One day, I was sitting outside when suddenly I got stung by a bee. The wound soon swelled up and started hurting. I thought of applying an ointment on it. But then my mom, who is a big believer of home remedies, came with a potato slice and placed it on the affected area. She wrapped a clean white cloth around the potato piece. Next day, I noticed that the swelling and pain reduced. My mom says that potato is good for wound healing. Well, let’s find out what a doctor has to say about potato and its healing properties.
Health Shots reached out to Dr Gaurav Jain, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Delhi to know about these wound-healing benefits of potato.
Potato and wound healing
We know that potatoes have carbohydrates, and that’s why people with a weight loss aim don’t eat too many potato dishes. Turns out, potatoes contain nutrients that are beneficial for wound healing, says Dr Jain. They are rich in vitamins C and B6, and potassium as well as fiber. They have natural anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce swelling and ultimately, promote healing. That’s also why potatoes are used as a home remedy to reduce eye puffiness.
Tips to use potatoes for wound healing
Now that we know about the healing properties of potatoes, here are different ways to use potatoes for wound healing.
1. Slice it and apply it
One common way to use it is to slice a raw potato and apply it directly to the wound. Let it stay there for about 15 to 20 minutes so that it can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing, says the expert.
2. Make a potato paste
If you aren’t in a rush, you can blend raw potatoes into a paste and apply it to the wound as a poultice.
3. Potato peels for wound healing
You can wash and dry potato peels for wound healing. Inner portion of the peel should be in direct contact with the wound then use a bandage to wrap it up.
Dr Jain says that cooked potatoes can also be used to heal wounds, but they may be less effective as they lose some of their natural healing properties during the cooking process.
How long does it take to heal after using potatoes?
The healing time after using potatoes for wound healing will vary depending on the severity of the wound and other factors such as your overall health, says the expert. For instance, if you have type 2 diabetes then potato for wound healing should not be considered. He also warns that potatoes are not antiseptic so they should not be used on open cuts or infections.
Health benefits of potato
Apart from wound healing, potatoes can offer several other health benefits.
Some of them are –
• They are a good source of fiber, which can aid in digestion and promote a healthy gut microbiome.
• They contain vitamin C, which supports immune function.
• They have potassium, which is important for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
However, potatoes are also high in carbohydrates, so they should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet, says Dr Jain. As for application, you should always monitor the wound after applying potato to it and check with a doctor if it does not show any sign of improvement.
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