The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Salt Pork
Posted by Kelli (Greenville, SC) on 12/05/2006
★★★★★
Salt Pork will cure a Pilonidal Cyst (really bad boil). Place small piece of salt pork directly on boil, it will sting, however it will "dry" up the boil in a matter of days.
Honey
Posted by Jen (Bedford, NH) on 11/13/2006
★★★★★
After several months dealing with a painful abscess on my bottom, I was desperate. I'd had it opened and drained by a surgeon, and had to have it packed every day for weeks. I took antibiotics, which gave me a massive allergic reaction. It was not healing. Finally the opening the surgeon had made became too small to insert the packing gauze, and I just set a gauze square on the outside. It flared up again almost immediately. While looking for any alternative to "modern" medicine, I first tried a sliced red beet. It did seem to draw out some pus, but it was still not healing. Then, I read a large study that had been posted on the internet dealing with the curative effects of honey vs. standard medical therapies. The results were so dramatic, I had to try it. within five days, the abscess has fully drained! No more pus is coming out, it has NOT swollen up again, and doesn't hurt anymore. I used organic honey on a gauze square, and will continue to do so until it is fully closed and healed. I am also going to start trying it internally for acid reflux (just diagnosed), as I cannot take the prescribed pills (excruciating abdominal/colon spasms!). Thanks for a wonderful website!
Salt
Posted by Carla (Greenville, Nc) on 10/26/2009
★★★★★
I feel like you saved my life! I had tried everything to treat the abscess in my pubic area, and as soon as I read your post I tried the salt, and I still can't believe how it worked. THANK YOU and your family.
Baking Soda
Posted by Jennifer (Milwaukee, WI) on 08/01/2006
★★★★★
I have had boils on and off for a year or so, but this one was SO incredibly painful! I literally could not sit or walk without extreme pain for 3 days. I found your site when searching for a natural remedy, and the only thing I had on hand was the Baking Soda. I immediately tried it and felt a lessening of the pain within an hour or so. By the next morning the pain was almost nonexistent! I now have no noticeable pain. Thank you so much for providing such a valuable site!
The Bottle Method
Posted by Vanessa (Missoula, MT) on 06/17/2006
★★★★★
Pour boiling water into an empty glass bottle. Pour the water out and place the bottle's mouth over a boil. Do not move the bottle as this will break the suction. The cooling air will draw out the puss and gunk of the boil!
Baking Soda
Posted by Gabi (Jacksonville, FL) on 06/02/2006
★★★★★
Baking soda combined with some essential oils like lavender and lemon as well as some vitamin E and hot compresses seemed to help bring it to a head, but at the time i had no insurance so i was trying anything. But now 7 months later i'm starting to get one again or its coming back. I saw my doctor this time and she just said to start the hot compresses again. so i'm doing that and i'm trying ichthammol.
Vick's Vapor Rub
Posted by Laverne (York, SC) on 03/27/2006
★★★★★
I cured a boil on my brother's side. Used a mixture of warm compresses and vicks vapor rub...the boil came to a head the next day...the boil was very painful to him.
Baking Soda
Posted by Lorik (Riverside, Ca) on 12/27/2010
A small pimple turned out into a large boil and I wanted to just let everybody know that do not try to do a home remedy-especially when the boil gets bigger. I had tried to put hot paper towels and compress them on the boil and also put 91% Alcohol to dry out the boil however; it was getting larger than a golf ball. Finally, I went in the emergency and had them lance it and drain the pus and turned into a staff infection. The boil was on my bikini line!!! Of all things where I shave on a consistant basis-this time got infected-next time I will clean with alcohol. Now I know why men use aftershave-it has alcohol in it. I just knew that if it wasn't getting better that there was immediate attention and not to take chances and allow your body to heal with that big of boil to pop on its own is crazy and also taking chances with getting admitted into the hospital. Please go to a doctor, it can be very deadly and also, if you have diabetes, more severe chance of recovery. I don't have diabetes however; was worried when they tested me for it instantly. I am on Kfex and some other antibiotic including a pain reliever.
