I have been working on a detailed herb encyclopedia to help avoid the aftermath of Rockefeller medicine and Big Pharma and helping to become knowledgeable enough to avoid such things. In the meantime here is just a short entry on what you can add to your first aid kits to help get started with the mindset of using herbs to treat you and your family at home.

Apart from the basic equipment common to any first aid kit such as sterile dressings, waterproof plasters, scissors, bandage, tweezers and so on you can also include the following:

A bottle of Bach Rescue Remedy
Calendula ointment (with or without the addition of St. Johns Wort (you can make your own)
Lavender and tea tree are the best (and least expensive) essentials oils
Eucalyptus essential oil – as an alternative to tea tree
Bicarbonate of soda – for treating bee and ant stings
Cider vinegar – for treating sunburn, wasp stings, mosquito and horsefly bites
Distilled witch-hazel – valued for its astringent properties for minor burns, cuts, sprains, and bruises

Side note: The remedies listed below are first aid remedies and will not necessarily be used in the follow-up treatment of the injury. Visit the Herbal Therapeutic Index for remedies for follow-up treatment.

Burns and Scalds
Herbs: Infused oil of St. Johns Wort, distilled witch-hazel, calendula ointment, calendula tincture

Essential oils: Eucalyptus, geranium, frankincense, lavender, tea tree

Important: Serious burns need urgent medical attention

Cuts and Grazes
Herbs: Diluted tincture of calendula, distilled witch-hazel. Yarrow poultice to help staunch minor bleeding. If the cut is quite deep, use a diluted tincture of St. John’s wort.

Essential oils: Eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender, lemon, pine, tea tree

Important: If there is any risk of infection such as tetanus, seek urgent medical attention

Insect Bites and Stings
Herbs: Calendula and/or St. John’s wort (tincture or ointment)

Essential oils: Eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, cedarwood, patchouli, rosemary

Important: Bee and wasp stings affect some people seriously. If this is the case, summon urgent medical attention

Methods of use:

Bee stings: To neutralize the acidic venom, apply bicarbonate of soda (an alkali) made into a paste with a little water. Bicarbonate of soda also neutralizes acidic ant venom.

Wasp stings: wasp venom is alkaline, so an acidic remedy is necessary. Dab with cider vinegar or lemon juice (also for mosquito and horsefly bites).

Most other insect bites and stings can be treated with neat essential oil, diluted herbal tincture, or herbal ointment.

Sprains and Bruises
Herbs: Arnica (tincture or ointment), Calendula (tincture or ointment), elder (decoction of leaves), distilled witch-hazel

Essential oils: Chamomile (German and Roman), eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, marigold, pine, rosemary

Methods of use:

Start with a cold or icy aromatic or herbal compress (witch-hazel is excellent), then apply an aromatic or herbal ointment. For sprains, after the ointment, apply gentle massage above towards the heart and below the injury (not directly on it) to drain off extra fluids.

Side note: A sprain occurs at a joint such as a wrist or ankle when the ligaments and tissues around the joint are suddenly wrenched or torn. Symptoms are pain and tenderness around the joint, often followed by swellings and bruising. Rest the injured part and raise it to prevent the accumulation of excess fluids (support with pillows).

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