Most of us keep a first aid kit at home, don’t we? We keep things like anti-histamine tablets, bandaids, gauze and cotton, antiseptic cream etc., to treat cuts, burns, scrapes, rashes and more.
But have you ever thought of keeping easy herbal remedies in your first aid kit too? From aloe vera gel, to calendula salve, peppermint essential oil, hibiscus tea etc., that can help you with minor ailments like tick bites, cuts, scrapes, bruises, sunburns etc.
Well, when the summer is on, tick bites, sunburns, rashes, heat poisoning etc., makes its way to us and we need to be prepared.
So, this is why herbalists have these essential ingredients and items in their first aid kits and they work wonders! Well, maybe you’d like to have one of these kits too!
Check out some of the best first aid things you need to have in your summer first aid kit.
An Herbalist’s Summer First Aid Kit
1. Tick Bites
Tick bites appear as small, itchy red bumps on the skin.
You will need to:
- You can consume echinacea tea or tincture 3 times a day for 2-3 days after being bitten.
- You can also drink calendula tea for its antiseptic properties.
2. Cuts and Scrapes
Cuts and scrapes can occur due to various reasons and they can be deep or shallow cuts/gashes in the skin.
You will need to:
- Use a calendula compress or salve (a topical balm) to help heal wounds.
- A poultice made of yarrow or a compress can help stop/reduce the bleeding.
3. Poison Ivy
Poison ivy is a plant that can cause redness and rash with itchiness once you come in contact with its leaves.
You will need to:
- Use jewel weed to make a tea. This tea can be used to add into a bath or just to treat the affected area.
- Additionally, you can generously apply a thick paste of baking soda and water to the affected area.
4. Rashes
Rashes, prickly heat etc., are minor skin conditions that appear like small tiny red bump clusters over the skin. Often, they can be itchy and prickly with mid pain and discomfort.
You will need to:
- Apply chamomile tea or essential oil to relieve irritation.
- You can also use chickweed (applied topically) to help soothe itchiness.
5. Bug Bites
Bug bites are small red bumps on the skin, that usually causes itchiness.
You will need to:
- Make a poultice with plantain and apply it over the bite.
- You can also apply lavender oil to soothe inflammation itching.
- Additionally, you can bathe with apple cider vinegar, baking soda and peppermint tea to soothe the skin.
6. Ear Infections
Ear infections often make the ears look red, swollen or warm and can cause pain, fever, discharge etc.
You will need to:
- Use ear drops containing mullein and garlic to relieve pain.
- You can also apply a warm compress over the ear to ease discomfort.
7. Heat Poisoning
Heat poisoning is when the body temperature rises considerably and the body cannot cool itself down. Immediate action needs to be taken, as it can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, a heat stroke or in some cases, even death (if not treated in time).
Some of its symptoms are – headaches, fatigue, tiredness and weakness, anxiousness, heavy sweating, nausea and vomiting, rise in body temperature, rapid pulse, poor coordination etc.
You will need to:
- Consume a hibiscus or peppermint tea. This will help regulate and cool down the body temperature.
- You can also drink water with a pinch of good quality sea salt or pink rock salt to rehydrate the body.
Caution: These are herbal remedies and if the condition is serious, medical help is always advised.
8. Summer Colds
Summer colds can be caused by certain viruses and you can develop a runny rose, sore throat, chest congestion etc.
You will need to:
- Just like another cough syrup, you can take elderberry syrupas a preventative measure.
- Also, consume echinacea tea or tincture at least 3 times a day to help fight off colds and flus.
9. Bruises
Bruises are reddish or purplish marks on the skin, often caused by various reasons (like bumps, falls, injuries etc.), wherein the blood vessels get broken/injured.
You will need to:
- Make a poultice with plantain leaf and place over the bruise.
- Additionally, use homeopathic arnica tablets to reduce swelling and skin discoloration.
10. Sunburns
A sunburn is skin damaged caused by over exposure to sunlight. Its symptoms include – skin redness, skin pain, extremely warm skin, blisters, skin peeling, itching, swelling, headaches, fever, nausea, fatigue etc.
You will need to:
- Mix aloe vera gel with lavender oil to soothe the skin.
- Take a bath with green or black tea. The tannins in the tea can help cool down the burn.
Caution: Over exposure to sunlight can cause, in some extreme cases, skin cancer and also skin diseases. Avoid staying too many hours in the sun and always make sure to wear sunscreen of SPF-50 and above for the best skin sun protection.