Home Treatment and Natural Cures for Cuts and Grazes

It is not too difficult to cut a finger in the kitchen or have an elbow peeled against a rough concrete wall. Cuts and grazes require prompt first aid as they can bleed for hours and harbor infection causing bacteria. What will you do if you do not have access to an anti-septic? What if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere without a first-aid box? Several kitchen stuffs and natural ingredients can double up as antiseptics and prevent the wound from getting worse.

First Things First

Apply pressure on the wound using a clean piece of cotton wool or gauze to stop bleeding.

Clean the wound with soap and water, dry it up and cover with a bandage.

Natural Alternatives

Calendula tea can be used to rinse the wound as it is a potent antiseptic and healer. If you can’t get your hands on that, use calendula cream instead.

Apply dilute myrrh tincture to the wound every few hours to prevent infections.

Rinse the cut or graze with a solution of tee tree oil.

Yarrow tea (though not commonly available) works amazingly to promote clotting, reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process.

If herbal remedies and antiseptic creams are hard to come across, reach for your kitchen shelf and dab a bit of honey on the wound to protect it from air borne bacteria. Honey is a natural emollient and antiseptic.

Sprinkling crushed black pepper may sound like a torturous option but it does curb excessive bleeding and is known for its antibiotic properties.

Crush a few pods of garlic and tape in onto the wound. Since garlic can irritate the skin, use it only when you have no other alternative.

If you happen to injure yourself outdoors with no access to the above mentioned ingredients, take a tip from the canines and lick the wound. Saliva has strong antiseptic properties but make sure you use your own!

Post Scab Formation

Once the wound has scabbed, resist the urge to peel off the covering.

Keep the scab moist by applying petroleum jelly at regular intervals.

Avoid wearing clothes that are likely to scrape off the protective covering.

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