It is always a good idea to keep a few natural remedies on hand to treat common injuries and conditions. But what should you put into your natural healing first-aid kit? To find out, our editors turned to Mark Stengler, NMD, a naturopathic medical doctor who is founder and medical director of the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, California. He suggests having the following remedies at the ready in your first-aid kit (doses for adults and children are the same, except as noted)…
Aloe vera gel
For: Minor burns, skin rashes, sunburn.
How to use: Apply a gel that is 90% or more pure aloe three to four times daily.
Bach Rescue Remedy
For: Feelings of anxiety.
How to use: Take four drops in a glass of water four times daily.
Calendula
For: Healing scrapes and cuts.
How to use: Apply a salve over the injury two to three times daily until wound has healed.
Colloidal silver
(For children, use half the dose. Not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Use store-bought kinds, not homemade ones.)
For: Sore throat.
How to use: Ingest one teaspoon four times daily, up to seven days.
For: Pinkeye.
How to use: Put two drops in one-half ounce saline solution, and wash eye three times daily for seven days.
For: Ear infection.
How to use: Place two drops in affected ear three times daily for seven days.
Gingerroot capsule or tincture
(For children, use half the dose.)
For: Digestive upset, such as diarrhea, gas or bloating or stomach and menstrual cramps.
How to use: Take 300 mg of the capsule form, or 20 drops of the tincture, every waking hour until symptoms improve.
Homeopathic arnica
For: Pain and swelling of minor injuries and bruises.
How to use: Take two 30C pellets four times daily for two days. Topical arnica also is an option.
Homeopathic arsenicum album
For: Vomiting and diarrhea due to food poisoning or flu.
How to use: Take two 30C pellets four times daily for one day.
Homeopathic oscillococcinum
For: First symptoms of cold or flu.
How to use: Take on first day of a cold or flu. Follow label instructions.
Homeopathic rhus toxicodendron
For: Muscle pain and stiffness caused by overexertion.
How to use: Take two 30C pellets four times daily for up to two days.
