For thousands of years, humans have been using plants from the world around them to help care for and heal day to day ailments. There is a natural alternative for nearly every item in your first aid kit at home. Take a look at our round up of the most common first aid emergencies and how to tackle them naturally.
Bites & Stings
Prevention is often better than cure when it comes to bites and stings. Moo Goo's infamous Tail Swat Spray works to keep critters away from you or a tea tree based insect repellent. Already have bites? The neem tree grows in India and its products have been used for centuries for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem oil can be used a preventative insect repellent, but can also be used to sooth any bites when used in a cream. Try A. Vogel Soothing Neem Cream in your natural first aid kit. Neem can also be found in a shampoo to help relieve itchy scalps and may also be useful in treating scabies. Tea tree oil is also an excellent alternative
Take a look at all our natural remedies for bites and stings
Sprains & Strains
Arnica is a plant from the sunflower family that is often used to treat pain caused by osteoarthritis, bleeding, bruising and swelling after surgery. Arnica can be poisonous if eaten in large amounts, so taking it in a homeopathic tablet Weleda Arnica Tablets is the safest way to take it internally. You can also soothe sprains and strains topically with Weleda Arnica Cooling Gel, Aloe Pura+ Arnica Cream or in the bath with Weleda Arnica Muscle Soak.
Devil's Claw also known as Harpagophytum procumbens is a herbal plant most often used to support aches and pains. You can try A.Vogel Devil's Claw Tablets or Aloe Pura+ Devil's Claw Gel which can be applied topically.
View all our products to support sprains and strains here
Cuts & Bruises
As mentioned above, Weleda Arnica Tablets are a great way to help speed up the healing of wounds and bruises. Manuka honey is also well used for its healing properties and is used in Comvita Medihoney Antibacterial Wound Gel
Take a look at all our natural products for cuts and bruises here
Headaches & Migraines
Headaches and migraines can interfere with every day life; at their worst being completely incapacitating. There are many studies about supplements that may be helpful in preventing them when taken regularly as a preventative, such as CoQ10 and Magnesium. If you're unlucky enough to have been struck down cooling compresses can help (you could try these patches on the go) and aromatherapy oils such as Peppermint and Lavender have also been shown to provide some relief.
View all natural support products for headaches and migraines
References
Web MD Arnica - https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/arnica
Web MD Neem -https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-577/neem
Web MD Migraines - https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/vitamins-supplements-migraines
What to Know About Neem Oil for Scabies Treatment? - https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-to-know-about-neem-oil-for-scabies-treatment
First written 6th September 2023
