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Seeds for Change Wellness
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Make Your Own Herbal First Aid Kit
Make Your Own Herbal First Aid Kit
Author: By Laurel Vukovic Source
The Herbal First Aid Kit: What to Buy
These are my favorite remedies — the ones I consider indispensable for a travel first-aid kit.
All of the remedies are available at any well-stocked health-food store and by mail-order. Be
sure to buy pure essential oils, not fragrance oils. To prevent breakage, wrap glass bottles in
small pieces of thick flannel.
Aloe vera gel: Cooling and healing, aloe vera (Aloe vera) soothes the inflammation of
sunburn and common kitchen scalds and burns.
Arnica gel or cream: Arnica (Arnica montana) flowers have anti-inflammatory and circulation-
stimulating properties; the gel or cream is excellent for sore muscles, sprains, strains and
bruises. Do not apply arnica to broken skin.
Calendula-comfrey salve: The bright yellow-orange blossoms of calendula (Calendula
officinalis) have astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing
properties. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) contains allantoin, a compound that stimulates the
growth of new tissue and helps heal wounds.
Chamomile tea bags: With its delicious distinctive flavor, chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
makes a tasty tea. Gentle enough for children, chamomile has mild sedative, antispasmodic,
anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It promotes relaxation, relieves indigestion and,
when applied topically, soothes skin irritations.
Citronella-based insect repellant: Most herbal repellants contain citronella, a pungent
citrus-scented essential oil distilled from an aromatic grass that grows in southern Asia. Herbal
insect repellants work well, as long as they’re applied liberally and frequently (as often as
every two hours).
Echinacea liquid extract: Rich in immune-stimulating chemicals, echinacea (Echinacea spp.)
can be used for any type of infection. Liquid extracts are the most versatile because they can
be used both internally and externally.
Elderberry capsules or liquid extract: Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is essential for
stopping a cold or flu from ruining your vacation. The berries contain compounds that prevent
cold and flu viruses from invading and infecting cells. If you’re flying or otherwise potentially
exposed to viruses, taking elderberry is a good preventive. If you do come down with a cold or
flu, taking elderberry can hasten your recovery time.
Eleuthero standardized extract: An excellent adaptogen, eleuthero (Eleutherococcus
senticosus) can help prevent jet lag; it was even used by Soviet cosmonauts to help them
adjust to space travel. Standardized extracts guarantee that you’re getting sufficient amounts
of eleutherosides, which herbalists consider to be the herb’s active compounds.
Eucalyptus essential oil: A potent antibiotic and antiviral, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
is excellent for treating colds, flus and sinus infections when used as a steam inhalation. Dilute
with oil or witch hazel extract before applying to the skin, and do not take internally.
Ginger capsules, tea bags and crystallized ginger: The antispasmodic and gas-relieving
properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) soothe digestive upsets. Ginger also has been proven
to relieve motion sickness better than Dramamine, the conventional drug treatment.
Goldenseal capsules or powder: A powerful antimicrobial, goldenseal (Hydrastis
canadensis) is effective against a variety of microorganisms that cause traveler’s diarrhea.
The powder has antiseptic properties and can be sprinkled onto cuts or wounds to stop
bleeding. Do not take goldenseal internally during pregnancy.
Grindelia poison oak/ivy tincture or spray: Grindelia (Grindelia camporum), also known as
gumweed, contains resins and tannins that help to relieve the pain and itching of plant rashes.
It’s available as a tincture and also as a spray specifically for treating poison oak/poison ivy
rashes.
Lavender essential oil: Virtually an all-purpose remedy, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
has sed- ative, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It’s helpful for anxiety, insomnia,
headaches, wounds and burns. For most people, lavender essential oil can be applied directly
to the skin. Do not take more than 1 to 2 drops internally.
Laxative herbal tea bags: Travel constipation is a common complaint. Most herbal laxative
teas rely on senna (Cassia senna), which contains compounds called anthraquinones that
stimulate intestinal activity. Because senna has a bitter, unpleasant flavor, it’s often combined
with tasty herbs such as cinnamon, fennel, licorice and ginger.
Peppermint essential oil and tea bags: With its high concentration of menthol, peppermint
(Mentha xpiperita) soothes an upset stomach, clears sinuses and curbs itching from insect
bites. If you have sensitive skin, dilute peppermint oil before applying. Taken internally,
peppermint may aggravate heartburn.
Valerian tincture: The sedative properties of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) make it useful for
relieving anxiety, insomnia and tension; it’s also a mild pain reliever.
Witch hazel extract: Distilled witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) has mild astringent,
antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for insect bites and skin irritations.
It’s also an excellent base for diluting essential oils for a variety of simple, topical herbal first-
aid remedies. Do not take it internally.
