Wounds, or skin injuries, require healing through several stages, which include stopping bleeding, cleaning the wound, fighting bacteria and rebuilding skin tissue.
Natural remedies for wounds may aid the healing process and speed the recovery time. When using alternative remedies, always check with your healthcare provider first to make sure they are safe.
1. Aloe vera
Aloe vera leaves contain a soothing gel-like substance that promotes healing. Packed with minerals and vitamins essential to skin regeneration and infection prevention, as well as having anti-inflammatory properties which make it ideal for treating minor cuts and burns.
Applying aloe vera directly or wrapped around in a bandage to a cut or burn can prevent infections and speed the healing process, as well as treat skin conditions like eczema and acne. It may even help with healing when used to treat these problems directly on the skin.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of aloe vera as a natural wound healer. It can reduce inflammation while stimulating collagen production for improved skin elasticity. Furthermore, aloe vera contains antiviral, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to fight infection.
Studies have also demonstrated its possible usefulness for treating diabetic-related foot ulcers and dental plaque; however, more research must be completed to establish its efficacy for these conditions.
Aloe vera supplements may help alleviate constipation. One study revealed that those taking oral aloe vera extract had more regular bowel movements compared with those who didn’t consume the supplement, suggesting its inclusion of water and fiber content may play a part in improving regularity. Additionally, this food contains vitamins A and C – both powerful antioxidants which can protect cells against free radical damage and delay premature aging of cells. Aldopentose, cellulose, galactose, arabinose, and galacturonic acid are among the many mono- and polysaccharides present, providing antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating properties. Vitamin B12 plays an integral role in cell growth and metabolism and also plays a crucial role in digestion and blood circulation.
2. Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) has long been used both culinary and medicinally, due to its abundance of organosulfur compounds such as allicin and diallyl sulfides which may contribute to its numerous health benefits.
These compounds may help inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi while simultaneously inducing programmed cell death in cancer cells – something which may aid wound healing as excess cell proliferation can result in hypertrophic scars and keloids that slow healing times.
Studies have demonstrated the ability of garlic to promote blood flow and speed the healing of wounds. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may help speed healing as well. A single study concluded that when combined together honey and garlic significantly reduced biofilm formation in MRSA wound isolates by 60%.
Garlic can strengthen immunity and help to ward off common cold symptoms, while simultaneously helping lower cholesterol levels, improve cardiovascular health and bolster digestive health. Furthermore, its sulphur-containing compounds may prevent and treat various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Garlic can be safely added to your diet, though its use should be managed cautiously as too much can have negative side effects for certain conditions, including high blood pressure or coronary artery disease (hardened arteries). Furthermore, garlic supplements should always follow label instructions; raw garlic may cause stomach upset; taking them with iron-containing supplements such as antacids may affect their absorption as well. Before taking garlic for any condition or use whatsoever it’s wise to consult your physician first.
3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an affordable and safe alternative to pharmaceutical wound care products, proving effective at speeding the healing of cuts and burns as well as stimulating collagen production – helping damaged skin heal faster than before. Furthermore, its antimicrobial properties protect against infections while its anti-inflammatory fatty acids reduce pain and swelling of affected areas.
Coconut oil applied directly to cuts can prevent infections and speed healing by inhibiting bacteria growth such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, slowing fungi growth such as Candida albicans growth, as well as helping decrease oxidative stress that occurs with wounded areas.
Coconut oil’s fatty acids can stimulate collagen production, helping strengthen skin structure. Furthermore, it increases cross-linking of collagen fibers which increases flexibility and strength of skin. Furthermore, its antioxidative effects help lessen oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation rates while simultaneously increasing antioxidant enzymes levels in cells.
Coconut oil can be used to treat various skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. It may also help treat hair loss, promote healthy scalp conditions and even protect from UV light damage to hair follicles during grooming sessions and UV light exposure. Furthermore, oil pulling with coconut oil has proven highly successful at eliminating plaque build-up on teeth and gums; moreover it has also shown promise in treating tooth decay symptoms associated with grooming practices or UV radiation exposure; some evidence supports its use against tooth decay symptoms while psoriasis/psoriasis treatment whereas there may also be potential applications such as treating head lice infestation and newborn weight gain conditions.
4. Antibacterial ointment
Antibacterial ointment is one effective way to help protect minor wounds such as scratches, scrapes and cuts from infection. Containing an active ingredient called bacitracin that kills bacteria within wounds, these antibiotic ointments are available both over-the-counter and at most pharmacies – however it’s essential that users read ingredients and compare brands before selecting one; overusing antibiotics could result in resistant strains developing that no longer respond to treatments like these ointments.
Do not use antibiotic ointments to treat viral or fungal skin infections as this could make the bacteria resistant to antibiotics and more difficult to treat in future infections. Furthermore, try not to apply them on injuries which are deep or large as this increases your risk of infection and delays healing time.
Neosporin is an excellent example of a topical antibiotic. Containing neomycin, bacitracin and polymyxin that work together to kill bacteria in wounds and prevent infection, you can purchase Neosporin over-the-counter and apply it directly to cuts, scratches or burns to reduce risk of infection. You can also get similar results by cleaning and bandaging frequently after cutting yourself.
Coconut oil, garlic and aloe vera can provide similar healing benefits as antibiotic ointment while also keeping your wound moist and healthy. However, for deep or large cuts that necessitate medical intervention for treatment purposes or appear red and swollen with pus coming out, medical attention should always be sought immediately.
5. Water
Water is essential to all life on Earth. Its simple molecular structure helps cells maintain vital shapes while its folding of long chains of amino acids into their proper shapes drives proteins – the powerhouses behind contractions, communication, digestion, and other essential chemical reactions in cells – into their correct structures for function.
Water may seem ordinary, but its role in life cannot be overestimated. With two hydrogen and one oxygen atoms bound by hydrogen bonding forces (Figure 1), its molecules adhere together by hydrogen bonding forces that cause their molecules to cling together by hydrogen bonding (Figure 1). Each water molecule also possesses both negative and positive charges that give water its unique solvent properties–it dissolves various solids and gases it encounters at some rate.
Water can be an invaluable aid when it comes to treating cuts and scrapes, preventing infections and scarring, and relieving pain. Water makes an ideal natural remedy to soothe burns of all degrees (first degree burns included!), especially small cuts such as cuts, abrasions, 1st and 2nd degree burns – just be sure to rinse wounds first with clean water to clear away dirt and debris before drying with a towel afterwards!
