Natural First Aid for Summer
By Jane Sheppard
Summer brings great opportunity for kids to be outdoors with fun
activities. More time outdoors is healthy, but can make children
more vulnerable to some hazards – extensive sun exposure, insect
bites, poison oak or ivy, and skin exposed to more cuts, abrasions
and other injuries. Fortunately, you can protect your child from
most dangers without exposing them to more toxic drugs or chemicals.
The most important remedies to have on hand include activated charcoal,
aloe vera gel, lavender, tea tree oil, calendula, and black salve.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a general detoxifier, and applied to an insect
bite, is capable of absorbing large amounts of the offending poison
if it can get to it. Activated charcoal is an absorbing agent that
comes in capsules or bulk powder. Externally
- wet powder and apply as a poultice for itching, bites, stings,
etc. This helps draw out toxins and reduces swelling. Internally
- use 1-2 capsules (or one teaspoon in a cup of water) every hour
or two for problems like diarrhea, intestinal flu, food and chemical
poisoning, etc. Charcoal absorbs the poisons that are irritating
the bowel. Too much, however, may cause constipation. NOTE: If chemical
poisoning is suspected, contact your doctor and poison center hotline
immediately.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is soothing and healing. It is anti-inflammatory and
has an anesthetizing effect on the tissues. Apply generously externally
for poison oak or poison ivy, all types of burns, cuts, abrasions
and other injuries.
Black Salve
Black Salve is also called drawing salve. It’s used externally
to draw infection, slivers, acne, boils and warts. Apply generously
and cover with a bandage.
Lavender Oil
Lavender has strong antibiotic, analgesic, antiviral, antifungal,
antispasmodic, and sedative properties. It is a non-toxic antiseptic
and works well on cuts, wounds, dermatitis, eczema, diaper rash,
pimples and burns. Lavender repels mosquitoes and can give relief
to bug bites. Apply lavender
oil to a minor burn after plunging it into cold water. Lavender
or chamomile essential oils can be added to a bath to soothe a minor
sunburn.
Calendula
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Marigold, Pot Marigold. Do not
confuse calendula with the common garden marigold “Tagetes Patula”,
sometimes referred to as French or African marigold. Calendula is
used externally to promote wound healing and reduce inflammation.
It has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It has
a healing effect on cuts, scrapes, bites, stings, bruises, and burns.
For a wound-healing compress that is also excellent for burns and
stings, use two teaspoonfuls of tincture in one cup of water. Calendula
ointment or calendula oil is very versatile and great for scrapes,
wounds, skin problems, and burns. It quickly soothes the pain and
prevents infection. It relieves the itching and irritation of skin
eruptions and diaper rash. It is gentle enough to use on a baby.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is renowned for its antifungal and antiseptic qualities.
It speeds healing and has a mild analgesic effect, reducing pain
and inflammation. Tea tree oil can be used for burns, cuts, rashes,
including diaper rash, psoriasis, eczema, fungal infections, poison
ivy, and insect bites. It kills germs that cause acne, warts, and
boils and inhibits infection.
Mix 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with 1/8 cup of a cold-pressed “carrier”
oil (sweet almond or similar oil). Apply with a cotton ball directly
to the affected area. Apply 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil undiluted
directly to ringworm, athlete’s foot, warts and boils. Do not apply
undiluted to the face.
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Use the information provided on this site as an educational resource for determining your options and making your own informed choices. It is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any specific illness.