Yarrow
11-17-01, 16:00
Tho I recognize the need for medical doctors and their medicines... I am a great adovcate of herbal and homeopathy medicine...
I found this great aid in creating a herbal/homeopathic first aid kit... I have one similar... as I know what my family uses..
First Aid Kits... What I Have and Why
Here's the "Why": I believe that everyone should be prepared for emergencies - whether it is caused by a spill off a bicycle on the sidewalk, someone falling off a ladder and breaking a bone, a friend or neighbor having a heart attack, a car accident, an earthquake, major fire, or other natural disaster, or chaotic conditions resulting from the Y2K problem. It doesn't matter what causes the emergency, there is peace and reassurance in knowing that you are set up to deal with it.
Below you will find what I have at our house. I have all the major supplies at home, and I guess it could be considered more than just a first aid kit. I have a large gym bag that is my "portable" first aid kit. This first aid kit goes with me on trips and car camping. It is not yet complete, because I keep thinking of things to add to it. And I am also planning on making smaller versions of my first aid kit to put in each car and to put in each of our backpacks. These things aren't hard to create, but it is best to start out slowly and buy/make something every month until you feel you have a good set-up. You will notice that many of my herbs and formulas are in alcohol tincture form. That is because they are concentrated, easy to carry, and easy to administer. You can either place drops of the tincture into the mouth, or you can boil some water and put the tincture into the hot water. The tinctures also hold their potency for longer than powdered herbs.
These are not in any particular order, at this point. Here we go...
Bandages... Ace bandages of several sizes, rolls of gauze in several sizes, gauze pads of all sizes, bandaids of all sizes, butterfly bandages of several sizes, arm slings, several old sheets to tear up for bandages, cotton diapers for bandages and fomentations, first aid tape, etc.
Alcohol wipes - as a disinfectant
Tincture of green soap to disinfect the bath tub or other equipment
Hydrogen Peroxide
Aloe vera gel - excellent for sunburns and other burns.
Tincture of Cayenne and Cayenne Powder - externally to stop bleeding (wound or bloody nose); internally to stop a heart attack and for hemorrhaging.
Shepherb's Purse tincture - to stop bleeding and hemorrhaging. This is one of the best herbs, especially for bleeding after a birth.
Rescue Remedy (a Bach Flower Remedy) - for shock - either physical or mental/emotional
Goldenseal Tincture and Powder - for infections, wounds, cold sores, sore throats, infected sinuses, and digestive problems. Other good tinctures for infections include: Cayenne, Echinacea, Myrrh, Calendula, and the Antiseptic formula.
Garlic oil - for infections and earaches. I use this in my dogs' ears, also.
Mullein flower oil - for earaches.
Comfrey Salve/Ointment or Dr. Christopher's BF&C Ointment - for scrapes and bruises, for rubbing over arthritic joints or sore muscles, and over areas of back pain. Comfrey is a cell proliferant and speeds healing.
Plantain Salve/Ointment - for bug bites, stings, stinging nettle, etc. Echinacea tincture can also be used for noxious or poisonous bites (take internally first and then apply externally to the bite area - especially for brown recluse and black widow spider bites, as well as bites of poisonous snakes - excellent first aid until you can get to a doctor!).
Calendula ointment and Chickweed ointment - both of these are good for skin problems - rashes, itchy skin, etc.
Homeopathic Arnica Montana - 30X tablets - I don't go anywhere without these. I use them for serious bumps & bruises, sprains, strains and when my back goes out. Arnica ointment can be used externally on bruises to make them heal faster. I also have St. Johns Wort oil for deep tissue injuries - sprains, strains, pulled muscles, etc. And then there is Professor Cayenne's Deep Heating ointment, which has cayenne in it. You can make your own cayenne ointment, too.
Dr. Christopher's Burn ointment - equal parts of honey, comfrey root powder and wheat germ oil. This is excellent for burns. Lavendar essential oil is also excellent for burns, as is aloe juice.
Ginger powder - for nausea and for increased circulation. You can also use peppermint leaves or raspberry leaves in a tea for nausea.
Peppermint oil, peppermint tea, ginger tea, aloe vera juice, slippery elm bark powder, carminative tincture - all these can be used for indigestion/upset stomach.
Tinctures of White willow bark and Valerian - for pain.
B&B tincture - a nerve formula for convulsions, inner ear problems and other nerve problems. Another good tincture is the Anti-spasmodic tincture - good for muscle spasms, cramps, etc.
Clove oil for tooth aches.
Anti-Plague syrup - for colds, flu, bronchial ailments, and illness that just can't seem to shake.
Dr. Christopher's Eye wash in tincture or powdered form - for strained or sore eyes.
Lobelia tincture - for coughs and spasms (use as directed on the label) - use 1-3 drops to stop vomiting.
Syrup of Ipecac to induce vomiting.
