Herbal First Aid Kit

I went to a Women's Retreat over the summer and had taken a seminar given by Aricia Zazo on an herbal first aid kit. I really enjoyed the information given and have adapted what I have and use with what she had suggested. I have been thinking about this for a couple of days and decided that this is something that can be useful to others. The following is not medical advice. I am just presenting what I learned at the workshop and am combining knowledge I have acquired over the years by using on myself and family members. I always suggest researching any advice- google is a wonderful search engine which usually can lead one to wikipedia to get accurate information.

Ingredients:
Raw Garlic
Feverfew (Herbal Extract)
Greenban (insect repellent)
Herbal Ed's Salve
Arnica Montana (Homeopathic)
Lavender (Essential Oil)
Peppermint (Essential Oil)
Tea Tree (Essential Oil)
Rose Geranium (Essential Oil)
Eucalyptus (Essential Oil)
Shea Butter
Rosemary (Essential Oil)
Lemon Grass (Essential Oil)
Echinacea Goldenseal (Herbal Extract)

Raw Garlic: As we know, garlic is wonderful for almost any ailment; high blood pressure, blood sugar level regulator, blood clot preventive, antioxidant. It is helpful for a multitude of reasons, but the most important, is that it is a natural antibiotic. If one feels a cold coming on, begin to ingest raw garlic in moderation. According to Yogi Bhajan "If a person is not obnoxiously offended by garlic smell when he is socially entertaining, he is a man with a very high standard."
Feverfew: In herbal extract form, it is suggested to get Herb Pharm brand http://www.herb-pharm.com/. Feverfew has been used for reducing fever, for treating headaches, arthritie and digestive problems. The main reason this is on the list is for Migraine headache relief.
Green Ban: Insect repellent and itch soother that contains: citronella, cajuput, lavender, safrole-free sassafras, peppermint, myrrh, and bergaptene-free bergamot oils in an emollient healing base of pure calendula, soy, and tea tree oils.
Herbal Ed's Salve: Another Herb Pharm product contains: Comfrey root, St. John's Wort, Calendula flower, Plantain leaf, Chickweed herb, Mullein leaf, Bees' Wax, and Bees' Propolis. For chapped lips, minor cuts and irritation. Although I have never used this product, it has come highly recommended from people that I trust. For a cream with kick, it is pretty potent, and I highly recommend is Gardener's Dream Cream by Aroma Crystal Therapy http://www.aromacrystal.com/index.php?page_id=26. Used as a massage cream I have found that it works wonders for sore muscles and body aches. I have used it on bug bites, burns and love it on chapped lips.
Arnica Montana: I typically use homeopathic medicine. Boiron http://www.boironusa.com/ makes these wonderful tubes where you twist the top to release the pellets. You take 5 pellets which are smaller than the size of a BB. The sugar tasting pellets are very easy to take. Arnica is used for bruises, trauma and muscle soreness. I have also heard that it is good for emotional shock after injury, nosebleeds, jet lag, and for those days where you feel like you have been run over by a semi-truck.
Lavender: This essential oil is wonderful. It smells good, you do not need to dilute it and it seems to work for just about anything: burns, sunburn (you can mix with aloe and witch hazel), diaper rash (mix with shea butter), bee stings, muscle cramps.
Peppermint: This oil should be diluted with oil or water. Peppermint oil is helpful for nausea, stomach/digestive , headache, and motion sickness.
Tea Tree: This essential oil is an antibacterial and antifungual. Especially good for cuts.
Rose Geranium: This essential oil is used for sore throat, PMS because it helps to regulate female hormones, depression, anxiety, and skin disorders.
Eucalyptus: This essential oil is used for congestion. By either inhaling or applying to the chest.
Rosemary: This essential oil is used for headache.
Lemongrass: This essential oil can be used for road rage
Echinacea/Goldenseal: Use this tincture when coming down with a cold. Put a few drops in a glass of orange juice or glass of water.

*Essential oils- These are concentrated extracts of plants. Some can be very dangerous. Do not apply directly to skin without diluting (with the exception of lavender and tea tree). Also please research essential oil companies before purchasing- determine an essential oil is a pure essential oil and that it is distilled without the use of harmful chemicals. Because of their concentrated nature, essential oils generally should not be applied directly to the skin in their undiluted or "neat" form. Some can cause severe irritation, or provoke an allergic reaction.

Mixing lavender oil and tea tree oil make a wonderful natural hand sanitizer.