First Aid with Aromatic Herbs and Essential Oils
Summer brings outdoor activities . . . outdoor activities bring cuts, scrapes and bruises! Some handy healers of those unexpected injuries are the essential oils of aromatic herbs, and herbal washes and compresses.
Aromatic herbs are derived from plants with a strong smell which act upon the nervous system and have a definite healing action in the body. The essential oils in the plant contribute to the strong smell. When a pure extract of oil is taken from the plant, the oil is 75-100 times more concentrated than the dried herb form.
Aromatic oils stimulate the circulatory system, increasing blood flow to the injured area thus reducing the healing time. These oils also have a cleansing effect on the body, by stimulating the body to excrete wastes via the skin by sweat, through the blood by increased circulation and through the kidneys by increased urination. Many also have disinfectant and antiseptic properties. Stagnant, toxic wastes are removed from the body preventing the accumulation of bacteria or disease.
Some favored aromatic essential oils to have in your first aid kit should be, capsaicin cream or gel, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, echinacea ointment or salve, pennyroyal and lavender.
For Pesky Insects
Pennyroyal oil used externally provides a natural repellent
against bothersome fleas and mosquitoes. Just rub the
oil on your skin to deter insects. Lavender oil is also
an effective repellent, but can be used after a bite
or sting to soothe the irritated area. Peppermint oil
also is cleansing and cooling to stings and bites.
Minor Skin Abrasions
Echinacea salve or ointment can be used for external
wounds (scrapes, shallow cuts, open blisters, minor
abrasions). Echinacea is the most effective plant for
fighting any infection. Often other herbs are combined
with echinacea for more complete wound healing (goldenseal
and/or calendula-marigold leaves). Tea tree oil can
also be used as a natural antiseptic.
Muscle or Joint Pain
Capsaicin gel or ointment relieves swelling and pain
in the joints and spastic muscles. Use topically on
the sore area.
Motion Sickness
One drop of peppermint oil on the back of the tongue.
Sunburn
Tea tree oil mixed one part tea tree oil to 10 parts
olive oil applied to burned areas. Lavender oil mixed
with Aloe Vera gel makes a cooling application for sunburn
and other burns.
Poison Ivy or Oak
Echinacea applied topically is an effective remedy for
irritating skin conditions from these plants. Be sure
to rinse the affected area in cool water, as warm water
opens pores and speeds the spread of poisonous plant
oils. Single essential oils applied topically are peppermint,
chamomile or tea tree.
Check your local health food store for more information on natural first aid remedies and have a fun, safe, summer! When selecting essential oils, check for purity of quality. Ask for the pure oil that has not been diluted with filler oils.
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