Please remember that when dealing with potentially serious injuries, first aid is a stop gap measure until adequate medical attention can be found! Follow up on any serious injuries with a qualified medical professional.
Here are just a few items that may be useful to make up a herbal first aid kit. Please feel free to add your suggestions here too!
Aloe
Break off an aloe leaf and scrape the gel to soothe minor burns, scalds, and sunburns. Aloe has tissue regenerative properties and will help heal all wounds.
Arnica
Arnica cream or oil can be used on bruises or sprains where the skin is not broken. Caution should be used with Arnica however since it can become toxic in high doses.
Calendula Cream
Homemade or storebought, this is antispetic and antifungal. If you make it, try adding comfrey to the cream; it will help speed the healing process.
Clove Oil
Clove oil is an excellent antispetic for cuts and is also useful for treating toothaches. It should be cut with a carrier oil when used on the skin since severe irritation can occur.
Compresses
Keep squares of gauze or cheesecloth on hand to make compresses. Use comfrey, witch hazel, or arnica for sprains; St. John's Wort for deep cuts; comfrey or witch hazel for burns.
Crystallized Ginger
Chew for motion sickness or morning sickness.
Eucalyptus Oil
This is a good inhalant for colds, coughs, and respiratory infections.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is an antibiotic, antiviral and antiseptic, so it is excellent for use in mild acne, blisters, cuts, insect bites
and stings. Use on itchy skin, dry skin, and even sunburn. It also eases bruising , dry cough (rub onto chest or put on a handkerchief), and lifts PMT, it is a very calming scent and can be used to help insomnia.
Rescue Remedy
This combination of 5 of the Bach Flower Remedies is effective for shocks and emotional upsets, especially in children.
St. John's Wort Infused Oil
Excellent for minor burns and sunburn.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm powder is used to make poultices for drawing out splinters and bringing boils to a head.
Tea Tree Oil
Antiseptic and antifungal. Useful for cleansing wounds, dab on to spots or boils.
Witch Hazel Extract
Use it to treat minor burns, sunburn, and insect bites. Apply to nasal passages to stop nosebleeds. Wash cuts with it to help cleanse them. Use in a compress to relieve thrush or other fungal infections.
Here are just a few items that may be useful to make up a herbal first aid kit. Please feel free to add your suggestions here too!
Aloe
Break off an aloe leaf and scrape the gel to soothe minor burns, scalds, and sunburns. Aloe has tissue regenerative properties and will help heal all wounds.
Arnica
Arnica cream or oil can be used on bruises or sprains where the skin is not broken. Caution should be used with Arnica however since it can become toxic in high doses.
Calendula Cream
Homemade or storebought, this is antispetic and antifungal. If you make it, try adding comfrey to the cream; it will help speed the healing process.
Clove Oil
Clove oil is an excellent antispetic for cuts and is also useful for treating toothaches. It should be cut with a carrier oil when used on the skin since severe irritation can occur.
Compresses
Keep squares of gauze or cheesecloth on hand to make compresses. Use comfrey, witch hazel, or arnica for sprains; St. John's Wort for deep cuts; comfrey or witch hazel for burns.
Crystallized Ginger
Chew for motion sickness or morning sickness.
Eucalyptus Oil
This is a good inhalant for colds, coughs, and respiratory infections.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is an antibiotic, antiviral and antiseptic, so it is excellent for use in mild acne, blisters, cuts, insect bites
and stings. Use on itchy skin, dry skin, and even sunburn. It also eases bruising , dry cough (rub onto chest or put on a handkerchief), and lifts PMT, it is a very calming scent and can be used to help insomnia.
Rescue Remedy
This combination of 5 of the Bach Flower Remedies is effective for shocks and emotional upsets, especially in children.
St. John's Wort Infused Oil
Excellent for minor burns and sunburn.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm powder is used to make poultices for drawing out splinters and bringing boils to a head.
Tea Tree Oil
Antiseptic and antifungal. Useful for cleansing wounds, dab on to spots or boils.
Witch Hazel Extract
Use it to treat minor burns, sunburn, and insect bites. Apply to nasal passages to stop nosebleeds. Wash cuts with it to help cleanse them. Use in a compress to relieve thrush or other fungal infections.