“HERBAL FIRST AID”

An emergency kit can be purchased from a well-equipped pharmacy.  The kit will come with some unnatural and poisonous–sometimes habit-forming materials that will give temporary relief, but will not go to the cause.   Today we will offer Natural Herbal suggestions for emergency problems, which will give relief at the time of accident or need.  Then as quickly as possible, we advise you to find some good doctor to aid in any way he can if the problem warrants it.

  1. Abrasions.
  2. rubbing or scraping off.
  3. a spot rubbed bare of skin or mucous membrane.

One of the first things to do in this condition is to see that the area is free of dirt or fine particles that could cause infection.  The use of liquid green soap, obtainable at a pharmacy or corner drug store, is one of the best cleansers to use.  This procedure is painful since the green soap contacts the bloody area, but must be endured until the area is clean and free from infection.  Following are some natural herbal aids for this condition.

Infection Salve: Apply over affected area after area has been completely cleaned.  Bandage if needed.

Burdock:  Burdock is well-known world wide as a blood purifying agent and if the leaves are pounded and put on the bruise, abrasion, sprain, etc., it will allay inflammation and ease the pain.

Comfrey:  The fresh, dry-cut or powdered herb can be applied directly to the abrasion and will stop bleeding and aid the area from becoming infected.  It is a great herb.

Plantain:  This entire plant is solvent in water or can be used directly on the external area in question and is an alternative astringent, diuretic and antiseptic.  When applying bruised leaves to the wounded area, it is known to check external bleeding and aid as an anti-infectious aid as well.

  1. Antiacid.

This is dyspepsia, more commonly known as chronic indigestion, and is among the most widespread types of stomach trouble.  The symptoms of indigestion are a full, heavy feeling in the stomach, gas, heartburn, a gurgling, rumbling stomach and sometimes nausea.

As an aid (after resolving to cut down on the wrong types of foods) start using papaya and/or peppermint tea.  Catnip and fennel tincture is also an emergency aid in colic and stomach upsets.

A tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and a tablespoon of honey in a cup of water (distilled preferably) if used 30 minutes before meals, is also a great help to ease or offset acid problems, as this combination adjusts the acid flow to the correct amount after a period of time.

  1. Bruise.

A superficial injury produced by impact without laceration; a contusion.

To treat a bruised condition, use any of the following herbs.

Arnica:  Carry a bottle of Oil of arnica and apply immediately or as soon as possible, Arnica will prevent a bruise from forming.   Arnica may be applied right up to the edge of an open wound but should not be apply over broken bleeding areas.  Arnica is recommended for external use only.

Burdock: Use the crushed leaves, fomentations or compresses.

Chamomile: Use the flower heads as compress.

Comfrey: Use bruised leaf or root as a fomentation compress.

  1. Burns.

A lesion caused by the contact of heat.  Burns of the first degree show redness; of the second degree, vesication; of the third degree, necrosis through the entire skin; and the fourth degree, more or less, charring.

Burdock: Burdock poultices have been used to treat bloody bruises and burns.

Mullein: Fomentations or poultices of the leaves and flowers beaten up with linseed meal have been applied to burns, scalds and boils. (Weiner’s Herbal, Stein & Day Pub.)

The following Burn Paste Formula can be used for the mildest to the most severe third degree burns with assurance of success, if used as instructed.  This paste has been used by hundreds of people with great success.  It is made as follows:

To equal parts of liquid honey and wheat germ oil, blend in finely chopped or powdered, fresh or dried comfrey leaf or root.  When the mixture is the consistency of a heavy spreadable paste it is ready to use.  Apply it a half-inch thick or more, over the entire area that has been burned, scalded, etc.  Cover with gauze and bandage lightly.  Observe area from day to day and if paste has been absorbed, add more on top of the original application.  Do not remove original, just add to it when needed.  This paste will keep well for many months at room temperature, if kept in a tightly sealed jar.  Always have it on hand for emergencies.  You should think of carrying a small jar on trips in case of emergency.

