Herbal First Aid Kit

[suzanne sanders]

The Herbs:

Activated Charcoal: This may not seem like an herb but it’s very effective for acute food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal illness, etc.

Arnica- A very popular homopathic remedy that can used muscle pain or bodily injury, bruises or any type of trauma. It greatly reduced healing time or bruises and sore muscles. Just be sure to use it immediatedly after injury.

Cayenne Powder- I know you thought this was only used as a spice but it’s very effective and wise to have in your first aid kit. I always keep cayenne with me when traveling. I also have it my car, purse and office. When applied topically it stop bleeding quickly.

Chamomile- The herb Chamomile has been in constant use for thousands of years. It has been used to treat a plethora of ailments and health troubles, such as stomach upset, diarrhea, gas, insomnia and even anxiety. When brewed as a tea, chamomile has very relaxing effects and it can be cooled and rubbed on the stomach of colicky infants to help sooth them.

Comfrey- This is an excellent herb for to use externally for injuries and broken bones. All you have to do is make a poultice of dandelion and comfrey and place it on a wound can greatly reduce the healing time and help prevent and reverse infection. It’s very effective.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil- This is an excellent oil to have handy for respiratory problems. I use eucalyptus herb and essential oil in my humidifier or facial sauna for congestion or sinus troubles. I also make a mild natural version of Vapo-Rub without the petroleum jelly for coughing and respiratory illness. You can also dilute eucalyptus oil with shea butter or olive oil and rub it on your feet, chest and next to help expel mucus and phlegm. 

Ginger Capsules- There are lots of healing components to ginger. Ginger is used for many illnesses such as: nausea, acid reflux, indigestions, morning sickness stomach pain and gas. It’s also a great remedy food poisoning so always keep a few capsules in your kit or cabinet.

Peppermint Essential Oil (or tea bag)- Here’s another GREAT digestive herb for you. Just like ginger, peppermint is excellent for nausea, acid reflux, indigestion, stomach pain, etc.  You can use it as a tea or tincture. When used as a tincture it  can be an excellent remedy for headache and digestive troubles. You can also apply the essential oil behind the ears and on the bottom of your feet to help ease headaches or nausea. This is even mild enough to use on babies.

Plantain- When we usually think of plantains we normally think of it as a side dish in Caribbean meals.  Surprisingly, plantains are a natural remedy for poison ivy, cuts, scrapes and bites. You can also make a poultice and apply to an area that suffered a bee sting. You will be pleasantly surprised how it immediately relieves the pain. Plantain poultice is excellent for bites, stings, cuts and infections.

Slippery Elm- This herb is wonderful for sore throats and stomach irritation. It’s also a must have for singers and public speakers because coasts the throat preventing individuals from loosing their voice. Even you ever see slippery elm lozenges in your health food store…BUY IT! They taste great and are helpful for children suffering with sore throats. You can use slippery elm in a tea, tincture or capsule. 

Here is a list of our links.

• website – http://www.celestialhealing.net
• Facebook Fanpage – http://www.facebook.com/celestial.healing
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[Victoria Pich]

By plantains, do you mean the ones that are "weeds" in the yard? I know that doctors use charcoal too. It absorbs bad stuff, like when someone dunked my cat in Motor oil around Halloween- the vet gave him charcoal to soak up anything he might have swallowed when trying to lick the oil off.
I love that photo of the garden!

[Joseph Bronson]

Yes it is the plantain that most call a weed.  I call it herbal medicine. :) 

[Victoria Pich]

I want to learn more about herbs. Got some books. Now that Johanna will be homeschooling, I plan to do some learning online. I think Sue has a good website for that.