Flowers are harvested when they are at the peak of blooming, and the rhizomes in autumn, when nutrients and healing constituents are stored in the roots for winter.

Uses

Arnica creams, ointments, gels and tinctures are the usual forms. Homeopathic “pillules” and gels are also common forms of the herb. Arnica is applicable in the following situations and injuries.

* Local trauma (bumps, bruises, swelling)

Sprains, bruises, and other blunt trauma to the body can be treated with arnica, provided the skin is not broken. It is especially effective when swelling is present. Arnica moves fluid through tissues, keeping it from accumulating, and improves the blood flow to the injured area.

Prevention of excessive swelling can prevent bruising, and enhanced circulation promotes healing of the injury. Arnica also helps with muscle pain, and a lotion rubbed into the sore areas can be very effective. Some women have reported great success with homeopathic arnica in the reduction of post-partum swelling.

* Post-surgical healing

Arnica has been reported to increase the reabsorption of blood in cases of internal bleeding. It is anti-inflammatory, which helps reduce the swelling often associated with surgical wounds. Internal, homeopathic remedies are the best for post-surgical treatment, as rubbing anything on a surgical wound that is not directed by a physician could have adverse effects.

* Shock

Homeopathic arnica remedies have been used successfully to alleviate the effects of shock.

Cautions with Arnica Use

This article has several references to using arnica by mouth, but the only time arnica should be used internally is in the form of homeopathic remedies (pillules or liquids). The arnica used in the manufacture of the homeopathic substances is diluted to the point that no actual arnica remains in the remedy.

The actual herb should never be taken internally; it is considered poisonous. Using teas or tinctures by mouth can result in intestinal bleeding and cramps. It should also not be used on broken skin, as dermatitis can result.

When used with appropriate caution, arnica is a valuable herb. Homeopathic arnica can be carried in the pocket or purse and taken sublingually (under the tongue) or applied to the knees and foreheads of small children (who always seem to be falling and bumping various parts of their bodies!). The tincture can also be carried for topical use. Small children seem to benefit particularly from arnica remedies.

Heat herbs in olive oil over low heat for about 5 hours. Do not let the oil boil or bubble. A Crock-Pot or the lowest temperature setting on a range should be suitable for heating this mixture. (If the lowest setting is too hot, turn off the heat once it has warmed the oil…it should keep warm for at least and hour….then repeat the process twice.)

After cooking, strain out the herbs while oil is still warm. Place 1 1/4 cups of the herb oil in a pan, add beeswax and heat just enough to melt the wax. Add essential oil and stir. Finally, pour the salve into wide mouthed jars. Store at room temperature. Use for minor scrapes and cuts, to protect and promote healing.

* Lavender 5 drops
* Tea Tree 2 drops

Use this mixture for every 2 cups of water

Put 3 drops of lavender on a piece of gauze and place it over the cut. Renew it twice a day and expose the cut or wound to air on the third day if
possible.

One of the problems with having a muscle pull upper back is that there is no real way to splint it or protect it they way that you can protect your legs, arms and even your neck. You find that any movement produces a twinge or pain.

But recent studies show that any muscle pull in the back doesnt respond well to bed rest. So although you may be tempted to lie in bed and rest the muscles youll find that your recovery time increases as does your rehabilitation.

To ensure correct diagnosis and treatment of your muscle pull upper back you must schedule an appointment with your physician. This appointment will help to give you an appropriate diagnosis of the situation and the proper method of rehabilitation. Your doctor may also delve deeper into the problem using x-ray, MRI or other diagnostic evaluations.

The four primary criteria for treatment of muscle pulls is Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. When you consider your upper back muscles you may have to be a bit creative to help the muscles heal. Resting your upper back muscles means supporting them by sitting up straight, using straight back chairs, not slouching and not walking around with the shoulders hunched forward.

Icing your upper back may require the help of a friend or relative. You may also be able to lie flat and position an ice pack over the upper back muscles. If you can ice your muscles for 20 minutes 3 times a day your muscles will really appreciate the help to decrease the inflammation that causes pain and slows the healing process.

You can also help to decrease inflammation using anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or a prescribed anti-inflammatory medicine. However, for the most part, ibuprofen is a wonderful choice for anti-inflammatory medication and to help decrease the pain and discomfort from a muscle pull.

Using compression on your upper back is very difficult and may not be possible. And, as for elevation, your upper back is elevated and shouldn’t become too swollen which impedes the healing process.

*Once the pain in your muscle pull upper back has decreased you’ll want to improve the strength of your upper back muscles. Danish researchers have also found that just strengthening the muscles isn’t nearly as productive as improving the coordination of those muscles as they work together to provide stability and strength.

A muscle pull upper back can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. But, with the right diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation you will be on your way to getting back to your normal activities.

RealHeal Massage Oil is a natural, safe, effective blend of especially chosen aromatherapy oils well known for their healing, restorative and pain killing properties. It may be used for a wide range of injuries and physical trauma, as well as after childbirth and to assist with sport-related injury. RealHeal Massage Oil may also be used along with our natural RealHeal Tablets to assist the healing process internally and externally.

