The Natural First Aid Kit

A cache of natural products can be useful in minor emergencies

There is no question CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) is the most important tool used by those who administer initial field care in critical situations, but first aid is more than just life threatening situations. Every person and family is subject to the cuts, bruises, aches and pains of daily life. From headaches to insect bites, the minor maladies that annoy or sideline the average person can be handled at home with natural products, some with rich histories of use.

In a natural first aid kit aimed at cases where hospitalization or critical care is unnecessary, vitamins, minerals and botanicals can help calm, soothe and reduce pain and symptoms of many common injuries, aches and discomforts.

One common reason to reach for the first aid kit is a simple cut or scrape, which sometimes involves bleeding. The first step is to stop any bleeding by applying pressure; a compress infused with lady’s mantle can speed this process, as can crushed yarrow. For cleaning the wound, herbal salves and tinctures can help guard from infectious microbes. Among herbs used traditionally are antimicrobials such as goldenseal, echinacea and garlic. From the apiary medicine chest, honey and/or propolis can also contribute additional antimicrobial action to cuts and other open wounds. And from marigold flowers comes the healing power of calendula, which can not only relieve pain from open wounds, but can also facilitate healing. According to Homeopathic Materia Medica, calendula acts on the cerebro-spinal vaso-motor nerves to bring blood and adhesive inflammation to the wound site, thereby promoting skin repair. Also beneficial for proper healing, comfrey contains allantoin, which helps speed up the body’s replacement of cells and promotes healing of damaged tissue.

Some of these remedies are useful in other injuries, such as bruises and insect stings/bites. Bruising involves broken small blood vessels, leaking blood (black and blue appearance) and resultant swelling, while bites and stings puncture skin and cause reaction to venom.

Many insect bites and stings involve only a small amount of venom, and the allergic reaction is relatively minor (except in cases of severe allergy). In open wounds, comfrey is a potent soothing salve for insect bites; tannic acid in black tea has a similar benefit. And gardeners everywhere can attest to the ability of neem oil to address venom, pain and swelling associated with bites and stings. “A study of the oil’s analgesic potency found that it appears to work through both central and peripheral mechanisms to relieve pain,” said Dakshina Vanzetti, president of Auromere Ayurvedic Imports. “In addition, laboratory tests have shown that Neem is effective against certain fungi that infect the body, including athlete’s foot fungus and ringworm.”

For bruises, comfrey (aka bruisewort) is again indicated (although it’s important to note this herb should not be used during pregnancy) for healing and swelling, as are fennel, hyssop and witch hazel. Another aid from the herbal arsenal is arnica, which is available as herbal medicine (topically, on unbroken skin) or homeopathic preparation (orally). Brigette Mars, herbalist and author of "Natural First Aid," reports arnica moves fibrin, a protein that forms at the site of injury, in addition to easing swelling and inflammation.

“Arnica Rub works by influencing levels of NFkappa-B, a central mediator of inflammation,” said Eileen Sheets, managing director at Bioforce USA, who compared arnica’s speed to quick-acting cortisone. “As it works ‘high up’ in the inflammatory cascade, it works at the root of inflammation.”

The skin and underlying tissues are subject to many other minor injuries that can be tended naturally. Rashes and burns, including sunburn and small first-degree burns, cause localized pain and swelling. First-degree burns (curling iron, hot pans, sun radiation, etc.) affect mostly the outermost layer of skin, the epidermis. Among first-line care methods is topical application of aloe vera gel. Used as far back as the age of Cleopatra, this botanical remedy is prized for its ability to curb pain, speed healing and for limiting blisters. It also reduces scarring from burned skin, a specialty also attributed to vitamin E. Aloe is useful for sunburns, as is lavender oil, which conveys an analgesic and soothing benefit. Both vitamin E and aloe are also indicated for use in rashes, which are reactions to skin irritants that manifest as redness, blisters or swelling.