Read the complete article
Author: By Laurel Vukovic Source
The Herbal First Aid Kit: What to Buy
These are my favorite remedies — the ones I consider indispensable for a travel first-aid kit.
All of the remedies are available at any well-stocked health-food store and by mail-order. Be
sure to buy pure essential oils, not fragrance oils. To prevent breakage, wrap glass bottles in
small pieces of thick flannel.
Aloe vera gel: Cooling and healing, aloe vera (Aloe vera) soothes the inflammation of
sunburn and common kitchen scalds and burns.
Arnica gel or cream: Arnica (Arnica montana) flowers have anti-inflammatory and circulation-
stimulating properties; the gel or cream is excellent for sore muscles, sprains, strains and
bruises. Do not apply arnica to broken skin.
Calendula-comfrey salve: The bright yellow-orange blossoms of calendula (Calendula
officinalis) have astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing
properties. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) contains allantoin, a compound that stimulates the
growth of new tissue and helps heal wounds.
Chamomile tea bags: With its delicious distinctive flavor, chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
makes a tasty tea. Gentle enough for children, chamomile has mild sedative, antispasmodic,
anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It promotes relaxation, relieves indigestion and,
when applied topically, soothes skin irritations.
Citronella-based insect repellant: Most herbal repellants contain citronella, a pungent
citrus-scented essential oil distilled from an aromatic grass that grows in southern Asia. Herbal
insect repellants work well, as long as they’re applied liberally and frequently (as often as
every two hours).
Echinacea liquid extract: Rich in immune-stimulating chemicals, echinacea (Echinacea spp.)
can be used for any type of infection. Liquid extracts are the most versatile because they can
be used both internally and externally.
Elderberry capsules or liquid extract: Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is essential for
stopping a cold or flu from ruining your vacation. The berries contain compounds that prevent
cold and flu viruses from invading and infecting cells. If you’re flying or otherwise potentially
exposed to viruses, taking elderberry is a good preventive. If you do come down with a cold or
flu, taking elderberry can hasten your recovery time.
Eleuthero standardized extract: An excellent adaptogen, eleuthero (Eleutherococcus
senticosus) can help prevent jet lag; it was even used by Soviet cosmonauts to help them
adjust to space travel. Standardized extracts guarantee that you’re getting sufficient amounts
of eleutherosides, which herbalists consider to be the herb’s active compounds.
Eucalyptus essential oil: A potent antibiotic and antiviral, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
is excellent for treating colds, flus and sinus infections when used as a steam inhalation. Dilute
with oil or witch hazel extract before applying to the skin, and do not take internally.
Ginger capsules, tea bags and crystallized ginger: The antispasmodic and gas-relieving
properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) soothe digestive upsets. Ginger also has been proven
to relieve motion sickness better than Dramamine, the conventional drug treatment.
Goldenseal capsules or powder: A powerful antimicrobial, goldenseal (Hydrastis
canadensis) is effective against a variety of microorganisms that cause traveler’s diarrhea.
The powder has antiseptic properties and can be sprinkled onto cuts or wounds to stop
bleeding. Do not take goldenseal internally during pregnancy.
Grindelia poison oak/ivy tincture or spray: Grindelia (Grindelia camporum), also known as
gumweed, contains resins and tannins that help to relieve the pain and itching of plant rashes.
It’s available as a tincture and also as a spray specifically for treating poison oak/poison ivy
rashes.
Lavender essential oil: Virtually an all-purpose remedy, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
has sed- ative, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It’s helpful for anxiety, insomnia,
headaches, wounds and burns. For most people, lavender essential oil can be applied directly
to the skin. Do not take more than 1 to 2 drops internally.
Laxative herbal tea bags: Travel constipation is a common complaint. Most herbal laxative
teas rely on senna (Cassia senna), which contains compounds called anthraquinones that
stimulate intestinal activity. Because senna has a bitter, unpleasant flavor, it’s often combined
with tasty herbs such as cinnamon, fennel, licorice and ginger.
Peppermint essential oil and tea bags: With its high concentration of menthol, peppermint
(Mentha xpiperita) soothes an upset stomach, clears sinuses and curbs itching from insect
bites. If you have sensitive skin, dilute peppermint oil before applying. Taken internally,
peppermint may aggravate heartburn.
Valerian tincture: The sedative properties of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) make it useful for
relieving anxiety, insomnia and tension; it’s also a mild pain reliever.
Witch hazel extract: Distilled witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) has mild astringent,
antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for insect bites and skin irritations.
It’s also an excellent base for diluting essential oils for a variety of simple, topical herbal first-
aid remedies. Do not take it internally.
Read the complete article