Dr. Christopher's Fen LB formula for moving the bowels, Barberry LG for cleansing the liver, Juni-Pars for cleansing the kidneys and Red Clover Combination for blood cleansing - all of these can be in capsules, powder or tincture form.
Sensei balm or Tiger balm for headaches. A tea of thyme is also useful for headaches, as is the oil of lavender.
Kava Kava tincture - for stress and anxiety, and relaxing muscles - this is NOT meant as a crutch! Only for occasional use!
Usnea Tincture - for fungus and infections. Tea tree oil can be use for the same things.
Peppermint/yarrow tea - diaphoretic tea for sweating while in a hot bath - to get rid of a fever.
Elderberry juice, tincture or solid extract - take when infected with a virus - to stop the virus from reproducing. Or use an elderberry flower/peppermint tea.
Equal parts of bayberry root powder and goldenseal powder as a snuff for infected sinuses.
A combination of the tinctures of hops, valerian, passion flower, and scullcap for help with insomnia. Chamomile and Lemon balm tea is also useful, especially for children.
Other essential oils: Eucalyptus, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Peppermint, and Thyme.
Other tinctures: Nettles, Burdock, Mullein, Ephedra or Brigham Tea (American ephedra... not as strong), Black Walnut hull, Chaparral, Elecampane, Horsetail, Milk Thistle, Pau d'Arco, Catnip, Feverfew, Boneset, Wormwood, Reishi mushroom, Maitake mushroom, Shiitake mushroom, Astragalus, Siberian Ginseng, fresh Black Cohosh, etc.
Other powdered herbs: Slippery elm, Licorice, White oak bark, BF&C combination, etc.
Distilled Witch hazel - for minor burns, to staunch the flow of blood and soothe insect bites and other skin ailments.
Charcoal powder - for accidental poisoning.
In my kitchen, I make sure that I always have: raw honey, fresh garlic cloves, several onions, fresh ginger and some aloe plants growing.
Miscellaneous: extra socks and cotton flannel sheets (for cold sheet treatment), hot water vaporizer, ice bags, corn bags (just a flannel bag filled with dried corn - heat in oven or microwave for low-tech heating pad), electric heating pad, enema bag, nose/ear bulbs, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometers (oral and rectal), tweezers, scissors, etc.
Things I plan to add: crutches in several sizes (can find at second hand stores), casting tape, knee and elbow braces, suturing materials including liquid sutures, ear scope, etc.
http://pacific.telebyte.com/~brtaylor/firstaid.html
I found this great aid in creating a herbal/homeopathic first aid kit... I have one similar... as I know what my family uses..
First Aid Kits... What I Have and Why
Here's the "Why": I believe that everyone should be prepared for emergencies - whether it is caused by a spill off a bicycle on the sidewalk, someone falling off a ladder and breaking a bone, a friend or neighbor having a heart attack, a car accident, an earthquake, major fire, or other natural disaster, or chaotic conditions resulting from the Y2K problem. It doesn't matter what causes the emergency, there is peace and reassurance in knowing that you are set up to deal with it.
Below you will find what I have at our house. I have all the major supplies at home, and I guess it could be considered more than just a first aid kit. I have a large gym bag that is my "portable" first aid kit. This first aid kit goes with me on trips and car camping. It is not yet complete, because I keep thinking of things to add to it. And I am also planning on making smaller versions of my first aid kit to put in each car and to put in each of our backpacks. These things aren't hard to create, but it is best to start out slowly and buy/make something every month until you feel you have a good set-up. You will notice that many of my herbs and formulas are in alcohol tincture form. That is because they are concentrated, easy to carry, and easy to administer. You can either place drops of the tincture into the mouth, or you can boil some water and put the tincture into the hot water. The tinctures also hold their potency for longer than powdered herbs.
These are not in any particular order, at this point. Here we go...
Bandages... Ace bandages of several sizes, rolls of gauze in several sizes, gauze pads of all sizes, bandaids of all sizes, butterfly bandages of several sizes, arm slings, several old sheets to tear up for bandages, cotton diapers for bandages and fomentations, first aid tape, etc.
Alcohol wipes - as a disinfectant
Tincture of green soap to disinfect the bath tub or other equipment
Hydrogen Peroxide
Aloe vera gel - excellent for sunburns and other burns.
Tincture of Cayenne and Cayenne Powder - externally to stop bleeding (wound or bloody nose); internally to stop a heart attack and for hemorrhaging.
Shepherb's Purse tincture - to stop bleeding and hemorrhaging. This is one of the best herbs, especially for bleeding after a birth.
Rescue Remedy (a Bach Flower Remedy) - for shock - either physical or mental/emotional
Goldenseal Tincture and Powder - for infections, wounds, cold sores, sore throats, infected sinuses, and digestive problems. Other good tinctures for infections include: Cayenne, Echinacea, Myrrh, Calendula, and the Antiseptic formula.
