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Natural First Aid Accidents are bound to happen. You can't always avoid them, but you can handle them appropriately (and naturally) by heeding the advice of Bastyr Center's physical medicine department: To treat sprains and bruises
To treat scrapes and cuts
To treat insect bites
To treat sunburns To treat sprains and bruises
- Immobilize the sprained area.
- Apply a homeopathic arnica cream called Traumeel. It eases the pain and eliminates bruises.
- Ice the sprained area and wrap an Ace bandage around it.
- Elevate the area eight inches above the heart.
- Apply a cold compress (cheesecloth, flannel or a towel) with a solution of witch hazel, comfrey* or arnica* (pour 1/2 teaspoon from a tincture into a pint of water) and apply for 20 minutes. Repeat two or three times. (*For external use only.)
- Take vitamins C, E and zinc to control inflammation and speed healing
Keep the area iced and immobilized for 24-72 hours and then schedule an appointment at Bastyr Center physical medicine for a peat bath and peat pack to help stimulate healing of the area. Mud therapy, electrotherapy and hydrotherapy (all available at Bastyr Center) can also facilitate healing. Back to top. To treat scrapes and cuts: - If you were cut by a dirty or old piece of metal, seek medical attention to ensure that there is no risk of tetanus or of a significant infection.
- If the wound is gaping or does not appear to be minor, seek medical attention.
- If the wound is minor, apply pressure around the area for a few minutes to stop the bleeding. Rinse dirt and debris from the cut. Clean and disinfect the cut by applying a diluted solution of witch hazel to the area with a clean piece of wool. Marigold or calendula solutions work well also. Leave the wound uncovered. If you must use a bandage, remove it after one or two hours.
- Every day for a week or two, apply a thin coat of vitamin E oil and comfrey ointment to the wound.
Back to top. To treat insect bites: - Bee stings: Scrape the stinger with the blunt edge of a knife and/or remove the stinger with tweezers. Wash the wound with baking soda. Then apply the arnica cream, Traumeel, which should eliminate pain within a few seconds.
- Wasp and mosquito bites: Hold the affected area under water to lessen the pain. Apply an apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or witch hazel wash to the bite. You can find a witch hazel solution at most drug stores. If you have plantain in your garden, remove some unsprayed leaves from the plant and crush them with a spoon. Apply the paste to the bite. This paste is soothing, controls itching and draws venom from the bite. In the following days, apply lavender or cinnamon oil to the insect bite to reduce discomfort.
Back to top. To treat sunburns: - If a sunburn affects over 75 percent of your body or you are feeling listless, fatigued and nauseated, seek medical attention.
- As soon as you notice a sunburn, cool the affected area by applying a cold compress (a towel soaked in cold water — do not use ice). Keep the compress on the area for 20 minutes to prevent some of the negative effects of the sunburn. You can also apply fresh cucumber juice to the area by mashing cucumber in a bag or a bowl and then applying it.
- On unbroken skin only, apply fresh aloe vera gel, taken directly from a plant.
- Effective homeopathic remedies for burns include hypericum, arnica, cantharis or urtica urens. (Check a homeopathic guide to see which remedy is appropriate for your symptoms.)
- A baking soda paste compress or fresh, plain unsweetened yogurt applied directly to the area also helps ease the sting of a burn.
Back to top. Writer: Sydney Maupin, Staff Writer
Contributor: Mark Groven, ND
Date: 2002 Take the next step to natural healing. Make an appointment today.
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