At Home Remedies for Minor* Injuries

Wounds (cuts, scrapes, skinned knees, etc)

·         First aid: Clean the area with soap and water.  You can blot the water off around the area, but let the wound itself air dry.

·         Calendula salve

o   Calendula is an herb that helps reduce inflammation and speeds tissue healing. Apply a thin layer to the area and cover with a dry bandage. Reapply and replace bandage several times a day.

o   Other good herbs: Comfrey (Latin: Symphytum), Yarrow (Latin: Achillea), Golden Seal (Latin: Berberis/Mahonia/Hydrastis) –find these in a salve or ointment

·         Manuka honey

o   Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand and has antibiotic properties. Apply a thin layer to the area and cover with a dry bandage. Reapply and replace bandage several times a day.

·         A note of caution

o   Stitches can only be used in the first 6-8 hours after getting a wound.

o   People die of Tetanus every year. It is usually contracted through a puncture wound. Get your Tetanus booster every 10 years.

Bruises

·         First Aid: ice the area for 10 minutes at a time. Put a towel or pillowcase between the ice pack and your skin.

·         Homeopathic Arnica

o   Oral pellets – tap a few pellets into the cap, let them dissolve in your mouth. You can repeat every couple hours.

o   Traumeel ointment – apply to the bruise a few times a day

Sprains/Strains

·         First Aid: RICE. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. No heroics, if you’re hurting please stop. There is no sense in injuring yourself further.

·         Homeopathic Ruta graveolens or Arnica

o   Oral pellets – tap a few pellets into the cap, let them dissolve in your mouth. You can repeat every couple hours.

o   Traumeel ointment – apply to the area a few times a day

Overworked, sore muscles

·         Stay hydrated! Drink your water. At least half your body weight. (100 lbs person = 50 oz water)

·         Contrast hydrotherapy treatment: Hop in the shower, turn the water as hot as you can handle it for 1 minute; then turn it to as cold as you can stand for 30 seconds. Repeat this at least four times ending on cold.

Burns

·         First aid: Cool the area down by submerging the burned area in room temperature water.

·         If you want to bandage it, use a dry, non-adherent bandage.

·         Homeopathic Urtica  – tap a few pellets into the cap, let them dissolve in your mouth. You can repeat every couple hours.

·         After 24 hours you can apply Calendula salve to the area to improve tissue healing.

·         Burns require that you stay hydrated. Make sure you drink your water.

Sunburns

·         Prevention: wear sunscreen. Check out this website for information about healthy sunscreens: breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/

·         Soak in a cool bath (not cold) with some baking soda or oatmeal. Allow yourself to air dry so the baking soda or oatmeal stays on your skin.

·         Split open an aloe vera leaf and apply the gooey side to your sunburn. The aloe vera helps soothe and heal the skin.

·         Stay hydrated!

Blisters

·         Get shoes that fit and wear the right socks. Change your socks at the halfway point of your hike. You could sprinkle a little cornstarch in your socks to keep the chafing to a minimum.

·         Don’t pop your blisters. Allow the skin to heal under the blister.

·         You could smooth on a Yarrow (Latin: Achillea) ointment to help it heal.

Insect bites

·         First aid: apply ice or a cold compress to the bite. This will diminish the itch, reduce inflammation and ease the pain. Do not apply ice directly to the skin; wrap it in a towel or pillowcase first.

·         Activated charcoal. This can help draw out toxins that cause inflammation, swelling, and itching. To make a paste, open up 2 to 3 capsules of charcoal, mix with enough water to make a paste, and apply to the affected area. After 30 minutes, wipe the paste off with a wet cloth.

·         Vinegar. Pour it on the affected site, or mix it with baking soda to make a paste that you can apply to the bitten area. Out of vinegar? Try applying straight lemon juice instead.

·         Homeopathic Apis mellifica or homeopathic Ledum palustre. Tap a few pellets into the cap, let them dissolve in your mouth. You can repeat every couple hours.

Nosebleeds

·         First aid: Compress the blood vessels by squeezing just below the bridge of your nose. Lean forward to allow the blood to run out the nostrils instead of down the back of the throat. Applying a cold compress or sucking on an ice cube could also help close the bleeding blood vessels.

·         Homeopathic Hamamelis virginiana. Tap a few pellets into the cap, let them dissolve in your mouth. You can repeat every couple hours.

Most of the remedies mentioned can be found at places like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Bumble Bee, and other health food stores.

* Severe pain? Large wound? If you think you need to see a doctor, go see one. Better safe than sorry.

This document is for informational purposes only and does not render medical advice or professional services. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency medical services immediately.