Herbal First Aid - Local Plant Medicine Part One

[suzanne sanders]

In the event of an emergency and people are hurt or sick do you have the knowledge to help them? 

I would like to encourage you to grow your knowledge on herbal first aid, wilderness first aid, first aid, wilderness survival, in the event that you can not get medical help. Meaning no hospital, no doctor, no EMT's  and/or you are many hours away from help.  

Ask yourself these questions.  

Do I know what to do if someone is bleeding really bad?  

Do I know what to do if someone has a broken limb?

Do I know what to do if someone is shot?  Shot in the chest?

Do I know what to do if someone is impaled by an object, such as a knife in the leg?  

Do I know what to do if some one is bit by a Snake?  Brown Recluse?  

Do you know what to do if someone reacts to a bee sting?  Anaphylactic Shock and there is no epi-pen? 

There are many more questions I can ask you, but are you ready to deal with any of those?  If not then it is time to educate yourself.   

Self Defense comes in many forms and protecting yourself, loved ones, friends and neighbors by knowing how to help them in the event of needing first aid in my opinion is vitally important.     Protection comes in many forms and First Aid is definitely one of them.  

I am compiling a small list of herbs for this particular blog.  I am trying to keep this list as local as possible.   I feel if we are using herbs for first aid, sickness or other health issues that are not local, and then something happens, what will you do if you do not have the knowledge to use the plants in your area or the ones you have grown.  

I feel these days people are always looking for the popular herb, the in herb or the cure all herb.  Most of the time these herbs are coming from far away.   People get excited about TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) , Ayurveda Medicine (is a system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent) but forget the Native American Indians used many plants on this continent.  We should also remember that the Europeans brought over the healing plants and seeds that they used.   We have beautiful healing herbs right in our own backyards, in our cities,in our mountains and out in the desert.  Plus, the herbs coming from TCM and Ayurveda Medicine are testing high for toxins.   It is time to bring ourselves back to the plants that are here, that know us better and what are needs are.   

Take a first aid class.  Learn what to do if the above questions happen in your life.  There are going to be situations that require first aid applications before herbs so, in the event of an emergency, example, someone bleeding severely, herbs are going to be used as a secondary action your first action is compression badge.  

As with all healing modalities apply the first rule, "First Do No Harm.

Herbal First Aid Basics: 

http://mcminnvillehealthdefense.ning.com/profiles/blogs/herbal-firs...

First Aid Kits and other products: 

Emergency Medical Roll (Bag) 

https://www.lapolicegear.com/emmerobl.html?utm_source=emmerobl&...

Medical Bag Ideas: 

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/medical-bag/

First Aid Kits Plus

http://www.bookbind.net/First-Aid-Kit-Plus-p/e-first-aid-plus.htm

Interesting Perspective On Invasive Plants:  I Do Agree With It

https://gathervictoria.com/2015/09/21/ending-the-toxic-costly-and-u...

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source on Medicinal Plants.   There are many great herb books on identifying plants, such as Michael Moore  and in his books there is a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. 

Local  Herbal First Aid

But first I need to say this.  This list is not all the way tested and there are no guarantees of how they may work.  What I am saying is part of this list is my thoughts and ideas of what to use when we do not have anything else.     I am at the experimental stage of some of these local herbs.  We have many many medicinal local plants around us and I want to tap into their healing power.  More then ever, this year  I am focusing on using what we have available in the wild and what I can grow.  I Love researching what to use for first aid and taking classes on it.  But, every time I take a class, the instructor uses herbs I can not get to, which, makes since because they are using what resonates with them and what they have harvested.     A couple awesome first aid plants are chaparral and prickly pear  but we can not find those plants in our area.   My daily weekly curiosity is what I can  use around me.    I guess you or I could try growing them but in the mean time what do you use in the event of a first aid emergency?   