Baking Soda
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 10/19/2012
re: countertops - I use Borax on my countertops. Use it like "comet", but it won't blanch your clothes like bleach will, and no horrid smell or toxicity. As a bonus it will get rid of any "house" that bugs have that are pestering your kitchen. Just use it like you would a normal abrasive. PS baking soda will make your sink shine like no tomorrow.
Nutmeg
Posted by RP (USA) on 03/02/2021
Turmeric can cure very serious cases of boils but one would have to take a teaspoon of it in a glass of water several times a day. And, of course, eat only foods that are recognizable as coming from Nature and no sugar, white flour, fried or processed food, and lots of water each day
Nutmeg
Posted by Ronda (Arkansas) on 07/18/2021
Starting nutmeg today, I'll be back with results. I am 53 and have been dealing with walnut size boils since my early teens, the last 15 years they've grown to fist size, I've tried doctors even infectious disease doctors tried for a couple of years. No luck. I'm believing this will be the answer. Thank you in advance for the information.
These big ones ( fist/ baseball size) make me sick head to toe with joint pain and so sleepy if I get the time off I sleep for days. I've been on medical leave 3 times a month each and slept most of all the month.
I'm giving my history so when I do come back with results you can know what a blessing beyond measure sharing this information has been.
My last big one in 2019/ 2020 I Prayed for death to come before another developed. The one now is walnut size thank the Lord.
Thank you
Ronda
Nutmeg
Posted by ivybridge (TN) on 07/19/2021
It is possible that your hormones are out of balance. Here is a list of steroidal hormones that I would check.
Steroid Hormones:
Testosterone, Free with Total
Estrogens, Total
Estrone
Estradiol
DHEA-S
Progesterone
Pregnenolone
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
FSH/LH
Cortisol
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Rp (Usa) on 06/13/2018
The boils (though painful) will come to a head and empty themselves so there is no need to lance them. Turmeric taken in water several times a day will cure many, but one has to clean up one's diet only eating food that actually looks like food items and cook it yourself (no restaurant food which often has sugar in many dishes and other chemicals, nor processed or fried food of any sort, nor alcohol, sodas, etc. just pure water or herbal teas and juices)
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Khadijahsfarmer (Pennsylvania) on 06/27/2018
★★★★★
🌻 I have seen better results with taking the turmeric, ACV regularly and will let them come to a head instead of having them lanced as I have learned here, thanks all praise due to GOD. Smile, it's an act of charity.
Silver
Posted by Katzie (Calgary) on 10/17/2015
★★★★★
I used to use an incredibly awesome turmeric/manuka honey combination for most boils. Turmeric is a miracle substance, but it stains everything. So, about a year ago I started using silver gel on a boil as soon as I detected it ; that, combined with a non-stick medical pad, and that boil would soon disappear. The neatest thing is, is that it seems to have diminished the frequency of the boils, as well. I also use it on my teen's pimples and it zaps them as well. I also use silver gel and/or manuka honey in place of polysporin now. Good health, everybody!
Glass Bottle Suction Technique
Posted by Lady Mars (Florida) on 07/12/2015
★★★★★
When my husband was younger, he got several boils and carbuncles over the course of a year. The hospital lanced them each time and they usually came back. He also got antibiotics and perhaps other drugs. The worst one was a carbuncle, an infected boil with several heads. Finally his father suggested an old remedy and the doctor agreed to try it.
Find a bottle with a mouth just large enough to fit over the boil. Fill the bottle with very hot water. In a minute or two, dump out the water. Place the hot bottle over the boil and a suction will form, pulling out the "gunk". In my husband's case, the boil never came back.
Glass Bottle Suction Technique
Posted by Richard (Philippians ) on 07/25/2020
★★★★★
As long as the boil isn't on my face or neck or some place where a scar will be seen. I don't care if there is a scar! The bottle method will pull the core of the boil out, it works! The boil will not come back!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Sophia (Norway) on 04/16/2015
★★★★★
I have read through earth clinic for over two years now and recently I decided to begin posting the few cures I have found over time to work and writing on my own experience with them too. Hope this helps someone, as earth clinic has helped me so much.
