Heal Boils Naturally: Effective Home Remedies

Copper, ACV, Sea Salt

Posted by Sanjoo (Ahmedabad) on 01/12/2014 7 posts
★★★★★

Copper for Boils:

Recently had a boil on my left elbow. eventually pus started oozing out. I started by putting 1 tsp ACV in a small copper dish, added some salt & a little baking soda, little charcoal, then some oil, (mostly sunflower / sesame oil), or sometimes just aloe vera gel in place of oil to avoid feeling oily, and applied this on the boil (used a gauge pad & bandage).

Two days later, the boil had started drying up, & no longer required bandaging. I continued to apply the above mix, without charcoal, but with a little mg oil, for the next few days, on the skin around the boil, till it completely healed.

It would also make sense to keep some water stored (12 hours or more) in a copper jar with about 1/4th cup ACV & 1 tsp sea salt added, ready for use for cleaning boils. Copper, Apple Cider Vinegar & sea salt all act like antibiotic. I generally transfer this solution to a spray bottle before use. This avoids spread of infection around the boil to other areas of skin.

During the healing phase, it often starts to itch around the boil, & you need to scratch. I used the edge of a copper spoon, with the above mix applied on skin, to scratch, & the itching stops almost instantaneously.

Rubbing Alcohol

Posted by Kitty (North Carolina) on 03/28/2016
★★★★★

You're right. The cotton ball soaked in alcohol and bandaged has worked for me several times also.

Calcium Bentonite Clay

Posted by Cs (Waco, Tx) on 03/25/2012
★★★★★

Try CALCIUM BENTONITE CLAY. I recently got a boil in my armpit. I had never had one and didn't know what it was. I assumed it was an ingrown hair so I continued to shave. That caused them to spread so that I had 4 boils under one arm and 5 under the other. I tried ichthammol with no help and a smell that literally gave me headaches and Prid didn't help either. I then tried turmeric internally and externally. There was some relief but after over a week I decided to do more research and found info about calcium bentonite clay. Be sure it is calcium and not sodium bentonite. I happened to have a clay exfoliating mask from Solay that was made of calcium bentonite clay, so I applied it to the boils and covered with band aids. Amazing results. Some of the "newer" bumps subsided altogether in just a day. Then, the others started bursting and healing basically each time I reapplied it. Solay is a product that also contains sea salt so I would imagine that helped as well. Also, be careful applying tape to the tender skin around the armpit... I have definitely damaged the area because of the number of bandage changes over the past couple of weeks. Try to make the tape less sticky before sticking it to this delicate skin.

Calcium Bentonite Clay

Posted by Indigophoto (Shuttleisland, Florida) on 10/27/2012
★★★★★

This clay has worked wonders for me, my son, and my pets!! I discovered it researching holistic cures for ring worm when the cat I adopted broke out in it a week after coming to my house. He was a carrier of it and ring worm takes 7-10 days after a stressful event(moving to a new home) to present itself... Lucky us... I went to my local health food store and purchased the bentonite clay in the powder form and started applying it to his spots and adding it to the animals' drinking water. To my relief, I saw results within the evening and noticed that my pets actually prefer drinking the clay water to regular, filtered tap water. In addition to the clay, I started treating him with organic apple cider vinegar by wiping his entire coat with his brush saturated with a 50/50 mix ACV and water. I tried putting it in their water and on their food but they won't go anywhere near it. So, I am continuing the wiping while making sure that I get it down to his skin so it will absorb into his body that way. Not only have the ACV and clay gotten rid of the ring worm, they have done wonders for their coats and even turned the kitty's green eyes back to his natural blue eyed color.

