On Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:50:42 -0500, "Polly Esther"
> wrote:

>My best used 'plant for medicine' is a ordinary wet tea bag. One night long
>ago, DH woke me to stop some bleeding. He had cut himself shaving - that
>tricky tender spot just below his nose - and was pouring blood. Both he and
>his bathroom looked like an ax murderer had been having quite a time. I
>remembered the wet tea bag idea and pressed one on him. I hope none of you
>here ever need to know that - but post it in the back of your memory just in
>case.
> Later that night when our teenagers came in to report in and say
>goodnight, they asked, "What have you done to our Daddy?"
> I had taped the tea bag beneath his nose and he was happily snoring with
>the Lipton tag flapping in the breeze. Polly

Hey Polly, the active substance in a tea bag that helps with minor
external bleeding is "Tannic Acid" that is contained in the plant
matter.

To partially quote the part of that entry in the book I've referenced:

"Tannic Acid: Possible Mechanism of Action and Active Ingredients;
Tannic acid is a mixture of glycosides of phenolics, mainly gallic
acid. Pharmaceutical grade tannic acid is generally considered to be
pentadigalloylglucose. Tannic acid has astringent effects. It
dehydrates tissue, internally reducing secretions, and externally
forming a protective layer of harder, constricted cells."

Conflicting studies have shown it to be both the cause and possible
cure for certain types of cancers, depending on the specific case.

Extensive and/or prolonged use has shown to be harmful to people with
pre-existing conditions of fever or infectious diseases and can also
cause interactions with the Kidney and Liver in some people.

Best Effectiveness has been shown when used topically on cold sores,
fever blisters, diaper rash or prickly heat, sunburn and minor burns.

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Like I said, this book is very, very informative.