For detailed support download HEAL’s Burn Info Sheet:

If comfrey paste is not available, submerge the burned area in cold water and leave it there as long as possible to take the heat out, or keep cold, wet compresses over the burned area.  If honey, wheat germ oil, or olive oil are available, use them to saturate the area completely, keeping it well soaked in the honey or oil until healed.  The gel form of the Aloe Vera plant promotes the healing of burns.  These are all good, but nothing can compare with the comfrey paste.

  1. Broken Bones.

After the doctor has set the bone, use ½ to 1 tsp BF&C Extract in cup hot water 3 to 5 times each day.  With each cup of BF&C Tea, take ½ to 1 tsp of the Calcium Formula.

For Further information: Broken Bone Information Sheet

  1. Cuts.

A cut is a wound, such as an infliction by a sharp object.

Certain cuts, such as those that are deep and wide, may require stitches and the immediate attention of a doctor to prevent scarring.

If the bleeding does not stop using the following methods, or if the blood gushes in bright spurts, use a tourniquet and seek medical attention immediately.

The old herbalists claimed that cayenne pepper (capsicum or red pepper) should be poured directly into a fresh wound, to sterilize and stop the bleeding.  (This will usually work with even the worst bleeding)

Also, apply fresh or dry comfrey root or leaf to help stop the bleeding.  The comfrey can be put right onto the wound, if it is powdered.  If only the fresh leaf is available, tear up finely bruised, and apply with compresses.  Fresh or dried comfrey can be applied directly over the wound just keep adding additional amounts as needed.  Cover with gauze, bandage lightly to hold the comfrey in place and so the skin can breathe.

Comfrey paste (as in information on “burns”) can also be applied directly over the damaged area as with burns.  A wound, external or internal, will stop bleeding if the individual will drink a cup of water (preferably hot) with a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (red pepper) stirred into it.  The bleeding will stop generally by the time a person can count up to ten after drinking the cayenne tea.

The cayenne equalizes the blood pressure from the top of the head to the feet.  This keeps the pressure from the hemorrhage area so it will clot naturally, which it cannot do with heavy blood pressure pumping the blood rapidly at the hemorrhage area.

See additional Information on Cayenne:

Comfrey is one of our favorites and should be in everyone’s yard as in a flower pot in the apartment houses.

Better still, keep a good supply of the powdered comfrey leaf or root on hand.  Bruises respond equally well to a pack of fresh, crushed comfrey, or the powdered leaves or roots, made into a paste.

  1. Decongestant.

The removing of congestion such as colds, catarrh, coryza (cold in the head), influenza, etc.

A cold is a disorder in the respiratory tract resulting from exposure, with catarrh and invasion of microbial cleansers.  These symptoms, common cold, coryza, flu, etc., are evidenced by an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, marked by an acute catarrhal condition of the nasal mucous membrane, a slight rise in the temperature, chilly sensations and general indisposition.

It is caused by oral bacterial infection feeding on excessive or copious secretions of mucus (waste materials) due to the body’s inability to properly assimilate milk and concentrated starches.  When a cold or fever just gets started, it can be cleared up very easily, if these following procedures are started early.

One of the most simple remedies is to stop the use of all foods and beverages, take a high herbal enema (Catnip is good) and drink only Red Raspberry Tea.  Between cups of this tea, distilled water may be used, and if desired, give some good organic (natural) Vitamin C. Drink several quarts of red raspberry tea during the day, but no solid foods.

The running nose, fever, headache and weariness will soon leave and one will feel like a new person.  Even after feeling greatly improved, continue on with the red raspberry leaf tea all that day and well into the next day.  If an adult will stay on the tea for three days, it would do a wonderful cleansing job for the body.

To make red raspberry leaf tea put one heaping teaspoonful of cut or granulated (powdered) raspberry leaves into a teacup.  Fill the cup with boiling distilled water, cover and let stand in a warm place for five or ten minutes.  Strain, and drink it while it is very warm (You may use an ounce of red raspberry leaves to a pint of distilled water, if desiring to make up more at a time).

