Turmeric paste is a popular ingredient used in Indian and Asian cuisine. It’s also a good remedy for wounds and skin irritations, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects. If you’ve ever cooked with turmeric, you know it’s an orange-yellow spice that stains everything it touches—including your hands and the kitchen countertop! Luckily, turmeric paste can be used as an alternative treatment for wounds and skin irritations without staining anything.
In this article, we’ll show you how to make turmeric paste for wounds at home by following these simple steps:
Turmeric spice has been used in cooking for centuries. Turmeric paste is used in cooking, but it also has qualities that make it a great ingredient in wound treatment. It’s also used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat wounds, inflammation, and other skin issues.
Turmeric contains curcumin, which is the primary ingredient in turmeric paste. This substance has many health benefits, such as:
- Antibacterial properties that help fight infection in your body.
- Antiseptic properties that reduce inflammation and pain from wounds.
- Anti-fungal properties that kill fungi associated with skin infections (like athlete’s foot).
- Promotes wound healing by speeding up cell division, promoting tissue repair, and preventing scarring
How to make turmeric paste for wounds
Turmeric paste is a combination of turmeric powder and water that can be used to treat wounds. The basic recipe involves mixing equal parts turmeric powder and water.
Still, it can be tweaked in several ways to make it more effective. Here are some recipes you can use:
- Coconut oil and aloe vera gel
- Baking soda (for odor control)
- Sugar or honey (for pain relief)
Step 1. Clean the wound before treatment
Turmeric paste is a great natural alternative to traditional wound care products.
However, it won’t work as well if you don’t follow these simple instructions:
- Remove any dirt, debris, or foreign objects from the wound. Rinse it with water and use a sterile cotton swab to remove any excess dirt or debris. Clean the wound before treatment.
- Apply turmeric paste topically to your wound and cover it with a bandage if desired (for example, if you have an open cut). The turmeric paste will help soothe pain and inflammation on contact; however, it can also irritate raw skin. Make sure to apply sparingly until you know how much of an effect this remedy has on your body type!
- Repeat regularly until your wound heals completely (usually within 3-4 days).
Step 2. Apply turmeric paste to the wound
- Mix turmeric powder with a bit of water to form a paste.
- Apply the turmeric paste to the wound using a cotton swab, or if you have it, apply it directly with your fingers (I recommend using gloves if you’re applying it directly).
- Don’t apply the paste to open wounds; use it on closed cuts and scrapes that have cleaned and dried out. Don’t treat puncture wounds or deep lacerations with this treatment—it’s not intended for such injuries!
- If you find that your skin is sensitive after applying this treatment, wash off immediately and discontinue use until your skin has recovered sufficiently so as not to be irritated by further applications of turmeric powder mixed with water into paste form (usually takes about 20 minutes).
Step 3. Apply antibacterial cream to any open wounds
If you have an open wound, you can apply antibacterial cream to help prevent any infections from developing. Antibacterial creams also help prevent scarring, which you’ll want to be careful of if your wounds are going to heal.
If you’re using turmeric paste for your skin, you must do so with something like an anti-inflammatory or antibiotic cream. You want first to research what will work best for the condition before putting anything on your body!
Step 4. Cover the wound with a bandage
Once the turmeric paste is on the wound, cover it with a bandage.
NOTE: You may be tempted to use a thick gauze pad or medical tape—but don’t! Thick, bulky gauze pads can rub and irritate wounds, especially if they’re not adequately covered by clothing. Instead, try using a non-stick bandage (you can get these at any pharmacy). This way, you won’t have to worry about moving the turmeric paste around while covering the wound with a bandage.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
- When applying your first layer of non-stick bandages, use them gently so as not to disturb the healing process already underway in your skin and underlying tissues.
- In general, you shouldn’t apply too much pressure when putting on this type of dressing.
- If anything feels uncomfortable while doing so, then take off that particular layer and start again!
- It should go without saying that if there’s pain during this process, then stop right away because something’s wrong—either with how tight or lose those particular layers are being applied, whether or not there are gaps between their surface areas where bacteria might grow up underneath; whether or not there was enough medication used onto each area before putting some protective layer over top of those spots where we want our body’s natural defenses against external threats like viruses & infections (It’s the immune system here).
Step 5. Change the bandage daily until your skin has healed and the scab falls off
When you change your bandage, use a clean piece of gauze and apply pressure to the wound for a few minutes to ensure it is scorched. If drainage or bleeding occurs, apply pressure with the gauze until it stops. Do not remove any blood clots or scabs that have formed on top of your wound—they will fall off naturally as the skin heals.
Once your skin has healed and all scabs have fallen off, you can continue applying turmeric paste daily until the area is completely healed.
Turmeric paste can be used to treat minor wounds. Still, a doctor should supervise its use if you have a deep or infected wound, diabetic ulcers, any wounds on your legs or feet, or if your skin does not heal in about two weeks of using turmeric paste for treatment.
Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent that can be used to treat minor wounds. Turmeric paste should be used under the supervision of a doctor if you have a deep or infected wound, diabetic ulcers, or any wounds on your legs or feet or if your skin does not heal in about two weeks of using turmeric paste for treatment.
THE CLOSING REMARKS
Turmeric has been used for centuries as a natural healing remedy. With its antibacterial and antiseptic qualities, it can be used to treat both minor cuts and severe wounds. The first step in treating your injury is cleanliness! Please ensure any dirt or debris is removed from the affected area before applying the paste so that it can reach deep inside without being disturbed by anything outside your skin’s surface area.
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References
Kumari A, Raina N, Wahi A, Goh KW, Sharma P, Nagpal R, Jain A, Ming LC, Gupta M. Wound-Healing Effects of Curcumin and Its Nanoformulations: A Comprehensive Review. Pharmaceutics. 2022 Oct 25;14(11):2288. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112288. PMID: 36365107; PMCID: PMC9698633.
Farhat F, Sohail SS, Siddiqui F, Irshad RR, Madsen DØ. Curcumin in Wound Healing—A Bibliometric Analysis. Life. 2023; 13(1):143. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13010143
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0213911121002053
https://journals.cambridgemedia.com.au/wpr/volume-25-number-3/evidence-summary-turmeric-curcumin-wound-management-limited-resources-communities-lrcs
https://journals.cambridgemedia.com.au/application/files/2216/6320/8609/wham_-_topical_turmeric_en.pdf
Negi PS, Jayaprakasha GK, Jagan Mohan Rao L, Sakariah KK. Antibacterial activity of turmeric oil: a byproduct from curcumin manufacture. J Agric Food Chem. 1999 Oct;47(10):4297-300. doi: 10.1021/jf990308d. PMID: 10552805.
Taiba Tariq
Taiba Tariq is a healthcare nutrition hobbyist, enthusiastic about researching healthcare & skincare news while analyzing the latest and science-backed evidence about nutrition, skin care, and supplements. She wants to help people regain their beauty, health, and well-being through natural means.
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