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Natural First Aid for Wounds

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Arnica Gel
Posted by Amy (Reno, Nevada) on 05/11/2010
 ★★★★★

Five years ago, while I was in my early 20's, I went to the doctor to get a Kenalog shot hoping that it would help relieve my chronic allergy symptoms (sneezing, rashes, etc.) to animals and pet dander. While there, an assistant administered the injection to my right buttock area near the sciatic nerve. I can't remember exactly how long it took, but within a couple of days to a week the tissue around where the shot was given turned purple and seemed to cave inward in the shape of an inverted cone. The area of this purplish necrotic tissue was about 2 inches in diameter. At first I thought this was a severe bruise, so I chose to ignore it for a while, hoping it would heal on its own. I experienced local pain and also pain that shot down my leg at random times while walking, which I believe was caused by the close proximity to the sciatic nerve. After a couple months of no improvement I went back to the doctor. While there I was told that there was nothing that could be done and that I might have the wound for the rest of my life. After hearing this I stopped looking for a cure. Luckily, six months after receiving the injection, someone suggested that I try massaging arnica gel into the wound 3 times a day for 5 minutes while thinking positive thoughts until it healed. I didn't use a specific dose, just enough to cover the surface area and I remember that a little bit went a long way. At first rubbing the wound was very painful, but I persisted. Within a month the cavity filled in, my skin returned to it's normal color,the pain went away, and it was as if I had never had the wound in the first place. To this day, it has remained fully healed and I am grateful. This experience has led me to look into many more natural remedies whenever I have an issue, many of which I find right here on earthclinic.com. Thanks, EC for such a wonderful site. I hope this helps someone else who may be looking for an answer.

Cayenne
Posted by Deirdre (Earth Clinic) on 11/03/2009
 ★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

This happened over a year ago, but I forgot to put my feedback on Earth Clinic until I read Amydearmas's post. This is my cautionary tale about using cayenne for deep wounds.

I opened the fridge one summer day in 2008 and a mayonnaise bottle came crashing down onto the kitchen floor, smashing into large pieces. I was barefoot and one of the thick glass shards sliced into the side of my foot. Blood gushed out of the 1 inch wound. My husband suggested I immediately go to the Emergency Room and get it stitched, but after reading all the YEAS on Earth Clinic about cayenne for deep wounds, I decided that cayenne was the way to go, not stitches. So, after sterilizing the wound and making sure there was no glass left in my foot, I slathered cayenne on the cut. It burned like no tomorrow, but I dealt with it. I did this day after day, one day cayenne, the next day neosporin.

Long story short, the cayenne worked okay, but the wound, which was quite deep, took a couple weeks to heal. I was then left with a nasty scar and lingering pain for months. My lesson, get deep cuts stitched up ASAP! We have an ER only 1 minute from our house, so it was pretty idiotic that I didn't go. The wound would have healed far more quickly with stitches and left a much smaller scar.

Cayenne
Posted by Don (Southwest, Michigan, Usa) on 10/11/2009
 ★★★★★

Cayenne Pepper For Cuts

I had a piece of loose cuticle skin on the side of my left thumbnail. One evening while watching a movie I did a stupid thing and tore it off. I tore the top two or three layers of skin off the entire side of my thumbnail leaving raw skin. I cleaned it with peroxide, put on some ointment and a bandage and forgot about it. Three weeks went by and it did not heal. Usually if I keep it pulled away from the nail it will heal up ok. But three weeks went by and now my thumb was swollen and an ugly purple color and hurt bad. I had some antibiotic on hand and after taking that I began to feel better but the ulcer had formed under the cuticle. I knew the ulcer had to be removed before the skin would heal. I got a new razor blade and every thing I would new to clean it and moved to the bathroom sink to do the operation. The cuticle was still raw, ugly and painful but it had to be done. After removing the top half of the ulcer I let it bleed out to self cleanse the wound.