I've used a green mask for years and always marveled at how amazing my skin would look and feel after using it... On a whim, after researching the bentonite clay, I checked the ingredients of my favorite mask and the clay was the primary ingredient! It all makes sense to me now. :O)

Look up bentonite clay here on EC and you will see how many amazing things it can do! For me, it relieves the pain of my psoriasis and clears the skin of the scaling and redness almost immediately. It helps alleviate the pain of my arthritis when I drink it... It gets rid of boils and acne over night when I sleep with a paste of it on affected area... And it works so well that my 5 year old thanked me numerous times for applying it to a rash he got this week. He even asked me if I could put more on it when he came back to my house after a 3 day visit with his dad. I'd given some to his dad to use but he accidentally misplaced it and couldn't do the treatment. If he had, the rash would have been gone by day two. This stuff is incredible and I highly recommend it... And it's 5 YEAR OLD APPROVED! How many meds do you know of that a 5yo doesn't mind? :O)

Colloidal Silver

Posted by Enchanting123 (Los Lunas, Nm) on 10/15/2011
★★★★★

First I have to say I love earthclinic website. So many natural cures to look up.

My husband had another boil on his behind. After one week he finally told me, he had put on rubbing alcohol. I immediately looked at the website to see what can be done. I had colloidal siver and I put it on a little cotton cloth and covered it with a bandage. Overnight it drew out the head and looked a lot better, redness and a lot of the swelling was gone. Put on some more and covered it. Thank you earthclinic and all the wonderful people who share their natural remedies.

Homeopathics

Posted by Rob (Manhattan, Ny) on 09/02/2011

as others have posted here many times... take turmeric and olive leaf extract internally in addition to your other remedies..

Figs

Posted by William (Fort Lauderdale) on 11/18/2021

Hello Catherine,

You are correct about this, from the true story of King Hezekiah.I have not tried to use figs, however I can only imagine the pain he must have been in, to think he was at death's door. I just had one pop up on my lower back and you do start to feel a little drained, it starts to wear you out. The last time I used warm cloths and it opened the boil up. This time I may give the figs a try since it's on my back.

Thanks for the post.

Boil Treatment Warnings

Posted by Carly (Seattle , Wa - Usa) on 01/09/2011

Well said Lisa... Well said. While I totally agree with you, I will say that if anyone does have a very large (and hot to the touch) type of a boil, and feels generally very ill -then they should probably seek mainstream medical attention to be sure that they are not dealing with a serious sepsis / blood infection. (MO)

BUT - for people with average to large boils, who get them all of the time...

Taking tumeric (internally) daily at 1/2 tsp twice a day will stop them in their tracks within a week. Just read the turmeric section on here. It is TRUE - I am sold on turmeric for it's MANY healthy attributes.

To clarify - If you are in a crisis situation, err on the side of caution and go to the doctor...if not.... Take TURMERIC. Is it amazing stuff!

(Had to try out the now BOLD font! Love it! )

Best to you all. :-)

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Joeym (Minneapolis , Mn) on 11/24/2010
★★★★★

I have successfully drained two painful boils/large pimples (one was a MRSA staph boil) by mixing homemade colloidal silver with bentonite clay powder and making a poultice of it between layers of medical gauze. I covered it with breathable medical tape overnight and when I woke up, the boil/pimple had drained to near completion. I also continued the poultice throughout the day, and by evening, it had drained completely. The pus was gone and new skin was showing where the drainage was previously coming out. Between dressings I used hydrogen peroxide to clean the boil and the area surrounding it. In my opinion, this is the best way to drain a boil/large pimple as it doesn't require any pressure or squeezing, which often causes scarring.

The MRSA boil was on my face and was the size of a silver dollar. My doctor told me that I would likely have a large pock-mark or scar on my face. It has been a little over a month, and you can't even see where the boil was. I'm thankful for the internet, as this is how I discovered the Colloidal Silver/Bentonite Clay treatment. I'm just passing along my experience for others. Blessings to you all!

Boil Treatment Warnings

Posted by Ma (Co, Usa) on 06/04/2010
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Please anyone that has recurring boils, go to your health professional and get checked out. I have had recurring boils and just found out I have MRSA. MRSA seems to be more and more common these days and can be harmful if left untreated.

The turmeric was an awesome temporary remedy for my boils, but when I began to have shortness of breath and chest pains, I knew I had to get checked out.

Listen to your bodies.

