(and a host of other little things)
by SilverSage
Fixing dinner, chopping onions, yikes! Didn't get your finger out of the way, eh? Thought the saucepan handle wasn't hot, yeouch! Small bumps, bruises, abrasions, cuts and the like lend themselves to home first aid. Herbs can be a great source of comfort and healing. Try some of the following herbal first aid solutions the next time you get a little careless.
Minor burns can be eased by the application of aloe vera juice. The very best is freshly squeezed from the leaf. Cold tap water is often very soothing for minor burns and scalds. If you have a kitchen herb garden, pick a little fresh sage and apply that to the burned spot. A poultice made of ground marshmallow root applied to the affected area is a favorite among many herbalists. If you seem to be always burning yourself, try a "kitchen accident" amulet. In a muslin bag, place a small kitchen knife, a pinch of flour and a pau shell (available at many Native American shops), tie it to your apron or tuck it in a pocket as you go about your kitchen duties. It should help you pay attention to what you are doing thereby reducing the frequency of cuts and scalds!
For paper cuts, nicks when you're chopping or little gouges, wash the area thoroughly and use a little comfrey and golden seal. The comfrey encourages rapid tissue replacement, and the golden seal acts as an antibiotic. Keep the "owie" bandaged for a day or two. You'll be surprised at how quickly it will heal.
Minor swellings may be assuaged by the application of a fenugreek mugwort or yellow dock poultice. For sprains try a poultice of mugwort or comfrey. If the pain seem to hang on a long time, perhaps an amulet to boost the healing? Try putting a found penny, a current snapshot of yourself and a small orchid in a piece of orange silk. Keep it with you until the pain is gone (don't forget the poultice as well), then cast the orchid into running water with words like "Away with pain on the water, stay away forever".
Jammed thumbs, twisted knees, stubbed toes all lend themselves to the homeopathic, Arnica Montana. Arnica is very helpful for muscle strains, twists and pulls, bruises, bumped heads, etc. This remedy is usually available at most health food and natural product stores. It's something that I always keep handy. A few tablets under the tongue, and 15 - 20 minutes later the pain is usually much less, if not gone altogether, the swelling is down and the bruising is much better. This one is a keeper! (For more information on Homeopathy at Home, see Silver Sage's Homeopathy Page)
Boils seem to be an increasing problem. I have run into so many people who all of a sudden have had an attack of them for the first time in their lives. (Myself included!) Using echinacea, burdock, dandelion, red clover, golden seal internally as blood cleansers and a poultice of marshmallow root, hops, fenugreek, burdock or slippery elm as an external drawing agent would be indicated.
Reference material:
The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl
The Modern Witch's Book of Home Remedies by Sarah Lyddon Morrison
Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs
Jude's Herbal Remedies by Jude Williams
As always, consult your health care professional for all health concerns. The information contained above is for educational purposes only. The authors makes no health claims or guarantees for any of the herbs mentioned in these articles.
Silver Sage is a "sis" of mine as well as an herbalist, if you need help locating herbs or more information about them please feel free to email her.
Starshyne
Return to Silver Sage's Herbal Corner
Starshyne last updated 9/23/01