Again there are no guarantees because some of them I have not used and when a first aid situation happens in my family I will try them out.  So before the shit hits the fan, try some of these plants, when a very minor first aid situation happens and only if you feel good about it.  Plus YOU SHOULD research the plants you would like to stock up and use.  Don't just take my world for it or anyone else.   Knowledge gives you confidence  and if your are confident, you can handle the situation.  

This compiled list is a local list of herbs to use for first aid for our area, which means within three to four hours of where we live (McMinnville, Yamhill County) 

Japanese Knotweed:   This is not a forest growing weed.  It has many many medicinal uses.  It is super invasive and there are places where you might find this.  

Devils Club: 

http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/issue62/article2697.html?ts=15...

Rose: Anti-depressant, antiseptic, antiviral, antispasmodic,  aphrodisiac,  antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue (promoting the flow of bile) , antibacterial, hemostatic (stop bleeding),  uterine, nervine and emmenagogue(promotes menstrual discharge).

Flowers: Make a strong tea out of the flowers for a skin wash to stop bleeding from cuts and wounds.  Also a gargle to relieve sore throats, use it to heal mouth sores and tighten bleeding gums.  Flower tea  to relieve diarrhea ,calm the nerves and/or lift the spirits.   

Rose Hips: The fruits slightly aperient (used to relieve constipation) and good in treatment of female ailments.  They are very rich in vitamin C.  Great tonic helps with exhaustion  Culpepper's book, dried powdered and taken in white wine, they will remove strangury (painful urination in which the urine is emitted drop by drop to muscle spasms of the urethra or urinary bladder) and to strengthen the kidneys.  Can help in cases of mild gall-bladder problems.  Boiled in a strong decoction of the roots they are good for venomous bites.   The hips made into a conserveand eaten occasionally, help digestion and dry up the moisture from a cold. They will help the body's defences against infections and the development of colds.  

Leaves (wood rose):  The Okanagan-Colville Indians used the leaves as a poultice for bee stings and added to smoking mixtures.   Thompson Indians made a tonic for general illness from the stems.  

Juliette de Bairacli Levy book says,  use the flowers leaves and fruits.  Treatment of catarrh, diarrhoea, haemorrhages.  Tuberculosis.  Eye ailments. The fruits all female ailments including leucorrhoea (vaginal discharge, could be normal discharge or possible infection), and metritis (Inflammation of the uterus).  The essential oil of roses is an active stimulant of the nervous system and the uterus, it is an important nerve heart and brain tonic, and is also a tonic for he ovaries and uterus.  Petals of white rose for sore inflamed eyes.  

Side Note: In an emergency situation, you are not going to find rose essential oil.  Essential oils take a ton of plant matter.  Example, it takes 60 roses to make ONE DROP OF ESSENTIAL OIL or 10,000 roses to make a 5ml bottle.   

I personally feel if you have oil and fresh or dried roses you can make a simple infused medicinal oil to use.   

Pine Trees:

If you don't have pine, you can use Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Spruce, Other firs.  Most of the Pinaceae Family.   

Do not use the yew which is the Taxaceae family  

The cypress family there are some trees in the cypress family that you can use for certain health problems, but caution should be taken with this family.  Examples juniper, cedar and redwoods 

Northfold Island Pine (do not use) is not a pine it is in the Araucariaceae family

Pine

Parts Used: bark, needles, pitch, pollen, young green cones

Pungent, bitter, dry and neutral

Has the ability to warm or cool, depending on the situation

Medicinally:  analgesic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, rubefacient, stimulant and tonic 

Pine, along with the spruces and firs, has traditionally been used for food, medicine and shelter.  

Nutritionally pine needles contain super high vitamin C.   They also have calcium, beta carotene, iron, potassium thiamine (B1) riboflavin (B2) niacin (B3), sodium, phosphorus, protein, carbohydrates and fat.

Jethro Kloss, Back To Eden: 

White pine is a very old reliable remedy for chest ailments such as bronchitis, coughs, colds, croup and influenza.  It is excellent for use in tonsillitis, laryngitis and sore throats.  Found useful in rheumatism, kidney troubles and scurvy. 

