Everybody experiences the occasional cut that breaks the skin. Children are especially prone to this, and all of them will eventually fall and scrape their knee or elbow, or get a cut on their hands or feet. In most cases these types of minor cuts and abrasions are not a serious problem unless the damage is extensive or the cut is deep. If this is in fact the case than it is very important to seek medical attention immediately. However, if the cut or abrasion is not serious, it is possible to help manage the wound with the use of herbal remedies.
Any mild shock that is caused by an injury can be helped with a few drops of Rescue Remedy underneath the tongue. The area around the wound should then be cleaned using an herbal antiseptic. This is important in order to prevent an infection from occurring. There are several different kinds of herbs that can be used for this purpose. Some of the options available for this type of use are myrrh, golden seal, St John’s wort, calendula, and witch hazel. By mixing four to five drops of any of these remedies with a small amount of warm water you can use it to help disinfect the wound. Be sure to follow any directions that come with the herbal antiseptic.
If the area feels very painful it should be cleansed with a St John’s wort tincture or with an infusion of lavender or peppermint. There are other oils that can be used in order to help relieve the pain as well as antiseptic and healing. Mixing a few drops of these oils with water is known to have beneficial effects when applied to wounds. Some of these oils are peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, geranium, and lavender. Ointments that can be used include comfrey, calendula, and, again, St John’s wort. These should not be used on cuts or abrasions that are open and unclean because the rapid healing of the area will trap the dirt and germs inside of the wound.
If the cut is deep enough that the bleeding does not stop on its own, pressure should be applied to the wound in order to prevent the blood from continuing to seep out. If the sides of the wound are separated from one another, they should be brought together using your thumb and forefinger. The wound should then be held together using surgical tape followed by a dressing and a bandage. Medical attention should be sought soon after because this may not be enough to close the wound properly and waiting to have the area treated properly could cause scarring, or if scarring is inevitable it may appear worse in appearance. If the abrasion or cut is minor it should not be covered.
Creams and teas made from some of the following herbs can be used to soak a dressing before applying into the wound. These include rosemary, cabbage, plantain leaves, elderflowers, slippery elm, and comfrey.
Herbs such as this should be kept around the home at all times so that an herbal medical kit is ready for use in case of a cut. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the use of each herb so that you will know what to do when somebody hurts themselves.