Natural Remedies
Cod Liver Oil Poultice:
This poultice recipe comes from Ewing Stevens’ radio show. A version of it is published in his 1993 booklet, ‘Ewing’s Phone People’. A Christchurch listener named Adele reported that her troublesome leg ulcer healed within a few weeks after regular applications of this poultice.
Take one dessertspoon of cod liver oil, and one dessertspoon of Vaseline ointment. Mix these two together with the yolk of one egg.
Sponge the ulcer with saline solution and carefully dry the wound. Then spread the cod liver oil mixture over clean white cotton or linen, and apply this as a poultice to the affected area.
It is important to keep the ulcer airtight by wrapping either plastic or gladwrap over the poultice. The poultice needs to be replaced each day with a freshly made preparation. The ulcer can be bathed with salt water and then dried before applying each fresh poultice.
Honey Poultice:
This is a very old-fashioned remedy for a leg ulcer. Simply spread raw honey over clean cotton or linen, and apply as a poultice in the usual way. Replace daily or more often if needed. Wash the ulcer gently with saline solution when changing the dressing.
Megadoses of Vitamin C: Calcium Ascorbate or Ester C: In the case of long-standing ulcers which do not respond to orthodox treatment, I would recommend daily megadoses of non-acidic vitamin C such as either of the above. Dose between 3000mg to 10,000mg per day, taken in lots of about 2000mg, depending on the severity of the ulcer. Reduce the dose as the wound begins to heal.
Intravenous Vitamin C: A weekly injection of Vitamin C could be considered: This could be an effective but perhaps expensive option, since vitamin C injections are not subsidized on our health systems at the time of writing this article.
Homeopathic Remedies For Leg Ulcers:
Dr Dewey recommends homeopathic Mercurius or Nitric Acid, if the symptoms correspond. He claims Nitric acid to be one of the very best remedies for treating ulcers of the leg. These remedies can also be used externally, as well as internally.
Dr E.H. Ruddock makes mention of Calendula lotion for bathing an ulcer, and use of homeopathic remedies which might be chosen from the following:
Arsenicum for indolent ulcers. Dr Ruddock suggests an external application of Arsenicum lotion for when there is a discharge of any kind. Arsen alb could also be taken internally in homeopathic form.
Belladonna when there is redness surrounding the ulcer. Internal and external use.
Hydrastis Canadensis – more for ulcers of mucous membranes, but could be useful for other types of ulcer. Internal and external use.
Kali Bich for internal and external use for leg ulcers with a hard base and overhanging edges.
Rhus tox, internally and externally.
Silicea for chronic cases of ulcer.
The following can be utilized as constitutional remedies to improve the health, in combination with other treatments: Hepar sulph, Calc carb or Sulphur
Keep Feet Warm:It is important to rest the affected leg, but also to keep the circulation as good as possible. Regular, gentle massage of the toes and feet could be useful. Keep the patient warm: socks could be kept on the feet in cold weather. Put a sprinkle of paprika pepper inside each sock. This improves circulation to the extremities.