Stop Bleeding Fast with Homemade Styptic Powder

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Stop Bleeding Styptic Powder

Learn how to stop bleeding with styptic powder, a natural coagulant. It’s easy to make, natural, and the ingredients are common pantry items!

Accidents happen. At one time or another, we’ve all had a cut or scrape that just won’t quit bleeding. While some may require a trip to the emergency room, in most cases the bleeding can be stopped at home.

What Is Styptic Powder?

A styptic powder is a substance that causes bleeding to stop.

One type is a styptic pencil. These are made from alum, most probably made from sulfate salts of potassium aluminum, though some are made from ammonium salts. It is thought that the accumulation of aluminum in our systems may contribute to health issues, so many people choose to avoid aluminum.

Styptic Powder Stops Bleeding

A styptic powder can also be used to stop bleeding. I carry a small jar of homemade styptic powder mix in my first aid kit in the car and one in a backpack when I go hiking. It’s really indispensable! For instance, I used it on a blister that burst while I was hiking recently. It did hurt for just a bit, but after a while, the pain stopped and I was able to resume my hike.

Stop Bleeding Styptic Powder

How to Make Natural Styptic Powder

Learn how to stop bleeding with styptic powder, a natural coagulant. It’s easy to make, natural, and the ingredients are common pantry items!

Prep Time
5 minutes
Active Time
15 minutes
Total Time
20 minutes
Servings
3.5 ounces
Estimated Cost
$2

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Mix all six herb powders together in a bowl. If all ingredients are not already in powder form use a coffee grinder or spice mill to ensure all the herbs are a fine powder.

  2. Add the clay to the herbs and mix well.

  3. Store your styptic powder in a sealed jar to keep moisture out.

To Use

  1. Apply the styptic powder to a wound and press lightly. The bleeding should stop within a minute or so.
  2. If the wound is large or deep, it may take a few tries.

Recipe Video

Notes

My favorite herb to stop bleeding is cinnamon powder. Gently apply cinnamon to a wound and it will stop bleeding quickly! But for a mixture that will help to kill germs along and stop bleeding, use any or all of the compounds listed here.

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Styptic Paste: A Variation

If you want to make the styptic powder into a paste, there are several liquid components that can be used:

Raw honey makes a hydrogen peroxide-like solution when applied to the skin, serving as an antibacterial remedy. Be sure to use only raw honey; pasteurization destroys the beneficial elements.

Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can help bind the wound, therefore helping it to heal faster.

Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and can help speed healing. However, coconut oil is greasy and in heavy bleeding can actually repel the blood, making it harder to stop bleeding. So use coconut oil only for light bleeding or scrapes.

To use any of these, add a few drops to the styptic powder to make a paste. Apply to the wound gently.

Will Cayenne Pepper Sting the Wound?

While it’s true that cayenne pepper may cause some temporary stinging, it can help to desensitize the nerve receptors in a wound temporarily. Cayenne is antibacterial and anti-fungal, so it can really help with wound healing. But if you’re afraid it may sting too much, you can use less or just omit it.

Have you ever used a styptic powder? If so, how did it work?

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About Debra Maslowski

Debra is a master gardener, a certified herbalist, a natural living instructor, and more. She taught Matt and Betsy how to make soap so they decided to bring her on as a staff writer! Debra recently started an organic herb farm in the mountains of Western North Carolina. You can even purchase her handmade products on Amazon!

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Comments

  1. Avatar photoJaime says

    One caveat. Cayenne & turmeric are blood thinners. Defeat the purpose of a styptic. If you want pain relief & germ killing, peppermint works. Cornstarch can be an alternate for the clay.

    • Avatar photoQueenie says

      Cayenne & Turmeric are blood thinners when taken internally, They are used externally in this recipe so they will work here to also help with the antibacterial and desensitizer.

  2. Avatar photoLaura Isom says

    I noticed on the website you gave to purchase the ingredients, for the cinnamon, there were 2 types listed: “Sweet” and “Cassia” Which should be used for this powder recipe? Thank you!