-
Arnica
A perennial herb found in Europe, Russia and parts of North America, arnica has long been used in herbal medicines. Its anti-inflammatory properties help decrease pain and swelling, which makes it good for bruises and sunburn. It’s also touted for speeding up wound healing time. We use arnica cream for bruises and muscle aches. It’s easy and odorless. It’s also available in pellet form for taking internally. In most cases, arnica is my go-to body ache reliever instead of reaching for the Tylenol.
-
Witch Hazel
This astringent, produced from the Witch Hazel shrub, was frequently used for medicinal purposes by the American Indians. I love its sweetish scent. I dab it on acne and bug bites and used it post-partum to heal from giving birth. Yet that just touches the tip of the iceberg. Witch hazel has tons of other uses that I’ve never even tried, including: poison ivy, dry skin, diaper rash, hemorrhoids, deodorant and chicken pox blisters.
-
Essential Oils: Tea Tree and Lavender
As a natural disinfectant, tea tree oil is great for cleaning wounds. I added a few drops daily to a cut underneath my toenail, and the infection disappeared within a few days. I also use tea tree oil in an aromatherapy burner when Sofie is sick as it helps alleviate respiratory problems and strengthens the immune system.
In most cases, lavender oil can be used directly on the skin. It helps deter bugs and can also be dabbed on afterwards to cut the itch in bug bites. Combine lavender with a carrier oil for a soothing massage. Use it in aromatherapy to reduce stress, relieve headaches and aid in respiratory illnesses.
Tea tree and lavender are my essential essential oils. Read about the other three oils in my Top 5 Essential Oils for Natural Healing.
-
Activated Charcoal
This is a new addition for me, and I first became interested when I heard about its teeth whitening powers. (Mine are becoming stained from too much tea and red wine!) After researching it, I learned that activated charcoal is a toxin remover used in hospitals for cases of food poisoning. Activated charcoal can also take the venom out of insect bites, speed wound healing, freshen breath and improve digestive problems. How can this not be in my medicine cabinet? I’m just beginning to use it for the daily teeth whitening, but I’m sure glad to have it in case of emergency food poisoning…
-
Burt’s Bees Res-Q Ointment
I wanted to make this list about five generic items, without using brands, but I haven’t found anything quite the same as Burt’s Bees Res-Q Ointment. Maybe it’s a placebic effect at this point, but both me and Sofie feel better just knowing we’ve dabbed a bit of “the green cream” on our scratches and bruises. It’s an easy, all-purpose ointment filled with good stuff (beeswax, cocoa butter, vitamin E, lavender extract, rosemary extract, olive and sweet almond oils). Its active ingredient is Comfrey, an herb that contains allantoin, which decreases inflammation and stimulates new cell growth.
This post is featured at Tuned-in Tuesdays, Party Wave Wednesday, Thank Your Body Thursday, Wellness Wednesday and Natural Living Mondays.
