We’ve all had them. Cuts and scrapes that get infected. Most of the time we put antibacterial ointment on them, cover them with a bandage, and hope they get better. But what if you don’t have any antibacterial ointment? Or you prefer natural remedies? You probably have things around the house that can treat infected wounds just as well as Neosporin. Here is a list of them:
Onions
Onions have many health benefits, including the promotion of healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. When eaten regularly, their natural antibiotic properties can help build the immune system and protect the body from infections due to colds and other illnesses. Those antibiotic properties also work on infected wounds.
Apply crushed or minced onions to the wound and leave it for up to one hour. Rinse thoroughly and repeat three times a day as necessary. The onion will draw the infection out of the wound and it won’t irritate the skin.
Honey
Honey tastes good and it’s good for you too. It’s been used as a treatment for infections for thousands of years, but in today’s antibiotic society, honey’s healing properties have been nearly forgotten. Those who practice herbal and home remedies swear that honey works better than any medicinal antibiotic. According to the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, honey has been proven to fight off staph infection.
Put a dab of honey on the infected wound, cover it with gauze, and let it do its thing. The honey will emit low levels of hydrogen peroxide along with other natural antibiotic properties and clear up the infection.
Garlic
Forget the bad breath. Garlic has many of the same healing properties as onions. It’s not only antibiotic, it’s also antifungal and antiviral. It promotes bronchial health and helps regulate the immune system.
Like onion, garlic can be placed directly on the infected wound. However, the raw juices in garlic are harsh and may irritate the skin. Instead, mix one part garlic juice with three parts water. Apply the solution to the wound and cover with gauze.
Ginger
It’s not just a yummy spice; it’s an antiseptic too. It doesn’t work the same way as an antibiotic, but what it does is clean wounds thoroughly. Germs, bacteria, and other microorganisms will be gone. The amount of pus will be reduced, which will relieve some of the pressure on the infected area. It’s also a natural pain killer.
Sprinkle some ginger on the wound or use ginger oil, then cover with a bandage. Clean and change bandages as you normally would.
Turmeric Powder
The chefs among us might have turmeric powder in their kitchens. If this is you, then you have the ability to control an infection and stop any bleeding too.
Turmeric is a spice from the ginger family. It’s used in baked goods, ice cream, canned beverages, and curry powders. It’s also antibacterial, antiseptic, and it has fluoride.
Sprinkle the powder directly on the wound, then cover with a bandage. It’ll clean out any bacteria, stop bleeding, and help control infections.