Before I did the operation I went to this site to see what others had used to heal cuts and I read the post by the women who was stuck on an outpost island for two days and put cayenne pepper on her husbands severe head wound. Up to this point everything I had used, ointment, iodine, peroxide, etc, had not worked. So I went to the cupboard and got the cayenne pepper and poured a generous amount over my raw and bleeding cuticle. It absorbed into the wound and stopped the bleeding immediately. I let it set for a couple minutes then shook off the excess and lightly put a bandage over it. Over the next few hours I could feel a slight stinging in the wound but I could also tell my thumb did not hurt as bad.

The next morning my thumb did not hurt at all so I removed the bandage and discovered my thumb was a nice healthy color and not swollen at all. I could not believe it!

The cayenne pepper had form a very healthy looking closure to the wound. When I washed my hands the pepper remained so I decided to let it stay a couple days to keep the wound clean. Two days later my thumb was completely healed so I washed off the pepper and everything look nice and healthy.

From now on when I get a cut or scratch I am NOT reaching for commercial ointments or salves, I am reaching for the Cayenne Pepper.

Best Wishes for a Peaceful World,
Don

Sugar
Posted by Juanita (N. O., La. USA) on 11/28/2008
 ★★★★★

For years I have used sugar (straight out of the sugar bowl) mixed in a bit of antibiotic ointment to make a paste and applied it on a bandage to cure cuts... The sugar will not allow bacteria to grow... and will heal the cut twice as fast! When I was a kid (40 years ago) my grandmother used to make a paste of sugar, shaved pure Octogen soap (do they still sell it?) and a few drops of Mineral Spirits and apply that mix on a bandage to treat deep cuts and it worked like a miracle!

I modified grams recipe using the antibiotic ointment and it seems to work as well...

Sugar can also be used to treat bedsores with amazing results... I used it to cure my sisters bedsore after she suffered a stroke and was bedridden for 4 months... the doctors in the hospital tried to treat it unsuccessfully for 6 weeks! They would not allow me to put the suger mix on it at all in the hospital. When she was released, I used the sugar mix and it was well in a little over a week! Her doctor was very surprised at that result!

Thanks for this lovely site and to all those who contribute to the info! God bless...
Juanita B.

Garlic-Infused Yogurt
Posted by Carra (San Diego, California) on 07/13/2008
 ★★★★★

I have had two startling healing successes using fresh plain yoghurt with active cultures infused with fresh raw garlic and I wanted to share this.

Recently I had a tooth unexpectedly abcess so swiftly that my jaw swelled overnight and became extremely painful. I had transportation and schduling problems and couldn't get into a dentist, didn't know what to do. Until I re-red an old herbal of mine that listed clinical studies on the antibiotic prpperties of fresh garlic on wounds and infections. I then went on the internet for more current information.
I had a container of fresh, plain yoghurt with probiotics /active cultures and I had cloves of fresh garlic on hand. I decided to peel and slice several cloves of garlic and infuse the yoghurt with the garlic as a means to get fresh garlic into my system and directly on the affected tooth as well. My decision to use the fresh yoghurt as a medium for the garlic was based in the research that has sown raw garlic to be supportive of friendly bacteria and to target harmful ones. I figured that the yoghurt's having the probiotics would support my system and help cushion the shock of my suddenly ingesting the raw garlic.

I started eating the strongly-inflused yoghurt before I went to bed that night and then again when I woke up the next morning. My stunned family and I watched as the swelling in my jaw decreased almost on the hour. Within in 24 hours after starting the garlic-infused yoghurt my jaw was back to normal and I had no tooth pain.

My second occasion to turn to garlic-infused yoghurt occured several moths later.

When a mis-step sent me sprawling and I caught the corner of a concrete step on my right shin I found another use for garlic-infused yoghurt that was equally amazing.

In the process of falling and trying to catch myself I had one small gouge in my right shin right beside a very deep gouge that took out several layers of skin-- through a boot no less.

I tried the topical antibiotic ointments that are typically recommended on gauze as the doctor recommended and had a painful mess.

