Here’s a neat tip I found in my notes (loose page from an old community cookbook):

When accidentally cutting your finger or hand, cover with a generous amount of ground black pepper. Contrary to ones thinking this will not burn, instead it stops the bleeding, is most healing, takes out the soreness also forms a crust over the wound to keep out infection.

Who knew! I did try this on a new little cut I have just to see if it would sting and found that it didn’t at all. The slice is somewhat deep but a day old so the healing process already started before I tried it.

Rinse wound first before applying, suitable treatment for minor gashes and scrapes only.

I did look around online to see if I could glean any more details and although there was some information that pepper can be used, I didn’t discover any solid answers explaining why it works.

However I did come across a discussion on a page in Wikipedia:

Pepper has some antibacterial properties; the small bits may provide places for platelets to glom onto and quickly begin coagulation, and lastly, probably because it’s easily available in a big kitchen. I used to use salt for the same purpose, for the same reason. (For small surface scratches / very shallow cuts, nothing deep. Stings a bit but not intolerably.)

Tip:

Collect those little seasoning packets included in deli bags and stash a few in the car, wallet and first aid kit so you’ll always have some close at hand–just in case!

Quick Trick For Stopping A Nosebleed

Here’s interesting advice sent in by Michael…

If you look in the fridge of anyone in my family, you’ll inevitably find a small plastic tub filled with a few rings of old keys. It’s an odd find for sure but we use them to treat nosebleeds. How it works: take the keys out and hold them against the back of the neck until they’re no longer cold. If that doesn’t help, run a second set up and down the spine. The flow should stop after a few minutes. As far as I know this practice began with my grandfather and we don’t know why it works, but it’s never failed.

This was new to me so of course I had to do a little bit of investigating ;). Here’s what I learned:

The body will instantly react to the frosty metal placed against skin by constricting the blood vessels in the area. Any metal item will do the trick (such as a spoon or coin) since metal retains the temperature so well. You could also try a wet cloth, an icepack or run water down the back. Thanks for sharing Michael!

Research Source: The People’s Pharmacy, Quick & Handy Home Remedies [National Geographic]. The book’s website suggests it’s a folk remedy come over from Europe.

If that seems too wacky a treatment, I also have another tip:

Soak a piece of cheesecloth or clean cotton strips in chilled tea, squeeze out excess liquid then use to tightly pack nostrils. Carefully remove after one hour. The tea is a natural antiseptic and the cold temperature helps halt the flow.

For a more traditional remedy:

While sitting up, pinch the nostrils closed (about half-way down the bridge of the nose) and squeeze for several minutes. Lean forward slightly (tilting the head back will only drain the blood into the throat). Apply pressure for at least 5 minutes, check to see if it’s working and reapply pressure if it isn’t. An ice pack or wet cloth held against the back of the neck during this time can be helpful too.

If the flow won’t cease after 20 mins. or so, or if patient is pale and feeling light headed, seek professional medical attention since it could be an internal injury (broken nose) or nasal passage may need to be cauterized (yikes! not fun).