Anybody who has had surgery will always experience discomfort. This is because surgery involves invasion of the body. Despite the top-of-the-line anaesthetics injected into the system, and the wide range of pain relievers, it is still an uncomfortable situation waking up from the surgery.

Surgery involves different works that is done in order to correct the problems that are experienced by the body. There is excision, which is the cutting of organ and tissue. There is the resection, which is the partial removal of body organs or tissues. Anastomosis involves reconnecting of organs or tissues if they are separated. When you have a broken nose, the surgeon will work on reduction or realignment of the affected body part. Ligation is the tying of blood vessels or tubes, such as tubal ligation to prevent pregnancies. Grafts, transplant, stoma creation, spinal fusion, amputation, debridement, all of them are procedures of surgery.

When one is subjected to any of this, the goal is to recover as soon as possible. Recovery means wound healing, which can lead to reduction of discomfort, towards experiencing optimal health. To recover, patients are always advised to eat foods that are nutritious. There is preference towards foods that are rich in vitamin C, because vitamin C can actually hasten the healing of wounds. Below are some herbs that have been proven to speed up one’s recovery from surgery:

1. Gotu Kola

   The scientific name of Gotu Kola is Centella asiatica. Some topical creams used for wound healing has 1 percent of gotu kola. With doctor’s supervisions, this herb is an effective herb to help in hastening the recovery of surgical patients due to its healing properties. Gotu kola may also be taken orally. But when taking this herb by mouth, use the standardized extract and ingest only 60 mg of the extract once to twice every day. Do not go beyond what is directed as this type of herb can cause hypertension. When taken by mouth, Gotu Kola can help in the repair of the connective tissues; basically can heal almost all types of wound, especially the sterile wounds after surgery. Additionally, it can prevent scars from enlarging.

2. Bromelain

   Bromelain comes from pineapple plant, as a crude extract. Studies show that bromelain has anti-inflammatory, antiedematous, antithrombotic and some fibrinolytic activities on the body. Taken orally, it has gained acceptance in the medical field as a phytotherapeutical drug. For wounds and burns, when bromelain is applied directly to the burnt skin, it can help in the debridement process, allowing the removal of dead tissues much easier and less painful. However, this is only good for those up to third degree burn. Fourth degree burn should be under the supervision of the doctor.

3. Aloe Vera

   Aloe Vera has long been used for healing since the olden times. There are documents showing the power of aloe Vera to heal wounds. This power is once again studied in modern times. A researcher from Texas A & M University is trying to find out what properties in aloe Vera helps in the healing processes of the wound. This plant that is originally from North Africa, and is not common anywhere in the planet, has a special polysaccharide. This polysaccharide is actually formed along the membranes of the cells of the plant. When the polysaccharide is applied to the wound, the wound is observed to heal faster. While the polysaccharide is also found in other plants, the one from Aloe Vera seem to have a restorative effect on the cells of the human body. The polysaccharide comes out from the plant as a liquid gel, but when it touches the skin, it becomes a gel. If it touches the wound, it creates a seal around the wound, protecting the wound from microorganisms that contribute to the further damage of the wound. As to how the wound heals faster, it is yet to be discovered. What is relevant now is it has the capability to speed up the recovery of the surgical patient.

4. Ginger

   Although there are warning that ginger should be stopped before surgery because it can lead to bleeding after surgery, ginger still has effects on the faster recovery of surgical patients due to its anti-inflammatory effect and its ability to boost the immune system. After surgery, patients will always experience the effects of inflammation, but with gingerols, the potent anti-inflammatory compounds of ginger, inflammation is reduced, especially for those who have surgical treatment on their knees and joints as it suppresses the pro-inflammatory compounds found in the synovial lining of the joints. Additionally it has the capability to boost immune system by producing healthy sweating in post-surgical patients. With healthy sweat that contains the protein dermicidin, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Candida albicans, common problems of patients in the hospital, are prevented from invading the skin.

5. Quercetin

   Quercetin is actually a flavonol derived from plants, such as vegetables, fruits and leaves. Quercetin has several health benefits, especially those that are advantageous to faster recovery of surgical patients. First, it has anti-inflammatory properties, which is important in effective recovery. Second, it has antiviral effects. If patients have open wounds, whether they are aseptic or sterile, virus can easily enter the body, causing several complications. Third, it has antiproliferative effects together with antifibrotic and antihistaminic effects. This property reduces the tendency to develop hypertrophic scars on the surgical wounds of the patient.

6. Calendula

   Another name for calendula is pot marigold. It is being used to help in the healing of wounds by applying the ointment that contains this plant directly into the wound. There are also practices of boiling tea, and applying the tea topically. In order to make tea from tincture, dilute a half or a full teaspoon of calendula to one-fourth cup water, apply directly to the wound. But when applying to surgical wounds, make sure that there is doctor’s supervision. Calendula has been known as an insect repellant for a long time. But history shows it has wound healing properties. The medieval monks even used this to treat bites made snakes. Not only is calendula an effective antibiotic, it is also an excellent topical anti-inflammatory.

7. Honey

   Honey is one of the ancient methods of healing wounds. In fact, honey is found in the tomb of King Tut and is believed to be applied in wounds during the pharaoh’s era. In modern times, researches are able to find out the healing properties of honey. The properties of honey that can help in wound healing are its high sugar content, its low moisture content, its ability to create an acidic environment through its gluconic acid and its natural hydrogen peroxide. First, the sugar is the food of our cells, when cells are dying, having good quality of sugar will revive the. Second, the low moisture content helps in wound healing because moisture actually is where bacteria and other microorganisms thrive. Gluconic acid prevents microorganisms to grow. And lastly, hydrogen peroxide helps kill the microorganisms and keep wounds sterile. By applying honey onto the wound, not only will it serves as antibacterial. It will also reduce the effects of inflammation.

Sources
livestrong.com
naturalnews.com
umm.edu
edoj.org.eg
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
umm.edu
whfoods.org
sciencedaily.com