You notice that you have gotten a paper cut or scraped your arm on something and torn the skin.  A cut can be a serious matter.  It creates an opening in your body where one shouldn’t be, which bacteria can use to make you sick.

When you get a cut, what do you do?  Most people head to their medicine cabinet or the store for something to heal the cut.  Before going there, consider a more natural remedy that could be around your house or as close as the neighborhood health store.

Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to treat everything from cuts to digestive ailments.  Before there were proper manufactured medicines like we have today, there was the earth and the bounty it provided.  The earth is still here and the herbal remedies are just as useful today.  Herbal remedies have fewer side effects than some more modern products, and work for people with tons of allergies to medications.  Here are some common types:

1.  Tea tree oil ñ this essential oil has been called a quintessential treatment.  Tea tree oil stimulates the immune system by attacking bacteria, viruses and fungi that invade the body through all sorts of means.  It can be applied to a cut to encourage healing and scar tissue formation.  As soon as the wound has begun to heal, apply the oil directly to the area instead of using a bandage.  The wound can heal naturally and get air at the same time.

2.  Calendula  this is the name of a plant that is similar to marigolds.  The leaves and the petals have been used to heal wounds.  Calendula cream is sold over the counter as an anti-itch and anti-inflammatory for poison ivy.  Cuts can get dry as they heal and cause itching.  Inflammation makes a cut itchy and red also.  A salve can be applied to healing cuts to moisturize the skin and kill any bacteria still lingering.  Don’t apply calendula to infected or weeping wounds.

3.  Myrrh ñ this plant is mentioned in the Bible.  In ancient times it was used as a healing agent.  The sap from the tree is beneficial as an antibacterial agent.  Applying myrrh to a cut helps to speed healing in the body.

4.  Aloe Vera he aloe plant has long been a staple for healing.  It is great for burns but also for cuts.  As a cut heals it can also hurt.  Taking a piece of the succulent aloe plant and rubbing it on a cut encourages circulation and healing.  The juice of the plant also reduces inflammation and pain.

After you get a cut, decide how you will treat it to get the best and fastest healing possible.  Herbal remedies allow for healing in a natural way without extra ingredients and chemicals.

Anyone can get a cut or a scrape during their normal day-to-day activities.  When it happens, don’t neglect it and go on with your routine.  Clean that cut as soon as you can to avoid any serious problems later on.

Most cuts and scrapes are minor.  As a kid, you got them all the time.  Playtime was fun but not without its bumps and bruises.  It might seem like you kept on going, but moms and dads were there to make sure you were alright.

The human body is a remarkable machine.  As soon as you sustain any damage to your skin, the body goes into repair mode.  After all, your skin is another organ, just like your liver or kidney.  The body sends white blood cells racing to the site of injury to check out the situation and police any foreign substances that want to try and get inside.

The white blood cells that travel through the bloodstream to the site of infection, cause the skin to feel warm to the touch when you get scrapes or cuts.  The body is coming to your rescue.  Any bacteria in the wound will be surrounded and expelled.  That is why some people see pus in unclean cuts.  It is the body trying to keep you healthy.

You can do your part by cleaning a cut as soon as possible.  Aggressive bacteria can overcome the white blood cells and cause major problems in your body, not the least of which is tetanus, or lockjaw.  It can become fatal in some cases.  So, here’s how to clean your cuts and scrapes.

1.  Wash with water.  Water removes large debris like sticks, stones and things like paint chips.  Now you can see what is really going on with the injury.

2.  Stop the bleeding.  If you injure a finger or a toe it will seem like you are bleeding to death.  That’s because there are more nerve endings and small blood vessels in these places so they bleed a lot.  Apply gentle pressure to stop bleeding and form a blood clot.  The clot will look ugly but don’t wipe it away.  That’s how your body seals the vessel that has been injured.

3.  Further clean the wound with rubbing alcohol.  Some people use hydrogen peroxide.  It will bubble up in the presence of dirt so you can tell if the wound is not clean.  The alcohol is an antiseptic barrier.  It will sting when you put it on an open wound.

4.  Get stitches if needed.  A cut can be deeper than you first suspected.  If you can’t pull the skin edges together to put a bandage on it, see a doctor.

5.  Get a tetanus shot.  If your booster is more than ten years old, get a shot to keep lockjaw from being a problem.

A little cut or scrape may seem minor at the time but can develop into something more without proper care.  Learn to clean your wounds and stay safe.