It is not necessary to buy topical ointments, sprays and creams from the drugstore. Your kitchen alone is most likely filled with natural remedies to treat cuts and bruises, and most of these remedies are just as effective. The following nine remedies for cuts and bruises have been passed down through many generations. All work very well, and it feels good to use natural alternatives.
1. Honey
Honey is one of the best items to keep in your cupboard, especially if it is raw, virgin and unfiltered. In addition to being highly nutritious and tasting great in teas, honey is a fantastic remedy for cuts, bruises, scrapes, dryness and almost all minor skin wounds. Honey can replace any of the topical antibiotic ointments you buy at the drugstore, and there is evidence that it may even work better. Bacteria and fungi simply cannot live in honey, as the sugar concentration is too high.
2. Aloe Vera
It has long been known that aloe vera is good at soothing burns, and many of us grew up using it to treat sunburn or take the sting out of minor cuts and scrapes. In addition, aloe vera helps heal bruises by promoting repair of the broken capillaries underneath the skin. Applying aloe straight from the plant or using a good quality aloe vera gel two to three times a day ensures a bruise heals more quickly. As a bonus, an aloe vera plant looks great on a kitchen window sill.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a great antiseptic. It cleanses thoroughly due to its antibacterial properties, and it is gentle enough to use directly on the skin. It absorbs readily, which is why it works on bruises and deeper infections. In fact, not only is tea tree oil great for cuts and bruises, it is great for acne too. The best tea tree oils are available as essential oils.
4. Coconut Oil
Raw coconut oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties along with a plethora of nutrients your skin loves. It is extremely soothing, smoothing and cleansing, and it simply feels great on the skin. Skin wounds heal faster after application, and home remedy experts often suggest that those who have sensitive skin should go with coconut oil over the most common alternatives. It is even gentle enough for babies. In short, it is an amazing cure-all oil.
5. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a very versatile, effective skin care solution, and it is most widely known as a natural astringent. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it soothing and calming for the skin. Witch hazel is typically sold as a distillate, and many dermatologists recommend it before unnatural topical ointments. Not only does it soothe and heal bruises quicker, it is used on the face as a toner and can also work to treat blemishes. Witch hazel is an old home remedy for healing and soothing diaper rash too.
6. Turmeric
If you add a little water to turmeric powder you quickly grab from the spice rack, you instantly create a great first aid for minor skin wounds. Turmeric aids in healing and preventing infection, and it also alleviates pain associated with cuts and bruises.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Don’t have honey, turmeric or any others of the listed so far? Just grab the apple cider vinegar from the pantry! Apple cider vinegar is another cooking ingredient that does so much more than help you prepare meals. It works well in treating all skin wounds and common irritations thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
8. Comfrey Root
Comfrey root is a little less known, but that does not mean it does not work as well as other natural remedies. In fact, comfrey root is a bit of a miracle worker when it comes to healing skin wounds. It contains allantoin, a substance that targets cellular growth. Cells heal so much faster that comfrey root has a nickname of “knit-bone” (due to its reputation for helping to knit bones back together). If its healing abilities include treating fractures, imagine the healing influence it has on surface skin wounds.
9. Garlic
Rubbing garlic on a skin wound will hasten the healing process too. Like all the aforementioned remedies, garlic also has anti-bacterial properties. In fact, the juice of garlic contains allicin, a substance that is just as effective as penicillin. You can either juice a couple garlic cloves or simply smash a clove and gently rub it on the wound.