There are so many first-aid kits available that you can pick one up almost anywhere. But do they have what you need? And, just as importantly, do you know how to use what’s inside?
When my kids
were small, I created a little herbal first-aid kit that I started carrying in my purse. We were always out on adventures, and I wanted to be prepared for the everyday issues that came up—cuts, scrapes, spider bites, bee stings, allergy issues, tummy troubles, headaches, anxiety, and all the little things that happen when you’re out and about with kids.
My “Purse Kit” became very well known at park days, and other moms would send their kids to me whenever something came up. I was always happy to share, and I was grateful that I had planned ahead and knew what to reach for.
I still carry my purse kit today, and it continues to come in handy!
Tara’s Purse Kit
Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne is one of my favorite herbs to have on hand. It supports circulation, can be useful for minor bleeding, and is wonderful for digestive support—and it’s great on food! I keep a small container of
powdered cayenne and a small 1-ounce cayenne tincture in my kit.
Sensei Ointment: This is great for headaches, sore muscles, stings, and bites. I also use it for stuffy noses by smelling it or rubbing a little over the bridge of the nose or sinus area. Sometimes I’ll even put a little on my back teeth when I feel a sore throat
coming on.
Healing Ointment: I always have some sort of healing ointment on hand—Complete Tissue and Bone, another ointment I’ve made with antiseptic and healing herbs, or plantain ointment. I usually carry both!
Kid-E-Soothe and Nettle Tincture: We have used these frequently for my daughter’s food allergies and for anyone else experiencing seasonal, plant or animal allergies while we’re out and about on field trips.
Bach Flower Rescue Pastilles: Sometimes things happen, and Rescue
Pastilles are helpful for taking the edge off a difficult or stressful situation.
Homeopathics: Arnica montana for injuries, Apis mellifica for allergies, Carbo veg for upset stomachs, and Oscillococcinum in case we inadvertently run into someone who is sick.
Essential Oils: Lavender for blisters and to help calm people down, and peppermint for an upset stomach, stuffy sinuses, and circulation.
Band-Aids: All sorts of sizes for the inevitable little
injuries.
Tweezers: Always useful when you’re out and about.
Cough Drops: Because you never know when you’ll need one!
Make Your Own
I encourage you to take some time and make your own herbal first-aid kit. This is also a great time of year to put one together for kids heading back to school.
Be thoughtful about what you include, and make sure you know how to use each item before you put it in your kit. You don’t need to carry everything—just the things you and your family are most likely to need and that you feel comfortable using.
A little preparation can go a long
way. With a small herbal first-aid kit tucked into your purse, backpack, or car, you can be prepared for many of the little things that pop up when you’re out and about until you can get home to the rest of your herb stash.
And sometimes, being prepared is half the battle.
Tara Christopher Eyre is a Master Herbalist and Foot Zone Therapist dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their path to wellness. Carrying forward the legacy of her grandfather, Dr. John R. Christopher, she finds her greatest joy in teaching the simple, natural principles that restore both body
and soul.
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