Boil Treatment Warnings

Posted by Elle (Cc, Florida) on 12/20/2011

Recurrance of boils may be an indication of MRSA colonization on the skin and in the nostrils. It is urgent to treat so that it does not spread internally and systemically. The decolonization procedure often recommended includes both of the following measures:

Apply 2% mupirocin ointment generously throughout the inside of both nostrils with a cotton swab twice daily for 10 days and
Bathe with liquid chlorhexidene soap, washing all skin surfaces daily for five days. Daily bathing or showering using an antibacterial agent such as chlorhexidine gluconate is recommended during mupirocin treatment to improve chances of eradication. Alternative treatment with tea tree oil body lotion and shampoo have been shown effective in achieving decolonization, and have the benefit of being less harsh on the skin.

If you do not have medical insurace, go to your county public health service center and tell the doctor or nurse what you want. 2% mupirocin ointment for nasal application. The soaps should be available over the counter without a prescription. Or you can use hydrogen peroxide rinsing all over your body while you are in the shower and your skin is already wet. Do small areas at a time so that the mild burning doesn't overwhelm you. Leave it on a few minutes then rinse, go to next area. Remember ears, feet too, wash your scalp with the tea tree oil skin wash. The MRSA infection is on the skin so don't scratch little scabs that make an open entrance into the body. These are not spider bites like a lot of people think, it is part of the MRSA infection. Put hydrogen peroxide on the little scabs. There may be itching also as a sympton. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean surface areas also, sinks, counters, door knobs. Take copper dietary supplements.

Boil Treatment Warnings

Posted by Realjb (Kihei) on 12/26/2016

I have used the grapefruit seed "gse" brand disinfection lotion and found the best results for what could be MRSA. Although the problem still lingers. The comment is very informative and I agree.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Ron (Emporia, Kansas) on 05/04/2010
★★★★★

5-04-10, Ben, down at the health food store, was in pain last Tuesday at work and had difficulty walking...he had developed a large boil on the top of his big toe (about the diameter of a mans thumb)...he asked me what I would do...I suggested soaking in H2O2 might help...use the cheap 3% HP...I saw him today and he said he had gotten the 3% HP and soaked his toe in it full strength for about 5 minutes in the evening about 10pm...the next morning he was at work and felt wetness in his shoe...the boil was draining...his pain was relieved and he said now it was all gone (about 4 days later)...so, the HP appears to have caused drainage in about 12 hours...he said he hadn't squeezed the boil or anything at all because he didn't want to aggravate it...the only thing he had done was the HP....I was surprised it worked so well...I know that HP will kill Staph if enough HP is used...the study I saw was a ratio of 500 HP to 1 Staph...I reasoned the only way HP might help him was if he soaked the boil in the HP so enough HP might be absorbed into the boil to have an effect...don't know if it would work for others, but sure did for him...he was very pleased...he now has an internet connection, so I suggested he study up on Turmeric at Earth Clinic so he could keep the staph under control, because, although the HP worked on his toe, he might get boils in areas of the body where it would be difficult to soak the boil for 5 minutes or so (like in an armpit or on the face)...but, topical application might work in those areas by putting on a thick gauze soaked in HP on it and covering with plastic to keep it wet overnight...don't know for sure...might be worth a try.

Activated Charcoal

Posted by Michiko B (Florida) on 10/07/2016

Quick note about charcoal: if charcoal is used on open skin, it will be effective, HOWEVER, it will also leave a permanent mark wherever it touches open skin. It's just like a tattoo and it is NOT removable unless you see a doctor. There are no bad side effects that I know of, it just leaves a black mark. It would be wise to check the area carefully for broken skin in areas where you don't want permanent marks.

Boil Cores

Posted by Jaqueda P (Joliet, Illinois) on 01/27/2010

How do I know when the core is out of the boil? What does the core look like?

Boil Treatment Warnings

Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 10/19/2012

Also, doctors can puncture a boil to get the pain, pressure and liquid out, All they do is pierce it with a sterilized instrument, and clean the area with alcohol right away afterwards. No need to pay out hundreds of dollars for a medical visit for that. Now if you have more than one, or have boils in multiple places, you may have a systemic infection and need oral treatment. In that case, you would want to get a prescription/medical advice.

