Essentials for any first aid kit would include:
Bandages of different sizes
Ace wraps
Splints
Cotton Balls
Gauze pads
Medical tape
Scissors
Tweezers
Alcohol
Besides these items, there are great herbal components you may add. I will tell you about the remedies I keep in my herbal first aid kit.
Some great additions would be herbs and oils. Some of the basics you would want to have are as follows:
Pungent herbs - Pungent herbs are those that taste aromatic, spicy or acrid. They help to stoke the digestive fires and are stimulating, warming, drying and dispersing.
Antispasmodic herbs - used to reduce stress and decrease muscle tension.
Astringent herbs - herbs that dry, draw, or shrink tissue, which helps to create a barrier.
Mucilant herbs - oily and coats, soothes, and protects mucus membranes.
Absorbent herbs - drawing, binding
My choice pungent herb is Capsicum.
Capsicum has pain relieving properties and enhances circulation. It also is a general stimulant and acts as a catalyst for other remedies. Capsicum has analgesic, carminative, counterirritant, diaphoretic, hemostatic, circulatory stimulant, and styptic properties.
Antispasmodic herbs may be helpful for easing pain. They may also help ease stress and anxiety. I keep two of these in my kit, Lobelia and Kava Kava.
Lobelia also known as the "intelligent herb" is a powerful antispasmodic herb. It has respiratory, cardiovascular, and skeletal effects. Large doses can cause relaxation, and can induce vomiting. Small doses are stimulating and can alleviate nausea and vomiting. Lobelia has acrid, anti-arrhythmic, antispasmodic, antitussive, bronchial dilator, emetic, expectorant, hypotensive, nerving, and vasodilator properties.
Kava Kava is a strong muscle relaxant and mood enhancer. It has been used for stress, anxiety, and insomnia. It has acrid, analgesic, anesthetic, antispasmodic, diuretic, and sedative properties.
In my kit the astringent herb I keep is Yarrow.
Yarrow may enhance would healing, alleviate digestive issues, and fight inflammation. It may be applied topically to insect bites or stings. It may help with bruising and swelling. It may also help alleviate poison oak. It has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, diaphoretic, febrifuge, hemostatic, and vulnerably properties. Some have also used it to slow bleeding.
My favorite Absorbent/Mucilant are Slippery Elm and Activated Charcoal
Slippery Elm is a soothing and nourishing herb that helps absorb acid in the stomach. It can be used for stomach and intestinal irritation. It is great for the digestive system. It may be of use for diarrhea and constipation. Slippery Elm has absorbent, mucilant, emollient, nutritive, soothing, and vulnerary properties.
Activated Charcoal has toxin-absorbing properties and has a wide range of medicinal and cosmetic uses.
It can be used internally for tissues like diarrhea, food poisoning, and chemical poisoning. It may also be used topically by making a poultice for spider bites. I usually make a poultice by mixing the charcoal with aloe vera gel.
*****I hope you may be able to use a few of these as staples in your herbal remedies kit. I'm in no way offering medical advice or treatment. I am also not diagnosing. Do your own research before attempting to use any of the herbs listed, you may seek medical advice. This blog is intended for educational purposes only!
Lisa Hazelwood, CNHP, BCND, RDH
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