Herbal Tool Box Balms:
A balm/salve is basically infused oils &/or essential oils and beeswax:
Ratios: (turns out to be pretty important!)
7 to 1 ratio of oil to beeswax ensures that the salve has enough body to stay solid in the container during a normal summer but not absolutely rock hard.
Use the smaller 6:1 ratio of beeswax if you are in an air conditioned environment or you are making salve for winter.
& the percentage of essential oils is also important as many can be irritant. (note: this can apply when creating bath oils)
|
Essential Oil Blend Percentage |
Essential Oil Amount |
Carrier Oil Amount |
|
0.5% |
1 drop |
2 teaspoons |
|
2 drops |
1 tablespoon |
|
|
10 drops |
100 ml |
|
|
1% |
2 drops |
2 teaspoons |
|
4 drops |
1 tablespoon |
|
|
20 drops |
100 ml |
|
|
2% |
4 drops |
2 teaspoons |
|
8 drops |
1 tablespoon |
|
|
40 drops |
100 ml |
|
|
3% |
6 drops |
2 teaspoons |
|
12 drops |
1 tablespoon |
|
|
60 drops |
100 ml |
Tool box recipe suggestions:
1) Balm for knocks, bangs, bruises and sprains:
Daisy (Bellis perennis), comfry (symphytum officinale), st. johns wort (hypericum perforatum) infused oil, wintergeen (gaultheria procumbens) and lavender (lavandula angustifolia) essential oils and beeswax.
2) Balm to clear chesty infections:
Ginger (zingiber officinalis), eucalyptus globulus, peppermint (mentha piperita), cederwood (juniperus virginiana) essentail oils and beeswax.
3) Balm to sooth skin and heal cuts:
Plantain (plantago lanceolata), comfrey (symphytum officinale) and yarrow (achillea millefolium) infused oil, lavender (lavandula angustifolia) essential oil and beeswax.
| other tool box suggestions: |
4) Liquorice sticks (Glycyrrhiza glabra), so helpful for tickly coughs to chest infections and stomach ulcers.
5) Respiratory system essential oils: Eucalyptus globulus & commiphora, to evaporate in diffuser or oil burner or aid to oil for massage or bath. This has worked wonders in a humidifier and an oil burner when our son had chest infections when young. With 30 mins he would stop coughing and be able to sleep.
6) Respiratory system / cough brew:
Elecampane root (Inula helenium), ginger ( zingiber officinalis), liquorice (glycyrrhiza glabra), thyme (thymus vulgaris), aniseed (Pimpinella anisum).
7) Cough and cold tincture: thyme (thymus vulgaris), sage (saliva officinalis), ground ivy (glechoma hederacea), fennel seed distilled water (foeniculum vulgare), bilberry (vaccinium myrtillus).
8) Wild cherry bark tincture (prunus serotina). This can suppress the cough reflex which is only for dry hacking coughs along with soothing mucilage containing plants or when children or adults cannot sleep due to cough. It is contraindicated in Asthma.
9) Super relax tea: Chamomile (matricaria recutita), passion flower (passiflora incarnata), skullcap (scutellaria lateriflora).
10) Soothing emergence veg glycerine: (great in crisis either or both emotional and physical) lemon verbena (aloysia citrodora), chamomile (matricaria recutita), rose (rosa spp.), californian poppy (eschscholzia californica), skullcap (scutellaria lateriflora), liquorice (glycyrrhiza glabra), fennel (foeniculum vulgare), mullein (verbascum thapsus), limeflower (tilia spp.), passionflower (passiflora incarnata), marshmallow (althaea officinalis), vegetable glycerine and small quantity of alcohol.
11) Valerian root (valeriana officinalis): great for insomnia and pain relief. It is a body and mind relaxant. Ideal if pain is preventing sleep.
(warning can adversely affect some people ie. mania, headache. Try small amount first.)
12) Cramp bark (viburnum opulus) and meadow sweet (filipendula ulmaria) tincture: Cramp bark/guelder rose is a famous and effective anti-spasmodic. Great for period cramps, back pain etc. it will relax the muscles around the pain holding everything tight. Meadow sweet is the original aspirin, contains syclix acid and is also great for symptoms of Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). But cause needs to be treated for both pain and GORD.
13) Activated charcoal (activated carbones): the world health organization has approved activated charcoal for the emergency treatment of overdoses or poisonings. Drugs, toxins, unwanted microbes can bind to it. This helps rid the body of unwanted substances. Great for diarrhoea and vomiting or a dodgy belly.
14) Purple sage: (Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'), tastes great, astringent, anti bacterial, drunk in the mediterranean for long healthy life, first sign of a sore throat gargle and drink. Use in cooking ie. pumpkin risotto. ‘let thy food be thy medicine’.
15) Tonic tea: nettle (urtica dioica) and blackcurrant leaves (ribes nigrum). Mineral rich and nutritious, can help regulate blood sugars.
What extras to have on hand:
Herbs:
- Aloe vera gel/plant
- Good quality chamomile tea
- Yarrow (achillea millefolium) and elder flower (sambucus nigra) (classic tea recipe to bring down fever that kids like)
- Echinacea spp. - this is to be had in large does or very regularly at first signs of illness along with vit C. Reported to be ineffective once illness has established.
- Bandages
Equipment:
- thermometer
Call your doctor if you have an:
- infant younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- older child with a temperature of higher than 102.2°F (39°C)
- an adult with a temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher, or any kind lasting more then 3 days
(measured orally (in the mouth): 100°F (37.8°C)
measured rectally (in the bottom): 100.4°F (38°C)
measured in an axillary position (under the arm): 99°F (37.2°C))
- oxygen reader
- oil diffuser/burner/humidifier (very useful if air hot and dry due to central heating or fire, sauce pan of water on fire or heaters also effective).
- mood calming room mist: Roman chamomile, lavender dissolved in alcohol and optional teaspoon of veg glycerite.
Electrolyte recipe: Oral rehydration solution:
for dehydration from vomiting, diarrhoea or athletic exertion.
1litre (5 cupfuls) warm water
8 teaspoons sugar (raw brown sugar or molasses if possible, higher potassium)
½ to 1 teaspoon salt
Mix.
If giving to a child, feed the child slowly after every loose motion, using a teaspoon. If the child vomits, try giving again. Some will hopefully remain and help.
Dose:
A child under two: between a quarter and a half cupful at each feeding. (note: if child breast fed, that is great, but they may still need some extra fluids)
Older children: between a half and a whole large cup.
Adults and large children: should drink at least 3 litres a day until they are well.
For severe dehydration: give sips every 5 mins until urination is normal. (Its normal to urinate 4 or 5 times a day.)
Headaches:
Reoccurring: tension headaches: B vitamins especially B2, vitamin D, ginger, rosemary, feverfew.
Depletion headaches: lavandula spp.
Hayfever:
Plantain, elderflower and nettle.
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is provided for educational use only, and is not intended as a replacement for the services of a qualified medical herbalist, doctor or licensed health practitioner. The information contained herein is not diagnostic, always consult a medical health professional before embarking on a treatment programme. Anita's Herbal Remedies disclaims any liability, loss, injury or damage incurred as a consequence of the use and application of the advice given herein.