Daily First Aid

Short Notes on Daily Issues
This is an article wrote for the camp I work with that has some practical advice for anyone looking for ways to make their daily first aid more natural.

There are some simple things to do to keep yourself and your campers happy when the problem is not one that quite demands the nurse’s attention. All of the items mentioned below, if they do not grow outside, can be found in the herb cupboard that is accessible either from the nurses office or from the crafts cabin. When picking herbs check with nurse or herbalist for positive identification
Headaches
Check to see if water has been drunk, try some lavender oil across the forehead and on back of neck. Or for a tension headache with tense muscles on the side of the neck and shoulders, rub Tei Fu oil on the temples and down the side of the neck and across muscle along shoulder. If it is in the front and could be a sinus headache give two chewable Vit C and rub sinus areas with either tea tree oil or Tei Fu oil. When you put these oils near the eyes it is wise to have them keep their eyes shut a few minutes, as the fumes can make the eyes water for a minute.
Sunburn and other Burns
When kids are going to be in the sun help them pick out a hat and a light weight long sleeve shirt if they are the skin type that burns easily as well as putting sunscreen on. If a sunburn happens use plenty of PURE Aloe Vera (not aloe lotions that contain lots of other ingredients) or straight aloe from the leaf. Also very soothing is lavender oil mixed with it or with liquid enzymes (the natures Fresh spray in the cupboard). Lavender oil is VERY soothing and healing for all burns and can be most useful straight from the bottle on small size burns. Re-apply three times a day as needed.
Bug bites, bee stings, hornet stings, mosquito bites, spider bites
All can be remedied with a poultice of plantain leaf. It has even helped stop a reaction in a person who is allergic to bees that normally needs an “Epi Pen”. It grows everywhere at camp and most often can be found around the tennis court or on road sides. It has oval leaves that grow in a circle close to the ground and the leaf has parallel veins running tip to stem. The seed head is a long “rat tail” of tiny green seeds. Look for a drawing of it on the herb cupboard door. In the cupboard is a Plantain Ointment that can be very useful when one does not want to chew the leaf. Also useful is Tei Fu oil on mosquito bites or Natures fresh Spray. Use a paste made with Baking Soda and Natures Fresh or water for bee stings, if no plantain is available. 
Sleeping Problems
When someone is trying to relax and go to sleep, especially new campers who are nervous about the bugs and a strange bed, lavender oil is an excellent remedy. It is known to relax the body and relieve anxiety. You could give them a relaxing foot rub with a drop or two of lavender oil on the soles of the feer, or put a little across the forehead and a touch under the nose. Those with chronic sleep or homesick issues should be encouraged to come to Arts and Crafts and make a small pillow with lavender and hops in it to take to bed. The lavender can also have a bug repelling effect. Also useful is to have a cup of Chamomile tea or Sleepytime tea after evening program for problems with falling asleep.
Tummy aches
Strange foods or overtired tummies can cause stomachaches that may be helped with peppermint tea or you can try chamomile tea to calm and settle a stomach later in the day. (it’s what Mother Rabbit gave Peter Rabbit after his terrifying day with Farmer MacGregor ! ) For a stronger remedy many have been helped taking two Papaya Mints or 1-2 drops of pure Peppermint Oil in an ounce of water, drunk quickly (pure peppermint is not always agreeable for asthmatics). Another thing many find useful, if it is a chronic stomachache, is to add some probiotics (good bacteria). L. Reuteri is one that does not need refrigerating and is chewable. Bifidophilous is a capsule (and is in the nurse’s fridge) Another tip is to drink at least a water bottle full by lunch and another by supper to prevent stomach aches, headaches and constipation. If a person has been on antibiotics, probiotics are very important to rebalance the intestinal bacteria and alleviate problems from taking the antibiotics (like stomacheache and diarrhea) .
Sniffles and Sore Throats
Gargle with a third of a cupful of water with one or two drops of tea tree oil then spit out, three times a day. Or gargle for 6 minutes with Silver Shield then swallow, take 3-4 times a day. Or a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water can be used to gargle with, though it’s not as powerful. Rub tea tree oil on the neck in the throat area. Take vitamin C tablets or powder four times a day. If the nose or chest has a lot of mucus, rub some tea tree oil above the eyebrows and on the cheekbones or on the chest. Rub Guardian oil on chest center and on bottom of feet ( also can use oregano oil on bottom of feet) Many find it is a good idea to cut back on dairy products as they create more mucus in the body. Hot lemonade can be very soothing. It is made by squeezing a whole lemon in a mug and adding honey and boiling water as preferred. Lemon is great for moving mucus from the body and it can be helpful to add fresh lemon to the drinking water all day. Chronic coughs can be relieved with a squirt of lobelia in water. Don’t underestimate the power of getting extra sleep and 8-10 cups of water as well as eating PLENTY of fresh veggies and fruit everyday.
Cuts and scratches
Wash with soap and water put on lavender for pain and healing, put on Silver Shield gel for anti-infection and fast healing. Could also use Golden Salve for tissue healing or Black Ointment to draw out splinters, dirt, infection
Sprains and bruises
Lavender oil and either Natures Fresh spray or Healing AC cream

For more ideas check the information sheets posted in the herb cupboard and nurse’s office or speak to the herbalist on staff,