Herbal First Aid
First Aid Kits are a common part of life. They include bandages, antiseptics and disinfectant wipes. But can they relieve stomach aches, itchy bites and painful burns? Our Herbal First Aid Kit includes our top six herbal allies that we would never be without. We have lots of people in our family which gives us ample opportunity to use herbal products and remedies firsthand. The herbal products included in our Herbal First Aid Kit are our favorites to have on hand for minor emergencies, bites, and wounds. In this post we will discuss our six favorite herbals for use in herbal first aid and why you should always keep these necessities close at hand.
Activated Charcoal
Activated Charcoal binds to and eliminates toxins from the body. It is useful for poisoning, infection, stomach ailments, bad breath, bites, stings, detoxification, and as a deodorant. It is even used in hospitals in cases of poisoning. Activated Charcoal can be used internally and externally as illustrated in the firsthand stories below.
Activated Charcoal for the Stomach Bug
“We took a girls’ trip to the beach in the spring. My Mom, our 5 girls, and I were looking forward to a lovely weekend together. The first evening we sat outside a quaint little cafe and all indulged in some delicious ice cream. We decided to share two containers of ice cream rather than each purchasing our own cup. We also shared water cups.
“The middle of the night brought an unforeseen drama! One of the little girls woke up sick and throwing up multiple times while the other girls slept, and I panicked. My mind started swirling as I thought back to the previous night. We had all shared ice cream and water. We were all going to get sick. Oh how I didn’t want to all be sick away from home!
“But wait! I remembered I had Activated Charcoal in my bag. I immediately dumped some into my water bottle and drank it down along with lots of water. As the girls and my mom woke up the next morning, they all did the same. Throughout the day we kept drinking our “charcoal water” and since it doesn’t have a taste, the kids didn’t mind it one bit.
“Somehow, we all made it through the day without anyone getting sick. One other daughter did end up getting sick the next night after a lovely day at the beach, but the rest of us (all 5 of us!) did not get sick! I was amazed! Our family has had the stomach bug a few times through the years, and it quickly goes through everyone! But this time was different. The Activated Charcoal powder seemed to have stopped that stomach bug in its tracks. Wow! I knew Charcoal was good, but I was even more of a believer after that incident.”
Using Activated Charcoal Externally
“Lauren was running barefoot outside from our house to the garden. All of a sudden she felt like she had been bitten or stung. She ran back to the house and immediately applied Lavender Essential Oil, which we have found to bring great relief for normal bug bites. But the pain didn’t stop. In fact, it got much worse. Her whole foot started turning red and then purple. She began having pain in her bones up to her knee, and several of her toes were stiff, numb and hard to move. What in the world? We had no idea what bit her or what she had stepped on.
“Hannah immediately thought to get the Activated Charcoal powder. She filled a large mixing bowl with water and dumped in some Activated Charcoal powder. Lauren placed her foot in the water and let it soak. Within ten minutes she began to feel relief. The pain dissipated, not only at the site of the bite or sting but also, and more importantly, in her bones, and the stiffness went away completely, allowing her to walk more normally.
“Her foot stayed red for another 30 minutes, but then it slowly started to turn back to its normal color. She was patient to let it soak, and within a couple of hours everything was back to normal. Her foot still itched the next couple of days off and on, like a normal sting would, but no more weird pains and numbness. We never knew what caused it, but we were glad it resolved for Lauren with the Activated Charcoal.” (These stories were written by Allyson in her Activated Charcoal blog post.)
Activated Charcoal is safe when used both internally and externally. It is quickly and easily absorbed when mixed with water and taken internally. A suggested dose is typically 1 Tablespoon of Activated Charcoal in 8 oz. of water. Following with fresh water helps to move it out of your body and to avoid constipation. Repeat as needed. It is best to consume 1-2 hours before or after taking medications or supplements for the charcoal to avoid binding to them and making them ineffective. We would never be without this amazing ally in our herbal first aid kit!
Cayenne Powder
This powerful red pepper is used for its stimulating and circulatory effects on the body and in cases of heart attack and shock. It is also beneficial as an energy booster. Cayenne has an affinity for cardiovascular health and can be taken daily to improve circulation and promote proper blood flow. Cayenne is also an effective catalyst for other herbs.
