Calendula Fresh Juice Wound Dressing

Kind of substance

Calendula fresh juice

Guiding principle for the application

Calendula has an anti-inflammatory and wound cleansing effect and supports regenerative powers in tissue. The aqueous element in this moist application supports vital processes in the wound, as well as better absorption of the substance into tissue.

Indications

• Decubitus ulcer stages 3 & 4 (see example case)

• Chronic wounds

• Open wounds

Instructions

Particularities:

• This is a description of an individual case

• Home-made fresh juice, see reference: M. Fingado

• Sterile compresses

• NaCl 0.9% solution

• Calendula fresh juice

• Calendula oil

• Dressing material for covering the wound

• First wound cleansing with compresses soaked in sterile NaCL 0.9%.

• Leave Calendula fresh juice compresses in the wound for 30 minutes

• Second wound cleansing with compresses soaked in sterile NaCL 0.9%.

• Apply calendula oil to the wound edges

• Cover and dress the wound with sterile moisturizing compresses

Case example

A 50-year-old man, bedridden due to quadriplegia resulting from a gunshot wound of the 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae 25 years ago, suffered from a stage IV pressure ulcer on the sacrum and a stage III pressure ulcer on the left gluteal fold. Conventional wound treatment showed no effect. Through this long period of ineffective treatment attempts, the patient lost hope of recovery. He suffered from depression, which was treated with psychiatric support and allopathic medication. He also had diabetes mellitus type II, which could be treated with diet and oral medication.
An anthroposophic doctor recommended rinsing the wounds twice a day with calendula/NaCl 0.9% and applying clay poultices overnight. As the wounds reacted with inflammation and increased exudate formation, treatment with calendula compresses was introduced until the patient received deep wound cleansing through surgical intervention. Subsequently, an attempt was made to improve wound healing by means of vacuum therapy over 8 weeks. The lesion continued to heal in depth and size, reaching stage III in the sacrum and stage II in the gluteal fold. Further therapy was done with LED/laser 3 times a week and occasional fresh calendula juice compresses to counteract the inflammation. After another year the sacrum wound was closed and the gluteal fold had healed to stage II.
Even if the calendula treatment could not close the wounds completely, it gave the patient a new experience. He became involved in the healing process and gained hope for recovery.
AO

Author

AO, Red.

Bibliography

- Fingagdo M. Therapeutische Wickel und Kompressen. Handbuch der Ita Wegmann Klinik. Arlesheim: Natura Verlag; 2001. English translation: Fingado M. Compresses and other therapeutic applications. A handbook from the Ita Wegman Clinic. Edinburgh: Floris Books; 2012.

- Pelikan W. Heilpflanzenkunde Band 1. Dornach: Philosophisch-Anthroposophischer Verlag; 1980. English translation: Pelikan W. Healing plants. Spring Valley: Mercury Press; 1997.

- Sommer M. Heilpflanzen. 3rd ed. Stuttgart: Aethera; 2018. English translation: Sommer M. Healing plants. Herbal remedies from traditional to anthroposophical medicine. Edinburgh: Floris Books; 2014.