First aid kit
Natural essentials
Books & articles
First aid kit shoppe
Share your tips
Bookmark this page
Click for more tips
Free tips newsletter
Tell a friend about this site
Natural essentials
Item |
Functions |
Uses |
Aloe vera |
Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, laxative.
|
Use aloe vera gel (obtained by cutting open the aloe leaves) on cuts, burns, sunburn, rashes from poisonous plants (e.g. poison ivy), pimples, acne & other skin wounds.
Rub aloe vera to soothe sore gums & mouth ulcers.
Helps treat hemorrhoids when applied directly onto topically.
Taken internally for ulcers & digestive problems.
Pregnant or nursing women should not take aloe vera because they stimulate the uterus (which can bring about premature labor) & they pass on to the infant through the mother's milk causing gastrointestinal distress.
Dosage for both adult & child are the same.
|
Arnica |
Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, stimulates blood circulation.
The compounds helenalin & dihydrohelenalin give arnica its anti-inflammatory properties.
|
Bruises, bumps, grazes, sprain, muscle & joint pain, sore or swelling muscles, arthritic pain due to seasonal change.
Use topically (cream or tincture) on unbroken skin or on a closed wound.
Must not be taken internally unless in the form of homeopathic pills (with 30x dilution) that contain very little arnica to cause harm.
People sensitive to the compound helenalin will develop a rash.
Child dosage is half the adult dosage.
|
Calendula/Marigold |
Anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, astringent.
|
Ulcers, chapped lips, eczema, nappy rash, minor cuts, grazes, sunburn, burns, rough skin or any sore & inflamed area.
Gargle with tea to help with canker sores or drink tea to relieve stress & anxiety.
Dosage for both adult & child are the same.
|
Chamomile |
Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aids digestion, eases spasms, pain reliever, helps heals wounds.
|
Sore throat, stomach ache, heartburn, colic, indigestion, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anxiety, insomnia, relieve trapped wind.
Used in tea or extract form. Safe for all ages.
|
Echinacea |
Anti-viral, anti-bacterial, immune booster.
The root has a distinctive numbing effect in the the mouth.
|
Cold, flu, viral & bacterial infections {e.g. ear infection, sore throat, cold sores, burns, boils, eczema & other skin irritations).
Take echinacea for 2 weeks, followed by a 1 or 2-week break before taking the herb again. This is because the herb's immune-boosting effects tend to decrease with continuous use.
People with autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus, multiple sclerosis & rheumatoid arthritis) must not take echinacea for fear that it will over-stimulate the immune system.
|
Feverfew |
Anti-inflammatory, pain relief.
|
Migraine, headaches, menstrual pain, arthritic pain, other forms of chronic pain.
For acute or chronic pain, the recommended dose is 300 mg every 15 minutes for an hour when the pain starts.
To relieve chronic pain, experiment with the dosage that offers relief.
Can produce a little queasiness so work up doses cautiously.
|
Ginger
|
Anti-inflammatory, improves blood circulation, strengthens the lungs, eliminates mucous
Fresh ginger helps break down high-protein foods.
|
Nausea, motion sickness, gastric pain, indigestion, loss of appetite, food poisoning, asthma.
Dries up weeping weeping eczema.
Take ginger after meal to reduce bloating.
|
Lavender |
Eases spasms, aids digestion, aids circulation, anti-depressant.
|
Headache, menstrual pain, insomnia, rheumatic pain, nervous exhaustion.
Lavender oil can be applied onto burns to hasten healing. It can also be added to water for a relaxing bath or onto the pillow (or onto a piece of tissue placed near the pillow) to encourage sleep.
|
Lemon balm |
Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-depressant, nerve tonic.
|
Lemon balm tea helps to ease anxiety, indigestion, nervous stomach upsets, promote sleep & is a uplifting drink.
Tea can be made by chopping a handful of fresh herb then pour boiling water, infuse for 10 minutes before drinking.
Topical application helps cold sores & insect bites.
People allergic to members of the mint family should avoid lemon balm.
|
Noni |
Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, immune booster.
|
Skin problems, burns, cuts, headache, migraine, joint pain, indigestion, cholesterol, pre menstrual syndrome, endometriosis & many more.
|
Peppermint |
Nerve tonic & aids digestion.
|
Indigestion, poor appetite, relieve trapped wind, period pain, flu.
Sniff peppermint essential oil to relieve headaches & nausea.
An uplifting alternative to coffee.
|
Rosemary |
Antiseptic, anti-depressant, aids digestion, stimulates circulation.
|
For headaches, rub with 2 to 3 drops of rosemary oil onto the temple or the back of the head. Oil can also be added into water (lavender can also be included) for a relaxing bath.
|
Tea tree oil |
Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, germicide. Oil is obtained from the leaves of the tea tree.
|
Pimples, acne, warts, cold sores, athlete's foot, ringworm, yeast infection.
Apply neat (not diluted) to relieve itchy insect bites.
Tea tree vapors help loosen up mucous membranes to ease congestion.
To relieve toothache, dab some onto tooth & gum.
|
Thyme |
Antispasmodic, antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, expectorant.
|
Tonsillitis, sore throat, fever, acne, digestion, thrush.
Add 2 drops of thyme essential oil into 120 ml of water as a mouthwash for toothache or sore throat.
|
Valerian |
Antispasmodic, sedative, aids sleep. the root of the valerian plant
|
Muscle & joint pain, difficulty in getting to sleep, anxiety, tension, rheumatic pain.
Soothes the digestive system.
For stress headache, drink a combination of valerian & passionflower.
Do not use regularly lest an unhealthy dependence is established.
Do not use with another herb called kava.
|
Activated charcoal
|
Absorbs & binds harmful or irritating substances found in the stomach & intestines, thereby preventing them from getting absorbed into the body system.
Must not be taken at the same time with the syrup of ipecac, a common remedy for poisoning used to induce vomiting.
Absorbs away toxins.
|
Food poisoning.
A charcoal poultice can help absorb toxins from a tumor, snake-bite, bee sting, ant-bite & swollen stomach.
|
Continue with :
Books & articles
First aid kit shoppe
|
