HERBAL FIRST AID

All 17 herbal remedies are discussed briefly in alphabetic order. The remedies have been chosen on personal experience & personal preference.

Arnica Ointment

Arnica is anti-inflammatory & analgesic, therefore reduces pain and swelling, speeds up healing and helps with circulation. Arnica ointment is used for joint pain, muscle pain, sprains and strains, as well as bruises.

Cloves

What an amazing herb, with properties so much undervalued by the West. It has been noted as an ancient all healer. Powerful antiseptic, stimulant, carminative, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, prevents vomiting & anti-microbial, ridding the body of parasites. Cloves can be used to treat toothache. It helps with nausea, to prevent vomiting, to aid in digestion and relief flatulence. In tropical Asia the herb has been used to treat malaria, cholera and TB due to its powerful antiseptic properties. A strong infusion of cloves or crushed cloves can be applied directly on to wounds to aid in healing and to prevent inflammation. Cloves treat muscle spasm and relieves tension. It can be used to treat almost any stomach disorder, as well as fever.

Comfrey Ointment

Comfrey is a healing and pain relieving remedy, used to treat bruises and strains, aching and stiff muscles, fractures , cuts and grazes, as well as insect and spider bites & stings. Comfrey treats any kind of inflammatory swelling, inflamed skin rashes and fungal skin infections. Helps to heal scars. Excellent treatment for injuries to the eye area. Also treats rheumatism and arthritis. As Comfrey has been banned as an internal remedy, use is recommended for external use only.

Echinacea Tincture

Echinacea is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Treats infections and increases the body's resistance to infection. It speeds up the recovery process. Start using Echinacea at the first sign of illness. Treats bronchitis, tonsillitis, catarrh, colds, flu, coughs, allergic rhinitis, mild asthma, cold sores, earache and sore throats in combination with other herbs. Externally Echinacea has been used to treat snake bites and to encourage wound healing.

Treat any inflammatory skin condition with Echinacea. Boils, septic wounds and cuts.

Feverfew Tincture

Feverfew prevents migraine & treats headaches when taken at onset. The herb is used to lower body temperature & helps to cool the body, to increases energy, to treat allergies and as a general tonic. Feverfew is also used to reduce pain & swelling associated with insect & snake bites. It is affective against earache, hysteria & stress.

Garlic Capsules

Garlic is a natural antibiotic, used to fight infection. Used to treat bronchitis, catarrh, sinus problems, colds, flu, coughs, bronchitis, tonsillitis, asthma, cold sores, boils, urinary infections & vaginal yeast infections. The oil is used to ease earaches by dabbing opened capsule on cotton wool and inserting into the ear(s).

Ginger

Treats nausea, food poisoning, acid in stomach, stomach ache, constipation, colic, motion sickness, morning sickness, flatulence & menstrual cramps. Helps with muscle cramps, chilblains & bad circulation by stimulating peripheral circulation. Increases sweating & reduces fever; warming & soothing for colds, flu, coughs & respiratory ailments. Ginger helps to lower blood pressure and arteriosclerosis. It is soothing to throbbing headaches.

Lavender Oil

Lavender dilluted oil reduces pain associated with burns, as well as sunburn; insect bites & stings. Treats chapped lips and eases back pain & stiff, aching muscles. It can be rubbed into temples for migraine & headaches. Lavender oil can be added to the bath for relaxation.

Marigold Ointment

Marigold is effective against fungal infections such as Athlete’s Foot. It is used to treat minor burns, scalding & inflamed skin rashes, such as eczema. It treats nappy rash & cradle cap; Sore nipples & breast tenderness during breast-feeding. Treatment of wounds, cuts, bruising & strains, as well as varicose veins.

Myrrh Tincture

Myrrh is anti-septic & a healing agent. Anti-catarrhal and treats bronchitis and tonsillitis, as well as bacterial and viral throat infections. Dilute with water and use as gargle for sore throats, mouth infections & gingivitis. Myrrh is a treatment for acne, boils, canker sores & oral thrush. It is a powerful expectorant, useful in any infectious feverish condition.

Nettle Tincture

Slows down & stops external & internal bleeding, including nose bleeding & heavy menstrual bleeding. Good wash for burns & wounds. Reduces uric acid & toxins produced during exercise or high consumption of meat. Reduces effect of allergy to seafood. Increases breast milk production during breast feeding. Cleansing herb that treats hay fever, asthma & allergic rhinitis. Nettle is rich in Vitamin C & Iron and many other vital minerals & vitamins.

Sage Tincture

Used to cleanse wounds & cuts, and can also be used as a compress. Helps with sore throat & bad breath. Excellent for coughs, colds, flu & bronchitis, as well as tonsillitis. General pick-me-up. Used to treat stomach disorders.

Valerian Tincture

Valerian treats stress & insomnia, as well as sleeplessness due to backache, premenstrual tension & nervous exhaustion. It is also used to treat all forms of muscle tension.

Slippery Elm Powder

Slippery Elm is a very versatile & soothing herb. It is an excellent baby food as well. Extremely nutritious & nourishing, therefore helpful in convalescence & in debilitated states. Treats inflammation of the gut, colic, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, constipation, acidity & indigestion. Excellent remedy for chest complaints, from coughs & bronchitis, to pleurisy & TB. Also used as treatment for haemorrhoids. Slippery Elm can be used as a poultice for boils & splinters.

Thyme Tincture

Thyme is an antiseptic, anti-spas & soothing agent. Used as treatment for Athlete’s Foot. Treats sore throats, colds, coughs, tonsillitis & bronchitis; congestion, mild asthma & hay fever; fungal infections, such as vaginal thrush, bites & stings, tired & aching muscles, especially back pain. Thyme is also immune stimulant and excellent when used to prevent or stop illness together with Echinacea.

Tea Tree Pure Oil

Antiseptic & anti-fungal. Treats skin infections such as Athlete’s Foot & ringworm; Impetigo and fungal infections especially under the nails. Treats fever blisters; corns, warts, acne & boils; insect stings & cuts. Treatment for dandruff and infected burns. Tea Tree is used to heal scars.

Witch Hazel Ointment

With Hazel ointment is used for sprains, strains & bruises. It reduces pain & swelling. Treatment of sunburn & skin irritation, shaving irritation & scrapes, burns & insect bites, haemorrhoids, facial veins & varicose veins, eczema & weeping skin.