for external wounds, throughout history, poultices were made from lime water, herbs and plants with an alkaline ash...
During the medieval ages, Monks used bandages soaked in lime water...
ancient middle east through the far east used bandages soaked with lime water and\or turmeric...
Over the course of time, comfrey, seaweeds (alginic acid + calcium = calcium alganate), echinacea, calendula, woundwort, chaparral, yarrow, etc. were all used with good results.
Of course indigenous peoples found what worked and used it... who wouldn't?