A condition characterized by the inflammation, cuts, numbness, discoloration and chapping of the lips, swollen lips can be painful and debilitating. In extreme cases, a swollen lip could also be accompanied by fever, headache, and fatigue.
Most swollen lips heal themselves in less than a week or two, depending on what caused the lip to swell, and the severity of the busted area. You can treat the swollen lip and reduce the healing time by trying some of these natural remedies.
# Cold Or Hot Compresses
- Pack a few ice cubes in a towel for a cold compress.
- Soak a cloth in moderately hot water or hot tea for a hot compress.
- Apply the compress on the swollen lip for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Remove the compress for a minute, before continuing the process
- Repeat until the pain reduces.
- Do not directly apply the ice cubes onto the lip, as it can intensify the pain.
- Avoid hot compresses on the first few days of the swelling
# Aloe Vera- Extract aloe vera gel
- Apply the gel onto the infected lip and lightly massage the area.
- Leave the gel on for 15 minutes.
- Repeat the process thrice a day.
- You can also add tea tree oil to the aloe vera gel.
# Honey- Dip a cotton ball in honey
- Apply on the swollen lip
- Wash after 15 minutes
- Repeat thrice a day.
# Turmeric
- Combine 1 tbsp of turmeric powder with 1 tbsp of multani mitti (fuller’s earth)
- Bring the mixture to a paste-like consistency by adding cold water.
- Apply the paste on the swollen lip
- Let it dry for 20 minutes
- Wash the paste off with lukewarm water
- Repeat twice a day to reduce swelling.
# Baking Soda- Add 3 tbsp baking soda to 1 tbsp water
- Apply the mixture on to the infected lip
- Rinse after 15 minutes
- Repeat daily.
# Salt- Dissolve a pinch of salt in lukewarm water.
- Using a cotton ball, dab the paste onto the cuts on the lip.
- There will be burning sensation that will immediately subside.
- Repeat daily.