Use RealHeal Massage Oil to soothe and relieve pain and promote faster healing after surgery (including cosmetic surgery); after physical injury or trauma; to promote faster healing and disappearance of bruising; for relief from arthritis, rheumatism and all inflammatory joint and muscle conditions; for sore muscles related to exercise; to soothe and promote faster healing of sports injuries (including professional sports); reduce the need for prescription painkillers and anti-inflammatories.  Formulated by a clinical psychologist, RealHeal Massage Oil is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

The muscles of the low back give the power and strength for activities we take for granted every day, such as standing, walking and lifting. The ligaments of the low back act to provide support and stability.

The most common to the athlete and young person is the low back pain muscle pull from athletic activities or twists and turns in other activities. Other common reasons are trauma and muscle imbalances.

The latter also have a negative impact on posture and alignment of the pelvis sometimes causing a curvature of the spine. This misalignment will increase the strain on the joints and muscles in the back causing low back pain muscle pulls.

An important factor to remember is that baring a significant traumatic injury these types of muscle pulls or injuries don’t happen overnight. You may feel the symptoms quickly but the condition developed over time as the muscles, ligaments and joints in your back became weakened from the mi-salignments.

A sprain of the lower back, or muscle pull, can happen when a sudden forceful movement injures a ligament that is weak through poor conditioning or overuse. The most common reasons for lower back muscle pulls are poor conditioning, improper use of the back muscles, obesity and smoking.

Another process that affects the strength of the lower back is the aging process. Although you cant halt this process you can slow the changes through regular exercise, avoiding smoking, knowing the proper way to use your back when lifting or exercising and proper nutrition to feed your back the proper nutrients to build strong muscles.

People who suffer lower back pain muscle pulls have distinctive pain that results from the muscle and ligament stiffness and tenderness. When there isn’t obesity present an examination may also reveal swelling and heat. The pain often limits the ability of sufferer to move smoothly, walk straight and get up and down from chairs or a bed.

Treatment of your lower back muscle pull begins with diagnosis by your doctor or orthopedic surgeon. Your doctor will use a thorough history and examination to determine the extent of the injury and what rehabilitation will be recommended. If your doctor suspects that your muscle pull or ligament damage also involves joints or disc degeneration he may order an MRI to determine the extent of the damage and recommend the correct rehabilitation.

Treatment of a lower back pain muscle pull is sometimes begun with bed rest. However, a Finnish study showed that those who started treatment with bed rest over 3 days had backs that were stiffer, had less flexibility and had a longer recovery period than those who didn’t use bed rest at all.

Your doctor will also order anti-inflammatory medications to help decrease the inflammation and speed the ability of the muscle to heal, as well as decrease the pain of the muscle pull.

Once the initial pain and discomfort has resolved you will be involved in a rehabilitation program that increases the strength of your lower back. Studies have shown that by improving the strength of those muscles you’ll decrease the likelihood that you’ll suffer from this injury again.

In a Danish study researchers found that not only was strengthening exercises important but also improving the coordination of those muscles in your back. They found that when exercises that stressed the coordination of these muscles was incorporated into the rehabilitation program patients did better and had less chance of a recurrence of the injury.

InflammaGo is a safe, non-addictive, FDA-registered natural remedy containing 100% homeopathic ingredients selected to relieve pain and stiffness in joints and muscles associated with arthritis. InflammaGo can safely maintain joint health and support healthy tissues in the body, without harmful side effects. This remedy contains a selection of homeopathic ingredients known to address muscle and joint inflammation and fatigue. It also helps provide relief for sports injuries, plus healing after over-exertion and physical stress.

Combine the olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter and lanolin and heat thoroughly in the top of a double boiler. Remove from the heat. Add the vitamin e, lavender oil and beat well. Pour into little jars and allow the mixture to cool before covering.

Gnats and Midges Bites

Dilute 3 drops of Thyme in 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar or lemon juice and apply to the bites. This should stop the irritation.

Or as an alternative, just dab on neat Lavender

Bedbugs and Flea Bites

To avoid risk of infection, bathe the bitten areas and apply neat Lavender. Alternatively, dilute 3 drops of Thyme in cider vinegar and apply over the bitten area. Eucalyptus is another option-use as you would Lavender.

Get your herbs and oils at a place you can trust!

Starwest Botanicals not only utilizes their own milling and packaging operations for all organic herbs and bulk spices, they also conduct quality control testing on each and every product in their own laboratory. With attention like that, you can be sure you will receive only the highest-quality organic herbs, dried herbs, organic spices, therapeutic essential oils and all natural products when you place an order with Starwest Botanicals.

These recipes were taken from “The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy” by Valerie Ann Worwood.

Combine the tincture, water and lavender essential oil.

Add this mixture to the clay, stirring slowly as the liquid is absorbed. The resulting paste should be tacky enough to adhere to the skin. Apply directly to bite as needed.

Store this remedy in a container with a tight fitting lid, so that the mixture will not dry out. If it does dry out, stir in enough distilled water to turn it back into a paste.

You must remember, though, that applying a poultice is only the first step in treating the bites and stings that might cause an allergic reaction.

Give anyone who is susceptible to the reactions half a teaspoon of echinacea tincture every ten minutes.

You must remember though, that allergic reactions can have serious consequences. If you know someone is allergic to a bite or sting from a particular insect, do not depend solely on herbal first-aid… immediate medical attention is required. Wheezing, swelling and hives are all indications of a serious, possibly fatal problem that requires immediate medical attention.

