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When was the last time you thought about the ingredients of items in your first aid kit? With advancements in modern medicine, it can be easy to choose items out of convenience without ever considering what else besides “medicine” may be contained in those packages.
The truth is that commercial first-aid products, from painkillers and wound washes to stomach aids and itch relief, often contain dyes, additives, preservatives, fragrances, or flavors, all of which can cause adverse reactions, not to mention the potential for the “medication” to come with side effects and other unwanted interactions.
Today, we’ll be covering the items you should keep handy to create an herbal first-aid kit for you and your family.
When to Seek a Doctor
Before we dive into creating an herbal first aid kit, here is a quick reminder about safety: It is important to remember that natural remedies can’t replace a medical professional. Serious injuries or ailments are just that—serious. While herbal remedies can work wonders on everyday issues like upset stomachs, minor cuts, scrapes, or stings, you’ll need a doctor for broken bones, severe burns, and large or deep wounds.
As the name implies, first aid is first, but not necessarily the only treatment a person may need. Particularly for those who homestead or live remotely, knowing that you can administer first aid effectively to keep yourself or your “patient” stable until proper medical care can be reached is essential. That being said, always see a doctor if:
Your injury is large and/or deep
There is a foreign object embedded in the wound
If bleeding won’t stop
Any time a broken bone is suspected
The injury is very painful, and the pain doesn't diminish with initial treatment
If you have an injury to the head, neck, or face
If there are any signs of infection, such as swelling, heat, or foul smell
Your injury or illness does not improve or begins to get worse
You are having difficulty breathing or chest pains
The Parts of a Herbal First Aid Kit
There are a few main categories or parts to consider when building a herbal first aid kit. Let’s start by looking at some general categories before discussing what herbs and preparations to keep in your kit.
The non-herbal elements:
These items should go in your first aid kit to help you treat ailments and injuries. Though not specifically medicinal, treating a cut without a way to wrap and cover it is hard.
Activated charcoal
Bandages of varying sizes and types
Butterfly bandages
Self-adhesive bandage wrap
An eye patch or cover
Finger splints
Cold compresses
Tongue depressors or popsicle sticks
Steril gauze in pads and rolls
Tweezers
Small scissors
Medical tape
Q-tips
Cotton Balls
Hymostates
Nitrile Gloves
Medicinal Categories:
You will want to have supplies available for the following categories. This list covers some of the most basic, everyday concerns you may face.
Gut/Digestion
Headache/Pain
Infections/Wounds
Stings/Bites/Rashes
Illness/Colds/Flu
The Herbs to Keep in Your Herbal First Aid Kit
While there are several preparations you’ll want to keep ready for quick and easy access, there are also several multi-purpose herbs that you should have in your collection to mix into poultices, teas, and washes as needed.
General herbs to keep on hand:
Arnica – Soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, reduce bruising, improve sprains.
Aloe vera – Burns, itching, rashes, abrasions
Calendula - Wounds, rashes, infection, and inflammation
Chamomile - Soothes nerves and aids sleep
Coconut Oil - can be used as a base in your first aid kit when a cream or liquid application is needed
Elderberry - Immune support
Lemon Balm - Soothes nerves, combats insomnia, aids digestive issues and reduces stress
Peppermint - Stomach aches and headaches
Plantain Leaf - stings, minor cuts, rashes
Tea tree oil – Antiseptic, antibacterial, use for bites, stings, and minor wounds
Turmeric – Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic
Basic First Aid Preparations
You will need to know a few simple preparations to administer basic first aid using the dried herbs in your kit. Each method can be done in a few minutes and should be prepared as needed, not stored.
Poultice
A poultice is essentially a paste created from your herbal ingredients that is applied topically to a wound, burn, or rash. All that is required are your herb or herbs of choice and a small amount of water or saliva in a pinch when out in the field.
