We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Why do They Say That You Should Pee on Wounds?

By J. Beam
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 132,247
Share

As difficult as it might be for some to comprehend, the medical benefits of urine have been widely studied in many areas including, but not limited to, the effect of pee on wounds. While some holistic health practitioners use urine therapy for treating a variety of ailments and conditions, the medical community has not made many significant statements on the medical uses of urine.

Normal urine is not only pH balanced, it is non-toxic and is believed to contain many nutrients and healing compounds. As such, it would stand to reason that it could be used to help heal wounds. In fact, some research has been done to determine whether urine is capable of healing wounds, and the results indicate that it is in fact very effective.

While there is much controversy surrounding the use of pee on wounds and urine therapy as treatment for diseases, it remains a very curious concept. Some believe there has been more research than we know on the topic, but that positive study results have been suppressed because there is no monetary gain involved. Others deem this perspective as merely a complaint of conspiracy theorists.

What is known is that using pee on wounds is typically not harmful. In fact, some studies have indicated that urine is an effective treatment for severe acne when all else fails. Normal urine is both anti-viral and anti-bacterial, making it a potentially ideal treatment for cuts, abrasions, wounds, and skin infections of any kind. Proponent researchers believe that an infant’s urine is the most sterile as well as the most effective for acne treatment, and that a person’s first urine of the day contains the most nutrients and antibodies.

It’s not likely that the vast majority of people are sold on the idea of using urine as medicine, but some forms of medication, such as some estrogen replacements, are already derived from animal urine. Though the mere idea of it may not sit well with some, there is no doubt that using it on wounds would do in a pinch. Emergency situations are unexpected and if a person sustains a serious wound, cut, bite, or sting and no anti-bacterial cleansing agent is readily available, human pee could help.

While you're not likely to encounter a situation where you’d have to make such a decision, in an emergency situation, a person could pee on a wound and could potentially prevent serious infection until further medical help could be received. This is often a common situation in the case of painful jellyfish stings sustained in remote areas where medical attention is not nearby. Similarly, drinking urine in an emergency situation could prevent dehydration.

As research will undoubtedly continue in regards to this medical mystery, you can remember that human urine is at least not harmful, and it is perhaps even helpful.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By anon998030 — On Apr 03, 2017

In Croatian villages for a hundred years, people get injured on farms, and they use urine for any wounds. I have personal experience using urine. When I was a little boy, I got cut on my head and a lady peed on a rug then put it on my cut to stop the bleeding. A few years ago, I got bitten by dog on my hand and another on my tummy. I was bleeding and using urine to stop the bleeding. In the next few days, the wounds heeled.

Years ago we used to live without doctors and drugs and healed ourselves naturally. I am over 80 years of age, and like to see my doctor and use medications. Thanks for putting this article online. It will help some open minded people. Vince

By PetrinaRK — On Nov 26, 2014

I have an idea about our natural ability to fight invading bacteria and heal wounds, in relation to the physical placement of the urethra.

Urine is essentially sterile, has anti fungal and antibacterial qualities and I wondered if the only reason we actually have evolved to have a urethra in the location that it is, is to clean and heal our external sexual organs. I believe it is not urine's primary function to clear waste from our bodies, as we have been led to believe, but instead it's primary function is to actually keep our sexual organs clean and clear from fungus, bacteria, wash out semen and to help heal wounds. The primitive way women urinated, involved squatting, which also washes over the anus -- and when you think about it, there really is no other reason as living creatures, for us to have urine at all. Our bodies could have diverted that fluid to our bowels. I wonder if it is significant that excess vitamins are excreted in urine? Maybe these vitamins are good for our private parts too?

I understand that the medical benefits of urine have been widely studied in many areas including, but not limited to, the effect of it on wounds. While some holistic health practitioners use urine therapy for treating a variety of ailments and conditions, the medical community has not made many significant statements on the medical uses of urine.

By StarJo — On Feb 22, 2013

@seag47 – It really only helps if the person peeing on the sting hasn't been drinking much water. The urine needs to be concentrated in order to lessen the pain.

They say that rinsing the area with sea water is most helpful, because it is salty and can deactivate the stingers. Regular water can actually activate them and increase the sting, and if a person has had a lot to drink before peeing on the sting, then the urine will act like fresh water and cause more pain.

By seag47 — On Feb 21, 2013

I've heard of peeing on jellyfish stings before, but I've never heard of peeing on other types of wounds. I guess this is because with most wounds, you can just use alcohol or peroxide, but those wouldn't do much for jellyfish stings.

By anon185458 — On Jun 12, 2011

Had an operation on my foot as a kid before going on a school camp. Doctor told me to pee on the wound to stop it getting infected while in the dirty camp showers. They were pretty gross and I didn't get it infected at all.

By anon165036 — On Apr 03, 2011

I love how this person says "urine contains many potentially toxic substances." number one, what are they if they're so potentially toxic and number two, if they're "potentially," that means what you said has no value whatsoever.

Do your research urine itself is not toxic and on top of that it contains antibodies that strengthen the immune system, what's the purpose of your comment? anyway you see the whole excerpt on how you could use it to heal wounds they've healed gangrene with urine. stop making crap up to keep people ignorant.

By anon71532 — On Mar 18, 2010

as a child, my grandmother always encouraged urinating on cuts and wounds. I never recall a wound getting infected.

By anon60225 — On Jan 12, 2010

Sorry, but urine is neither non-toxic nor "pH balanced." Maybe you meant to say pH neutral; pH balance is a term usually used in shampoo commercials.

Anyway, the pH of human urine varies a lot depending on the person and their specific conditions, but it can be rather acidic. Its value as an antiseptic is not proven and probably comes from the fact that it has salt and salt water can clean out wounds.

As for its non-toxicity, you have that all wrong. While urine, when it leaves the human body is sterile, meaning it does not harbor organism. This does not mean it is non-toxic. These are two very different things.

Urine contains many potentially toxic substances, like urea and these breakdown into more toxic substances, like ammonia, when the urine is outside the body.

By anon56882 — On Dec 18, 2009

I would advise against drinking straight urine in a survival situation. Urine is saline, and will only dehydrate you further.

It can, however, be used in a solar still. dig a small hole, place a drinking vessel in the middle, pee around the vessel, then cover with something non-permeable that will trap the moisture and heat (a clear plastic sheet works really well, if available). the idea is that the water in the urine evaporates, condenses on the sheet, and drips into the vessel, leaving you with distilled water.

By mendocino — On Nov 30, 2008

Very interesting! Does urine contain zinc? because zinc helps wounds to heal faster, but not more than recommended dosage, because too much zinc is toxic.

By anon11234 — On Apr 11, 2008

Great Article, thanks for the info

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/why-do-they-say-that-you-should-pee-on-wounds.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.