Alternative Medicine First Aid Kit

Creating an alternative medicine first aid kit for home and travel is an easy and affordable way to obtain adequate treatment for minor injuries, scrapes, bruises, burns and bumps. Many over-the-counter remedies are not intended for use on children under the age of twelve. Several interact with prescription medications or can cause problems with the intestinal tract and liver.

The following natural remedies are must-have products for your alternative medicine first aid kit. In addition to these items, first aid kits should also include an assortment of band-aids, gauze, medical tape, scissors and a pair of tweezers.

Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel is a derivative of the aloe plant; a bright green succulent plant with thick, fleshy spiky leaves. Use of aloe vera dates back to Egyptian times and was dubbed as the "plant of immortality".

Aloe vera has been touted as one of the world's most healing plants. Herbalists claim aloe vera juice can assist in the treatment of controlling blood lipids in diabetics and is currently being studied for use in HIV and cancer treatments.

One of the most common uses for aloe vera gel is to soothe the pain of sunburn or minor burns caused by mishaps in the kitchen. Aloe vera gel makes a great natural skin moisturizer and is safe to use on babies. Aloe vera has also proven effective in fighting athlete's foot, soothing psoriasis, taking the sting out of insect bites and reducing tissue damage caused by frostbite.

Arnica Gel: Arnica is an herbaceous plant belonging to the sunflower family. Two forms of arnica exist - Arnica Montana and Arnica Gel. Arnica Montana is a homeopathic remedy consisting of small pellets which are placed in the mouth and dissolved under the tongue. Arnica Gel is for external use only.

Arnica Gel is primarily used to reduce pain, swelling and bruising. As one who suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia, Arnica Gel is my saving grace. Over the years I have been prescribed a variety of pain medications, but nothing seems to work as well as Arnica Gel.

This past June, I missed the bottom step of our staircase which resulted in a global sprain of my right ankle, pulled ligaments and a fractured bone. The first thing I did upon dragging myself up the stairs was apply arnica gel. Not only did the arnica gel assist with pain management, it also kept bruising and swelling to a minimum.

Lavender Oil: Lavender oil is derived from the flowers of the lavender plant. This sweet-smelling oil offers a wide range of healing properties. It can be used to take the sting out of bug bites, bee stings, sunburn and minor burns of the skin.

Lavender oil is calming; making it perfect for traveling. If you suffer from anxiety while driving or flying, or in social settings, apply a few drops of lavender oil to your neck to calm your nerves. Small clay diffusers can be purchased at health food stores which allow you to fill the container with oil and hang it from the rearview mirror. As the heat of the sun hits the container, the scent of lavender is released.

Lavender oil can help provide a restful night of sleep, relieve pain from tension headaches, and added to vaporizers to reduce respiratory ailments. It has been scientifically proven as an effective treatment for head lice and can be used as a mosquito repellant.

Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is derived from steaming the leaves of the tea tree shrub, native to Australia. Tea tree oil is effective against bacteria, fungi and viruses, including those resistant to some antibiotics. Scientific evidence shows tea tree oil is a strong protecting agent against Staphylococcus aureus; including MRSA.

Tea tree oil is used extensively as an antimicrobial, antiseptic and disinfectant. Tea tree oil is frequently used to treat and eliminate toenail fungus and athlete's foot. It has shown to be effective in treating vaginal infections and herpes infections.

Tea tree oil is used to relieve mild burns, including sunburn. It can help reduce the itching and burning of insect bites and hemorrhoids. Tea tree oil is claimed to repel insects and is oftentimes used in pet shampoos to kill ticks and fleas.

Tea tree oil has also been used to combat fungal disease affecting animals, fish and plants. Learn more about the incredible healing properties of tea tree oil via my article, "Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil".

Tiger Balm Ointment: Tiger Balm ointment is a topical Chinese herbal preparation used to reduce muscle aches and pains. Manufactured by Haw Par Healthcare Limited in Singapore, Tiger Balm offers a variety of products including: Original Ointment, Neck and Shoulder Rub, Back Pain Patch, Refresher (for stuffy nose) and Plaster Warm, which aides in stimulating blood circulation.

Tiger Balm Ointment is similar to Icy Hot in that when it is applied it warms up when penetrating the skin. Tiger Balm also assists with reducing headache and migraine pain. Caution should be used when applying tiger balm on the forehead and should be kept away from the eyes. Learn about the healing properties of tiger balm via my article, "Tiger Balm: Century-Old Herbal Medication for Aches and Pains".

Natural ointments and essential remedies are generally safe for use on people of all ages. However, some alternative medicine products can interfere with certain medications, while others can cause skin irritation.

Essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin. Instead, they should be mixed with a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba, sesame or olive oil. In most cases, only 10 to 20 drops of oil per one-ounce of carrier oil is sufficient.

When in doubt, consult with a holistic healthcare practitioner or conduct research via the Internet. When using essential oils for healthcare purposes, it is strongly recommended to purchase oils labeled for therapeutic use. Some essential oils are sold for aromatherapy purposes and do not offer healing properties.

Two credible sources for alternative medicine and natural remedies include: "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James and Phyllis Balch and Essential Science Publishing website at www.EssentialScience.net.