Method:
For dried herbs: Place the desired herb(s) and combine with just enough warm water to moisten them and create a thick paste. Note: It’s best to use roots in powdered form for making a poultice.
For fresh herbs: Roll, knead, or crush the plant(s) between your fingers (or chew it up) until it becomes paste-like.
Spread the poultice evenly over the desired area and wrap with gauze or muslin. Change every few hours if desired.
Decoction or Tea
A decoction is essentially a stiff or thick tea. This delivery method is prefect for aiding stomach issues and can even be used for wound washes.
Method:
Place the desired herb(s) in a glass or cup and top with hot (not boiling) water.
Cover the cup and allow the herbs to steep for 10-15 minutes. Note: When creating a decoction, the cup must be kept covered so that beneficial plant properties do not escape in the steam.
Herbal Preparations to Keep in Your First Aid Kit
Along with dried herbs for various issues, there are also a few products you will want to make in advance to keep in your kit. These preparations can take some time to create, so you’ll want to have them ready to go when needed.
A basic first aid salve
Plantain is my favorite herb for this preparation, though I sometimes combine it with yarrow and/or mullein, as I do in our Byers Ranch Apothecary First Aid Stick. If you would rather DIY than buy, you can find our first aid salve instructions at the link below. Plantain is excellent for cuts, wounds, rashes, stings, and bites, so it doubles as a sting/bite/rash remedy as well as general wound care.
Herbal Wound Wash
Soap and water are a great place to start. When available, always begin with a good wash with soap and water. To make an herbal wound wash, create a tincture using rubbing alcohol, calendula, plantain, and yarrow. Once ready, store it in a small spray bottle for ease of use, and be sure to mark the bottle as external use only.
Yarrow Styptic Powder
Yarrow has been used since the Trojan War to staunch bleeding and keep wounds from infection. We carry a Yarrow Bleed Stop Powder in the Apothecary, but if you prefer to create your own, all you need is dried yarrow leaf and a coffee grinder. Simply grind the dried leaf to a fine powder and store it in an airtight container. Additional information can be found at the link below.
Tummy Tammer Tea
Keep this blend mixed and ready to make a decoction for upset stomachs. One part
dried dandelion leaf, dried mallow root, dried peppermint leaf, dried chamomile, and one-half part dried ginger root.
Mullein Tincture
Mullein is great for supporting the lungs when a cold, flu, or bronchial infection arises. Mullein is a primary ingredient in our Lung Tonic, but you can also find a basic mullein tincture recipe at the link below.
Pain Support Tincture
Natural pain management is a great thing to keep in your first aid kit. From painful bumps to minor headaches, ditch the OTC pills and opt for an herbal alternative. In our shop, we carry a Pain Support Tincture. If you prefer to make one of your own, some good herbal choices include white willow bark, wild lettuce, turmeric, cayenne, and rosemary.
Natural First Aid at Your Fingertips
By keeping these items on hand in a kit, you’ll have everything you need to support some of the most common household ailments without having to rely on mass-produced products that may come with dyes, preservatives, unpronounceable ingredients, flavorings, fragrances, and other additives that may be worse for your health than you know. If you’re just starting your herbal journey, we’ve just finished our first e-book, Creating a Home Apothecary, and you can find it in our store for instant download. Until next time, stay healthy, stay safe, and as always,
Disclaimer:
Content from thisunboundlife.com is meant to be informational in nature and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Remember that just because something is “natural” does not always mean it is safe for every person. When it comes to herbal medicine, many plants should be avoided when pregnant or nursing, and some can cause extreme interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
While we strive to be 100% accurate, utilizing information from scientific studies, trusted sources, and verified publications, we are not health professionals, medical doctors, or nutritionists. It is solely up to the reader to verify nutritional information and health benefits with qualified professionals for all edible plants listed on this website and to ensure proper plant identification.
The information provided by this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Before using herbal preparations, always research, speak to a professional regarding any significant concerns, and never fail to seek medical advice when needed.