thuốc bỏng

Mẹ dùng lá thuốc bỏng để đắp lên vết thương.

Definition

Noun:
- Burn ointment / Burn cream: A medicinal preparation, typically in ointment, cream, or gel form, applied topically to treat minor burns, scalds, or sunburns. It aims to soothe pain, cool the skin, prevent infection, and promote healing.
- (Botany) Bryophyllum / Life plant: A succulent plant (genus Kalanchoe, formerly Bryophyllum) known for its ability to propagate from leaf margins. Its leaves are sometimes used in traditional folk medicine as a poultice for treating burns, skin inflammations, and wounds, which is the origin of its common Vietnamese name.

Usage Examples

Noun (Medicinal Preparation):
- Hãy bôi thuốc bỏng lên vết thương ngay. (Apply the burn ointment to the wound immediately.)
- Tôi cần mua một tuýp thuốc bỏng. (I need to buy a tube of burn cream.)
Noun (Plant):
- Bà tôi thường đắp lá thuốc bỏng lên chỗ da bị tổn thương. (My grandmother often applies bryophyllum leaves to the injured skin.)
- Cây thuốc bỏng rất dễ trồng. (The life plant is very easy to grow.)

Advanced Usage

The term can cause ambiguity. In modern, standard contexts, "thuốc bỏng" primarily refers to commercial pharmaceutical products for burns. Referring to the plant is more common in traditional or folk medicine contexts.
When clarity is needed, the plant is often specified as "cây thuốc bỏng" (the burn medicine plant) or by its botanical name.

Variants and Related Words

Thuốc mỡ (n): Ointment, salve. (A broader category that can include burn ointment).
Cây sống đời (n): Another common Vietnamese name for the plant, meaning "long-life plant."
Kem bỏng (n): Burn cream. (A more specific synonym for the medicinal product).

Synonyms

Notes on Usage

In a pharmacy or medical situation, "thuốc bỏng" will be understood as a medicinal product for treating burns.
When discussing traditional remedies or gardening, "thuốc bỏng" likely refers to the plant. The intended meaning is usually clear from context.