Recipe from: “Herbs for Health and Healing” by Kathi Keville.

Related Natural Product

Pure-Heal Gel is a natural, safe and effective topical herbal remedy assists the natural healing ability of the skin in recovery from wounds, minor burns, grazes and bites. Pure-Heal Gel contains a carefully selected combination of well-known and respected traditional herbal remedies for promoting natural healing. The soothing gel base and subtle lavender aroma also provide an immediate comforting effect. Formulated by a clinical psychologist, Pure-Heal Gel is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

This is particularly true for folks who receive bee stings and anaphylactic shock kicks in. Even if you believe you do not know somebody with this sort of allergic reaction to bee stings, it is a good idea to know how to respond. Your actions may spare a life.

Folks do not frequently think about how dangerous a bee sting may be, unless they have received a serious response to a sting themselves.

Recognize the symptoms of anaphylactic shock so you are able to aid somebody who’s undergoing a life-threatening allergic reaction:

* Severe and abrupt headaches
* Trouble breathing
* Swollen tongue
* Sickness

If you find somebody having these symptoms, bring them to a hospital immediately.

Experts think the reason bee stings are more harmful and lead to anaphylactic shock (to a greater extent than other stinging insects) is because their stinger is barbed. When a wasp, hornet or yellow jacket stings, the stinger remains with the insect and the poison is withdrew once it flies away. Bees, on the other hand, lose their stinger once they sting an individual and fly away to die.

The stinger, which is joined to a poison sac, stays in the skin. As long as it’s embedded in the skin, it can still pump poison into the body. This may continue for many minutes. If the stinger Is not removed it might rapidly turn to anaphylactic shock.

Be mindful of how you take out the stinger. Do not push on the venom sac or this will inject additional poison into the individual. Alternatively utilize a fingernail or charge card to scratch the stinger out. Clean the region with soap and water right away and put ice on the area that was stung. If you notice any of the above symptoms, get the individual medical help right away.

Folks who realize that they have that grave an allergic reaction to bee stings will typically carry an epinephrine (or Epi) pen with them. The pen furnishes a specific dose (0.3 mg) of epinephrine. Even if this does not seem like much, this small amount might literally save an individuals life if they are going into anaphylactic shock from an allergic reaction.

If you have to use an EpiPen on a person, take away the grey safety cap. Put the black tip on the thigh at a right angle and press it into the outside of the thigh. Hold the injection there for a few seconds then knead the injection site for at least ten seconds. NEVER give and EpiPen shot to any other area of the body.

Watching somebody go into anaphylactic shock might be traumatic. However, when bee stings and anaphylactic shock are a possibility it’s best to be prepared. Find out what you are able to about this condition so you are able to help somebody going through it and maybe save their life.

Black Widow Spider Bites

Lavender Essential Oil is reputed to neutralize the poison of this spider. Apply 10 neat drops to the area every 2 or 3 minutes until you get to the hospital.

Why do you acquire frostbite?
The body has the capacity to cool itself down or warm itself up depending on the environment the person is in and the activity he is doing. However, during extreme cold temperature, body temperature goes down faster than it can heat up. If the body temperature reaches to a danger zone, the body starts to protect the vital organs so that it can still function well by increasing blood circulation to the heart and brain while reducing blood flow to the extremities of the body. As a result, nose, ears, cheeks, fingers and toes being to cool down and freeze.

Signs of frostbite
The earliest sign that the body temperature begins to fall below normal (hypothermia) is shivering. This is actually good since the body tries to regulate its temperature. However, prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperature can have the following symptoms: numbness and loss of pain sensation, cold skin that feels hard and solid, confusion, loss of function, blistering, color change from white, to red to purple, and slurred speech. When you notice these signs to a person, make sure to do the following first aid procedures:

• Take the person out of the cold.

• Wet clothes absorb heat from the body. Change to dry clothes as soon as possible.

• Submerge the patient’s body in warm (not hot) water for at least 20 minutes. Remember that the patient’s pain receptors are numb so do not let him control the temperature.

• If water is not available, wrap the patient’s body with warm blanket.

• Do not use direct heat such as heating pads from flat iron and fire from the stove.

• Be careful not to touch the affected areas of the body.

• Do not use snow to rub the frostbitten areas of the skin.

• If there is a chance of refreezing, do not thaw the frostbitten skin yet.

• If they have been thawed, prevent refreezing by wrapping the affected skin with warm blanket. (Refreezing can cause permanent damage to the skin tissue.)

• As the affected areas thaw, the flesh can become red and painful.

• The skin is thawed if it turns to pink and no longer numb.

• Call 911 for emergency help.

If you are in a remote area or in a place where help is unavailable, make sure the keep the patient warm as soon as you see the signs of frostbite. Call for emergency help immediately. While waiting for an ambulance or a helicopter, assess if thawing is possible. Once help arrives, give the patient’s information to the medical personnel. Call the relatives and inform them about the incident.

Prevention

• Avoid exposing your skin to extreme cold temperature.

• Wear appropriate clothing when going out on a winter trip.

• Do not ignore your body when it begins to shiver. Wear more layers of clothes as necessary.

• Wind chill cause the body temperature to drop faster. Protect yourself with wind breaker.