According to Dr. Shook, both the raspberry leaves and berries contain a very wonderful citrate or iron (FE-2, C6, H5, 0-7-2, CH20).  It is upon these God given formulas that the body depends for the remarkable blood making and regulating properties (astringent and contracting action on internal tissues and membranes).  The leaves also contain pectin and other organic acids, calcium and potassium chloride and sulphate.  Medicinal action and uses of raspberry leaf tea are as follows: astringent, tonic, hemostatic, antiseptic, anti-abortient, parturient, anti-gonorrheal, anti-leucorrheal and anti-malarial (Dr. E. Shook).  With this description of a “simple” herbal tea, can you now doubt why it is so good for mankind?  In Ezekiel 47:12 we read ” . . . and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”

Another aid is Boneset Tea.  Take one ounce of cut boneset herb and over it pour one and a fourth pints of boiling water.  Cover and set in a hot place to steep (not boil) for thirty minutes.  This is one of the great flu remedies.

One more of the “greats” for flu and colds:

  • 2 ounces elder flowers
  • 2 ounces peppermint leaves
  • 1 1/2 pints boiling distilled water

Pour boiling water over herbs, cover and allow to steep (not boil) in a hot place 20 minutes.  Strain and sweeten with honey.  Give to patient, who should drink the whole amount of tea as hot as possible.  Stay closely covered in bed and use a hot water bottle covered with a cloth or towel dipped in apple cider vinegar and place at the feet.  In a few minutes there will be a copious perspiration; the pulse will slow down and the patient should sleep peacefully for hours.

When taken alone, elder flowers are inclined to be an emetic, and somewhat nauseous to some people.  The effect can be prevented by combining them with peppermint (Mentha piperita).  Peppermint is a stimulant, nervine, calmative, and antiemetic, which offsets the undesirable effects of elder flowers.  This combination is world famous as a great fever and cold remedy.

  1. Earaches.

Pains or aching in the ear.

Earaches are caused by infection, colds in the head, a blow to the side of the head, and of course, many other causes.

The simple, old-fashioned aids are sometimes very fast in giving relief.  We will give you a number of aids that have been used successfully for many years.  Always treat both ears, even if only one aches.

Onion: Lightly bake a large onion, cut it in half and while warm, (not hot enough to irritate the area) bind one half of the onion over each ear.  Bandage in place and hold bandage on with a night cap and leave on all night.

Garlic:  Drop four to six drops of oil of garlic into each ear and plug with warm cotton.  Also add three or four drops of tincture of black cohosh, if available.

Chamomile: Use a fomentation over both ears of three parts of chamomile and one part lobelia.  Also take two ounces orally of this tea (a wineglassful) each two waking hours.  Leave the fomentation on the ears all night. (Cover the fomentation with plastic or oiled silk).

Mullein: Use three to six drops of mullein oil in both ears several times each day.  Insert it upon retiring for the night, and as before, plug the ears with cotton.  Place a fomentation over the ears all night of three parts mullein and one part lobelia.

Lobelia:  Place a few drops of tincture of lobelia (warmed) into each ear and plug with cotton.  Substitute antispasmodic tincture, black cohosh tincture combination or anti-plague tincture if needed.

Hops: Apply a flannel bag of hops and moist heat (hot water bottle, never dry heating pad) over the affected area.

Additional Information: Hearing Loss Information Sheet

 Fungus.

Such as impetigo, contagiosa

This is a contagious disease, caused by staphylococci masked by flat vesicles that become pustular and then crusted.

The best aid that can be given to clear up a fungus condition is the use of black walnut tincture as a fomentation externally and 6-10 drops three or more times a day taken orally in liquid (fruit juices or herbal teas).  Use HEAL’s Black Walnut Salve for all the topical applications.

  1. Infection

When signs of infection occur, use our Infection Formula, and or the topical Infection Poultice as needed.

When there is blood poisoning and/or lock jaw, use tincture of Lobelia or the Anti-Spasmodic Formula  (made with lobelia seed it is stronger) then after clearing the lock jaw by pouring a few drops on the lips, then go to the cause and clean up the infection that caused the lock jaw to become evident.  Use plantain as a poultice (fresh) or Plantain Salve. (The Infection Salve is all about Plantain)

See Infection Information Sheet for details:

 Insect repellent.

