Vitamin K: A Styptic?

[mijopaalmc]

So I know that vitamin K exerts its physiological effect by serving as a cofactor for vitamin K-dependent carboxylase which carboxylates certain glutamate residues on the clotting factors, but recently someone told me that it could stanch bleeding of applied directly to a wound. Now, I think he thought that since vitamin K deficiency is often marked by clotting disorders that vitamin K would act as a mild chemical cauter and stop the bleeding directly. Nevertheless, it got me wondering if vitamin K can stop bleeding any more efficiently just pressure or applying something like a baking soda poultice (which if I recall correctly is better for bee and nettle stings).

Does anyone know?

 

[Soapy Sam]

No, but you have blood. Got any vitamin K?
Sounds like a simple test.
Just don't do it here. I don't like RED.

 

[mijopaalmc]

No, but you have blood. Got any vitamin K?
Sounds like a simple test.
Just don't do it here. I don't like RED.

I guess the better question is: if it does stop bleeding, does it do through the physiological mechanism described in my OP or because of the osmotic shock to the tissue that any soluble substance would cause?

The claim that was made to me was that it stopped bleeding specifically because of its physiological function as a vitamin.

 

[Cuddles]

Nevertheless, it got me wondering if vitamin K can stop bleeding any more efficiently just pressure or applying something like a baking soda poultice (which if I recall correctly is better for bee and nettle stings).

Can't say I know anything about vitamin K, but bee stings are acidic, so applying any alkaline substance to it will help. I doubt baking soda does anything about bleeding though.