• Do not wait until hypothermia becomes frostbite. Call for emergency help immediately.

Pure-Clenz Solution is Nature’s First Aid! A safe and effective product used for generations to cleanse wounds and facilitate healing. The carefully selected herbal ingredients in Pure-Clenz Solution are 100% safe and natural and have a long and well documented history of traditional use for treating skin injuries.

Pure-Clenz Solution works for the entire family, but is perfect for the inescapable bumps and scrapes that children are prone to receiving. Pure-Clenz Solution contains carefully selected herbs that helps reduce bleeding and promote infection free healing.

Like all Native Remedies products, Pure-Clenz Solution has been developed with care by our practicing Clinical Psychologist and is manufactured according to the highest pharmaceutical standards. Individual ingredients are well-researched and have been specially chosen for their high safety profile in natural family health.

How has Pure-Clenz Solution helped others?

“Pure-Clenz Solution (and Pure-Heal Gel) are the mainstay of my medicine cabinet at home. Between my husband, a DIY enthusiast, our three children and myself, we must use Pure-Clenz at least once every week in our family. It is the only product that I ever use as it works fantastically. My children love it because it doesn’t sting… and it stops the bleeding right away. We always use your Pure-Heal gel afterwards and are thrilled with the way they work. So far, we have no infections and no scarring in our family!” – Bianca, full time mom, MA

“My mother is getting on in years and she has very thin skin which is easily damaged – she just has to brush past the kitchen table and she will cut herself. It has been an ongoing battle looking after these cuts and scrapes as they tend to get infected so quickly and, at her age, infection really worries me. Pure-Clenz Solution has really helped her. It works fast, she bleeds much less and she heals much quicker.” – Gail J, New York

Thank you for your great products! I have just added Pure-Clenz Solution and Pure-Heal to my collection and I am so impressed with the way that they work. Keep up with the great new products!” – Ms. M Timballe

Use Pure-Clenz Solution to:

* Cleanse irritated wounds and bites
* Promote the natural healing process of the skin
* Provide natural infection prevention

What are the Ingredients?

Pure-Clenz Solution contains the following carefully chosen combination of herbal ingredients:

* Agrimonia eupatoria (Agrimony) is a well-known astringent which helps to tighten and constrict tissues and will therefore help to staunch blood flow and diminish blood loss. In addition, the natural properties of Agrimony will assist with recovery and promote the natural healing process of the cellular tissue.

* Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) has a long history of use among Native Americans and is found in numerous commercial skin care and treatment products. Like Agrimony, the natural astringent properties of Witch Hazel are invaluable in the healing process.

* Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) According to legend, Yarrow was named after Achilles, the Greek mythical figure, who used it to stop the bleeding wounds of his soldiers.

* Calendula officianalis (Marigold) is one of the best and most highly respected herbs in the management of local skin problems. Calendula is an effective first-aid solution for all minor burns and scalds, as well as any skin abrasion. Calendula will also benefit the healing process by stimulating the natural process of healthy skin and tissue regeneration.

Pure-Clenz Solution contains less than 1% pure pharmaceutical grade ethanol when diluted as directed.

How do I use Pure-Clenz Solution?

Directions: Add 15 drops to approximately 25 ml warm water and gently cleanse the affected area using cotton or wool soaked in the solution.

Caution: Pure-Clenz Solution is for external use only.

How long until I see results?

Applying Pure-Clenz Solution to the affected area will immediately reduce any bleeding and cleanse the lesion. Regular use thereafter will promote rapid and healthy healing.

How long will a bottle last?

Pure-Clenz Solution comes in a 50ml bottle and is a strong and concentrated formula. Exactly how long a bottle lasts will depend on the frequency of use.

Accidental poisonings happen more frequently in the home than anyplace else. And, they involve little kids most of the time.

Small kids are more resourceful than you think. A lot of substances in your house that are looked at as poisonous are expected to be out of reach of kids. It states as much on the labels of the bottles. If anybody ingests it or breathes the fumes, they expect it to be an adult who had an accident while handling it.

Putting things in their mouths is a kids favorite thing to do. They will not stop with toys or pacifiers. If given the opportunity, anything around the home is quarry.

It’s better to be safe than sorry. Take a look at your child . A few of the signs that they’ve ingested a poison may be burns around the mouth, nose or on the hands (corrosive substances). Your child may squall as the chemical comes in contact with their skin.

Smell their breath. If it smells like a chemical in your house, they have likely swallowed it.

Hopefully you will not find your little one unconscious. If they have fallen down, check to see if they’re breathing. Depending upon what they consumed, breathing may be labored; there may also be a fever or a skin rash that’s surfaced.

Take a deep breath and resist the urge to panic. Your kid needs you every minute from this moment forward. Get on the phone and call the Poison Control Center. Keep the number posted beside your phone so that you are able to easily access it. It may likewise be found in the inside cover of the telephone directory where the numbers for police, fire and emergency are likewise listed.

Afford the individual on the other end as much info as you are able to about the incident. If you have the bottle, read what it says about the ingredients and likewise what to do in the event of an accident. They might be able to teach you on how best to go forward.

Call emergency services. Your child will require medical attention. Make the call to 911 first if you find them unconscious.

Perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If your kid isn’t breathing, start chest compressions and rescue breathing. Continue going until emergency services arrive.

Do not make them purge. If a corrosive has been ingested, vomiting might introduce additional acid into their throat and lead to further burns.

If you suspect that your youngster has ingested poison, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Call the Poison Control Center and emergency services.

* 2 ounces Beeswax
* 3 ounces Sweet Almond Oil
* 1 ounce Jojoba Oil
* 20 drops Wheatgerm Oil
* 20 drops Myrrh Essential Oil
* 20 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

(Makes enough to fill 4 each 1 ounce salve jars or 1 ounce metal tins )

A rule of thumb is 2 parts oil to one part beeswax. Simply heat the Sweet Almond and Jojoba oil in a saucepan and add Beeswax.

If you want a thin consistency (such as a cream or Vaseline), add only a little bit of Beeswax. Want it thicker like wax? Just add more Beeswax.

Allow the base to cool down to see what the consistency is like. If it’s too thick, add more Sweet Almond oil and reheat, too thin, add more beeswax.

* comfrey – oil infusion or cream massaged into affected area

* thyme – 5 drops of oil in bath or diluted oil used as a compress

* arnica – cream or compress

Test for consistency and place in sterile jar. This is a good salve to use on burns, scratches, and swelling injuries.

Common symptoms of insect bites and stings:

• immediate pain, swelling, redness at the area and swelling
• immediate muscle rigidity in the stomach, back, shoulders and chest
• burning, tingling, and numbness
• dizziness
• rash and itching
• anxiety and restlessness
• vomiting or nausea
• swelling of the eyelid and tearing of the eyes
• tremors, weakness, or paralysis, particularly in the legs
• sweating
• salivation
• double fang marks or deep sting mark

First aid for general types of bites

• Move the victim to a safe place, away from the area where the accident happened.
• If the stinger is still present, use straight-edged object like ATM card and driver’s license card and scrape it across the stinger.
• Refrain from using tweezers when removing the stinger since it may squeeze the venom sac and release more venom to the body, aggravating the effects of the sting.
• Wash the affected area thoroughly with ordinary soap and water.
• Place an ice pack (ice held within a soft towel) of the area of the sting.
• If itching is uncomfortable, apply cream on the surface of the sting.
• Infection can happen a few days the incident. If increased pain, itching, redness and swelling are experienced, seek for medical advice.

Fore severe reactions

• Move the victim to a safe place, away from the area where the accident happened.
• Check the victim’s pulse, breathing and airways.
• Call 911
• If the victim is unconscious, begin CPR and rescue breathing.
• If the victim is responding, give words of reassurance that everything will going to be okay and survival is out of the question. Make him or her calm.
• Remove objects from the body that may aggravate the swelling (ring, necklace, bracelets).
• People who have serious allergies to insect bites and sting often carry an emergency epinephrine kit. Use it if the victim has one.
• Stay with the person until medical help arrives.
• Contact friends and family members of the victim.

When to call for help?

Call 911 if the patient is having severe allergic reaction and showing the following signs:

• Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, wheezing
• Feeling weak
• Excessive swelling on the face and body that are away from the area of the bite or sting
• Throat feels tight
• Turning pale or blue

Prevention

• never provoke the insects (insects attack if threatened)
• whenever you go outdoors, wear protective clothing and use appropriate insect repellant
• avoid making rapid movements when near the insects
• stay away from bee hives or nests
• when eating outdoors avoid places that attract bees like the areas around the garbage cans

Things you should not do:

• Do not give the victim pain medication, stimulants and aspirins unless prescribed by the doctor.
• Do not apply tourniquet.

These are just general information. Cases of bites and stings may differ from one person to another. Make sure that you have proper first aid training to effectively assess and treat the victim of insect bites and stings.

Related Natural Product

Pure-Heal Gel is a natural, safe and effective topical herbal remedy assists the natural healing ability of the skin in recovery from wounds, minor burns, grazes and bites. Pure-Heal Gel contains a carefully selected combination of well-known and respected traditional herbal remedies for promoting natural healing. The soothing gel base and subtle lavender aroma also provide an immediate comforting effect. Formulated by a clinical psychologist, Pure-Heal Gel is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

Wring out a cloth in the water and apply as a cold compress to affected area.

First�-aid rules for injuries can be confusing. Here is the lowdown…

Cold reduces inflammation. Apply cold to acute injuries, such as a newly sprained ankle or a pulled muscle.

Heat improves circulation. It’s best for chronic pain, such as from tight muscles or a sore back.

Alternate heat and cold if you have soft� tissue damage and/or stretched ligaments, such as an ankle sprain. Heat aids in restoring range of motion.

Apply cold for 20 minutes per hour as desired for the first 24 hours.

The next day, apply warmth for 20 minutes per hour as desired. Caution: Don’t apply cold for more than 24 hours or warmth for more than 72 hours.

If inflammation continues beyond 72 hours, see a doctor.

* 18 drops Lavender
* 6 drops Chamomile (I used English cause that’s what I had)
* 2 drops Geranium
* 2 drops Rose absolute or Jasmine (just cause I thought it would smell good, no other real reason)
* 1 drop Peppermint ( to cool the skin, still felt warm but didn’t hurt)
* Blended into 2 ounces jojoba oil

Apply some onto wet skin from the shower or bath and let dry au naturel.

