Top 14 Natural Home Remedies For Boils On Body & Face Skin

Updated: 07/09/2019

Overview

Do you feel annoyed with boils on your body or face skin? Are you looking for natural home remedies for boils? Boils are hard and large pimples which become filled in the center with pus to form a small, localized abscess.

Boils can develop around a pilonidal cyst (hair-containing swelling), a hair follicle (furuncle), and several hair follicles to form multiple heads (carbuncles) or as part of a severe cystic acne. They can also develop as a sign of diabetes if your blood sugar levels are not well controlled.

Boils can appear on just about any part of the body, such as the face, groin, breast, scalp, back, neck, stomach, chest, ear canal, armpits, and buttocks.

When a boil starts to form, you will notice redness and tenderness on your skin and a nodule that starts to get bigger. As white blood cells are attracted to the area to fight the causative bacteria, inflammation spreads and pus builds up as immune cells accumulate in the boil’s center. This leads to increased pressure and inflammation so that the boil is painful to touch. Sometimes, the affected area my itch. Alongside these warning signs, you may develop other signs of infection such as a fever (especially in children), swelling or red streaks on the skin. If these occur, it is important to seek immediate medical advice.

Boils are caused by a common type of bacteria, called Staphylococcus aureus, which lives on the skin of everyone. While your immune system usually stops these from forming infections such as boils, these become more common if you have an underlying factor such as undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes, malnutrition, alcoholism, HIV/AIDS, poor hygiene, friction from tight clothing, or if your immunity is suppressed due to serious illness, taking certain medications or if you are receiving chemotherapy to treat cancer.

This article explores the best home remedies for boils on body and face skin. The recipes we've focused on are traditional home remedies that can be used alongside usual medical treatment. Always consult your doctor about recurrent boils, or infections, and if symptoms are getting worse rather than better.

Top 14 Natural Home Remedies For Boils On Body And Face Skin

1. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has both antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help to decrease bacterial infection and heal painful boils^[1]. Using tea tree oil can help speed up the healing process. Also, it gives you a relief from the discomfort caused by boils or skin abscesses. According to a clinical trial published in the Inflammation Research Journal, tea tree oil contains terpinen-4-ol which has strong anti-inflammatory effects^[2]. This clinical trial noted that this compound can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Thus, it can alleviate the discomfort caused due to boils by toning down inflammation.

• Wash affected skin first by using warm water.
• Dip a cotton swab into the tea tree oil.
• Apply the swab to your boils directly and gently.
• Wash off your skin.
• Do this process for a few times per day.
• Continue doing for several days until you see positive result.

Note: Do a patch test before using this remedy. Do not consume this oil. If you have sensitive skin, you should dilute this oil before applying.

2. Turmeric And Milk

The combination of turmeric and milk can be useful for getting rid of boils. According to a study, turmeric is classed as a natural blood ‘purifier’ and has anti-inflammatory properties^[3]. A combination of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects can help to heal a boil quickly^[4].

• Take a glass of milk and warm it.
• Remember not to make it hot
• Pour a spoon of turmeric powder into it and stir well.
• Drink this solution.
• Follow this remedy three times a day.
• Drink this every day until all the boils are gone away.

3. Turmeric And Ginger

Both turmeric and ginger can treat boils effectively since they both have anti-inflammatory properties.

• Take a few fresh ginger slices and some turmeric.
• Pound them together to make a paste.
• Apply this mixture to the boils directly.
• Leave it on until it becomes dry.
• Wash off with water.
• Keep following this process once or twice each day.
• Continue doing so until your situation is improved.

4. Epsom Salt Bath

Having an Epsom salt bath is an ideal solution for boils because it can help to draw out toxins, relieve pain and reduce swelling. The Epsom salts will remove moisture from the area and helps to destroy bacteria due to dehydration^[5].

• Half fill a bath (or basin) with warm water.
• Add 2 cups of Epsom salt into the water.
• Soak your affected areas in this mixture.
• Do this once every day until your symptoms have gone.

Additionally, Epsom salt is also used as a natural remedy for kidney infection pain.

5. Castor Oil

Castor oil consists of a compound named ricinoleic acid that is a natural and potent anti-inflammatory. Castor oil also possesses antibacterial properties that help to prevent the growth of bacteria (including Staphylococcus aureus that contributes to acne and boils)^[6].

• Take a small bottle of castor oil.
• Put a few drops of castor oil onto a cotton ball.
• Directly place the cotton ball on your boils.
• Do this procedure two or three times a day.
• Continue applying every day until the boils are cone.

You can also use castor oil as a natural treatment for stretch marks.

6. Onion

According to webMD, onions are enriched with flavonoids, potassium and many other essential nutrients, which are useful for our health^[7]. A study found that fresh onion juice can efficiently ease both chronic and acute pain and inflammation in rats^[8]. With antimicrobial properties and antiseptic properties, onion is an effective treatment for boils at home. It also has antibacterial effects against some strains of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus^[9].

