The Use of Freshly Roasted Coffee Bean Powder in the Treatment of Burn Wound: A Case Report

Introduction: Many patients use home remedies for various maladies. The effectiveness of these remedies is not always scientifically ascertainable. Some may be backed by limited scientific studies. Case Summary: A few years ago, a five-year old girl in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia sustained heavy burns from spillage of boiling water. The child was taken to a local Emergency Department (ED) of a hospital for evaluation and treatment. The patient was discharged after the burn was treated and the wound was appropriately dressed. The mother was instructed to take the child to a clinic for follow-up. After four days of treatment at the clinic, no arrangement was made for visits during the weekend. Upon the advice of her neighbor, the mother decided to apply coffee powder from freshly roasted coffee beans to the wound. In the few days that followed, she observed significant improvement in the healing of the wound. She continued this treatment daily, in lieu of visits to the clinic. In about three weeks, the wound was completely healed. The mother who now lives in the USA recently contacted the Drug Information Center at Howard University (HU) inquiring about the merits of coffee powder in the treatment of burn wounds. A literature review revealed various studies confirming the potential effectiveness of powder prepared from freshly roasted coffee beans in the treatment of wounds. Conclusion: A mother of a five-year old reported that treatment of a burn wound sustained by her child with powder from freshly roasted coffee resulted in healing. A literature review found some evidence to support the usefulness of this home remedy in wound treatment.