Vulneraries

Vulneraries are substances, typically topical preparations, intended to promote the healing of wounds. The term comes from the Latin vulnerarius, meaning wound, and is used in historical and herbal contexts to describe wound-healing agents.

Historically, vulneraries were used across many medical traditions, including European folk medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and Indigenous healing practices. They were applied as poultices, salves, tinctures, or infusions to cuts, bruises, burns, ulcers, and other injuries.

In modern usage, vulneraries are often plant-based or mineral formulations that support tissue repair, maintain moisture, and provide a protective barrier. They are intended to aid healing alongside conventional care, not as replacements for antiseptics or professional treatment.

Common plant-based vulneraries include yarrow (Achillea millefolium), plantain (Plantago spp.), calendula (Calendula officinalis), aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Comfrey has historical use but contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is generally avoided for internal use; topical use remains controversial and should be used with caution.

In contemporary practice, vulneraries appear in herbal tinctures, ointments, healing gels, and wound-care products. Evidence for efficacy varies by preparation, and safety considerations such as skin sensitivity and potential interactions with medicines guide their use.