9 Effective Home Remedies for Boils That Actually Work

Boils are a nuisance—anyone who’s had this condition will probably agree.

This skin disorder, which causes pus-filled bumps to appear on various parts of the body, is both painful and unsightly.

The primary cause of boils is bacterial infection by Staphylococcus [1].

It occurs when bacteria penetrate the body in areas where hair follicles are disturbed such as when there are nicks or small cuts on the skin [2].

Some people who suffer from certain conditions are more prone to this type of skin infection.

Diabetes, a weakened immune system, and poor nutrition and hygiene top the list of health issues that can lead to skin infections, as reported by WebMD [3].

Not to worry, though. Although unsightly and painful, boils can be treated quite easily. In fact, they can be treated using a few home remedies that actually work!

Below you’ll find:

• Safe and quick home remedies that do not cause unpleasant side effects
• Research-based natural interventions
• Simple methods that are easy to put together

1. Turmeric

One of the oldest natural medicines known to man is turmeric, which has been dubbed by many as the golden healer.

This traditional and herbal medicine is widely known as a blood purifier [4].

It’s no wonder folk healers particularly in India rely on this herb for detoxifying and cleansing the blood.

If you suffer from boils, this is also an effective solution that gives quick results.

That’s because turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [5].

It works well in inhibiting the pro-inflammatory enzymes in the body that trigger the process of inflammation.

The bottom line:

Using turmeric to treat boils is a convenient and relatively inexpensive strategy.

What You’ll Need: 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder, 1 glass of milk, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger

Recommended Directions: 

1. Boil water or milk in a saucepan.
2. Add turmeric powder.
3. Mix well.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Let it cool a little.
6. Consume this mixture three times daily for about five days.
7. Alternatively, mix fresh ginger and turmeric powder into a paste.
8. Apply to the affected area and use a clean cloth to cover it.
9. Repeat remedy daily for four to five days.

2. Warm Compress
Boils can make you feel uncomfortable.

Here’s the quickest way to resolve the discomfort this condition causes:

Make use of a warm compress.

Easy and very effective, warm compresses work wonders for toning down inflammation and pain.

The warm compress leads the boil to soften and burst by forcing the bacteria out of the surface, which in turn speeds up the process of healing and reduces pain [6].

What You’ll Need:

• 1 basin of water
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• Soap
• Washcloth

Recommended Directions:

1. Wash and clean the affected area using warm water and mild soap.
2. Add the salt to the warm water.
3. Stir the mixture well.
4. Soak the washcloth in this mixture and wring.
5. Place the compress on the affected area.
6. Gently press against the affected area for about ten to fifteen minutes.
7. Repeat three to four times a day.
8. Continue for about seven to ten days for effective results.

3. Potatoes

As it turns out, potatoes are more than just a delicious snack.

This root crop, which is used in making your favorite French fries and potato chips, is also highly medicinal, as revealed in scientific research.

Experts say that potatoes are high in calcium, phosphorus, manganese, vitamins, iron and magnesium.

Potatoes also have alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins that promote skin health [7].

Known for their cosmetic benefits, potatoes have long been used for skin problems such as under-eye circles and wounds.

In the treatment of boils, they provide significant pain relief through their anti-inflammatory properties [7].

That’s not all. Potatoes also help speed up regeneration of tissues to make it easier for the skin to heal.

This means that this remedy does not only alleviate unpleasant symptoms, it also helps you recover more quickly.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 whole potato

Recommended Directions:

1. Slice the potato thinly.
2. Place the thin slices on the boils.
3. Leave the slices on the affected area for about seven minutes.
4. Replace the slices with fresh ones.
5. Repeat the process twice a day for effective results.
6. Do this technique for up to one week.

4. Onion

There’s so much about onions that we don’t know about.

For one, they can do more than make us burst into tears.

Onions are actually packed with flavonoids, potassium and many other essential nutrients that are good for our health [8].

They have active compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, and antifungal properties that can help treat boils [9].

In a study that can be found in the African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Iranian scientists probed the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of freshly extracted onion juice on animal subjects [10].

It was found that fresh onion juice can effectively ease both acute and chronic pain, as well as inflammation in rats [10].

These effects were comparable to that of morphine, which is a standard medication used for pain [10].

It is also widely held believe that red onions have the ability to eliminate toxins and help reduce skin inflammation.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 whole onion

Recommended Directions:

1. Slice an onion.
2. Place slices on the boil area.
3. Use the cloth to cover it.
4. Use fresh slices every three to four hours.
5. Repeat every day for best results.
6. Alternatively, the onion can be cut into pieces.
7. Boil the pieces until the water level reduces to half.
8. Gently apply this liquid on the boil area.

5. Tea Tree Oil

Boils and skin abscesses can also be healed with regular topical application of tea tree oil.

Tea tree oil is one of the most frequently used traditional remedies in Australia.

Its use has also spread in many other parts of the world.

Most experts recognize this oil for its antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties.

In a clinical trial published in the Inflammation Research Journal, it was reported that tea tree oil’s main compound called terpinen-4-ol demonstrate strong anti-inflammatory effects [11].

