Herbs are God’s gift to the earth and its inhabitants. When they are made into teas, tinctures, salves, poultices, and compresses, they frequently allow us to heal ourselves of everyday bangs, bruises, and bumps.
Though herbal remedies are available at natural food stores, they are easy to make, and learning how is an empowering experience. By making your own remedies, you can be assured that the ingredients are high quality, whether you grow them yourself or collect them on wilderness excursions.
Herbal Teas
An herbal tea made from leaves or flowers is called an infusion. To make an infusion, bring 1 cup (240 ml) of pure water to a boil in a nonaluminum pot and remove from the heat. Add 1 heaping teaspoon (5 ml) of dried herbs or 2 teaspoons (10 ml) fresh. Cover. Let sit for at least 10 minutes and up to overnight. Strain. Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator and use within 4 days.
An herbal tea made from roots and barks is called a decoction. One caveat: if a root is particularly high in volatile oils (such as ginger or valerian), it is best infused rather than decocted. To make a decoction, simmer 1 heaping teaspoon (5 ml) of dried herb or 2 teaspoons (10 ml) fresh in 1 cup (240 ml) water while covered for 20 minutes. Strain. Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator and use within 4 days.
Once strained from the liquid, spent herbs can be returned to the earth by mixing them in with your compost or garden soil.
Herbal Tinctures
Tinctures are easy to store and use. They have traditionally been made on the new moon so that the energy of the moon can draw out the properties of the herbs.
Prepare the herbs by chopping or grinding them. You may tincture several herbs together if you are creating a formula. Then put the herb in a glass jar and cover with vodka. The alcohol you use must be at least 50 proof to have good preservative qualities.
Store the tincture away from light, and shake it once a day for a month. Then strain, first with a strainer and then through a clean, undyed cloth, squeezing tightly. Bottle in dark glass bottles. Add spent herbs to the compost. Label and date the tincture — it’ll keep for at least 5 years. Store away from heat and light. Take tinctures by putting 1 dropperful in a bit of warm water and drinking.
Tinctures may also be made using vegetable glycerin rather than alcohol. This is best when making tinctures for those who are alcohol intolerant, as well as for children and pregnant and nursing mothers. Glycerin is more effective than water but less effective than alcohol. It is naturally sweet and pleasant tasting and is slightly antiseptic, demulcent, and healing when diluted. Tinctures made with glycerin, called glycerites, are usually prepared in the same manner as alcohol-based tinctures but using 1 part water to 2 parts glycerin. Glycerites have a shorter shelf life than tinctures prepared with alcohol, 1 to 3 years.
The Secrets of a Professional Herbalist
Ever wonder why a professional herbalist’s preparations are so good? Here are a few rules of thumb that professionals use when buying, making, and storing herbs:
Buy quality herbs from reputable suppliers.
Buy herbs in bulk, and store in glass jars away from light and heat.
When a recipe calls for parts, measure the ingredient by weight, not volume.
Make small batches the first time around.
Prepare herbs in containers and with utensils made of glass, stainless steel, or ceramic. Other materials, such as plastic, copper, or aluminum, can contaminate the products.
Label every herbal preparation with the ingredients, how it should be used, and the date it was made. Generally speaking, capsules will last about 2 years and tinctures about 5 years.
A Healing Poultice
A poultice is the herb applied directly to the skin. Crush a fresh or dried herb and mix with hot water, apple cider vinegar, or olive or castor oil, depending on what your needs are and what is available. The liquid helps hold the herbs together and in place.
Apply the poultice to the area of the body needing attention, such as a wound. Possible poultices include:
Chopped cabbage to draw out pus and toxins
Chopped carrot for bruises, chapped skin
Comfrey for swellings, sores, and wounds
Oatmeal for inflammation and insect bites
If using dried instead of fresh herbs, you can add cornmeal or freshly ground flaxseed to thicken the paste.
Poultices may be reapplied several times a day or in succession during one sitting. A cloth or comfrey or plantain leaves can be applied to help hold the poultice in place. Mustard will cause the skin to blister, so it should never be applied directly to the skin but placed instead on a cloth.
Compress
A compress is made by soaking a clean towel in hot or cold herbal tea. The cloth is then wrung out and applied to the area needing treatment. Covering the wet cloth with a dry towel will help the cloth to stay hot or cold. When the compress temperature changes (the hot cools down, for example), resoak the cloth in the tea and reapply. This can be repeated.
Cold often is best for hot, inflamed conditions such as swellings or a headache. Hot compresses are good for backache, arthritic pain, and sore throats. The best indicator is to ask whether the person needing treatment thinks cold or hot will give the best relief.