Following traditional doctor's orders I either had a gash that wouldn't close or a bandage painfully stuck to the wound. In desperation one night I soaked a painfully stuck and encrusted gandage in garlic-infused yoghurt before I went to bed. lightly covering it with a thin layer of more gauze.

The next day when I went to tend the wound the garlic-infused bandage had painlessly released. I began to put the garlic-infused yoghurt on fresh clean gauze and continued to tape around the bandage. Not only did the bandages never stick -- the yoghurt dries and released apinlessly--- but the rate of healing and cell regeneration was astounding.

I had no stitches and I have no scar today.

I was pleased by the way the wound stayed clean, and healed so rapidly.

Since I have never heard of anyone using actife culture yogurt infused with fresh garlic before this, I thought I would share my experiences in case this remedy can open the doors for healing for others.

Within the past two days I have just begun the oil-pulling and I plan to try the apple cider vinegar remedy -- I hope to be writing again with successes there as well.

Thank you for all the work you do and for the doors of healing you are opening to all of us!

Cayenne
Posted by Sal DeFrancesco (East Haven, CT) on 07/10/2008
 ★★★★★

While mountain biking, I encountered hidden a rusty wire fence in which I ended and nearly got shreaded. After noticing a massive amount of blood on the seat of my bike, I discovered a severe laceration on my right elbow. I wrapped it up with handkerchief and the ride was over. Still bleeding, deciding whether to go to the clinic I recalled an Earth Clinic article about cayenne pepper so I poured some on the cut, it pretty much stopped the bleeding. I latter cleaned the cut and put a second application and bandaged it. The next day I was amazed that it was healed.

Honey
Posted by Brenda (Albertville, AL) on 01/24/2008
 ★★★★★

i had surgery in Nov.,2007 to remove damaged breast tissue caused from a car accident. a couple weeks after surgery, I had what looked to be a blood blister. It proceded to open up, drain and cause considerable pain and redness accross almost the entire breast. The cream the Dr. gave me seemed to keep the area too moist and it kept oozing. After talking and research I decided to try honey. The area which had started to look like a diabetic ulcer or bedsore, looked better the next morning , I continued to use about 1/4 tsp of raw honey on a cotton pad, I just placed it so the honey would be sure to get completely into the wound. It has been a little over a week and my Dr. was amazed at how well it is now healing.

Epsom Salt
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn.) on 11/09/2007
 ★★★★★

Epsom salts will pull out infection from wounds. I mixed it about 1/2 cup to 1 quart of hot water. Submerge infected area in solution 4 times a day. If unable to submerge area, just use washcloth to dip in solution and apply over infected are (hot compress method) 4 times a day. I have seen this cure infection after red streak was running up arm (indicative of blood poisoning). No antibiotics were needed. I have many times bathed in 1-2 cups epsom salts in hot bath when muscles or nerves said "help". You really feel relaxed. I have used a saturated solution of ACV - epsom salts to clear up deep infected ulcers in scalp. No antibiotics were needed. Swab ulcers.

Cayenne
Posted by Jane (Poulsbo)
★★★★★

Applying powdered cayenne to a wound stops the bleeding within minutes! I've read that you can also take it to treat internal bleeding. I think the recipe is 1/4 teaspoon in a glass of tomato juice.

Aloe Vera
Posted by Kate (Kingston, Ny) on 06/27/2011
 ★★★★★

Aloe is great! Topically applied, the gel from the cut stem of the plant dries to form a protective layer on the skin's surface, preventing any dirt or bacteria from entering. Aloe contains a concentrated mix of enzymes, anti-inflammatory fatty acids, and compounds that boost the immune system and speed healing. I found some good information on how to use aloe at home here:

www.aloeplant.info

Gaffer's Tape and Kinesiology Tape
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, Usa) on 08/02/2016 523 posts

I've discovered two different types of tape that can be used on my skin, without irritation, without the expense of medical tape and without coming off, even in the shower. Gaff tape and kinesiology tape. Kinesiology tape is lighter and stretches but gaff tape is useful for hundreds of things. They both come in a variety of colors. Cutting clean old t-shirts into gauze squares, you'd have more bandages than you'd ever need.