It was explained that this compound can effectively suppress the production of pro-inflammatory mediators [11].

By toning down inflammation, tea tree oil not only alleviates the discomfort caused by boils but also helps in facilitating the healing process.

What You’ll Need:

• 5 drops of tea tree oil
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil

Recommended Directions:

1. Put the two oils in a bowl.
2. Mix well.
3. Dip a cotton swab in tea tree oil mixture.
4. Dab it gently on the boil.
5. Repeat a few times daily.
6. Continue for several days until the desired result is achieved.
7. Note: Perform first a patch test to rule out possible skin irritation.

6. Neem

Neem is a tropical tree that can be found in India and some parts of Southeast Asia [12].

Many of its parts such as the leaves, fruit, and bark have been found to possess therapeutic properties [12].

The oil extracted from the seeds also exhibit pharmacological effects [12].

Those who would like immediate relief from boils can make use of neem, either in water extract or essential oil form.

According to a study performed by Nigerian researchers, neem extract has anti-inflammatory activities that can help tone down the swelling of the skin underneath the hair follicles [13].

Neem’s antipyretic properties, or its ability to lower body temperature, can also come in handy, as bacterial infections such as boils often cause fever [13].

It’s also good to know that neem has strong antimicrobial powers that work even on drug-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria, reports a 2009 study [14].

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of neem leaves
• 1 pot of water
• 3 drops of neem oil
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil

Recommended Directions:

1. Boil water in a pot.
2. Add neem leaves.
3. Turn off heat.
4. Let it steep for 20 minutes.
5. Strain the mixture.
6. Use the mixture to wash affected area after bathing.
7. Rinse with warm water.
8. Pat dry with a clean towel.
9. Mix neem oil and olive oil.
10. Use a cotton ball to spot apply on boils.
11. Do these two remedies once a day for one week.

7. Garlic

The use of garlic as a natural medicine dates back to thousands of years ago.

Folk healers have been using this herbal remedy to treat many types of ailments, many of which are caused by microbial infections.

Boils belong to the long list of ailments that can be alleviated with garlic.

A study featured in the Nutrition and Food Science Journal states that garlic has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, courtesy of its organosulfur compounds [15].

These compounds work by suppressing the formation of pro-inflammatory enzymes, and at teh same time, inhibit the growth and spread of bacteria [15].

Allicin is the major compound in garlic that works even on Staphylococcus bacteria that have grown resistant to antibiotics [16].

What You’ll Need:

• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 cup of water

Recommended Directions:

1. Boil a cup of water in a pot.
2. Crush garlic cloves and add to the water.
3. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Remove from the stove.
5. Strain the mixture.
6. Let it cool a little.
7. Use a cotton pad to apply garlic water extract on boils.
8. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
9. Rinse with warm water.
10. Repeat daily for up to one week.

8. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is so versatile that it can treat a wide range of health conditions.

Many have found it effective in speeding up the healing of burns, wounds, and other skin problems.

Researchers from Philadelphia, USA tackled the ability of aloe vera in wound healing and inflammation [17].

It contains a major sugar called mannose-6-phosphate, which has been found to improve wound healing in mice subjects [17].

It has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can also be highly useful in treating boils.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 aloe vera leaf

Recommended Directions:

1. Break off the leaf to extract the gel.
2. Apply gel on boils.
3. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing.
4. Rinse with cool water.
5. Pat it dry with a clean towel.
6. Repeat procedure twice a day for one week.

9. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is another potent weapon that you can use in the fight against bacterial infections [18].

It contains antibacterial compounds that can successfully inhibit growth and spread of disease-causing microbes [18].

In addition, nutmeg stimulates blood circulation and possesses anti-inflammatory properties to make it easier for you to recover from skin diseases like boils [19].

These properties aid in relieving the pain and the swelling due to boils [19].

This remedy requires minimum preparation to be ready for application.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1 cup of water or milk

Recommended Directions:

1. In a pan, heat water or milk.
2. Add ground nutmeg.
3. Mix well.
4. Transfer mixture to a cup.
5. Consume daily for up to one month.

10. Black Seed

There are many benefits that are associated with the use of black seed.

A 2001 study conducted in Saudi Arabia shows that this remedy has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties [20].

These activities are helpful in combating skin infections like boils.

Plus, black seed is also a proven antipyretic, which is ideal in cases where the bacterial infection has caused fever [20].

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of black seeds
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of black seed oil
• 1 cup of milk

Recommended Directions:

1. Grind some black seeds into a paste.
2. Apply the paste to the affected area.
3. Alternatively, gently rub black seed oil onto the boil area.
4. In addition, half a teaspoon of the oil can be added to one cup of hot or cold milk.
5. Drink two times daily for several days for the best results.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is essential that you do not attempt to prick or squeeze a boil. Doing so will definitely spread the infection. If a boil is very painful, it is always wise to consult a doctor.

Under normal situations and with first-stage boils, these home remedies can be highly effective. You don’t have to empty your pockets to enjoy an effective home treatment.