For first aid, some of the best natural remedies come from the plants in your garden, local trail, or even your spice cabinet. Discover five essential herbs for first aid and how to use them to treat common injuries like cuts, scrapes, bee stings, and minor burns.
#1 Plantain
Plantain (Plantago spp.) grows just about everywhere and this common weed has many benefits! As an herb for first aid, plantain helps skin cells regenerate and heal more rapidly. It’s perfect for everyday cuts and scrapes and is one of the very best remedies for bee stings.
See how to make a plantain poultice: Plantain: Nature’s Band-Aid
#2 St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is one of my most used herbal first aid remedies. It helps to regenerate and heal skin and can be used with cuts, scrapes, minor burns, and muscle pain. I know many people who have turned their first degree burns around using St. John’s wort oil.
Learn more: 5 Healing Uses of St. John’s Wort Oil
#3 Comfrey
Reach for comfrey (Symphytum officinale) for sprains, strains, pulled or sore muscles, tendons, joints, dislocations, ligaments, and even fractures. Comfrey salve can also help skinned knees and minor cuts and scrapes. This salve is foundational for any herbal first aid kit!
Get the recipe: Comfrey Salve
#4 Yarrow
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is an excellent first aid herb because it’s a hemostat, which means it stops bleeding. If you have a wound, cut, or scrape, you can use yarrow to stop the bleeding and disinfect the cut. It’s antiseptic and antibacterial and stops topical infections.
Watch the video: How to Use Yarrow for Bleeding
#5 Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) is antibacterial, reduces pain, and stops bleeding. If you need to go to the hospital, by all means, do so, but for superficial cuts, cayenne is a tried and true remedy. It stings for just a moment, and then it stops the bleeding, takes away the pain, and disinfects the wound.
Learn more: Can Cayenne Pepper Stop Bleeding?
I would love to hear from you! Have you tried any of these home remedies and herbs for first aid? Please share your experiences in the comments below.