Option 1

• Cut a thick slice of onion.
• Directly apply this slice to your boils
• Take a clean cloth.
• Wrap the onion slice to your skin so it warms.
• Change the slice of onion every four hours.
• Keep doing this until your condition is improved.

Option 2

• Put some onions into water.
• Boil it till the water reduces by a half.
• Strain the water and allow it to warm.
• Wash your boils with this liquid.

7. Garlic

A study showed that garlic is loaded with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties^[10]. As well as having anti-inflammatory properties to help suppress boils, garlic can also restrict the growth of Staphylococcus aureus which is the bacteria causing acne and boils^[11].

Option 1

• Crush some garlic cloves.
• Apply them to your skin which has boils.
• Leave it on until the pus drains away.

Option 2

• Heat some crushed garlic cloves.
• Place them on your affected skin area.
• Leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Do this several times every day.

Note: Wash garlic from skin immediately if it starts to burn or itch. If your skin is sensitive, do a patch test first, and dilute the garlic juice before applying to skin.

8. Indian Lilac

The anti-microbial, antibacterial, and antiseptic agents in the Indian lilac (neem tree) can treat not only boils but also any other kinds of skin infections. A studyfound that all parts of the neem tree – flowers, leaves, seeds, roots fruits, and bark have been used for the treatment of infections, inflammation, fever, skin diseases and dental disorders^[12].

• Husk a handful of Indian lilac leaves to make a fine paste. Apply this paste to your boils.
• Alternatively, put the Indian lilac leaves in water and boil them until the amount of water decreases to one-third. Allow it to cool down. Use this water to wash your affected area.

Follow one of these methods 3 or 4 times per day until you see the positive result.

9. Betel Leaves

Betel leaves contains phenols with strong antiseptic properties, and their essential oil is also antifungal, anti-protozoan, and antibacterial. Betel leaf extracts are used topically for their antimicrobial action and can prevent the growth of different strains of bacteria^[13].

• Take 2 or 3 betel leaves.
• Tear them into small pieces.
• Boil them with a half cup of water for 10 minutes.
• Turn down the flame and keep the heat low.
• Allow it to cool.
• Grind or mash them to make a paste.
• Apply the paste to your affected area and cover with the bandage or gauze.
• Reapply the paste after a few hours.
• Keep doing this twice per day daily until your situation is improved

10.  Potatoes

According to an article published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, directly putting raw potato on the affected area can deal with arthritis, infections, burns, boils, and sore^[14]. Potatoes are rich in vitamins B and A, and calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and manganese to help support immunity. That’s why it has been used to treat a lot of health conditions, particularly skin problems. Moreover, they include alkaloids, flavonoids along with tannins which can improve your health and skin. The alkaline and anti-inflammatory properties of potatoes can also relieve boils.

• Take a potato and cut it into thin slices. Apply them to your boils. Regularly replace these slices with the new fresh ones.
• You can also take a potato and grind it to squeeze the juice out. Use a cotton ball and dab the potato juice on your affected area. Do this 4 or 5 times per day.
• You can also cut the potato into thick slices. Take one slice and put it on your boil. Cover it with a bandage or a cloth. Leave it on overnight and remove it in the next morning.

11. Warm Compress

A warm compress will help a boil come to a head, soften and burst so the pus and bacteria ooze onto the surface, boosting the process of healing and decreasing pain. Applying a warm compress also increases circulation and eases pain.

• Wash your boil.
• Put a teaspoon of salt into warm water (you should take 15 -16 cups).
• Dip a clean cloth into it.
• Remove the excessive water.
• Place the cloth on the boils for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Do this remedy up to six times per day.
• Keep doing every day until your condition is better.

Using this treatment will speed up the healing of your boils and help to relieve the associated pain.

12.  Burdock Root

Burdock root is used to treat boils and some other skin problems such as acne, canker sores and is traditionally said to have blood purifying properties^[15]. It can help to flush the toxins out of your body. Furthermore, it has anti-inflammatory effects that are beneficial for fighting skin infections. More importantly, this herb has antibiotic properties which can help you to get rid of boils soon.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of chopped burdock root or 1 tablespoon of dried root
• 3 cups of water

Methods:

• Put the root in a pot.
• Pour the water into the pot until it is over the root and boil it.
• Lower the heat and allow it to simmer for 30 minutes.
• Put the flame off and allow it to steep from 15 to 20 minutes.
• Strain this liquid.
• Use this tea to drink or rinse your boils when it is still warm
• Repeat three or four times every day.

Note: Breastfeeding and pregnant women or people having cardiovascular disease or diabetes women should not use this remedy.

If you want to know more about natural at home remedies for other diseases and conditions, you can go to our main Home Remedies page.