Mint Leaves for Paper Cuts

mint

The mint family of plants is known for its soothing effects on inflamed tissues. Mint soothes by cooling and numbing. Mint is used in over-the-counter gels meant to cool and sooth aching muscles and in cough drops and sprays to soothe sore throats. Mint tea bags, heated in boiling water and then cooled, can be placed over sore, aching eyes to relieve the discomfort of eyestrain or a long night without sleep. Paper cuts, which though small and minor can be very painful, are a good candidate for treatment with a soothing member of the mint family. Mints also have antiseptic properties, and can help to prevent a cut from becoming infected (although paper cuts rarely do become infected even if they are completely untreated). Peppermint is strongest, but spearmint may be a better choice for anyone (such as children) who is very sensitive to herbs that have a strong action on the body.

Using Mint Leaves to Treat Paper Cuts

Method

• The easiest method may be to warm a mint tea bag in boiling water, cool it off, and then apply it to the paper cut.
• If the paper cut is on a finger, you could also try soaking the finger in a cooled-off dish of mint tea.
• You can also mix a drop of two of peppermint oil with water and soak the finger in that -- but do not make it too strong, or the excessive concentration of peppermint could sting.

Why It Works

Peppermint contains menthol; spearmint has almost no menthol but contains L-carvone, which is similar to menthol structurally but smells and tastes a little different. Both herbs also contain a host of other phytochemicals. Menthol, though, is a local anesthetic. It can slowly dissolve, slipping through the surface of the skin and reaching (and numbing) the nerves and muscles underneath. The cooling effect of menthol is caused by its tendency to stimulate cold-sensitive nerve endings in the skin.

Precautions

In general, peppermint and the other mints are considered very safe, especially when used topically. Using peppermint or spearmint in the form of tea leaves is safest, and mildest. If you use essential oil of peppermint, it is important to use it very sparingly, as it is extremely concentrated and strong. The menthol in peppermint’s essential oil is so concentrated that it is thought to be toxic in amounts over 2 grams, although there have been no reported cases of overdose.

Some people who have very sensitive skin develop a rash or other skin irritation in response to peppermint.

You should never use peppermint oil on the face of a baby or young child -- inhaling the peppermint fumes can cause a young child to have a reflexive choking or gagging reaction.

As with other herbs, some people may be allergic to mints. Use caution with mint if you are allergic to other herbs in the mint family.

More Remedies

• Click here for all remedies for Paper Cuts.