Put a couple droppers full of the blend into a couple ounces of neroli hydrosol and sprayed that on later before getting dressed. Very soothing.

* lavender
* St. John’s wort

Use essential oil diluted 1:10

* comfrey (roots and leaves) – make and use as cream

* aloe – juice

Get your herbs and oils at a place you can trust!

Starwest Botanicals not only utilizes their own milling and packaging operations for all organic herbs and bulk spices, they also conduct quality control testing on each and every product in their own laboratory. With attention like that, you can be sure you will receive only the highest-quality organic herbs, dried herbs, organic spices, therapeutic essential oils and all natural products when you place an order with Starwest Botanicals.

Since the majority of snake bites occur in a remote area, emergency medical help is difficult to acquire. Thus it is important that there is a person in your group with proper first aid training in order to administer temporary treatment to the victim.

What to do in case of a snake bite:

• Snakes only attack if under treat, so the cases of snake bites can be attributed to people who get very near to the location of the snake or where snakes live.

Thus, the very first thing you should do to the victim is to move him to a safe place. Once the victim is on a safe location, keep him still and administer the first aid.

• If possible, try to identify the species of snake that caused the bite. Take a picture or have a visual memory of the snake if you cannot name the specie. This is very important since there are a lot of venomous snakes in America and the anti-venom that should be given must be compatible with the snake that bit the victim.

• If you were not able to identify the snake, at least, pinpoint the exact location of where the incident happened. Location gives clues to the type of snake that lives in the area.

• Remove any tight fitting clothing, a rope, lace or jewelry and use it to tie a light restricting bond inches away on both sides of the area that is bitten. Timing is crucial. So if the victim cries for help, do this procedure in the quickest possible time.

• Ask someone to call for help. Remember that first aid treatment only aims to prevent, reduce, or slow down the effects of the venom, minimize the complications of the venom and ready the victim for professional medical treatment. Call 911 right away.

• Do not cut into the wound as it can only create infections.

• Apply a strong suction with the mouth or using bite kit suction device if available. Do this continuously on the deepest puncture marks, within seconds of the bite.

• Clean the entire area with soap and warm water. Use antiseptic cleanser if available.

• Do not feed the victim nor give him something to drink. Alcohol should not be given to the victim as it can add to the stress level.

• Keep the victim warm and immobilized.

• Check the bonds regularly. If swelling occurs, loosen as necessary.

• Check for the signs of shock. If there are signs of unusual discomfort or major stress, assess if the victim requires other first aid techniques. Keep the bite away from the heart.

• Keep doing the above procedures until help arrives.

• Transporting the victim to the hospital is crucial. Make sure that he stays warm, immobilized and as comfortable as possible.

• Give words of reassurance that everything will going to be okay and survival is out of the question.

• Be ready to provide assistance. Contact the relatives of the victim, give useful information about the incident, protect the scene material and describe the first aid administered.

In some cases, professional help takes a while to arrive so make sure that you keep your focus, stay calm and coordinate with the people around as first aid training is useless if you are not able to stay on top of the whole situation.

* 2 parts St.-John’s-wort flower (stimulates nerve endings to heal)
* 1 part balsam poplar buds (anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and paints a thin protective resin over cut to keep wound clean)
* 1 part crushed rose hips (or vitamin E oil 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil to every 4 tablespoons herb oil)
* Optional ingredient: 1 part white pine pitch, for salve effective against those cracks you get in the sides of your fingers from working in the garden too much (chilblains)

Follow typical salve making instructions: http://www.natural-holistic-health.com/reference-articles/making-salves/

So without any further ado, what remedies should you have with you on the sports field? We might as well start with Arnica, as, without a doubt, Arnica has almost single-handedly made homeopathy famous! I would say seventy to eighty percent of the time, you’re going to give Arnica for sports injuries; that’s because Arnica is a specific for blunt trauma.

Every homeopath carries Arnica with him (or her) in his (or her) pocket or car or backpack or all three. That’s certainly the case with me; I have Arnica 10M in my pocket, Arnica 30C in my first aid kit in my backpack and Arnica 200C in my car. What can you do with Arnica? Practically anything! Think of it in car accidents, falls, head injuries, any blow, a sore bruised feeling from any cause–even a flu with a sore bruised feeling all over the body.

The worst head injuries where the person is seeing stars or has actually been knocked out can be brought back to health with a dose of Arnica. Post surgically, people who have taken Arnica have had no need for morphine or other pain relievers; now that’s impressive! And I was one of those people once, so I know it’s true.

Some of you may be wondering what Arnica, or any homeopathic remedy for that matter, looks like and in answer, the remedies look like little sugar granules and you can drop a few of them in a bottle of spring water, shake it up and take a sip. That’s all you have to do! Always shake the water bottle before each dose. An unconscious person can take the remedy by mere contact of the water with his lips, he doesn’t have to swallow it.

Arnica

Blunt trauma.

Wounds with a jagged surface, ragged wounds.

Bruises or bruised feeling. Great soreness.

Broken bones, multiple fractures–give Arnica first; you may have to follow with another remedy. In fact, an injured person may need many remedies in succession; a remedy for fright, followed by a remedy for blunt trauma and so on. (Try to leave space between each remedy so that you can ascertain the effect of the remedy just given.)