Garlic oil - for infections and earaches. I use this in my dogs' ears, also.
Mullein flower oil - for earaches.
Comfrey Salve/Ointment or Dr. Christopher's BF&C Ointment - for scrapes and bruises, for rubbing over arthritic joints or sore muscles, and over areas of back pain. Comfrey is a cell proliferant and speeds healing.
Plantain Salve/Ointment - for bug bites, stings, stinging nettle, etc. Echinacea tincture can also be used for noxious or poisonous bites (take internally first and then apply externally to the bite area - especially for brown recluse and black widow spider bites, as well as bites of poisonous snakes - excellent first aid until you can get to a doctor!).
Calendula ointment and Chickweed ointment - both of these are good for skin problems - rashes, itchy skin, etc.
Homeopathic Arnica Montana - 30X tablets - I don't go anywhere without these. I use them for serious bumps & bruises, sprains, strains and when my back goes out. Arnica ointment can be used externally on bruises to make them heal faster. I also have St. Johns Wort oil for deep tissue injuries - sprains, strains, pulled muscles, etc. And then there is Professor Cayenne's Deep Heating ointment, which has cayenne in it. You can make your own cayenne ointment, too.
Dr. Christopher's Burn ointment - equal parts of honey, comfrey root powder and wheat germ oil. This is excellent for burns. Lavendar essential oil is also excellent for burns, as is aloe juice.
Ginger powder - for nausea and for increased circulation. You can also use peppermint leaves or raspberry leaves in a tea for nausea.
Peppermint oil, peppermint tea, ginger tea, aloe vera juice, slippery elm bark powder, carminative tincture - all these can be used for indigestion/upset stomach.
Tinctures of White willow bark and Valerian - for pain.
B&B tincture - a nerve formula for convulsions, inner ear problems and other nerve problems. Another good tincture is the Anti-spasmodic tincture - good for muscle spasms, cramps, etc.
Clove oil for tooth aches.
Anti-Plague syrup - for colds, flu, bronchial ailments, and illness that just can't seem to shake.
Dr. Christopher's Eye wash in tincture or powdered form - for strained or sore eyes.
Lobelia tincture - for coughs and spasms (use as directed on the label) - use 1-3 drops to stop vomiting.
Syrup of Ipecac to induce vomiting.
Dr. Christopher's Fen LB formula for moving the bowels, Barberry LG for cleansing the liver, Juni-Pars for cleansing the kidneys and Red Clover Combination for blood cleansing - all of these can be in capsules, powder or tincture form.
Sensei balm or Tiger balm for headaches. A tea of thyme is also useful for headaches, as is the oil of lavender.
Kava Kava tincture - for stress and anxiety, and relaxing muscles - this is NOT meant as a crutch! Only for occasional use!
Usnea Tincture - for fungus and infections. Tea tree oil can be use for the same things.
Peppermint/yarrow tea - diaphoretic tea for sweating while in a hot bath - to get rid of a fever.
Elderberry juice, tincture or solid extract - take when infected with a virus - to stop the virus from reproducing. Or use an elderberry flower/peppermint tea.
Equal parts of bayberry root powder and goldenseal powder as a snuff for infected sinuses.
A combination of the tinctures of hops, valerian, passion flower, and scullcap for help with insomnia. Chamomile and Lemon balm tea is also useful, especially for children.
Other essential oils: Eucalyptus, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Peppermint, and Thyme.
Other tinctures: Nettles, Burdock, Mullein, Ephedra or Brigham Tea (American ephedra... not as strong), Black Walnut hull, Chaparral, Elecampane, Horsetail, Milk Thistle, Pau d'Arco, Catnip, Feverfew, Boneset, Wormwood, Reishi mushroom, Maitake mushroom, Shiitake mushroom, Astragalus, Siberian Ginseng, fresh Black Cohosh, etc.
Other powdered herbs: Slippery elm, Licorice, White oak bark, BF&C combination, etc.
Distilled Witch hazel - for minor burns, to staunch the flow of blood and soothe insect bites and other skin ailments.
Charcoal powder - for accidental poisoning.
In my kitchen, I make sure that I always have: raw honey, fresh garlic cloves, several onions, fresh ginger and some aloe plants growing.
Miscellaneous: extra socks and cotton flannel sheets (for cold sheet treatment), hot water vaporizer, ice bags, corn bags (just a flannel bag filled with dried corn - heat in oven or microwave for low-tech heating pad), electric heating pad, enema bag, nose/ear bulbs, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometers (oral and rectal), tweezers, scissors, etc.
Things I plan to add: crutches in several sizes (can find at second hand stores), casting tape, knee and elbow braces, suturing materials including liquid sutures, ear scope, etc.
http://pacific.telebyte.com/~brtaylor/firstaid.html