A Herbal First-Aid

Live Holistically is a multi-author site.
This post was written by: Carol Webb

Houses Are Dangerous Places

Houses can be dangerous places. We fall off step-ladders and bruise ourselves, trip over obstacles and sprain an ankle, gash ourselves with knives and garden tools, burn, scald and sun-burn ourselves. Get bitten by insects and pets, and shock ourselves while taking liberties with electrical appliances.

Become Self-Sufficient

If we can become self-sufficient in this area, it is much more convenient, and often less traumatic to treat these simple accidents quickly and efficiently ourselves.

Looking through my First-Aid Box, here are the herbs that I use most often:

Shock

1. Rescue Remedy…A Dr. Bach flower remedy that comes as liquid or pills. I like liquid best.

1. A packet of dried Chamomile flowers or some bought Chamomile tea-bags will make a quick drink of soothing tea

Bruises and Sprains

1. Arnica in homoeopathic potency 6x for shakes and shock
2. A tube of Arnica cream…not to be used if skin is broken
3. Jar of Comfrey ointment…for gently soothing over the sore area
4. OR. A small bottle of home-made Comfrey oil
5. Small bottle of Cider Vinegar…Use dilute to bathe the injury

Cuts, Wounds and Grazes

1. Small jar of Honey (organic and best that you can afford to buy) No germ can live in honey. Use as a disinfectant
2. Fresh Yarrow leaves will stop bleeding. A pinch of dried Yarrow leaves moistened with Honey is effective
3. Calendula (Marigold) ointment which is anti-septic and healing

Burns and Scalds

1. A small bottle of Nettle extract (sold as ‘Urtica’) Apply neat and fast to take pain away
2. Aloe Vera (gel)

Headaches

1. A small bottle containing 3 drops essential oil of Lavender in Almond Oil. Rub into temples

Migraine

1. Keep a few leaves of Feverfew wrapped in foil in freezer ready for chewing as soon as the first sign appears. If you can’t stand the taste buy Feverfew pills or capsules

Sun-Burn

1. Aloe Vera gel can’t be beaten. Snap a leaf in half and squeeze the cut ends to extract the gel which should be smoothed over the affected area and left to dry
2. Keep an Aloe Vera plant growing on a sunny window-sill or in the garden for hotter climes

Insect Bites

1. Hysopp oil or lotion
2. Lavender oil
3. Calendula ointment
4. Plantain poultice

The Common Cold

1. At onset take some large doses of Natural Vitamin C
2. STOP eating milk and eggs (they produce mucous)
3. Eat Onions
4. Drink Honey dissolved in Hot-Water with Lemon Juice and Ground Ginger added
5. OR drink tea made with equal parts Elderflower, Hyssop and Peppermint. Take these drinks HOT every 2 hours.