Where There Is No Doctor 2011 13
CARDON CACTUS (Pachycerius pectin-aboriginum)
Cactus juice can be used to clean wounds when there is no
boiled water and no way to get any. Cardon cactus also helps stop
a wound from bleeding, because the juice makes the cut blood
vessels squeeze shut.
Cut a piece of the cactus
with a clean knife and press it
firmly against the wound.
When the bleeding is under
control, tie a piece of the
cactus to the wound with a
strip of cloth.
After 2 or 3 hours, take
off the cactus and clean the wound with boiled water and soap. There are more
instructions on how to care for wounds and control bleeding on pages 82 to 87.
ALOE VERA (Sabila)
Aloe vera can be used to treat minor burns and wounds. The thick, slimy juice
inside the plant calms pain and itching, aids healing, and
helps prevent infection. Cut off a piece of the plant, peel
back the outer layer, and apply the fleshy leaf or juice directly
to the burn or wound.
Aloe can also help treat stomach ulcers and gastritis.
Chop the spongy leaves into small pieces, soak them in
water overnight, and then drink one glass of the slimy, bitter
liquid every 2 hours.
PAPAYA
Ripe papayas are rich in vitamins and also aid digestion.
Eating them is especially helpful for weak or old people
who complain of upset stomach when they eat meat,
chicken, or eggs. Papaya makes these foods easier to
digest.
Papaya can also help get rid of intestinal worms,
although modern medicines work better. Collect 3 or 4
teaspoons (15-20 ml.) of the ‘milk’ that comes out when
the green fruit or trunk of the tree is cut. Mix this with an
equal amount of sugar or honey and stir it into a cup of
hot water. If possible, drink along with a laxative.
Even better, dry and crush to a powder the papaya seeds. Take 3 teaspoons
mixed with 1 glass water or some honey 3 times a day for 7 days.
Papayas can also be used for treating pressure sores. The fruit contains
chemicals that help soften and make dead flesh easier to remove. First clean and
wash out a pressure sore that has dead flesh in it. Then soak a sterile cloth or gauze
with ‘milk’ from the trunk or green fruit of a papaya plant and pack this into the sore,
Repeat cleaning and repacking 3 times a day.