Suggested Uses For Cayenne
Heart attack: Mix a large pinch of cayenne powder in water and drink. Seek medical attention immediately.
Shock: For cases of shock, rub a pinch of cayenne powder into the gums.
Heart: To benefit cardiovascular health, enjoy cayenne powder on cooked food.
Energy: To boost energy, mix a pinch of cayenne powder in water or juice and drink.
Cayenne Saved Our Baby Lambs
“We had read many amazing stories about the healing properties of cayenne pepper. But we really became believers once we experienced how amazing it was firsthand. One of our sheep had twin lambs. They were born healthy and strong, but a few days later we noticed that the two baby girls were extremely lethargic and had stopped nursing completely.
“We realized they must have been dehydrated and brought them indoors to properly nurse them. We tried consistently to offer them fluids, but they didn’t respond to any of our efforts to re-hydrate them. They wouldn’t even swallow a small amount of milk from a syringe. “Cayenne!” we thought instinctively. We had read so many amazing stories about it. Now it was our turn to put this powerful red powder to the test.
“We combined cayenne powder and black strap molasses together. We then applied it to the first lamb’s mouth and gums. Within seconds the lamb who had been curled up in a ball and unresponsive, stood up on all fours with her eyes wide open! We were stunned. Immediately we applied cayenne powder to the gums of the other little lamb, and the exact same thing happened. It was incredible!
“We had bottles of warm milk ready for them to drink. Within no time at all they each sucked down 5 ounces. After letting them rest for a bit we gave the lambs the remainder of the milk. Within a short amount of time they regained their strength and were soon back outside with their mama.
“Did the cayenne heal them? Well, no, not exactly. But the cayenne powder “shocked” their little systems into working again so that we could give them the fluids they needed to restore hydration. Once they were sufficiently hydrated, they were good to go. Without the cayenne powder we never would have been able to hydrate those precious babies.
Katherine and Kaitlyn (our two lambs) are all grown up now and have babies of their own. Cayenne powder saved their lives, and we are now firm believers in this “miracle” powder. We keep it in our kitchen, our pantry, and in our purses in case of emergency. We encourage everyone to keep cayenne on hand; you just never know when you may need it.” (Story written by Allyson.)
Chickweed Salve
Chickweed is used for many skin issues and ailments including bug bites, stings, burns, rashes, dry skin and poison ivy. It possesses lubricating, cooling, and soothing effects and has anti-inflammatory and drawing properties. Our Chickweed Salve includes wildcrafted chickweed harvested from our farm and is a soothing aid for everyday ailments. We love to keep it handy for uses in herbal first aid.
A Chickweed Salve Testimonial
“I love the Chickweed Salve that Reedwood Creek Farm makes. It is my go-to salve! The first time I tried it was on a cold sore on my lip that had been bothering me for days. I used it one night before I went to bed, and by the next morning my cold sore was gone. I was amazed by how quickly it worked! Another time I had a wasp bite that was bothering me. It kept itching for a couple days after I was stung. I applied Chickweed Salve, and it completely took away the itch. I have also used Chickweed Salve with great success on skin rashes and would highly recommend this salve! Everyone should have it on hand to use for skin related issues.” – A.R.
How To Use Chickweed Salve
In light of the drawing properties in chickweed, it is wise but not always necessary to disinfect the affected area before applying. Chickweed can help draw infection from a bite, sting or wound. Apply salve to the affected area as often as needed. Use to relieve itching from insect bites, moisten and soothe burns, address rashes and aid various skin ailments. Chickweed salve is perfect to keep on hand for minor emergencies and for uses in herbal first aid.
Comfrey Salve
Comfrey is best known for how it speeds healing and helps regrow cells quickly. This herb works deeply and effectively to bring quick healing to injuries, wounds, sprains, broken bones, damaged tissues, burns, varicose veins, scars, and even ulcers. Comfrey’s main component is called allantoin which helps proliferate cells, making them grow faster. One of comfrey’s nicknames is “knit bone” because of how it can help knit bones back together! Comfrey also has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Comfrey Salve is a must-have in an herbal first aid kit!
