Natures 1st Aid and Remidies

Natural first aid and remedies

For broken skin - cuts, grazes, abrasions, lacerations:
Weleda Calendula products
Available as lotion, ointment, shampoo, toothpaste, baby cream, baby soap, baby lotionWe have seen calendula deal with cat and dog bites, barbed wire lacerations, scalp gashes, flesh wounds, nappy rash. It helps to prevent infection and promotes fast healing.We have even known it cure longstanding skin infections which conventional treatment had failed to improve.Calendula ointment was traditionally made in farmhouses by packing marigold flowers into melted goose grease.
Starting to use calendula toothpaste made a terrific difference to the health of our gums - try it and amaze your dentist! It is recommended for users of homoeopathic medicine as it does not interfere with the action of homoeopathic remedies

For bangs and blows where the skin is not broken :
- apply immediately: Weleda Arnica products
Available as lotion, ointment, 30c tablets for acute cases, 6c tablets for chronic cases, massage balm Applied at once we have found that arnica helps prevent a bruise coming out, or a sprain swelling up and making walking impossible. The lotion is good where it is difficult to apply the ointment eg in the hair for a bump on the head; or to a sprained ankle where the casualty does not want to remove her or his boot

For bangs and blows with broken skin, and painful crush injuries:
- apply immediately:
Ainsworth´s Recovery cream(Or if none available apply recovery remedy liquid) We have known Recovery Cream (which is made from a combination of flower essences to Dr Edward Bach´s original formula) take the pain away almost immediately from fingers shut in a car door, which were virtually healed by the next day

For insect bites, stings and nettle rash:
Combudoron spray
As soon after an accident as you have used the appropriate remedy for the injury, take 4 drops of Recovery Remedy in water, or dropped onto the tongueWe have seen Recovery Remedy help with shock and calm the sufferer almost immediatelyAlso good for emotional shock and strain.

Other useful remedies to repel biting insects Badger Anti-Bug Balm: usefully packed in a small tin for carrying in your pack.´Blended to strike fear in the hearts of biting insects everywhere. Smells good, feels good, keeps those bugs away.´´W S Badger donates 7% of all pre-tax profits to charities. No animal testing. No chemical additives, preservatives or nasty stuff.´

For minor burnsCombudoronRun under cold tap for 5 - 10 minutesDry gently and apply combudoron ointmentWe find that this takes away the pain immediately and aids healing
For sunburnAloe gelCool bath or shower, pat dry very gently, then apply Aloe gel and repeat as needed

For sore, painful or aching muscles after exercise or trainingWeleda Massage Balm with arnicaBadger Sore Muscle Rub: usefully packed in a small tin for carrying in your pack.´A pain relieving balm with the natural anti-inflammatory properties of Cayenne and Ginger.´´W S Badger donates 7% of all pre-tax profits to charities. No animal testing. No chemical additives, preservatives or nasty stuff.´

For strained tendons or ligaments due to excessive physical activityRuta ointment, Ruta grav tabletsFor dry, cracked, or sore feetBadger foot balm: usefully packed in a small tin for carrying in your pack.´Good stuff for tired, rough and weary feet. The end result? Smooth, healthy and refreshed feet, ready to wander and explore´´W S Badger donates 7% of all pre-tax profits to charities. No animal testing. No chemical additives, preservatives or nasty stuff.´

For chapped or cracked handsWeleda Sea Buckthorn hand cream

For poisoned blackthorn punctures, whitlows, splinters etcSt James Balm

For rheumatism with muscular stiffness or muscle strainRhus tox ointment; Rhus tox tablets

For teething or colic in babies or childrenWeleda Chamomilla teething granules or dropsWe have seen Chamomilla produce almost magical results in teething youngsters

For chilblains-Weleda Frost Cream

For hay feverSee separate article on Hay Fever under the Health & Safety tab
To calm a minor tooth abcess Drop a little undiluted Recovery Remedy onto the abcessWe have seen Recovery Remedy reduce pain and swelling very quickly

For mouth infections and inflammations Weleda Medicinal Gargle

For a sore throatGargle with hot thyme tea every 20 minutes until recoveredMake thyme tea by putting some sprigs of fresh thyme into a vacuum flask and adding boiling water. This can be used until it cools down.If no thyme is available, fresh rosemary, lavender or sage can be used instead.If no fresh Mediterranean herbs are available, use diluted Weleda Medicinal Gargle.
For a troublesome tickling coughBryonia cough mixtureEspecially good for enabling the sufferer to get off to sleep.Available from Ainsworth´s Homoeopathic Pharmacy: 01883 340332Nelson´s Sootha (Bryonia) cough mixtureAvailable to order from Boots the ChemistGrated fresh beef suet heated in milk was an old farmhouse remedy. Add honey or lemon to flavour if wished.
For colds and fluElderberry cordial was the old farmhouse cure. Email us for a traditional recipe.Echinacea tincture
For a migraineFeverfew leaves eaten in a wholemeal sandwich