Exactly a bit over two years ago I got several red little bumps on my armpit after shaving. They grew fast and it was very painful. One of them was even opened to be cleaned deep by a doc and she did not do a good job so I was miserable.
What I did was to apply coconut oil topically on the area until absorbed, about 4 to 5 times during the daytime. Bumps went away completely in 3 days. The oil I used was the cheapest coconut oil I could find in the foreign shops of Norway, pure but unrefined, not virgin.
When I got a tiny bump in that area again, I tried with other higher quality virgin coconut oil and I never got the same result as with the other cheap coconut oil. Coconut oil was really a bless! And did in 3 days what antibiotics could not do alone in 2 weeks.
After two years I got another boil but in a different area and this time coconut oil alone was not enough. However I can say for the armpit area it worked as a charm.
Tomato
Posted by Anon (Nc) on 06/28/2013
★★★★★
Tomato paste does work for boils! My pain was horrible and even on antibiotics it felt like the boil was too deep in my skin for it to come up I got desperate and as my husband laughed at me I put the tomato paste over it and then covered with a bandage. Slept with the heating pad on my leg and the next morning it opened. So relieved from the pain. I will do this immediately if I get another one.
Staph- Related
Posted by Francesca (New York, Ny) on 12/27/2012
Have the inside of your nose tested for staph!!! I suffered from staph infections on my legs and butt for years in the form of boils and abscesses. I went to numerous doctors, western, acupuncturists, and naturopaths. I tried every recommendation I heard, I even only ate alkaline food, cut out sugar, wheat, meat, and dairy. Last month I saw a dermatologist and he asked if my nose had ever been tested. In none of my countless doctors visits and online forums did I hear/read anything about this. But he tested my nose, found staph, and then gave me bactroban cream to put in my nose every night before bed for two weeks. After the two weeks of putting the cream in my nose, I was retested and I no longer have staph!! I used to get abscesses when I didn't get enough sleep or was stressed out. I just completed my third, and most stressful, semester of graduate school and am fine! I cannot stress this enough, the dermatologist changed my life!
Oregano Oil
Posted by Jesuslover (Minneapolis, Minnesota Usa) on 01/26/2012
★★★★★
Hi, I just wanted to say thank you for the individual testimonials and great information on this site! I contracted a staph infection shortly after surgery and also a bad cut on my finger, not sure exactly which was the cause. The infection resulted in a boil which my doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat. I was on the antibiotics for almost the full course of treatment, and while there was some improvement, it did not quickly cure or alleviate the uncomfortable condition. I started taking two capsules of oil of oregano a day, which I just happened to have in the cupboard since a friend gave them to me. The same day I began taking these my condition began to improve much more rapidly! I know it was because of the oil of oregano and I thank God for this "miracle herb". I have never really been one who put much stock in herbal remedies but I will definitely do more research in the future before only depending on presciption medications for every affliction. Thanks again for sharing this valuable information! God bless :)
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sally (Melbourne) on 08/04/2016
Hair is actually helpful, it helps keep pores open and helps sebum leave the pore... pores with hair in them depend on the hair to help the pore function. This is why shaving leads to clogged pores, and folicilitis. I would encourage you to research issues that have resulted from permanent hair removal before you take this step, to make sure it is right for you.
Garlic
Posted by Ginkobiloba (New York, Usa) on 06/30/2011
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
After reading about garlic as a strong antibiotic I put crushed garlic on a staph boil (I think that's what it was. I had one many years ago in the same place and went to the doctor and that's what he called it- he gave me antibiotics)
I would hold the garlic in place with a sterile pad and an ace bandage, leaving it on for hours at a time. WELL, the boil opened but it also spread! It got worse! I switched to drinking vinegar and tumeric and also rubbbing Caledula oil on it. Immediate improvement. I even did the baking soda a couple times which was cooling. I made a Shea butter salve with Calendula, Usnea, Wormwood and Comfrey. Large red inflamed area almost gone, but it has been almost 10 days (since the garlic). Thanks everyone...
Flaxseed Poultice
Posted by Trawhe (Glenwood, Md) on 10/22/2012
★★★★★
The flaxseed option worked within hours. I mixed flaxseed powder with very warm water and put mixture onto a clean cloth then put against the boil, then placed a heating pad underneath and the boil started to go away and took the pain away. This was after I tried the bacon for eight hours that did not work for me. Thanks a bunch for this method. I can get some sleep tonight.
