How To Survive In A World Without Antibiotics

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#12. Drawing Salve
and Ointments
Drawing is a very ancient technique that needs to be kept in view. Sometimes it
works instead of antibiotics; sometimes it needs to be used in conjunction.
It simply means to draw the fuid out of a swollen infected sore, boil, wound or
abscess. A highly concentrated substances, such as icthammol or zinc oxide paste
is smeared over the infected site and kept in contact with a bandage or poultice. It
sucks out the moisture by the scientifc principle of osmosis.
The dehydration effect has two benefts: bacteria dont like it, it sucks moisture
from them and they die (thats the principle of using a strong sugar density in jelly,
jam and conserves). But it also draws moisture from the infammation site, which
lessens the pressure and so makes it less painful.
What was red, swollen and tense tissue turns soft, crinkly and less painful.
Its a sort of halfway house to lacing a boil or abscess; reducing the pressure with-
out needing to actually make a cut.
Very often the use of a drawing salve alone will eradicate an unpleasant boil or
infection resulting from a splinter or small wound. But beware: it does not remove
diseases which make skin infections a hazard, such as diabetes or compromised
immunity.
One of the simplest is 25% zinc oxide paste, from the regular pharmacopeia. It is
readily available in small tubes or tins.
Close favorite is 20% icthammol ointment or black drawing salve. It stinks and
looks unpleasantbut it does the job. Herbs such as Calendula, Echinacea and oth-
ers in a base of beeswax and Vitamin E or olive oil may be added to the icthammol
salve. Cover with a bandage since it stains clothing.
Hylands Homeopathic Drawing Salve: An oldie but a goodie, Hylands (also called
PRID Drawing Salve) includes components of both a drawing salve and homeo-
How To Survive In A World Without Antibiotics
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pathic remedy. Eight physicians invented this salve in 1903. PRID contains the
homeopathic ingredient acidum carbolicum along with herbs such as calendula and
Echinacea. Other ingredients include ichthammol, sulphur and silicea.
At a pinch you can make your own drawing salve, using the strongest solution you
can make of table salt or Epsom salts in hot water. Soak a bandage or compress in
the mixture and then apply. Unfortunately, this remedy needs frequent repeat ap-
plications over many hours.
You could also try a lavender and tea tree oil compress: Both lavender and tea tree
oil contain antibacterial agents particularly useful against boils (see section #38).

Drop tea tree oil directly onto the boil for one to two days during the frst phases to
bring it quickly to a head. Lavender, however, is too irritant for direct application.
Margosa or Neem is a very a very effective natural antibiotic. You can make an
ointment for boils by boiling some neem seeds in water till they are soft. Then
take some neem leaves and smash them to make a pulp. Mix these boiled neem
seeds and neem leaves and you get a natural ointment for boils which can be di-
rectly applied to the area. More over this poultice even prevents the infection from
spreading as well.
You can even use castor ointment for boils. All you need to do is to make a powder
out of the castor bark and add some water to turn it into a paste. You can even
add grind the root of the herb biskhapra for additional effect.
Another effective ointment for boils can be made by grinding onion and garlic
paste. This can aid in healing the boil quickly.
Always wash your hands thoroughly after treating boils. The bacteria spread easily
from person to person, and can spread from one area of the body to another.