There’s something magical about these longer, warmer days. All the glorious outdoor activities of the season are just waiting to be enjoyed: gardening, biking, hiking, playing fetch with the dog, and taking long walks on the beach. For children, it means late evenings chasing fireflies and running with reckless abandon, the warm sun on their skin. Among all the joys of the season, there are of course the inevitable annoyances: scraped knees, bumped elbows, and overworked muscles.
Along with a traditional first aid kit, we love keeping a few high-quality herbal products on-hand to treat ailments. We consulted the local experts at Natural Hope Herbals, based in Millersburg, PA, to find out how to prepare an herbal first aid kit. With it, you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way!
SALVES
A salve is a balm or ointment that can be applied topically to the skin. Salves infused with healing herbs can be used to treat a wide variety of issues, from sprains to wounds.
Chickweeed & Plantain Salve
This is a great all-purpose salve, helpful for insect bites and stings, as well as rashes. Perfect for gardeners, construction workers, and anyone with rough, dry, or chapped hands.
Comfrey Salve
This product promotes healthy skin recovery, including red irritated skin and brush burns. It combines comfrey root and leaf with marshmallow root, and is one of Natural Hope Herbals’ most popular salves.
Calendula Salve
This beautiful, vibrant orange salve can be used on red irritated skin, and to treat diaper rash. Calendula is used by young and old alike to promote healthy looking skin.
Herbal Black Salve
This “old timey” salve is made with pine tar and is great for splinters: Apply it to the affected area and cover with a band-aid. After some time, the skin will soften and the splinter is easier to remove.
TINCTURES, SPRAYS, and MORE
A tincture is a concentrated liquid herbal extract, made by extracting the active constituents of herbs and plants in alcohol over a period of weeks or months. Tinctures may be taken by mouth, diluted in a bit of water or juice. They can also be used in sprays and salves.
Bone and Tissue Connect
This herbal tincture may be taken orally to promote healthy bones and ligaments. It includes herbs that support connective tissue health, including horsetail, alfalfa, oat straw, stinging nettle leaf, marshmallow root, yarrow, skullcap, and more.
Ivy Oaky
Support skin health from the inside out by enhancing your body’s natural ability to rid itself of irritating substances. Ivy Oaky is a winning combination of liver, lymphatic, and immune tonic herbs like burdock root, cleavers, sarsaparilla root, yellow dock, and burdock seed.
Jewelweed Spray
Jewelweed is one of the most popular herbs for soothing summertime rashes, including poison ivy and oak. This formula also includes burdock leaf, calendula flower, and aloe vera to support healthy skin. Spray on clean, dry skin.
People’s Paste Powder
This is a combination of five herbal powders, historically used to promote healthy skin. Powdered herbs can be used as is or mixed with oil or water to make a paste and then applied to the area, such as on cuts and scrapes.
What do you keep in your herbal first aid kit? Let us know in the comments below!
Photos and information courtesy of Natural Hope Herbals. Natural Hope Herbals is based in Millersburg, PA, where they craft effective, high-quality herbal products using fresh herbs grown right on their organic farm. Other fresh herbs are sourced from local and regional wildcrafters and growers, including Barefoot Botanicals. Need help navigating our herbal products? Ask one of our knowledgeable apothecary team members the next time you shop with us!
Kimberton Whole Foods staff are not medical practitioners and do not diagnose, treat or prescribe in any form. Always discuss with your medical practitioner before using any alternative medicines or remedies. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.