methods
  Herbs that are reputed to cure psoriasis are slippery elm and American saffron (safflower),

• Gathering and Using Elderflowers to Make Lotions for Beautiful Skin and Healing Salves
  Elderflowers blooming in the fields and along the roadsides in June are a beauty--and healing--bonanza!

• Herbs to Cure Colds and Flu--More Powerful Herbs To Take It to the Next Level
  How to treat colds and flu with Lomatiu, Andrographis, Baikal Skullcap, and Boneset, with preparations and dosages--and information on how to grow and harvest these herbs in the home garden.

• Growing a Doomstead Garden
  Gardening for self-sufficiency during the zombie apocalypse

• Cure Foot and Leg Cramps
  Foot and leg cramps are almost always caused by magnesium deficiency--or, more accurately, insufficient magnesium intake in relation to calcium intake. The fix is easy! Get more magnesium!

• How to Cure Fevers, Plus a List of Danger Signs
  A comprehensive discussion about fevers: Danger signs, and how to cure fevers with herbs and other natural methods.

• Top Four Most Useful Herbal Preparations You Can Make at Home
  Make echinacea tincture, mullein oil, black walnut hull tincture, and wild cherry cough syrup at home.

• The Medicine Garden: Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow in the Home Garden
  A selection of medicinal herbs that are both beautiful and useful

• Cure Head Lice with Tea Tree Oil
  Cure head lice without putting pesticides on your child's head--and prevent re-infestation--with inexpensive herbal treatments.

• Home Birth--With or Without a Midwife
  Many women have opted for a joyous home birth experience! Planning a home birth carefully is important.

• The Elderberries Will Soon Be Ripe! How to Make Elderberry Juice, Rob, and Syrup for Winter Colds
  In late summer and early fall, there is a bountiful harvest elderberries along the roadsides. The berries not only make delicious jam or wine, but are valuable home medicines as juice, rob, syrup.

• Cure Children's Bedwetting and Accidents with Herbs
  An herbal cleansing and toning approach to leaky children that focuses on toning the urinary tract and the nerves

• Cure Cold Sores with Herbal and Natural Remedies
  Apple cider vinegar, olive oil, slippery elm, and probiotics are all reliable cures for most cold sores.

• Easy-to-Grow Flowers for the Beginning Gardener
  Several perennial flowers provide amazing displays of flowers and foliage, yet require almost no care! Here are three to provide the backbone of your home flower garden.