~ written by Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, Medical Herbalist
Interested in creating a natural First Aid Kit for the summer months? Here are some MUST HAVE traditional herbal remedies to include in your first aid kit!
Natural insect repellents: Lavender, Tea Tree and Citronella Essential Oils all have insect repellent properties. For more information on using and applying essential oils click here.
A Sunburn Spritzer: dilute Lavender and Peppermint Essential oils (using 3-4 drops each) in ½ cup of water. Pour into a spray bottle and spritz over the burning skin frequently, then liberally apply aloe vera gel to the sunburn. For another recipe click here.
Minor kitchen or barbeque burns and scalds: Cool the burn with cold water then apply pure Lavender essential oil. Lavender works like magic for preventing blisters and minimising scarring of the burned area. Apply it directly to the skin frequently throughout the day.
Bites and Stings: A bee sting can be washed with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), or baking soda can be applied as a paste (mix with water) to the bite. The herb Plantain can be prepared as a tea, strained and used as a skin wash or a poultice for helping to pull out venom from the bite. For instructions on preparing a poultice, click here.
Lavender Essential Oil applied to insect bites is cooling and helps to relieve inflammation caused by bites and stings; its antiseptic properties help to combat infection and of course its calming effects will assist with symptoms of shock and trauma.
Motion sickness and travel sickness: For people on-the-go consider using ginger capsules or prepare ginger root tea to help settle the stomach.
Poison Ivy: Try not to scratch, as it will worsen itch. Apply aloe vera gel to the area, bathe the affected area in apple cider vinegar diluted with water and apply Lavender Essential oil to the affected skin.
Minor cuts and scrapes: Marigold cream is used to promote healing and prevent infection from minor cuts, scrapes and open wounds, an excellent first aid treatment.
Arnica Cream applied frequently to problem areas for bruising, local inflammation and athletic injuries.
Aloe Vera Gel is an excellent topical application for sunburn.
Plantar warts: Zap Away Essential Oil Blend, contains potent antiviral essential oils Cinnamon, Tea Tree and Lemon. Protect the healthy skin with cream before applying this essential oil directly to the wart. Keep away from the eyes and do not ingest. Traditional Home Remedies for stubborn warts include: applying the milk from the fresh Dandelion stem directly to the warts. Home Remedies for plantar warts: apply and tape crushed garlic or the peel of a ripe banana to the problem area, replacing daily or use a mixture of castor oil blended with baking soda applied to the growths for several months, may help clear up the issue.