Pine Needle Tincture: 

For treating coughs, colds and other respiratory conditions.  It is antibacterial, antiseptic antiviral and expectorant. Opens the sinuses, breaks up stuck phlegm, increases secretions to clear the lungs of mucus.  Will dry up excessive flowing mucus, resolve respiratory infections,coughing and soothe sore throats. 

Adults:  15 - 60 drops 4 x a day

Children ages 2 to 6 - 2 - 10 drops 

Pine Needle Vinegar:

Use as a liniment or as a tonic and can be used in place of balsamic vinegar.  Add to water with some pine needle syrup or infused honey and you have a yummy tasting tonic. 

As a liniment it as analgesic (pain relieving), antispasmodic (relieves spasms) properties and acts as a rubefacient (increases blood flow to the area).  It can energize the body (stimulate) and can be used as a tonic.  Pine has antioxidant benefits, so it may help protect cells against the effects of free radicals. 

Pine Needle Vinegar Recipe: 

http://www.thegreenkitchen.co.nz/recipes/sides/kahikatea-pine-needl...

Pine Syrup Made With Honey:

http://www.herbgeek.com/winter-medicine-evergreen-syrup/

Pine Pitch: is antibacterial and antiseptic.  Chew pitch to release warm aromatics into the lungs.  Use like you would pine needle tincture.  Pitch is warm.  Soft pitch is pliable and  you can put directly on the skin pulls out splinters, other foreign objects and insect bites.  Works for small cuts and wounds. Because of its antiseptic qualities it acts as a natures band aid by keeping out germs, facilitates healing and eases pain.  

Infuse the pitch in oil and you can use as a chest rub, relieve or soothe sciatica, boils, spinsters, sore muscles, sprains, strains, bruises and some skin conditions.   The pitch oil can be made into a salve and use the same was as the oil.  

How To Make Pine Pitch Salve

https://theherbalacademy.com/make-pine-resin-salve/

Pine Needle Tea: 

Super high C tea.   I personally would use it the same as the tincture, making it a gentler medicine that really is  a strong medicine that heals.   Plus, if you don't have alcohol, you can't make tinctures.  

Pine Needle Tea: 

https://www.wildedible.com/pine-needle-tea-natural-vitamin-c

Fir Spruce and Western Hemlock Tea: 

http://wildfoodsandmedicines.com/fir-hemlock-and-spruce-tips/

Pine Bark

Can be used as a  powder for urinary track infections.  Because of its diuretic and demulcent properties it is used for kidney and bladder problems.  

More on Pine Bark 

https://draxe.com/pine-bark-extract/

Harvesting Wild Pine Pollen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9pimnqbU54

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ2YewIdUnQ

Pine Pollen For Sale:

https://harmonicarts.ca/product/pine-pollen-powder-wild-harvested/

Pine Needle Steam for Congestion: 

Make a strong tea and use as a steam and inhale for sinus and congestion 

Make A Compression Bandage Out Of Pine: 

Pine Pitch Glue Recipe:

If you do not have charcoal powder you can use wood ash.  

http://willowhavenoutdoor.com/general-survival/how-to-make-pine-res...

http://www.pugetsoundknappers.com/how_to/pine_pitch_glue.html

Pitch Varnish

Dissolve about one part crushed pitch to four parts rubbing alcohol 

Make A Compression Bandage

When you can't get to a hospital and you need a compression bandage. 

1 Pound of pine (conifers), branches with their needles

1 Gallon of water 

Put pine and water in a big pot

Boil until it is reduced by half

Then: 

Strain and boil until a thin syrup forms

DO NOT PUT THE STRIPS DIRECTLY AGAINST THE SKIN

Wrap the joint in a soft clean cloth. Follow with a layer of cotton, cat tail down or other soft filling 

Dip strips of flannel or muslin into the syrup

Now you are ready to make a compression bandage

Make sure the sprained joint is in a good position

Put the wet cloth strips, so that they form a firm but not overly tight bandage.

 

Part Two Will Be Coming Soon