Written by BCHA professional member and current President, Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, RH (AHG) ~ Medical Herbalist
To view entire article with additional information, please visit:
http://aeblog.alchemyelixir.com/2009/06/30/creating-your-own-herbal-first-aid-kit/
Interested in creating a natural First Aid Kit for the summer months? Here are some MUST HAVE traditional herbal remedies to include in your first aid kit!
Natural insect repellents: Lavender, Tea Tree and Citronella Essential Oils all have insect repellent properties. For more information on using and applying essential oils click here.
A Sunburn Spritzer: dilute Lavender and Peppermint Essential oils (using 3-4 drops each) in ½ cup of water. Pour into a spray bottle and spritz over the burning skin frequently, then liberally apply aloe vera gel to the sunburn. For another recipe click here.
Minor kitchen or barbeque burns and scalds: Cool the burn with cold water then apply pure Lavender essential oil. Lavender works like magic for preventing blisters and minimising scarring of the burned area. Apply it directly to the skin frequently throughout the day.
Bites and Stings: A bee sting can be washed with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), or baking soda can be applied as a paste (mix with water) to the bite. The herb Plantain can be prepared as a tea, strained and used as a skin wash or a poultice for helping to pull out venom from the bite. For instructions on preparing a poultice, click here.
Lavender Essential Oil applied to insect bites is cooling and helps to relieve inflammation caused by bites and stings; its antiseptic properties help to combat infection and of course its calming effects will assist with symptoms of shock and trauma.
Motion sickness and travel sickness: For people on-the-go consider using ginger capsules or prepare ginger root tea to help settle the stomach.
Poison Ivy: Try not to scratch, as it will worsen itch. Apply aloe vera gel to the area, bathe the affected area in apple cider vinegar diluted with water and apply Lavender Essential oil to the affected skin.
Minor cuts and scrapes: Marigold cream is used to promote healing and prevent infection from minor cuts, scrapes and open wounds, an excellent first aid treatment.
Arnica Cream applied frequently to problem areas for bruising, local inflammation and athletic injuries.
Aloe Vera Gel is an excellent topical application for sunburn.
Plantar warts: Zap Away Essential Oil Blend, contains potent antiviral essential oils Cinnamon, Tea Tree and Lemon. Protect the healthy skin with cream before applying this essential oil directly to the wart. Keep away from the eyes and do not ingest. Traditional Home Remedies for stubborn warts include: applying the milk from the fresh Dandelion stem directly to the warts. Some home remedies to consider trying at home for plantar warts include: apply and tape crushed garlic or the peel of a ripe banana to the problem area, replacing daily or use a mixture of castor oil blended with baking soda applied to the growths for several months, may help clear up the issue.
About Katolen
Katolen Yardley, MNIMH, RH (AHG) -Medical Herbalist
Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists
Katolen is a Medical Herbalist and a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, currently in private practice. She has been employed in the Holistic Health field since 1993, with clinical experience since 1995.
Katolen has been involved in curriculum development for numerous educational programs and is adjunct faculty at Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine and offers seminars and lectures to the general public. She is a clinic supervisor of a Dominion Herbal College approved student training clinic. Katolen is the President of the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations (CCHA) and a third term president of the Canadian Herbalist’s Association of BC (CHA of BC). She is the author of the book – The Good Living Guide to Natural and Herbal Remedies ( July, 2016)
From 1998 to 2015, she appeared monthly on Global Television Morning News, where she offered herbal information to the public. Katolen has been a guest on the Discovery Channel’s Healthy Home Show, has been published in numerous magazines and health journals including: the British Journal of Phytotherapy, Shared Vision Magazine, Elated News, Choices Markets Newsletters and Living + Magazine, she is a guest speaker at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, has presented at international conferences including Phytotherapy Canada, the BC Pharmacy Association, the Canadian Herbalists Association of BC, Health Action Network, Kootenay Herb Conference, Vancouver Island Herb Gathering, Powell River Women’s Health Network, Washington State’s Northwest Herbal Fair, Northern California Women’s Herbal Symposium, North West Herb Symposium, Nanaimo Horticultural Society, the BC Post Secondary Support Staff Conference and appeared in interviews on the Dr. Don Show, the Simi Sara Show, Access Television, Health Stuff You Need to Know Podcast, CKVN News, CBC National News, The Weather Network, CBC Talk Radio, CKNW’s World Today and CFML Radio.
Her personal interest in health lies with the emotional connection to wellness and dis-ease. She specializes in women’s health issues, skin dis-ease and nervous system disorders and believes in providing usable tools for healing through inspiration and education.
For 6 years Katolen managed the production of a busy herbal company, responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring the manufacturing procedures of herbal formulations.
Follow her on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/katolenyardleyherbalist/