Sprains.

Strains.

Falls, accidents.

Swelling from injury.

Injury to the throat, hoarseness, loss of voice from shouting, “Hey, I’m open! Pass me the ball, for God’s sake!!!”

Nosebleed from injury.

Ailments from over-running/too much running–asthma, nausea, etc.

Head injury, any ailment after head injury.

Another curious thing about Arnica is they won’t look well and will be dazed, but they’ll tell you they’re fine! They don’t seem to know they’re injured! When you see this, they need Arnica for sure! Furthermore, in a head injury, they may answer you correctly and then fall asleep. Arnica people don’t want to be touched, so they’ll send you away and they’ll be very adamant about it.

In counterdistinction to Arnica, we have another injury remedy that’s sure they are not fine! In fact, they fear they’re going to die, and that remedy is…

Aconite

Fright, panic and fear are the main features of the Aconite injury–and that’s just the parents! Yes, give the parents Aconite to calm them down! You’ll look at the little soccer player after an injury and you’ll see that he’s frantic, groaning, tossing about, biting his fist in pain. Notice your reaction, are you scared? Then it’s probably Aconite.

Any ailment or injury with fear as a concomitant is Aconite.

Inability to act or think.

Fear, anxiety attacks, before an event (like a soccer game).

Sudden sore thoat after being exposed to cold/dry winds.

Any ailment after exposure to cold dry winds (and even hot dry winds).

They call Aconite “The Arnica of the eyes”. So, getting poked in the eye, corneal abrasions, sand in the eyes, “there’s something in my eye!”, etc., give Aconite.

And speaking of the eyes, for “black eyes” we have…

Ledum

Black eye, injury to the soft tissue around the eye.

Injuries with dark bruising that feel cold and are better for cold applications. Bruises are very painful with pitting edema and a mottled bruise color.

Cellulitis that spreads upward.

Puncture wounds, animal bites, will prevent tetanus, with deep soreness and swelling of 2 or 3 inches, deep red and painful, needs ice. The Ledum patient will be much worse if you remove the ice for even a second!

Any time an injured part feels cold, give Ledum. In a Ledum wound, you will see redness at the site, but surrounded by a ring of powder, or a ring that’s bluish-white; it may feel cold and the injury is ameliorated by cold.

Speaking of black eye, we can’t forget…

Symphytum

If I could possibly quote from Dr. Robin Murphy here, “For blows to the eye, Ledum and Symphytum are the first two; Arnica is #3. For severe achiness in the whole eyeball that is dark blue and discolored. … For all the bone diseases; osteomyelitis, bone ulcers, spinal diseases after trauma and injury. … Someone gets hit in the face on the cheek, that is not an Arnica case; it is a Symphytum or Ruta case. Arnica is for soft tissue. Arnica may help but Symphytum will cure. … You get hit in the abdomen or arm, that is more Arnica. The chin, cheek, face or eye is more Symphytum. The knee would be Symphytum or Ruta. You can start with Arnica but a lot of times, that won’t finish it. You may have to give two or three remedies in sequence to give rapid relief. Give Arnica to remove the bruised feeling and the swelling and help with the discoloration, then it is time to go to another remedy, like Symphytum to finish it. … Symphytum has a great affinity for bones…promotes healing; give Arnica first; once the [broken] bone is set, give Symphytum. It helps remove pain, inflammation and swelling, good for injury to periosteum when Ruta fails and injury to coccyx when Hypericum fails.”

Hypericum

This is the nerve remedy. Have you ever dropped something on your toe or someone stepped on your fingers or the door closed on your hand and the pain shot up your arm? That’s Hypericum! Injury to areas rich in nerves. Someone steps on your toes, you bite your tongue. The pain is sharp and shooting. Injury to the nerves, inflammation of the nerves. Falls on the tail bone.

Puncture wounds with sharp pains, animal bites, insect stings with sharp pains.

Numbness and tingling.

Injury to the spine.

Pinched nerve.

Crush wounds

Any neurological condition after injury to the spine like convulsions.

Person complains that he can’t raise his arms without pain.

Lacerations.

Excessive painfulness.

Foreign body in the eye.

Calendula

A partner with Hypericum, often you’ll see the two of them sold together as “Hyperical”. They’re both for cuts, open wounds, deep abrasions, multiple abrasions, chapping, chafing, bleeding, stabbing….I think you get the idea that Calendula is an Antiseptic! Pour Calendula water on an open wound to clean it out. Drop some calendula pellets in a plant sprayer and spray the whole area that’s been abraded. Take the remedy internally as well. It stops bleeding, stops the redness, puffiness and pus formation at the site of a wound and stimulates healing, soothes the pain.

Redness, rawness.

Abrasions in the eyes, foreign body in the eye, but give Hypericum if there is a lot of pain!

Prevents sepsis from setting in after being wounded and even if it already has set in, Calendula is still the remedy, but also consider Pyrogen.

