Ask the Herbalist



Ask the Herbalist

Natural First Aide Kit

I am often called at home with “a quick question” for a remedy for common mild illness or natural first aide helps. Often my suggestions are not had in the common home or they have something similar but not quite what they need. I myself used to be caught without the remedy I need if my family and I were away from home. Since I like to be prepared, I decided to put together my own natural first aide kit. Due to the constraints of this column, I will be taking the next few weeks to discuss the contents of my kit, testimonies of their use, and how you can customize your kit according to your needs and knowledge.

First, what are we going to put it in? I have tried several types of plastic containers, cosmetic bags, and in the beginning just a grocery bag. None of these seemed to satisfy me as well as a fishing tackle box. There are many sizes and varieties to choose from. I have the biggest one I could find! It is important to have it the size that you won’t mind grabbing on the way out to the ball game or en route to the family get together. An easy grab handle and high durability are important.

The other thing to keep in mind is where you store it when not in use. To be most effective you must take it with you. Sounds simple, right? When you are in a hurry, you only will go back into the house for something you know you need like the keys. You aren’t going to go back in for something you might need. Keep it near the front door possibly in the coat closet so it is as easy to grab as your coat or purse.

Why not leave it in the car? There are two reasons. Since most of the items you will be putting in your kit are botanical and heat sensitive you will not want to leave them in the hot car in the summer. The herbs will lose a huge amount of potency and effectiveness when stored above room temperature. Also, some of the items will be liquid and have the potential to freeze in cold weather. It is not good to need a liquid herb that is frozen solid.

Aside form the temperature problem in the car, you may need the herbs while you are in your house. Sometimes we are just too lazy to go out in the car and get what we need until we are desperate. By that time we are probably going to take medicine that is right in the bathroom cabinet because the herbs take too long to work and you want immediate relief.

It is wise to include the standard gauze, band-aides, scissors, tweezers, bandage tape and cotton balls. I include a blood pressure cuff and thermometer in mine. If you have a diabetic in your family you may want to store your blood sugar monitoring equipment there.

Before deciding on what remedies you want to include, it may be helpful to list some needs of your family. If you have toddlers or children that are in sports, it may be wise to make not of the remedies I will mention for scrapes, bruises, or injuries. If you have an age group that is prone to circulation problems you will need specific herbs packed. If you have someone in the family with respiratory problems you will need to keep them in mind while reading. Also don’t forget pets on this list. Any of the remedies used for people work nicely for animals as well.

Another wise choice that will need to be included in some family’s kits is a list of any medications taken regularly or on occasion and their doses. Along with that should be any and all allergies of any family members. Although natural remedies can be used safely in many home situations, there are times when conventional medical attention is needed. At that time, this information is vital.

Last, until you become familiar with using herbs and natural remedies, it is wise to keep a cheat sheet on what you are carrying including what it is for and how to use it. You may even what to keep a log of what has and has not worked for your family and what the situation was that it was used for.

Now you have to wait until next week to find out how to begin filling your kit!

The information given is for educational purposes and should not be used to diagnose and treat disease. If you have a serious health problem, consult a competent health practitioner. Please submit your natural health questions to Ask the Herbalist, RR1 Box 180A, Towanda , PA 18848 or e-mail at DSCHULTZ@ or call for personal consultation 265-9164.

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