Natural remedies for minor cuts and bruises
All wounds need care to prevent infection. Minor wounds can be healed at home with natural treatments. But serious, deep or infected wounds require a doctors care.
Here are some ways to heal minor wounds.
1. Clean the Wound
Proper cleaning of a wound is important to ensure optimal healing. The easiest way to clean minor wounds is with clean running water.
Use cool water under moderate pressure and a mild soap to wash the wounded area for 10 to 15 minutes. If you do not have filtered water then use boiled and cooled water, or distilled water.
This will help remove as much dirt, debris and bacteria as possible. Plus, the cool water will help lessen the pain. Gently pat the area dry using a clean towel, then cover it with a sterile dressing or bandage.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can effectively heal wounds due to its amazing antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing and healing properties. This has been proven by several studies. Coconut oil can also keep infections at bay and prevent scarring.
1. Apply extra-virgin coconut oil on the wounded area.
2. Put a bandage over it to seal in the moisture.
3. Reapply coconut oil and change the bandage 2 or 3 times a day.
4. Follow this remedy for several days to prevent scarring.
3. Indian Lilac
Indian lilac, also known as neem, has high content of essential fatty acids that build collagen, maintain skin elasticity and promote wound healing. Plus, it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Mix 1 tablespoon of neem leaves juice and 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to form a paste. Apply this paste on the wound.
Leave it on for several hours, then rinse it off with warm water. Reapply again and repeat for several days. Alternatively, grind equal amounts of neem leaves, turmeric and Chebulic myrobalan (hartaki) together with a little lime juice. Apply it to the wound and allow it to dry. Follow this remedy 2 or 3 times a day.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibiotic agent that can be used to heal minor wounds and prevent infection. According to a study published in the journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, the curcumin in turmeric improves wound healing by modulating collagen and decreasing reactive oxygen species.
If there is bleeding, you can apply some turmeric powder directly on the wound. Bleeding will stop immediately.
To promote optimal healing, mix 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric in enough linseed (also known as flaxseed) oil to form a paste. Apply it on the wound 2 or 3 times a day to reduce pain and prevent infection.
You can also mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of hot milk and drink it daily for a few days before going to bed.
5. Aloe Vera
The use of aloe vera to treat wounds dates back thousands of years. Aloe vera has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Also, its gel is rich in phytochemicals (biologically active compounds found in plants) that can ease pain, reduce inflammation, increase the moisture content in the skin and promote healing.
On the downside, scientific studies about its effectiveness show mixed results. In a study, aloe vera even seemed to delay healing in a surgical wound.
1. Cut open an aloe vera leaf and extract the gel.
2. Apply this gel on the wound and allow it to dry on its own.
3. Clean the area with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
4. Repeat several times a day until the wound heals completely.
6. Garlic
Garlic has been used to heal wounds for years due to its antibiotic and antimicrobial properties. It can stop bleeding, reduce pain and promote healing. Also, garlic boosts the bodys natural defenses to prevent infection.
In case of bleeding, clean with wound with water and apply a few crushed garlic cloves on it. The pain and bleeding will stop immediately.
To help the wound heal, crush a few garlic cloves into a paste, and spread it on a piece of sterile gauze. Put the gauze over the wound and wrap a sterile bandage around it. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat twice daily until the wound heals completely.