Staphysagria

It can be hard to decide when to use Staphysagria and when to use Calendula. Both are wound remedies. But with Staphysagria there is more pain, exquisite pain! In fact, do you know where I use Staphysagria? At the dentist’s office! Scraping the plaque off of sensitive teeth can cause a patient to hit the ceiling! For this I take Staphysagria 10M right as I sit down in the dentist’s chair; and as homeopathic remedies don’t create the “drugged” feeling you get from pain killers, you can think that the remedy isn’t working, and that the dentist just hasn’t gotten to your sensitive teeth yet. But when I got through the whole bottom row without pain, I began to suspect something! And when the whole proceedure was done without any anesthesia, I was convinced that the remedy really worked! But back to sports injuries! With Staphysagria, there is deeper infection than in Calendula, there is more pus and more pain. The wound seems to affect the whole person and not just the local site.

Bryonia

Whatever the injury may be, whether it’s a broken bone, (and Bryonia is the #1 remedy for acute fractures), a bruise or a sprain, the reaction of the Bryonia person is always the same: He can’t move! Even the slightest movement causes a sharp pain! Even breathing might make the pain worse, so he is breathing very shallowly. Firm hard pressure gives him relief, an ace bandage gives relief. He will want the area immobilized. If for some reason Bryonia isn’t helping sufficiently in fractures, go to Eupatorium perf. for severe pain.

Bryonia’s opposite is…

Rhus toxicodendron

(“Rhus tox” for short.) Unlike Bryonia, Rhus tox must move! They cannot sit still! They must stretch, walk about, squirm in their seat. Usually with Rhus tox the injury is a sprain or strain. They feel terrible stiffness, which is relieved by stretching, moving and is worse as soon as they sit for any length of time or lie down. Moving helps them enormously, so does heat and hot bathing and massage.

Ruta

Ruta is an awful lot like Rhus tox. Ruta has strains and sprains, an affinity for the tendons, and a feeling of stiffness and is also worse cold and better heat, but Ruta wants to lie down and is better for lying down, which Rhus tox certainly is not; plus, Ruta’s stiffness is extreme; they’ll say it’s like being encased in cement!

Also, what Ruta is famous for is injuries to the shins and other areas that are thinly covered, like the forehead, chin, elbow, cheek bone–the periosteum, in other words.

Lachesis

Compound fractures, tremendous bruising which is black, or near black with oozing of dark blood, threatened infection, severe pain, burning pain, worse heat, worse pressure. Do not even think about giving an ace bandage to a Lachesis patient!

Natrum sulph.

“Nat-sulph” is needed for the chronic syndrome following head injury or spinal injury which will almost always include severe depression.

There may also be amnesia about the event.

Helleborus

Following head injury, a slowness or sluggishness, poor concentration, a lack of comprehension; the patient is in a mental fog; he may have a furrowed brow and a rolling of the head from side to side.

Apis

Bee stings, wasp stings. Penetrating wounds that burn and sting as if they were bee or wasp stings.

Carbo veg.

The person is passing out from the injury. Also, altitude sickness, when your team is traveling to areas of high altitude.

Gelsemium

The little sports player is so nervous, so anxiety-ridden, before the game that he’s trembly, feeling weak, may have diarrhea and thinking that he’s “coming down with something” and not well enough to play.

Belladonna

The problem here is the heat. Heatstroke, heat exhaustion. The two back-up remedies for Belladonna in heatstroke are Glonoine and Natrum carb.

Bellis Perennis

Bellis is a back-up for Arnica. They are both daisies, but Bellis is a deeper Arnica; it’s for bruised organs. Imagine being kicked in the stomach or hit in the breast! This would be Bellis. There may also be lymph node enlargement after a trauma. Bellis will ask for cold applications and is worse from heat.

Opium

After Arnica, Opium is the most common remedy for head injury. The person will have pin-point pupils, will be stuporous and unresponsive. Face will be flushed, bloated, heavy, red, hot with an imbecillic look.

Ferrum phos.

Nose bleed of bright red blood.

This formula works well for athlete’s foot, ringworm, and ectopic or eczematous skin conditions. Follow typical salve making instructions.

* 1 part walnut husks (antifungal)
* 1 part thyme leaf (antiseptic)
* 1 part rose leaf (astringent)
* 1 part plantain leaf (soothing)

2) The gel from the Aloe Vera plant when placed on a burn will speed up the healing process and help reduce scarring.

3) 2 drops lavender – Immediately apply ice cold water for 10 minutes. Then apply 2 drops undiluted lavender directly from bottle.

Put in in a jar and cover it with grain alcohol (Everclear or Vodka) so it is barely moistened. Let is soak for 8 hours or so.

Then mix it 1:5 (weight to volume – so 1 oz herb to 5 fluid oz oil) with olive oil. Put it in a blender and blend it until the sides of the blender are warm (quite a while).

Now strain it through a fine cloth or something like that and use the oil to make a salve by heating it and mixing it with beeswax. Start with 1:5 beeswax to oil ratio, if the salve comes out to soft you can remelt it and add more beeswax.

This is a wonderful, skin healing, restorative salve (one of my friends has switched completely to it as moisturizer) but what is the coolest about it is the color. The green is so unbelievably vibrant. I have a bottle of the oil on a shelf, just so I can look at it, it reminds me of Summer…

I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it’s sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.

Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on it’s own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.

This technique has worked every time I’ve used it (and that was frequently), and it’s much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me.

Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can’t see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor’s wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn’t reach it with tweezers.

She used this method and immediately called me back to say, “It worked!”