Symptoms are caused by insect stings or bites; a sharp prick with an acute burning sensation.  Can be caused by the fine hairs in the stinging nettle; by the tail of the wasp, bee, etc., from the head of gnats; from the claws of centipedes.  Usually the sting causes a local reversible inflammation.  When the sting carries pollen, it may cause violent constitutional reactions in victims who are hypersensitive to that pollen.  Death has occurred in some instances.

Jewel Weed Salve: Natures antidote for Poison Ivy and all the plants that cause reactions.  It is also great on pesky bug bites that cause an itch.

Oil of Anise & Oil of Sassafras: Mixed together are effective, as is Black Walnut Tincture & Oil of Elderberry.

Plantain: Bruised, or juiced in a juicer, and placed over the sting or bite will generally bring relief within a short time.  The pain and itch will cease and the swelling will leave.  Rub the bruised leaves or juice over the exposed parts of the body, and it will discourage the insects from annoying you.  The juice or crushed leaves of elderberry, walnut lilac (leaf) and hounds tongue will assist in keeping bites and stings to a minimum.

  1. Germicide

An agent that kills germs

A germicide that can be used for sterilization of tissue surfaces is an herbal combination called “First Aid Tincture“.  It consists of Oak Bark, Golden Seal Root, Myrrh, Comfrey Root, Garlic, Capsicum and Black Walnut in 37 to 42% pure grain alcohol.

  1. Nausea

Tendency to vomit, sickness of the stomach

Use the Anti-Nausea Formula, which is 1 ounce each of the following herbs:

  • Powdered Cinnamon,
  • Powdered Cloves,
  • Powdered Nutmeg

Simmer in one pint of water five to ten minutes.  Do not boil, pour this decoction over four ounces of spearmint leaves and steep for twenty minutes.

Strain, sweeten with honey and use from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful or more as needed.

You may also use the anti-plague formula.

This is good for car, plane, or boat sickness; in fact, for most any motion sickness.  It is also good for nausea from pregnancy, etc.  You may find the NF Formula to be helpful also.

  1. Poisonous weeds

Whenever you feel the sting from poison oak, poison ivy or stinging nettle, there will be, within eyesight, one or more of the following herbs growing; mullein, hounds tongue, plantain or lilac leaves.

Bruise the leaves of any of these and apply over the irritated areas and it generally gives quick relief.  Use chickweed ointment, plantain ointment, or mullein ointment to relieve the itching and aid in neutralizing the poisons.

  1. Sprains

Muscular soreness.

Use of our  Deep Heating Oil, or Mullein & Cayenne Salve for muscular soreness and also as an aid in relieving the pain in sprains.  One of the best aids for sprains and muscle soreness, cuts and bruises is BF&C Salve.  Pack this generously over the malfunctioning area with cotton or wool flannel.  Keep pack in place with “Press & Seal” plastic wrap.

Look on page 4 of the Glands Info sheet for specific directions on applying a pack:

  1. Toothache

Apply Oil of Clove or Oil of Cinnamon for immediate relief in the cavity or around the area where the toothache is occurring.

With a q-tip apply a few drops of Tooth & Gum Formula for immediate relief in the cavity or around the area where the pain is occurring.

For more suggestions & help see: Teeth Information Sheet

About Dara Dietz

Dara D Dietz is co-founder with her Husband of H.E.A.L. Marketplace, a private Natural Healing Association. As a teacher and counselor she has been supporting the members of H.E.A.L. with Natural Healing information and herbal supports since 1998. She continues to maintain strong ties to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Since healing her own kidney ailments she has assisted thousands of people in discovering and using natural herbal remedies. Dara has written and compiled numerous articles on a wide variety of natural healing topics. Drawing from her own healing experiences and borrowing from the vast wisdom of natural healers long departed, she continues to provide H.E.A.L.’s international membership with down to earth natural healing wisdom in H.E.A.L.’s bi-weekly newsletters. Dara and her husband currently reside in Rutherfordton, North Carolina.
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