How To Use Comfrey Salve
Comfrey works rapidly to heal and regrow skin and tissue cells in our bodies. Because of how quickly and deeply it works, it is important to disinfect the affected area before applying comfrey salve. This prevents trapping infection in the affected area. Apply Comfrey Salve externally as often as needed.
A Comfrey Salve Testimonial
“A few months ago, my right shoulder began to speak to me with a throbbing pain. It was recommended that I apply Comfrey Salve to the area, and to my surprise the pain stopped. Shortly thereafter, I had a pulsating pain in my right wrist, so I applied the Comfrey Salve, and the pain vanished in less than five minutes. I am sold on this salve! It works efficiently and quickly and it sure beats taking pain relievers!” – J.P.
Lavender Essential Oil
This calming essential oil positively affects the nervous system and can aid in stress reduction. It is widely used to address anxiety and insomnia, relieve tension, and ease headaches. It is also used to quickly relieve insect bites and stings and can be added to a diffuser. Lavender Essential Oil should be used externally and diluted with a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil.
Our Favorite Lavender Essential Oil Story
“Our 3-year-old was playing outside one Sunday afternoon. He walked up the back steps onto the porch, and in through the double doors where I was sitting and chatting with my husband over a cup of coffee. His smile was almost instantly replaced with shrieks of horror as he stood next to me, frantic as could be.
“He looked at me wide-eyed, crying out in agony. I felt completely helpless as I tried to figure out what was causing his pain. Maybe his finger was caught in the chair. Maybe something was pinching his skin. I couldn’t figure it out. Only seconds transpired, but it felt like minutes. I lifted his shirt and saw a bite on his tummy. No sooner had I lifted his shirt than I shrieked with pain myself.
“My husband yelled, “Take his shirt off!” I grabbed the bottom of his shirt, pulled it over the top of his head and threw it to the ground. By then we saw a wasp crawling out from under his shirt on the floor. We quickly smashed it!
“Our 3-year old’s bare belly revealed that the hidden wasp had stung him three times! Instinctively I yelled for one of our sons to run to the kitchen window and grab the Lavender Essential Oil. Meanwhile my finger felt like it was on fire. I can only imagine how three bites must have felt on our son’s belly.
I rubbed Lavender Essential Oil on his tummy and quickly applied it to my finger as well. Within 30 seconds to a minute the fire completely disappeared from my finger, and our little guy was quiet as could be, cuddled in my arms.
“Wow! Shrieks of horror had turned to complete serenity, and a flood of tears ceased to flow with just a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil. Amazing! It really worked! ” – A.R.
Lavender Essential Oil has become one of our top herbal essentials to keep on hand for herbal first aid and emergencies.
People’s Paste
People’s Paste is a powerful blend of powdered herbs used to stop external bleeding and help speed wound healing. It acts as a scab helping to seal wounds while nourishing the affected area and providing relief. It is a fantastic ally to keep on hand for emergencies. A little goes a long way and keeping it nearby for those inevitable cuts and scrapes will save you in a pinch.
How To Use People’s Paste
Despite its name, People’s Paste is actually a powder and not a paste. Depending on preference and circumstance, it can be used in its powdered form or made into a paste by combining a small amount of powder with water or oil. Once applied to the wound, do not remove the People’s Paste since it acts as a scab and gently nourishes the wound. If removed, there is danger of reopening the skin. If more People’s Paste is needed, it can be added to the original application to reinforce its action.
People’s Paste for Herbal First Aid
“One of our boys cut his lip, making it bleed badly. Facial wounds tend to bleed a lot, and this case was no exception. Despite the cut being in an area not typically easy to treat, we sprinkled People’s Paste onto the affected site. We were so impressed once again to see People’s Paste in action. Not only did it stop the bleeding, but it provided quick and speedy healing while gently nourishing the wound.” – H.R.
As you can see from these stories and testimonials, both we and our clients have had amazing success with these simple Herbal First Aid Essentials. We have tested each one on ourselves or our animals with great results and would never be without them. This portable kit can be easily taken on the go, stored in the car or kept in your purse to be ready at a moment’s notice for those inevitable everyday emergencies. You never know when you’ll need it, and you will be amazed like us at just how well its contents work.
~Hannah