Herbal Healing Salve
Many different herbs can be used in a salve. Below is an example of a formula that will help speed wound healing and prevent infection. Apply salves several times a day as needed. It is best to use dried herbs, as moisture from fresh plants can cause the salve to spoil more quickly.
Ingredients
1⁄2 cup (120 ml) olive oil
1⁄2 ounce (14 g) comfrey root, cut and sifted
1⁄4 ounce (7 g) calendula blossoms
1⁄4 ounce (7 g) plantain leaves
1⁄4 ounce (7 g) myrrh resin
1⁄4 ounce (7 g) echinacea, goldenseal (not wildcrafted), usnea, or propolis, finely cut
1⁄4 ounce (7 g) grated beeswax
4 drops gum benzoin tincture (available from drugstores)
Up to 40 drops essential oil (lavender, rosemary, or peppermint)
2 40-IU vitamin E capsules
Instructions
1.Put the herbs and oil into a slow cooker, set the heat to low, and cook overnight. The next day, turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool.
2.Strain the herbs out of the oil through a strainer and then through a clean, natural-fiber cloth, squeezing it tightly. Return the oil to the cooker, and set the heat to high. Add the grated beeswax. When it has melted, mix well and remove from the heat. Stir in the benzoin, the essential oil, and the liquid contents of the vitamin E capsules.
3.Test 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the product by putting it in a container and letting it cool and harden to see what the final consistency will be. If it is too soft to work as a salve, you may need to add a bit more beeswax. If it is too hard, add a bit more oil.
4.Pour your salve into clean, dry glass or ceramic containers. Be sure to date and label your containers. The salve can be stored on the shelf for 2 to 3 years, or longer in the refrigerator.
Index
Page numbers in italic indicate illustrations; page numbers in bold indicate charts.
A
abdominal injuries, 28–29
abdominal thrusts, 14–20
conscious victim, 15, 15
finger sweep and, 16, 16
illustrated guide, 15–17, 15, 16, 17
infants and children, 18–20
conscious victim, 18–19, 18, 19
unconscious victim, 19–20, 20
tongue-jaw lift and, 16, 16
unconscious victim, 16–17, 16, 17
abrasions. See bleeding
accident(s)
car, 131
prevention of, 2
acupressure
diarrhea and, 65
nausea and, 126, 126
toothache and, 123
AED/defibrillator, 5
child and, 12
airway
artificial, 9
neck injury and, 9, 9
opening, 8, 8
alcohol overdose, 66–67
alcohol poisoning, 29
allergic reaction (acute), 30. See also hives
animal(s)
bites/scratches, 36–37
bull charges, 130
rabies and, 152–153
wild, encounters with, 129–130, 151
ankle injury
splint for, 22
sprains and strains, 110–112
ant bites, 48
anxiety, 94–96
appendicitis, 118
arm injury. See limbs
aromatherapy
bug bites and, 51
fainting and, 72–73
head injuries and, 82
shock and, 106
arteries, bleeding and, 40, 40
asthma attacks, 31–33
avalanches, 128–129
B
baby, delivery of. See childbirth
back injuries, 33
bad drug trip, 34
bandaging
limbs, 21
wounds, 41
bear encounters, 129–130
bee stings, 35, 48, 115–117
bites, animal, 36–43, 40. See also nosebleeds; shock
bandaging and, 41
follow-up care, 43
at-home first aid, 41–43
pressure application, 40
reduction in, 39
tourniquet and, 41
wound care and, 41
blisters, 43–44
bogs and swamps, 151–152
bones, broken, 77
BRAT diet, 63
breathing difficulties, 44. See also asthma attacks
breaths, rescue, 9–10, 10
broken limbs. See also fractures; slings; splints
recovery position and, 24
bruises, 45–47
bug bites, 48–49, 49
follow-up care, 50
prevention of, 50–51
bull charges, 130
burns. See also eyes — heat and chemical burns; sunburn
first aid, 53–55
follow-up care, 55–56
C
C-A-B, 5
car accidents, 131
car, survival kit for, 172–174
cardiac arrest. See CPR
cardiopulmonary resuscitation. See CPR
caterpillars, hairs of, 48
centipedes, hairs of, 48
chemical contamination, 57, 7
infants and children, 11
rescue breathing rate and, 7
childbirth, 132–137
care after birth, 135–136
comfort of mother and, 132–133
cord care and, 135
delivery and, 133–134
helping baby, 134–135
pregnancy, maintaining a, 137
children. See also infants