Goldenseal

Posted by Twila (Alexandria, Virginia Usa) on 09/29/2009
★★★★★

My father had boils, i.e., cysts, appear on his arms for years. I found that Goldenseal Root is a GREAT herb with 'drawing' powers. I convinced him to try my paste, let it dry, then wash it off. Not only did the cyst go away fast, but has not returned! I have used Goldenseal Root to 'draw' infection out of cuts, sores, etc., and even cure athletes foot. You only need a small amount of the powder and a tiny amount of water. Stir into a paste quickly and spread it on the affected area. Let it dry. Rinse off. You have to be quick as it begins to work as soon as water hits it. Be careful, a tiny amount of water goes a long way! My mom had a rash on the back of her hand - all the prescription creams made it go away but as soon as she stopped using, the rash would reappear. Used the Goldenseal Root past method on the rash. It went away in 2 days and never returned.

Vick's Vapor Rub

Posted by Nicole (Laurel, Ms) on 03/31/2009
★★★★★

I have been suffering from boils for over 15 years. Normally I would go to the doctor, get them lanced, and they wouldn't come back for months. But recently the boils come on a regular basis. I mean they come two to three at a time and just about every week. Yesterday I tried the ____ brand vapor rub, and after three applications the boil came to a head, and I bust it. Oh my Lord Thank You for leading me to this website.

Raw Potato

Posted by cynthia (fayetteville, AR) on 03/24/2009
★★★★★

I was just browsing through this site, I spend a lot of time doing that, and read the remedy posted about boils. As a child I frequently had boils. While at a family gathering an uncle took me into the kitchen to "fix me up" with a home remedy. He got a raw potato and a potato scraper. (as if to make hashbrowns) He then washed and scraped the entire potato into a clean, sterile bandage and taped it to my arm. I wore it all that day and through the night. Bt the next morning the boil had come to a head, and my mother drained and cleaned it. I had been plagued with boils many times prior to that and they were always painful and lasted several days before coming to a head. This one was over quickly and what a blessing! After that we used a raw potato any time one came up. I no longer have this problem. I seem to have grown out of it. I have given this remedy to friends and family members since then and it has been a success with them also. Hope it helps!

Raw Potato

Posted by Ryan (Palm Springs, CA) on 06/15/2009
★★★★★

POTATO!!! After getting a tattoo on my chest, I developed a rather painful pimple about 3 inches above my left nipple (probably from razor burn from shaving, ingrown hair, etc). I attempted to 'pop' it which was a bad idea. Over a few days...this horrid wretch grew into a furious monster of an infection...

I used antibiotic ointment and bandaids for a few days which did nothing, and the pimple seemed to grow in size and pain. I then tried toothpaste and a bandaid, which got solid and hurt bad taking off...revealing some gnarly green pasty pus. I squeezed some pus out of it and again that evening and also drenched it with peroxide every chance I got. I then read about the baking soda/peroxide mix paste...in which I applied several times over the next day and drained it every now and then (painful stuff). I also took baking soda baths.

After seeming to get nowhere, I read about the potato method. I purchased a single potato, cut off a slice, cleaned the infected area with peroxide and taped the potato slice to it for the night. Upon removing the potato in the morning, I noticed a big chunk of pus on it and the wound (almost the size of a dime) kept draining itself. Having to work, I cleaned it and put a bandaid on for the day.

Upon getting home and removing the bandaid, the 'head' of this abomination was right at the top and came out with some effort and Qtips and peroxide....what relief! Instead of a white hole, it is now a bloody red hole and its draining itself! Will update in a few days on healing.... THANK YOU!

Copper Penny Water

Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 12/24/2017

I have recently been using Tea Tree (Leaf) Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia) for a little bit of toe nail fungus and also, what I assume to be a boil of some sort on my forearm.

I cannot find a picture of this "boil" on the internet but it looked like a very small, brown, wrinkled sponge (above skin level) approximately 7 mm in diameter.

Although not eliminated completely, the fungus is diminishing slowly and the boil has 50% improved within a week and sunk back down to skin level by using just one drop of neat TTO am and pm.

The brand is an Australian company whose name includes a day of the week!

