Over the counter remedies and medications are full of artificial dyes, preservatives, and other harmful things. As a health care professional, I have encountered numerous individuals with an allergy to dyes which can make it very difficult for them to find the medications they need. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the biggest money-making industries in the world, so it is no wonder that holistic medicine has fallen through the cracks.
Several years ago, I was scrolling on the internet and found myself down a rabbit hole. It was then that I realized just how many plants on our earth have medicinal properties. Since then, I have received my certificate of mastery in herbalism and have done countless hours of research on herbs and how to use them. I created this blog with the intention of sharing what I have learned with the world as it is something I am so very passionate about and I hope to eventually be able to make a career around herbalism.
Some Things to Consider
Anytime we are using herbs for the first time, we should always take precautions in case of a possible allergy. If using fresh herbs, crush the herb and apply a small amount to your skin and wait for at least an hour to see if a local reaction occurs. If it does, this is a good sign you could be allergic and should probably avoid that herb. Sometimes, if we are allergic to an herb, we can be allergic to all herbs in that family. So, if a reaction occurs, do your research and make sure to also avoid any other herbs that are in that family.
Some herbs cannot be taken with certain prescription medications. If you are on any prescription medications or have any serious health conditions, always discuss your plans with your health care provider first. St. Johns Wort is one herb that is contraindicated with several prescription drugs and can be dangerous.
An Herbal First Aid Kit Is Best for the following:
- Bruising
- Cuts and Scrapes
- Sprains and Muscle Aches
- Bleeding
- Insect Bites
- Snake Bites
- Fever
- Burns
My Top 10 Herbs to Keep in your First Aid Kit
1. Arnica (Arnica Montana)
Used for: Bruising, sprains/strains, and muscle aches.
Arnica is best known for its ability to reduce pain from bruising, sprains, and heal bruising. You can infuse this herb into oil or can make a salve from the infused oil. To make an infused oil, simply take your herb and fill a container however full you would like. Then take your carrier oil of choice (I often just use extra virgin olive oil for this) and simply add enough oil to your container to cover the top of your herbs. Cover your container with cheesecloth and allow your oil to infuse for no more than 30 days. Strain the herb out of your oil and your oil is finished. I find that using dried herbs for this is best as the water content in fresh herbs can cause your oil to go rancid. You may also choose to add a few drops of good quality vitamin E which will help to preserve the oil. If you choose to make a salve, you simply would combine your infused oil with beeswax and vitamin E oil using the double boiler method and then pour into tins or a shallow container that can easily be stored in your first aid kit. For a salve, I also like to add a few drops of peppermint oil to add a nice cooling affect for muscle aches and pain.
2. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Used to: Speed up healing from broken bones and sprains.
Comfrey is one of the most powerful herbs that there is for healing. It is often referred to as “knit-bone” due to its ability to speed up the healing of broken bones. Comfrey can be used as a poultice, oil, or salve. Simply apply it to the affected area. Do not apply comfrey to open wounds as it may cause the wound to close before healing completely leaving bacteria inside which can cause an abscess to form. You should also not use comfrey for more than 10 days and should only use it externally as it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can affect the liver. If you have liver disease or are pregnant you should avoid this herb all together.
3. Lavendar (Lavandula)
Used for: Tension, Migraines, Insomnia, and minor grazes, burns, and insect bites.
Lavendar has both antimicrobial and antiviral properties. The best way use this is to add Lavendar essential oil to a carrier oil of your choice (I prefer extra virgin olive oil). For every three teaspoons of carrier oil, you will want to add about 7-8 drops of essential oil. This blend can then be added to a glass roll on bottle and stored in your first aid kit. Do not use plastic as essential oils can eat through plastic overtime. This can then be applied to the temples to help ease migraines, tension, and help with insomnia. You may also choose to apply this to minor grazes, burns, or insect bites for its antimicrobial properties.
4. Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata and Plantago Major)
Used for: Insect bites/stings, splinters, and snake bites.
