Ingrown toenail or Onychocryptosis is a common nail disease. It is a painful condition where a nail grows and cuts into one or both sides of the nail bed. Onychocryptosis has been found only to plague people in shoe-wearing cultures as the abnormality requires downward pressure of the shoe on the nail to develop.
The symptoms include redness and swelling along the margin of the nail and extreme pain and hypersensitivity of the affected toe. The toe cannot tolerate any kind of minor contact. Various herbs can be used to cure ingrown toenail, some of which are discussed as follows:
Herbal Remedies For Ingrown Toenail
Tea Tree oil
This particular breed of tea tree is indigenous to Australia and an essential oil derived from its leaves, after distillation and refining, becomes suitable for curing septic wounds and skin disorders.
The essential oil is an anti-sepsis by nature and is used to treat a large number of medical conditions ranging from acne, bad breath sores to psoriasis and snake bites. Soak the infected foot in warm water where five drops of the oil has been added. Slowly the nail will begin to grow out and away from the skin.
St. John’s Wort
It is also known as Tipton’s weed or goat weed, the leaves and the flowers of this plant have immense therapeutic value. Its healing properties are due to the presence of the proteins and precipitating astringents.
Add 4-5 drops of this oil to a warm water solution and then apply it to the affected area and the pain and tenderness will gradually soothe away. It also speeds up the recovery for it and aids in the growth of white blood cells.
Thuja
Thuja, also known as Arbor vitae is a kind of a coniferous tree whose leaves and twigs are used for medicinal purposes. The Thuja plant contains herbal products that have strong antiviral and immunopharmacological potential.
Apply 2-3 drops of homeopathic Thuja on the infected toenail two times a day. Thuja is also available in pill form which you can take orally, twice a day, continuously for a month to get the best results.
Calendula
Calendula petals have anti-inflammatory properties and prevents the infection from spreading. Calendula contains faradiol and isorhamnetin that stuns further growth of the nail and thereby thwarts the infection.
Leveling the swelling is important or the blood-soaked, damp flesh would allow the nail to further grind its way in. Calendula ointment is available at most drug stores. Upon purchase, apply to the infected area as directed.
Licorice
Licorice root boosts the immune system so as to help fight the infection better. Licorice contains a cortisone-type substance that has anti-inflammatory properties.
Besides being used in large quantities in not only the foot industry but also in the pharmaceutical industry (treating throat infections, gastric ulcers), the root extracts also cure toenail infections. Powder the licorice, mix it with water and apply directly to the area. Further infection will be controlled by using it and fresh tissue will regenerate in due time.
The above mentioned herbal solutions can provide great relief if you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, provided the proper dose is taken.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
