Herbal First Aid Kit

As I write to you today, there’s the most perfect cool yet warm breeze coming through my window and birds of many species chirp and sing outside.

If I am being honest, I am re-writing my letter to you today. The original letter felt a bit too heavy (linked if you’re curious).

Instead, I wanted to share something lighter, something a bit more in rhythm with the season. It is summer after all and hopefully we are finding ourselves connecting more with Nature than we are our screens.

In the true nature of Summer, we are more active - playing, working on projects or in the garden, hiking/biking, etc. - and with all of the fun, we might experience some bumps along the way. It’s all part of it!

A couple letters ago I shared about some of the herbal remedies I brought along with me when traveling.

Today, I’d like to offer a simpler version: An Herbal First Aid Kit

After several years of wanting to put an herbal first aid kit together, this is the year!

So, here’s what I put in it AND WHY!

1. Yarrow Tincture Spray

I’m going to reach for Yarrow Spray when there’s:

• Been a hard hit (limb, head, anywhere)

• Heavy bleeding (yes, this will sting on a cut so use caution)

• A burn (from the sun, a fire, anything hot)

When there’s any of these situations, I’ll either directly spray the area affected or I’ll spray a cloth or bandage and apply to the area affected. 

2. Plantain Salve (if you’ve been around a little while, you know this one!)

Plantain is my go-to when there’s:

• A cut or scrape

• A bite, sting, splinter (or anything foreign in the skin)

• Dry, irritated or cracked skin

Applying the salve directly onto the affected area is most common though I sometimes apply it to a bandage first, whichever makes the most sense and works for you! You’ll notice the pain vanishes, the bleeding stops, the foreign objects come out, and the skin heals beautifully without infection.

3. Calendula Salve

I’ll be grabbing Calendula when there’s:

• A cooled burn (wait until burns cool to apply salves or oils)

• Rashes of most kinds (except if poison ivy - wash with soap and water first)

  • Especially helpful for rashes where the sun doesn’t shine 😉

• Dry, irritated skin ~ you have options (plantain or calendula)!

Similar to plantain, applying directly onto the affected area is most common. Apply regularly depending on the location and severity. Calendula is a salve you simply can’t go wrong with! Swipe a little on your lips the next time you have your tin open, just because you can!

These are three incredible Herbal First Aid remedies to have on hand and they make a really nice trio.

If you’d like to add them to your own First Aid Kit, I offer these individually as well as in a set!

Simply reach out - the set is $25. We can arrange a local (Eagle Lake, Mankato, or Zumbrota) pick up or we can discuss shipping (weather dependent as shipping salves in heat is not ideal).

Be well 💜 and hope your week is filled with laughter and fun memories,

~ Kara