Ribwort Plantain can be found in most states in the U.S. There is broad leaf and narrow leaf plantain, but both are easily identifiable and are medicinal. Plantain has a drawing effect and is best used to draw out venom from insect bites, bee stings, and even snake bites. It is also great for painlessly drawing out splinters, which is a major plus if you have small children. Plantain is also very beneficial in wound healing and offering some relief from inflammation. If you are lucky enough to be able to harvest your own plantain, you can collect the leaves and dry them out and store in a sealed container (I dehydrate mine and store in a glass jar, just make sure it is COMPLETELY dry before placing in container to avoid mold growth). If you do not have any growing locally, it can easily be purchased online. When purchasing herbs online, I recommend that you always search the scientific name to ensure you are getting the correct herb. To use, all you will need to do is remove enough herb from your container to cover the affected area and add just enough water to rehydrate it, then crush into a poultice. Apply the poultice to the affected area and bandage or wrap it to hold it in place.
5. Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Used to: Treat fungal infections, Insect Bites, and wound care.
Tea tree has antiseptic and antifungal properties. As with Lavendar, this is best to be diluted with a carrier oil and stored in a glass roller bottle. Tea Tree oil is a highly concentrated essential oil so it always preferable to dilute with a carrier oil before applying to affected areas. It is most commonly used to treat fungal infections of the feet. A good way to do this is by filling a tub with luke-warm water, adding a splash of milk and about 5-6 drops of tea tree oil. Soak feet for at least 20 minutes once daily until symptoms have resolved. We always want to add milk or some sort of fat to our water any time we are adding essential oils to a bath, this helps distribute the oil throughout the water. Without it, the oil will separate from the water and sit on top which can irritate the skin.
6. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Used for: Migraine and Headache prevention and treatment.
Feverfew is an herb that has been proven to treat and reduce the frequency of migraines and headaches. It also works to reduce the symptoms associated with migraines such as nausea, vomiting, light and sound sensitivity. It can also help with pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, stomach aches, toothaches, and menstruation pain. For adults and children over the age of 2, the recommended dose for migraines is 100-300mg to be taken up to four times per day. If using for arthritic pain, a tincture is usually preferable and should be taken according to the directions on the packaging. I prefer to buy feverfew in capsule form so that I can easily dose it out but you may choose to use it as a tincture or drink in a tea.
7. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Used to: Prevent infections of wounds
Calendula is one of the most beneficial herbs you can use to prevent and speed up healing of wounds. You may purchase this herb whole and crush or blend it into a powder or purchase it in an already powdered form. Whenever treating a wound, simply mix some of the powder into water and soak a compress in the liquid and apply to wound. This will help to prevent infection and speed up the healing process.
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Used to: Stop Bleeding and lower fever.
Yarrow is such a great herb to have in your first aid kit as it can be used to stop bleeding! For this, you will want the herb to be finely crushed into a powder. Simply take a small amount of the powder and apply directly to bleeding. You can purchase yarrow that is already powdered or simply purchase it whole and run it through a food processor to powder it yourself. It can also be steeped into a tea to reduce fever. For tea, it is best to use whole yarrow (not powdered). I recommend keeping both powdered and whole in your first aid kit for this reason.
9. Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia)
Used to: Prevent and fight infection, boost the immune system, and relieve pain and inflammation.
Echinacea is proven to boost your immune system and fight off infection. It is best used in a tincture. Making a tincture is quite simple, but measuring is important to ensure a good potency and proper dosages. You can read more on making tinctures here. If you choose to purchase your tincture, make sure to purchase from a reputable and trusted source.
10. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Used to: Soothe minor burns including sunburn.
Aloe Vera has a very soothing and cooling effect on the skin and is very beneficial for burns. It is best to purchase a bottle of aloe vera gel so that it will store well in your first aid kit. If you have an aloe vera plant, you can of course just pluck off a leaf and apply the gel to your burn straight from the plant.