If there’s a word to strike fear in even the most fearless, gangrene is it. The natural progression of gangrene for most of history has been to sepsis or amputation (if a limb is involved) and often death. Preparing well, so that we have antibiotics—conventional and herbal, we know how to clean and bandage wounds, we reduce our risk factors, and we avoid conflicts, imparts a significant advantage.
What is gangrene? Gangrene arises from a lack of circulation and leads to tissue death. At this point, with all the advantages of modern medicine, it most frequently occurs in diabetics in the toes and feet and necessitates amputation. In more challenging circumstances it may occur due to an ingrown toenail or frostbite. It can always develop as a result of a wound becoming contaminated and not cleaned. However, while by definition gangrene involves death of the tissue, it doesn’t necessarily include infection. Without rapid treatment, gangrene may result in serious complications or death, even if there is no infection involved.
Types of gangrene
Dry gangrene occurs when blood doesn’t circulate to a certain area of the body, but there is no infection involved. Skin feels dry to the touch (no blisters or pus). This type is most commonly due to atherosclerosis (plaque accumulation on the artery walls).[1]
Wet gangrene develops due to poor blood perfusion in conjunction with a bacterial infection. Blisters form on the skin and release pus (thus the “wet” designation). This type can rapidly spread to other tissues.[2]
Gas gangrene destroys blood cells and soft tissues. Bacteria quickly reproduce in muscle tissue and release toxins and gas. This infection spreads quickly and can become life-threatening within hours.[3]
Fournier’s gangrene is a rare bacterial infection that affects the genitals. It is more common in men than women.[4]
Internal gangrene occurs when the blood flow to internal organs is compromised. The appendix, gallbladder, and intestines are most commonly affected.[5]
Signs and symptoms
- Skin turns red, brown, purple, green, or black.[6] [7]
- Skin surrounding the wound may display dark blisters and may have air bubbles in it[8]
- The blisters may leak foul-smelling blood or pus.[9] [10]
- Foul-smelling gray or brown liquid develops in the wound[11]
- Skin feels pale, cool, firm, and/or tender to the touch[12]
- Skin crackles when pressed due to the gas accumulation below the surface[13]
- Accelerated respiration and heart rate[14]
- Feeling extremely anxious[15]
- Fever, sweating, chills, vomiting—flu-like symptoms[16]
- Severe pain or loss of sensation[17]
- Swelling of the affected area[18]
It manifests 6-72 hours after the injury was sustained and rapidly worsens and spreads.[19] It can develop anywhere in the body but most commonly affects the feet and hands.[20] Without treatment, death is certain within a few days.
Treatment
All
- Open the wound as wide as possible.[21]
- Wash it out with cool, boiled water and soap.[22]
- Debride the dead and damaged skin.[23] [24]
- Flood the wound with hydrogen peroxide every 2 hours.[25]
Conventional
- Inject penicillin (crystalline, if available), 1,000,000 units every 3 hours.[26]
- Leave the wound uncovered.[27]
- Seek licensed medical care.[28]
- Amputation if the affected digit or limb can’t be saved[29]
Alternative
Unfortunately, little further information as to how these herbs are used is provided, other than it’s best if the honey is not diluted but used in full strength.
Risk factors
- Buerger’s disease[32]
- Diabetes[33]
- Peripheral artery disease[34]
- Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome[35]
- Raynaud’s syndrome[36]
- Vasculitis[37]
- Traumatic injury[38]
- Weakened immune system[39]
- Severe tissue damage from frostbite or burns[40]
[1] What is gangrene, Cleveland Clinic, 13 March 2025, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21070-gangrene (accessed 16 June 2026).
[2] Cleveland Clinic.
[3] Cleveland Clinic.
[4] Cleveland Clinic.
[5] Cleveland Clinic.
[6] Cleveland Clinic.
[7] Cleveland Clinic.
[8] Cleveland Clinic.
[9] Cleveland Clinic.
[10] Cleveland Clinic.
[11] Cleveland Clinic.
[12] Cleveland Clinic.
[13] Cleveland Clinic.
[14] Cleveland Clinic.
[15] Cleveland Clinic.
[16] Cleveland Clinic.
[17] Cleveland Clinic.
[18] Cleveland Clinic.
[19] David Werner, Where There Is No Doctor, 1996, 213.
[20] Cleveland Clinic.
[21] Werner.
[22] Werner.
[23] Werner.
[24] Cleveland Clinic.
[25] Werner.
[26] Werner.
[27] Werner.
[28] Werner.
[29] Cleveland Clinic.
[30] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 241.
[31] Buhner, 190, 194-95.
[32] Cleveland Clinic.
[33] Cleveland Clinic.
[34] Cleveland Clinic.
[35] Cleveland Clinic.
[36] Cleveland Clinic.
[37] Cleveland Clinic.
[38] Cleveland Clinic.
[39] Cleveland Clinic.
[40] Cleveland Clinic.
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