abdominal thrusts for, 18–20, 20
CPR for, 10–13, 13
homeopathy and, 25–26, 26
Chinese medicine. See also acupressure
burns, 55, 56
diarrhea, 62
toothache, 123
choking, 59. See also abdominal thrusts
universal sign for, 14, 14
circulation. See pulse
cold (severe), 137–143
compress
cold, 111
fever and, 74
making a, 178
convulsions, 103–104
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), 5–13
airway, 8, 8
infants and children, 12
assessment/activation, 5
basics, 5–10
breathing
assessing for pulse and, 5–6
infants and children, 12
mouth-to-mouth, 9–10, 10
rescue breaths, 10, 10
chest compressions, 6–7, 7
infants and children, 11
courses on, 1
duration of, waiting for help, 13
infants and children, 10–13, 13
airway, 12
breathing, 12
chest compressions, 11
pulse, checking for, 11
no training, instructions and, 8
pulse, checking for, 5–6
infants and children, 11
“Stayin’ Alive” beat and, 7, 7, 8
warning signs, 5
cuts. See bleeding
D
defibrillator, 5
dehydration, 158
diaper rash, 60–61
diarrhea, 61–65
diet
BRAT, diarrhea and, 63
bug bites and, 51
diaper rash and, 60
heatstroke and, 86
sprains, strains and, 111–112
drowning, 65–7
drug overdose, 66–67
drug trip, bad, 34
E
ear injury, 68
earthquake, 139
electrical storm, 144–145
electric shock, 69–63
rehydration drink, 62
emergency situations. See also CPR; specific situation
basics, 1–2
Rescue Remedy for, 26
ephedra, 30, 87
epinephrine, stings and, 35, 115, 117, 160
EpiPen, 35, 115, 117
essential oils, 161–162
bug bites and, 50
burns and, 54
eye, black, 37–38
eyes — heat and chemical burns, 71
F
fainting, 72–73
fever, 73–74
finger splint, 22
fire, 140–143
clothing on, 140
forest, 140–141
making a, 141–143
first-aid kit, 159–171
car, survival kit for, 172–174
homeopathic remedies, 167–171
traveling, 172
flooding, 143–144
food, foraging for, 147–150
food poisoning, 75–76
foot splint, 22
fractures, 77
frostbite, 78–80
G
garden remedies, 116
H
hangover, 67
head injury, 81–84
warning signs, 4
heatstroke, 84–86
Heimlich Maneuver. See abdominal thrusts
herb(s). See also first-aid kit
most important, 162
tips for, 177
Herbal Healing Salve, 179
herbalist, professional, 177
herbal medicines, 175–179
herbal remedies
sunburn, 121
toothache, 122
vomiting, 125
herbal teas, 176
herbal tinctures, 176–177
hives, 87–88
homeopathic medicines, 26
dosages and, 26, 26
emergencies and, 26
first-aid kit, 167–171
homeopathic remedies. See also Rescue Remedy
fainting and, 73
first-aid kit and, 167–171
sprains and strains, 112
stings (bee, hornet, wasp), 117
sunburn, 121
toothache, 123
vomiting, 126
hornet stings, 115–117
household remedies
asthma attacks, 32
black eye, 38
bleeding, 42
bruises, 45
burns, 54
diarrhea, 63
fever, 74
frostbite, 79–80
hives, 88
nosebleeds, 93
sunburn, 120–121
toothache, 122
vomiting, 125
hypothermia, 88–144
immobilization. See slings; splints
infants
abdominal thrusts, 18–20, 18, 19
CPR, 10–13, 13
lung damage and, 12
recovery position, 24, 24
insect bites. See bug bites; stings (bee, hornet, wasp)
insect repellent, herbal, 51
J
jaw-thrust technique, airway and, 9, 9
jellyfish stings, 90–91
K
kitchen remedies, 116
L
lacerations. See bleeding; shock
leg injury. See limbs
lightning, 144–145
limbs
amputated/severed, 41
bandaging, 21
bleeding and, 40, 40
splints and slings, 21–22, 22
liniment, herbal, 111
lost in wilderness, 146–147
foraging/eating and, 147-150
preparedness and, 147
Lyme disease, 49
M
medicines. See herbal medicines; homeopathic medicines
mosquito bites, 48
mountain lions, 151
moving injured person, 25
avoidance of, reason for, 1–2
N
neck injuries
airway and, 9, 9
back and, 33
moving injured person and, 1–2, 25
nettle rash, 81
nosebleeds, 92–94
nuclear disaster, 153–154
O
oils, essential, 161–162
P
panic attacks, 94–96
phytochemicals, 111
plants, edible wild, 147–150
poison control center, 96, 97
poisoning, 96–98
alcohol, 29
antidote, universal, 97
food, 75–76
poison ivy, oak, and sumac, 99–101
porcupines, 151
poultice, 38, 45, 178
pregnancy
essential oils and, 167
maintaining a, 137
probiotics, 63, 76
pulse
CPR and, 6, 6
infant/child, assessing, 11
Q