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.