When I stock up my first aid kit, or the acute remedy section of my home apothecary, I always make sure I have what I need to deal with things that sort of come out of the blue. When a cold hits, or the flu (I shudder to think), or stomach pains or burns and scrapes show up and I don’t have what I need, I feel like a failure of an herbalist. (Not totally true, but the thought does cross my mind.) Here are some of the essential basic products I keep on hand all the time (especially in the winter) that always seem to get me out of hot water quickly and effectively:
For the onset of a cold: Echinacea tincture; Urban moonshine Immune Zoom; Gypsy Cold Care Tea; Bronchial Wellness Tea. Herbs really shine right at the onset of a cold (you have to know your symptoms!) and be proactive. If you wait even 24 hours to start herbal remedies, the effects are not nearly as potent. I often take 1/2 teaspoon of echinacea tincture every hour on the first day of a cold (mix it with water to dilute!), and then 1/2 teaspoon every 2 hours the following days for up to 4 days. Immune Zoom I always take with me when I travel (especially on airplanes) and it kicks a cold almost immediately whenever I use it. (I’m just so in love with Urban Moonshine – if I had an herbal company crush, it would most definitely be them.) And the herbal teas – I drink these pretty much all day to hydrate and support the immune system and also as diaphoretic support to push the pathogens out of the body.
For the onset of the flu: Oscillococcinum; Elderberry syrup. Much like the cold remedies, the flu remedies need to be taken right at the onset too!
Stomach pains or acute digestive distress: Chamomile tincture. Chamomile is one of the best digestive modulators and calming remedies. You can take 1/2 teaspoon at a time as often as needed for acute digestive distress. You can read more about the uses of this herbal ally here!
Burns: St. Johns Wort Oil; Calendula Salve
Cuts and scrapes: Goldenseal & Myrrh Salve
Headaches: Peppermint Oil (a drop or two, massaged into the temples); Headache Soother
What are your go-to remedies when acute issues pop up? I love to hear what folks keep in their medicine chests, or if they have awesome family recipes that have been passed down!
