We all keep band-aids around the house, and many even have a first aid kit. Some of us may even find it if we clean out our closets! However, first aid kits can go way beyond the standard triple antibiotic and outdated sprays that we can never seem to find when we need.

Here are some of the more common natural ingredients you can stock in your first aid kit, along with their uses. Please note that this encompasses a mix of alternative medicines. Just as alternative medicine is complementary to allopathic medicine, most alternative medicines are complementary to one another. The remedies in this list encompass essential oils, herbal and
homeopathic remedies
, and Bach flower essences.

Bach Flower Essences:

Rescue Remedy – This well-known remedy is actually comprised of five Bach flower remedies: cherry plum, clematis, impatiens, rock rose, and star of Bethlehem. It is useful in stressful situations for calming the nerves; whether due to physical shock, anxiety, or bad news.

Essential Oils:

Clove Eugenia caryophyllata – Great for toothaches and mouth pain; a few drops taken in warm
water
can relieve nausea. Should not be used during
pregnancy
.

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia – Lavender’s many uses make it a staple for any home. This versatile oil can be used to treat headaches, insomnia, burns, and to calm nerves. It also makes a great room spray, either used alone or combined with other oils in a spray bottle of water. Be sure to use true lavender – Lavandula angustifolia.

Peppermint Mentha piperita – At first sign of a tension headache, place a drop on your index fingers, then rub your temples for a few minutes.

Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia – Widely known for its antiseptic properties, this oil is great for treating athlete’s foot, acne, and the common scrapes and bumps that are bound to happen.

Herbal Ointments and Tinctures:

Calendula Calendula officinalis Tincture – Made from the flowers of Calendula officinalis, the tincture is useful for cuts, scrapes, and other open sores. NOTE: Do not use when infection is present. Instead, use hyper-cal, a mix of calendula and St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) tinctures.

Comfrey Symphytum officinale Tincture – Used as a topical application for bruises, fractures, and sprains.

Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana Tincture – Applied topically, it reduces bruising and counteracts bleeding.

Homeopathic Remedies:

Apis 30c – Available in liquid or pill form, this can be used for bee stings & skin eruptions, such as hives.

Arnica 30c – Take at onset of shock or trauma. Useful while waiting for emergency services for victims, arnica can also be used when stroke is suspected. Creams and tinctures are also available that are useful for bruising and sprains.

Hypericum 30c – This is good for nerve pain and is available in pill or liquid form.

Ledum 30c – Great for many things, this
homeopathic
remedy can be used for puncture wounds, black eyes, insect stings, and even fracture pain.

Urtica Urens 30c – Useful for itchy, blotchy, or burning skin afflictions, i.e. sunburn, chicken pox, insect stings.

Miscellaneous:

Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis plant – Still one of the best remedies to have on hand for burns; keep a plant on a windowsill near the kitchen and break off a piece for burns.

Bentonite Clay – This fine
clay
is derived from volcanic ash and is useful for diarrhea. Consult a doctor before use in pregnancy.

Vitamin E – Put on cuts and wounds to help healing and reduce scarring.

Papaya tablets – Keep on hand for indigestion.

Remember that not all problems that arise can be fixed at home. Do not hesitate to call emergency services when necessary. Also, be sure to ask a doctor when using any complementary therapies, especially if you are on medications, or are pregnant or nursing.

Happy healing!

References:

“ABCHomeopathy”. Influenca ltd. April 2, 2008 (
http://abchomeopathy.com/
) .

Karlson, Rapaport. “Natural first-aid kit: get fast relief from 14 common ailments”. Bnet. April 1, 2008 (
(http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m…
) .

Peterson, Dorene, Portland: Australasian College of Health Sciences, 2004.

About the author

Mel Possehl
(see all articles by this author) is a Holistic Wellness Consultant working towards dual diplomas in Herbalism & Holistic Health, and is studying for the Registered Aromatherapist certification.

She has two
blogs on natural health:

http://your-holistic-life.blogspot.com/

http://just-womens-issues.blogspot.com/