Wellness Learning Center
Botanical Medicine
Herbal First Aid
Roger W. Mustalish, MPH, Ph.D.
Sue H. Mustalish, RN, HNC
With warm weather finally here, no doubt each of you has a full agenda planned, be it planting and tending that garden, doing those odd jobs around the house, heading off on that family vacation, participating in a wide variety of sporting events, or just plain relaxing outdoors. But along the way, one can expect the odd assortment of bumps and bruises, cuts and scrapes, sore muscles, insect bites and, of course, sunburn. Do not let these ruin this great time of the year; and do not feel it is necessary to deal with these occurrences with heavy duty over the counter or prescription products. Now is a good time to become familiar with natural herbal remedies that can help provide relief and healing. While many of the botanicals discussed below are widely available in commercially available products, herbal first aid for home use can also be as close as your backyard and your kitchen cabinet. For detailed instructions on how to make and use herbal infusions, compresses, tinctures and poultices, see Natural First Aid by Mars and/or Green Pharmacy by Duke.
Abrasions, cuts, and scrapes. Powdered cayenne pepper, sprinkled directly on minor cuts or scrapes will quickly stop passive bleeding, and the capsaicin found in cayenne, will also reduce pain, by suppressing the chemical that carries pain messages from the skin to the brain (Keville). The common garden plant, Yarrow, Achillea millefolium L., contains over 123 biologically active compounds, including astringents, anti-inflammatory agents, and antiseptics, thus making it a highly effective natural treatment for abrasions, cuts and scrapes (Hedley). Shepherd's Purse, Capsella bursa pastoris, is equally effective (Blumenthal et al.). Both can be used topically as infusions or poultices, or taken internally as tinctures.
To prevent infections in wounds, Echinacea taken internally as a tincture and Calendula as a salve or compress are effective (Blumenthal et al.). To stimulate wound healing, Lavender essential oil or as an infusion applied topically; Goldenseal as an infusion; and St. John’s Wort taken internally as a tincture, or externally as an infused oil are all proven effective (Upton, Duke, Blumenthal et al.).
Bruises. Comfrey, Symphytum officinale, has a long history as a treatment for skin injuries. The plant contains allantoin, that promotes skin repair, and anti-inflammatory agents that speed healing. Comfrey is topically applied as a compress. Arnica, Arnica montana, possesses anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic properties. It is applied topically as a compress using a tincture or infusion. Arnica should not be taken internally (Mars, Duke).
Burns, including Sunburn. The gel from the Aloe vera plant is perhaps the most widely known natural treatment for burns, and, indeed, it is quite effective. However, adding a few drops of essential oil of Lavender will enhance its effectiveness. Lavender essential oil can be used alone, if Aloe is not available. St. John’s Wort as an oil infusion is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic and promotes wound healing. Comfrey, plantain, and black tea, as poultices or compresses, similarly, relieve the symptoms from sunburn and speed healing (Duke).
Insect Bites and Stings. A Plantain leaf poultice is a quick and easy remedy at the first sign of a bite or sting, especially those associated with ants, mosquitoes, and bees/hornets/wasps. Lavender or Tea Tree oil applied directly to the bite will help reduce swelling, as will taking Echinacea tincture internally for three days (Mars, Duke).
Itching and Rashes. The menthol in Peppermint relieves itching sensations when applied directly as an infusion. Salves or infusions of Calendula will relieve all types of rashes, including diaper rash. The triterpenes are most likely the active anti-inflammatory agents in Calendula (Blumenthall, Mars, Duke). Also well documented for effectiveness is Witch Hazel, topically applied.
Motion Sickness. Ginger, taken internally in any form (teas, tincture, capsule, or even chewed directly) prior to travel (or getting on that amusement ride!) can be as effective as Dramamine for controlling the dizziness and nausea of motion sickness, but without the side effect of drowsiness.
Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac. A topical application of teas made from Plantain, Grandelia, Calendula and/or White Oak Bark will effectively reduce swelling and itching associated with contact with these toxic plants. Also excellent, is the juice from Jewelweed (Impatiens spp.) at the first sign of contact. The juice can be applied directly as a wash using the plant stems and leaves, or the juice can be blended first and then applied over a 2-3 hour time period. Mars also indicates that the juice can be stored as ice cubes for use when Jewelweed is no longer in season. Duke cites the New England Journal of Medicine that poultices from Plantain leaves is proven to control the itching associated with contact with poison ivy, oak and sumac.
Sprains and Strains. Bromelain, the anti-inflammatory agent found in common pineapple, and curcumin, the active agent in the culinary herb Turmeric, when taken internally and used together are particularly effective in reducing swelling and pain associated with strains and sprains. Arnica, used topically and only on unbroken skin, will reduce swelling and promote healing (Yarnell). Herbal treatments for sprains and strains are most effective when integrated with the traditional RICE treatment (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).
Herbal first aid is effective and readily available. However, as with any remedy, caution should be taken to keep them out of the reach of children. Similarly, at the first sign of a more serious condition or complication, seek professional medical help. Nature may challenge us with insect bites and rashes from poisonous plants, but, fortunately, nature also supplies us with simple, safe and effective means of coping with them as well as the bumps and bruises that life may bring.
Literature Cited
Blumenthal, M., A. Goldberg, and J. Brinckmann. 2000. Herbal Medicine. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications.
Duke, J. 1997. The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.
Hedley, C. 1996. Yarrow—A Monograph. The European Journal of Herbal Medicine. Vol. 2(3): 14-18.
Keville, K. 1997. Herbal 911. Natural Way. July/August: 56-59.
Mars, B. 1999. Natural First Aid. Pownal, VT: Storey Books.
Upton, R. 1997. St. John’s Wort Monograph. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia.
Santa Cruz, CA: AHP.
Yarnell, E. 1997. Botanical Treatments for Sports Injuries. Alternative and Complementary Therapies. June: 183-186.
