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OK, I know it isn't kosher, but what is the shiur? And do we hold "chetzi shiur assur min haTorah"? For an application, what if you get a cut while hiking in the woods; is it assur to clean the wound with your mouth? (am I absolutely disgusting to even think to do this? It seems quite natural...)

What about if you bite your tongue or cheek; are you required to soak up the blood with a napkin until it stops bleeding? Spit out any blood you might taste?

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I also received an answer from a doctor, who said that saliva was actually very bad for cleaning a wound, as it could introduce all sorts of bacteria. So I will certainly stop that practice! – Jeremy Jun 1 '10 at 13:23
I'm pretty sure it is kosher. Why do you assume the other way? – Double AA♦ Dec 14 '11 at 23:41

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Actually I just read up on this topic, and it turns out that your own Human blood is only Assur because of Maris Ayin (similar to fish blood). Therefore:

  • If it's still in your own mouth, and it doesn't leave, you may swallow it.
  • If it leaves your mouth, you may not swallow it
  • Also, if it gets on food (e.g. your biting into a sandwich), you may not eat it (i.e. the blood on the food; not the entire food item)
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Where did you read up on this topic I love to have the source? – SimchasTorah May 31 '10 at 22:20
I believe it was in The Kosher Kitchen – yydl Jun 1 '10 at 0:00
Actually, as long as it has not exited your body it is allowed to be eaten; e.g. to suck a cut finger before blood is visible (yuck!). – Yahu Jun 1 '10 at 0:55
@Yahu Actually, it's a Machlokes if one is allowed to suck blood from a wound – yydl Jun 2 '10 at 2:59
blogged about it here: beismedrash.blogspot.com/2012/02/kashrut-for-vampires.html – Dov F Jun 24 '12 at 3:22
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See here: http://mi.yodeya.com/questions/1188/kashering-a-knife "The consumption of human presents a number of halachic problems/prohibitions but they are not related to kashrus strictly speaking.

Human blood is prohibited because of Maris Ayin, it is not even strictly speaking a "Rabbinic prohibition". As such there is, I believe, no concept of tam k'ikkar (the taste is like the forbidden substance). As such while it is prohibited to eat bread which has blood from one's gums on it, such blood would not impart a forbidden taste to utensils. (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 66:10)"

As mentioned, blood from one's gums isn't a problem unless it leaves one's mouth in which case it looks like one is eating blood and is prohibited due to ma'aris ayin.

Since tam/taste is not the issue it is possible that it is not a problem to suck blood from a wound when once spits it out immediately. Obviously if there is a real sakana it is permitted. I'll try to find sources that deal with it more directly.

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