Common rashes or skin reactions are due to contact with oils from poison ivy and oak plants. Drying soaps—such as Fels Naptha or Burt’s Bees Poision Ivy soap—are good for cleaning the irritated skin, as are a number of natural remedies. Perennial herb grindelia helps reduce inflammation and itching caused by poison ivy and oak rashes. Other itch soothers include oatmeal, jewelweed and green/bentonite clay mixed with peppermint. As in other skin care situations, vitamin E, lavender and goldenseal can be used in rashes and poison ivy. Mars advocates the use of Swedish bitters (liquid form), a formula of herbs with wide-ranging benefits, including aloe, myrrh (antimicrobial), camphor (calms nerves), manna (tonic) and angelica root (rids inflammation and skin toxins). From homeopathy, rhus tox is recommended to relieve itching, redness and swelling associated with rashes and poisoned ivy and oak. Similarly, homeopathic silicea (Sil) is indicated to reduce blistering, as well as inflammation and improve healing of burns and rashes on the skin and lips.

Burns from hot liquids are one of the many causes of ulcers on the sensitive inner lining of the mouth. Any break in this surface, such as from accidentally biting the lining or from a rubbing tooth, can expose nerves, leading to pain and discomforting eating. While such oral ulcers can indicate a deficiency in vitamin B12, folate or iron that can be addressed by supplementation, herbal remedies for such sores include echinacea, myrrh, chamomile, sage (antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory) and licorice (glycyrrhizic acid removed). Homeopathically, arsenicum album and mercurius solubilis can help with ulcers on the tongue.

In the oral cavity, a toothache can flare up at any given moment, with its reward of pain and general hindrance. Herbal care for toothaches include chewing on clove, taking advantage of its analgesic, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Other useful antibacterial herbs include echinacea, tea tree oil, calendula and myrrh. For pain reduction, herbalists turn to white willow bark, a natural analgesic and the basis for aspirin.

An immune-related symptom that can strike fast and warrant a first aid-type of response is a fever. While conventional wisdom advises acetaminophen and ibuprofen for fever, these can have unwanted side effects. A more natural first approach can involve cooling and calming herbs such as peppermint and chamomile, as well as antimicrobials including echinacea and garlic. For sudden fevers, homeopathic Belladonna is the clear favorite, with aconite a popular wintertime remedy taken at the onset of fever. Among herbal remedies, feverfew is useful (as its name suggests), but it is becoming even more popular for use in migraine headaches.

Headaches can strike at anytime and reduce the best of moods to a stumbling nightmare. Migraines are vascular—as are toxic headaches caused by fevers—and they can present as pain and throbbing on one or both sides of the head. Feverfew helps tame migraines by promoting the release of serotonin and prostaglandins thought to contribute to onset of migraines. Inhibiting these suspects, in turn, curtails inflammation that may be constricting blood vessels and amplifying the headache. Still other herbs can soften a headache’s stranglehold. A combination of juniper, goldenrod, dandelion, meadowsweet and willow bark is a popular formula for migraines.

A growing form of headache is from sinusitis. These headaches are conventionally treated with analgesics, but may be best comforted by the unlikely hero capsaicin, the fiery compound in chili peppers. “An analgesic can reduce headache pain over time, but it rarely provides total relief, and it never helps prevent the headache,” said Wayne Perry, president of SiCap Industries, which makes Sinus Buster homeopathic spray with capsaicin. “Capsaicin actually depletes the chemicals that cause headache pain in the first place.” Capsaicin confronts and depletes substance P that causes pain and inflammation. Perry noted Sinus Buster formula also contains feverfew and peppermint oil.

Migraines and sinus headaches may be the most complained about, but tension headaches are by far the most commonly suffered. Caused by muscle contractions, tension headaches often result from stress or exhaustion. Again, peppermint oil is a popular remedy, especially when rubbed into the temples, as is lavender, for its calming effect. Another popular calming and distressing product is Rescue Remedy, a combination of five key Bach essences—rock rose for terror and panic, impatiens for irritation and impatience, clematis for inattentiveness, Star of Bethlehem for shock, and cherry plum for irrational thoughts. As a tincture, salve or spray, this formula can also address the shock, panic and anxiety experienced immediately in an injury situation.

