HOW TO MAKE AN HERBAL FIRST AID KIT

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by Madonna Sophia Compton Sophia's complete Millennium Herbal First Aid book can be ordered at: www.athenians.com/books.htm A Millennium Herbal First Aid Kit As we begin the new millennium, I feel that many prophecies, as well as numerous news stories, are quietly warning us that we should be prepared for any possibility that may develop in the future which would force us into total self-reliance; in other words, in which a doctor or hospital may not be available. A Herbal Medicine Chest is especially important for people who have chosen not to live in cities. Herbal First Aid is a vital necessity for many. We often take for granted the conveniences of modern life and many of us would not have a clue as to how to survive in anatural environment, should the need arise that would force us to do so. Y2k is loomingaround the corner, and who knows what else may affect our planet in terms of severe ecological changes.

For those who want to be prepared for emergencies, I have put together an herbal section from my last book, to be published some time next year (Herbal Gold). Here I have tried to post some useful remedies, most of them given to us by Dr. John Christopher. Wild herbs are an essential part of my kitchen. In addition, I always keep on hand nutrient dense foods like algae, and some antioxidants, stored in bulk in a cool dry place. (See next section.)Here are my choices for the best herbs for emergencies: Wounds/Abrasions/Infections: 1. Arnica, 2. Burdock, 3. Comfrey, 4. Plantain Arnica oil is excellent for immediate external application. Burdock is a blood purifier and will allay inflammation and ease pain. Take internally and make a poultice or compress for application directly on the skin. Comfrey will help stop bleeding and prevent infection. Fresh or powdered herb can be applied directly to wounds. Plantain is an astringent and antiseptic and may be used both internally and externally. Burns: 1. Aloe, 2. Tea Tree oil, 3. St. John's Wort, 4. Dr. Christopher's ointment. Keep a live aloe plant near and apply as needed. Slice leaves and use directly on the skin. Tea tree oil is difficult to make and impossible to grow in the U.S. However, I suggest you keep a commercial jar in storage at all times. It is one of the most powerful antiseptics and healers for burns and infections from burns. See the Herbal for specifics on St. John's wort. Use the oil for application on wounds, burns, and skin exposed to radiation. Here is how to make Dr. Christopher's comfrey paste: Mix honey and wheat germ oil in equal parts. Blend in finely chopped or powdered comfrey (root, leaf or a combination) until the mixture is a heavy paste. Apply directly to burn area, cover with gauze and bandage lightly. When paste has been absorbed, add more on top of it; do not remove original. Broken Bones: 1. Oatstraw, 2. St. John's Wort, 3. Skullcap, 4. Comfrey. Drink infusions of oatstraw copiously. It is rich in calcium. Mix it with comfrey tea as well for a powerful nutritive herbal drink for bones. Use St. John's wort oil on the area that is mending if the bones are in a splint. (Bones heal better in a splint rather than in a cast.) Drinking St. John's wort tea and absorbing the oil through the skin will help healing and also prevent nerve damage. Take skullcap teas and tinctures to ease pain and calm anxiety or induce sleep. Make a comfrey fomentation: Pour boiling water over leaves; soak a towel in the infusion; cover area and wrap with plastic. Colds/Flu/Congestion: 1. Yarrow, 2. Echinacea, 3.Peppermint, 4.Boneset. Yarrow is excellent mixed with peppermint for the sniffles. Use echinacea to rebuild immune strength. Drink the tea, tincture or keep powdered herb on hand to cap as needed. Take boneset tea to bring down fevers and help alleviate mucous. Boneset leaves should steep, covered, in a hot place for 30 minutes. Indigestion/Nausea/Stomach problems: 1.Catnip, 2. Licorice, 3. Peppermint, 4. Ginger. Catnip tea is useful for colic or indigestion; it has a natural antacid effect. Licorice will help heal the mucous membranes of the stomach and cure chronic conditions of indigestion. Peppermint tea is helpful in many kinds of stomach upset and will ease nausea or morning sickness almost immediately. Ginger is good to eat often after a meal to aid in digestion. Dried ginger, which can be stored for years, is easily reconstituted. Earaches: 1. Garlic, 2. Mullein, 3. Chamomile, 4. Lobelia. Use 4 to 6 drops of garlic oil directly in the ear; plug with a cotton ball. Likewise, mullein oil may be used the same way, or a combination of the two oils used together in equal parts. To make garlic or mullein oil: Crush herb, soak in olive oil and put in a warm place (such as a radiator or warm oven) for several hours till the oil of the herb is extracted into the olive oil. Strain; discard the solid material. Or: make a fomentation of 3 parts chamomile and one part lobelia; put directly on the ears. Also, drink chamomile tea every two hours. Funal Infections/Ringworm/Skin Diseases: 1. Black or English Walnut, 2. Tea Tree oil, 3. Golden Seal, 4. Myrrh. Use black or English walnut in a tincture form, both externally and internally, three times daily. Or, apply tea tree directly to the fungal area; use frequent applications. An infusion can be made of equal parts golden seal and myrrh, and also applied directly to the skin. Bites/Insect repellent: 1. Black or English Walnut, 2. Plantain, 3. Pennyroyal, 4. Marshmallow. The oil of black or English walnut and pennyroyal are both effective as bug repellents. Pennyroyal oil may be diluted with lard and brushed around the baseboards of the home. A plantain leaf or powder placed over a bite or sting will often bring relief. Marshmallow acts as a natural antihistamine. Toothache: Clove oil. Apply directly onto tooth cavity. Sprains/Muscle Cramps: 1.Cayenne, 2. Comfrey, 3. White Willow, 4, St. John's Wort. Make a cayenne healing liniment in emergencies by massaging cayenne tea, tincture or oil into the affected body part. Wash hands thoroughly after use. Cayenne is very potent and should be used in a proportion of 1/8 part to other oils or ointment preparations. For best results, stock up on Dr. Christopher capsicum healing balm. Or make a comfrey paste or poultice. Use white willow and St. John's wort for pain and inflammation. Recovery from any Disease or Infection: 1. Garlic, 2. Cayenne, 3. Ginseng, 4. Echinacea Garlic and cayenne will help fight infections and kill pathogens. Ginseng will rebuild strength and help the body adapt to stress. Echinacea will build the immune system back up, fight free radicals, and facilitate overall healing. A General Germicide: This can be used for sterilization of any tissue surface: Mix equal parts of golden seal, myrrh, comfrey root, garlic and cayenne in 40% pure grain alcohol. Clove lid tightly. Keep jar in a warm place for several weeks if possible, shaking well twice a day. Strain and seal. Use when necessary. For Immediate Food Source When Real Food Is Not Available: 1. Algae, 2.Licorice, 3. Ginseng, 4. Alfalfa. Algae is one of nature's most perfect foods, containing every known nutrient. The powder form keeps indefinitely. Licorice is an excellent herb to retain hunger and thirst. The armies of Alexander the Great carried the root with them on their long journeys for strength and stamina. It feeds the adrenals directly and sustains energy. Ginseng is also a valuable energy herb which helps to balance blood sugar. Alfalfa is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. If fresh food were not available, one could exist indefinitely on powdered capsules of the above nutrients and pure water.

-- Jean Wasp (jean@sonic.net), March 02, 1999


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