Drawing Salve
Posted by Marie (Conr9e) on 08/21/2015
★★★★★
I am amazed how many people get these horrific boils! I'm diabetic and 4 months ago I had actual an surgery because the antibiotics were not working. They put me in the hospital and gave me antibiotics through it, was the size 6 center meters. After 4 days they decided to perform surgery in the operating room. It was horrible. It was 4 inches wide and long.
Well, I just got another one @its been 4 months. Now I have a huge boil in the panty line horrible unrelenting pain. i started using ichtoma,l bad smell, but it's been three day and it's forming a head. I also have been putting warm compresses on it.
i wish they found a cure but ichtomal does work
Boil Treatment Warnings
Posted by Tina (Princeton, New Jersey) on 01/09/2011
Amen to that. Could't have said it better myself, Lisa.
Boil Treatment Warnings
Posted by Maymuse (St Louis, Mo) on 09/08/2011
Dmontg: I too have had recurring boils (which eventually led to a 5-day stint in a hospital), after I allowed a golfball sized boil grow in my neck - turns out, it was in my gland!
The hospital pumped me full of antibiotics and fluids; and warned me that it was MRSA. Ever since, I have had many boils which seem impossible to relieve - most of them have been on my face and neck, with the occasional buttock boil (awful, you can imagine).
I've found that I'm prone to getting these after eating certain foods: just like Elle from Austin TX, cheap chocolate pudding seems to provoke an attack. Also certain nuts, like almonds, seem to be a cause. My menstrual cycle may be an indicator. However, I don't get boils every month...?
Not sure of any other commonalities amongst us with recurring boils, but I have O-negative blood. I had a bad outbreak of shingles, followed by a severe case of mononucleosis a few years later, and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 5 years ago, after suffering years of widespread pain.
I really prefer natural home remedies, and avoid taking prescription medication - especially since my body seems to be resistent to most antibiotics at this point.
Thanks to the generous people shared comments on this site, I've discovered that ACV (apple cider vinegar) and tumeric are essential parts of the diet in order to keep these at bay. I also use tea tree oil, and lavender oil on the site of any boil.
Boil Treatment Warnings
Posted by Debby (Carrollton, Texas, Usa) on 10/15/2012
I have boils for the past 3 1/2 years... Took antibiotics but they still come back. I have took Turmeric pills also for over a year still having boils, so sick of having them. Now I trying ACV with honey twice a day that someone on here suggested. Just wanted to let anyone know that Turmeric did work a little when I first started taking it but now it don't seem to work still getting boils..... Hope this helps anyone I really know how ya'll feel.....
Draining a Boil
Posted by Ebby (Toronto, Ontario) on 07/01/2010
★★★★★
Just a quick note. This may sound strange but after not having much success draining a boil with wet heated cloth I decided to try a heavy duty paper towel and presto, the boil began to drain for over an hour. Change towel regularly and rest. hope this helps. Also, i too have found the turmeric cure helpful and use oregano oil as an antibactial.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sandy (Mebane, Nc) on 06/30/2010
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar has definitely helped my boils. I drink it at least 2 times a day with water.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Helen (Stillwater, Ok) on 11/08/2012
My husband was bit my a spider and developed red streaks and the center of the bite was nasty looking. I mixed water and charcoal together and put on the bite with a bandade. The bite starting healing. After the site healed there was a small dark spot, like a stain or tatoo.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Janet (In) on 10/27/2017
Lena Here is an answer from Ted here on earth clinic. As he says most of the things are available at the drug store. Or Amazon.
I soak almost everything in magnesium and borax saturated water. Milk of magnesia or magnesium oil.
Applying iodine is prudent. Colloidal Silver too. Ted mentions hydrogen peroxide.
I noticed that with an infection under my nail, the iodine color disappears pretty quick. Must be applied frequently. It is being used up pretty quickly, it seems.
Janet
Here is Teds post
https://ted.earthclinic.com/cures/impetigo2.html