As soothing as they are for other first aid cases, including fever, headaches and burns, peppermint and licorice are widely popular for bouts of nausea, which can be rooted in hormone fluctuations or bacterial infection. The granddaddy of herbal nausea remedies, however, is ginger. This rhizome herb has anti-inflammatory properties, and its gingerols are analgesic, antibacterial and positively affect the muscles in the digestive tract (antispasmodic).

Ginger’s antispasmodic effect renders it useful in relieving muscle pains, one of the most common categories of minor first aid complaints. Muscle comprises around 50 percent of body weight. These muscles can hurt due to soreness after activity or because of an inability to relax when not in significant use. Any number of salves and creams massaged into the sore or tense muscles can be useful as a first response to pain. Capsaicin proves useful again, taking the heat rub approach, although initial application might be discomforting and the benefits might take a while to surface. Calendula salve is a popular topical muscle aid, as are a number of proprietary topical formulas. Celadrin® analgesic cream, distributed by Pacific Rainbow, uses menthol and esterfied fatty acids to ease muscle and joint pain; while HylaRub, from Hyalogic, lubricates and soothes both muscles and joints by way of anti-inflammatory emu oil, hyaluronic acid and cetyl myristoleate (CMO).

One homeopathic formula for muscle pain is Topricin, from Topical BioMedics. In this sports muscle pain cream, arnica targets bruising, rhus tox tames sprains and aches, lachesis muta relieves sciatica and lower back pain, naja calms carpel tunnel nerve pain and inflammation, crotalus improves circulation and repairs nerve, joint and muscle damage, ruta graveolens curbs bone trauma, and belladonna quells pain, spasms and inflammation to muscle and surrounding tissue.

A new multiple-herb oral formula, Multileve, for pain includes corydalis for abdominal and menstrual cramps, California poppy for muscle soreness and tension, Chinese red poppy for spasms and tissue irritation, and meadowsweet for stress and tension. “It is groundbreaking because it is the first natural pain reliever to provide immediate relief for muscle spasm, soreness, menstrual cramps, stomach pain, toothache, tension and traumatic pain, yet it does not contain synthetic ingredients such as NSAID or COX-2 drugs,” said Marci Clow, senior director, technical services for Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems. “This formula delivers a potent blend of herbs researched for their pain management properties, plus magnesium and manganese to relax muscles and strengthen connective tissue.”

Calming and soothing are buzz words in minor first aid, including muscle pain. Thus, popular sleep aids magnesium and calcium are, not surprisingly, potent remedies for muscle soreness and cramps. Magnesium conveys a tranquilizing effect on the muscles, while calcium eases pain by relaxing parts of the nervous system. Potassium is another age-old remedy for cramps, which can be caused by excessive mineral or electrolyte loss. These minerals in the form of an electrolyte beverage might also address dehydration, which is often a component of cramps and muscle pain.

Inflammation is a central factor in pain and discomfort from injuries and soreness in many body parts addressed by first aid. “Recent studies have revealed that even selective inhibition of COX-2 reduces inflammation, but can also cause side effects, of particular concern those relating to cardiovascular problems," said Eric Anderson, brand manager for PL Thomas. "The alternative pathway for inflammation is mediated by 5-Lipoxygenase.” He reported the 5-LOXIN® extract of Boswellia serrata inhibits inflammation via this pathway, limiting biosynthesis of leukotrienes increasingly linked to inflammatory diseases.

Assembling a number of natural products beneficial to common first aid cases—including wounds, injuries, aches and pains that don’t require immediate medical care—can provide consumers alternatives to standard first aid components. Whether compiling these helpful vitamins, minerals, herbs, homeopathic and specialty products in a natural first aid kit or its own shelf section—or offering shoppers a list of possible products they can buy to make their own kits—retailers have an opportunity to make a difference in an important area of self care.

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