Cayenne
Posted by KT (Usa) on 11/08/2015

Hi Deirdre,

Have you tried taking vitamin E in addition to applying the contents from a capsule? I read it was beneficial to do both. Even though it's been several years maybe keeping the E on the scar under a band aid for several months (six minimum) could soften it and you'd be able to tell if it is helping. I had a horrible wide scar after having an appendectomy. I kept it bathed in vitamin E under a giant band aid for six months and the scar softened and is hardly noticeable. After a shower apply the E and band aid right away.

I think it would be worth trying.

Castor Oil
Posted by Edna (Ca) on 10/02/2013

Hi, for any cuts, its always safe to use the old Neosporin ointment right at the beginning and then daily with dressing change.

Cold expressed Castor is another natural cure from Edgar Cayce that could draw out pus. Warm castor oil - soak cotton ball, apply over the cut, cover with plastic wrap then apply heat on top for 15 min, daily. This also works for tooth abscess. Castor Oil is safe to get into the eye area.

Kelp, Himalayan Salt
Posted by Hercy (Brownwood, Texas) on 07/20/2013
 ★★★★★

A skin wound on my forearm became infected. The arm swelled up to the elbow, and an angry red color ensued around the site. The Ocean has healing power, so in West Texas, I adventured to prepare a solution of Ocean Water:

I combined Kelp and Himalayan salt in water, dipped my arm in solution covering the wound site for approx 15 minutes... Amazing how the swelling was descending, so repeated soon thereafter. Then the next morning I prepared a fresh solution of "Ocean Water". Repeated treatment thru a 3rd day, and the problem was solved.

Today we use this solution on any fresh wound to accelerate healing.

Cayenne
Posted by Gavin (Manganui, Northland, New Zealand) on 03/25/2013

Good to hear that, Rick.. You might do a google search on Cayenne and check out how it causes cancer cells to go into suicide mode... Apparently it's not just Prostate cancer cells. The hotter the heat index the better. Cayenne must have some interesting properties, it stops post partum bleeding and gets a heart attack victim on their feet very quickly... anyway good luck from all of us.

Royal Jelly
Posted by Kareng (Sugarland, Texas, Usa) on 02/13/2012
 ★★★★★

My daughter had a 2inch wide 1inch deep gash in the bend of her leg; probably from an abcess. I searched EC for help but could find nothing on Open Wounds. I began with GoldenSeal and Honey from my own bees. There was no infection but I wanted to avoid Staph and get the wound closed up asap.

I finally went by my local Vitamin Store and asked for help. They suggested cleaning the wound with Black Soap and then applying Royal Jelly-also from those precious bees. I began applying only the Royal Jelly in the wound and after only 3 days the wound is almost totally closed. I only applied the Royal Jelly twice a day and bathed her once a day with the Black Soap.

Everyone needs to know how AWESOME this stuff is!

Tea Tree and Lavender Oils
Posted by Regulator555 (Grand Rapids, Mi, Usa) on 06/02/2010
 ★★★★★

In my house, essential oils are a must for their medicinal uses. The staple two are tea tree and lavender. Best healing tale: My husband caught his finger in the band saw at his work. As you can imagine, his finger was a mangled mass of meat. There was nothing to stitch together. Gross. Anyway, he applied a drop of tea tree and a drop of lavender, neat, to the wound twice daily and kept it clean, dry, and bandaged. He would air it out a bit once a day for a few minutes. It never became infected - never. It healed well with virtually no scarring.

Witch Hazel
Posted by Tanya (Hailey, ID) on 05/15/2009
 ★★★★★

Witch Hazel is in my "first-line-of-defense" first aid kit. ESPECIALLY for small cuts, bruises and scrapes.


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