Cheers and Happy Christmas

Michael

Vick's Vapor Rub

Posted by Catarsha (Memphis, TN) on 01/07/2009
★★★★★

I used Vick's Vaopor Rub for a huge boil which finally drained itself after 3 days. I cleaned the area 3 times per day and applied a generous amount of VVR. It was not painful at all.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Linda (Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA) on 01/03/2009
★★★★★

I started getting boils repeatedly in the last couple of years on different parts of my body, but I stopped the cycle successfully through natural remedies. If I ever get another one, I'll definitely try the Turmeric, but for now, I wanted to share what worked for me.

I always try to find the cause of my health problems so that I can cure it permanently versus just treating the symptoms, and this method has always worked great for me. I noticed my boils started after I had been taking a high potency multi-vitamin for awhile, and after that, whenever I ate chocolate and peanuts. I also believe I might have gotten some type of fungal infection in my blood that was causing them. For immediate relief of pain and inflammation, I used ice packs (hot water made mine worse). To kill the infection on the surface, I put a few drops of Tea Tree Oil (natural anti-bacterial) on a cotton ball pre-moistened with hydrogen peroxide and applied it several times throughout the day (sometimes this alone cured them). If I ever got a boil on an area of skin that was touching another area of skin, I would make sure to apply the Tea Tree oil on all skin that was touching the boil. For a stubborn boil I had on my abdomen once, I mixed a very small amount of Goldenseal powder (natural anti-bacterial) with a teaspoon of Castor Oil, put them on a gauze pad over the boil, secured it with Bandaids and then covered it gently with a heating pad for about 20 minutes 3 times a day. Both of these natural ingredients are drawing agents, and they worked wonders to start pulling the infection right out of the skin within hours. By the next day, the infection was completely out and the boil was gone. Once the wound closed a little, I applied Aloe Vera gel to it regularly to prevent any scarring.

To stop the cycle of recurring boils, I did two things: I learned that a boil happens when the body has a toxin that it cannot get out fast enough through the normal channels. Since I generally eat a healthy, whole foods diet, I figured the only other thing it could be was my multi-vitamin supplement, so I stopped taking it. Soon after that, the number and severity of my boils went way down. To finish off any other toxins, I decided to try a medicinal herb that is very effective at killing bacteria, fungus and viruses: Pau d'Arco. I drank 1 cup of Pau d'Arco tea daily for 2 months, and I've not had another boil since, even after eating too much chocolate and nuts during the holidays. These safe, natural methods were extremely effective for me, and I love the idea that they also taught me how to prevent any future recurrances.

Vick's Vapor Rub

Posted by Tony (Duncan, OK) on 12/09/2008
★★★★★

VICK'S VAPOR RUB cured my MRSA
by Tony Walker

July- Duncan, OK. - I got chigger bites that got infected on the lower front of my leg.

Aug.- The infection spread showing up in new spots on the front of my lower leg. The new spots looked like oversized Zits with a white puss head 1/8 and a hardness under it of 1/4 across.

Sept.- The spots on the front of my leg cleared up as new spots showed up on the back of my lower leg.
Mid Sept. - I went to clinic and the doctor gave me a ten-day supply of Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim. ($100) The sores cleared up and no new sores appeared until--

Nov.10th Duncan, OK. New sores with a different appearance appear on back of lower leg. These sores start as little red bumps and become red and scabby with a clear discharge.

Nov.28th 2007- These new sores have moved to the front of my lower leg and the old Zit type sores have reappeared

I returned to the clinic and the doctor re prescribed The same prescription ($140) but this time it had no effect. I have tried a number of things to dry out the sores to no avail they only got worse. Then I tried rubbing Vix vapor rub on the sores and saw improvement overnight. I rubbed Vix? vapor rub on it twice a day morning and night.Then I draped a piece of sheet around it which I pinned to my shorts and tucked into my sock to keep the Vix off other stuff. The sores cleared up and were gone in about a week or so.

Dec.8 2008 about every 3 to 4 months a rash starts to reappeared and I just applied a little more vapor rub on it and it goes away again. This vapor rub need not be of the "Vix" name brand Walmart --equate-- works just as good.