Three Unconventional First Aid Items I Can't Live Without!

My Boys

They bounce and jump

and crash and bump

Climb any where, or thing, they choose

Then fall and bruise

Drag in the mud and dirt

scraped knees, blood and hurt

Kiss away their pain

and off they go again

Laughter and delight

bounding out of sight

Scrapes, bumps and bruises are just a regular part of my family's daily life. Like many boys (and girls), mine like to explore, experiment and release energy - sometimes in explosive bursts that end a little on the painful side for them.

It takes a lot to faze me now. We've had our fair share of accidents and illnesses ranging from mild bumps and scrapes to sudden fevers and severe bruises and since some of these things happen in locations we have lived in where medical care was sub par, we've often had to take matters into our own hands.

We once even glued a cut above my son's eye with medical glue and little plaster strips to avoid going to the hospital for stitches in  a location where the medical care was quite dubious.

We've used a host of home treatments but here are three items that I make sure I always have on hand and that have seen us through numerous mishaps throughout the years.

1. Arnica Cream

This is the ultimate solution for bruises. It soothes them and speeds up recovery. It also makes them less unsightly and the boys love that there is some care that can be given to their bruises.

Just be careful, it's not meant to be used on open wounds.







2. Calendula Cream/Ointment

The cream and ointment are basically the same except the ointment is stronger - and a lot more messy. I use both but generally go to the ointment if the cut looks bad.

This is my go to solution for any scrape or cut. It disinfects and promotes healing. I have also found that it soothes the sting of the cut.

Calendula was what the homeopath I follow up with recommended for my C-Section scar.

Once I cut my toe very badly on our stone fireplace. It was so deep and ghastly I could hardly look at it. I washed it and smothered in calendula ointment with a band aid to cover it for a few days. It was like magic.


3. Star of Anise

This is great to make into a tea and use when you have the flu or related viruses. This got me through a horrible flu when I was five months pregnant and visiting China. I didn't want to take medication so I sipped this tea often and it really made a difference.

I've had friends also report that helped them a lot when they had the flu. This was a tip from a doctor friend when we were once again in a place where proper medical care would have been scarce. He told me over the phone that Tammy Flu was actually made from an ingredient found in Star of Anise. Now my cabinets are always stacked of this stuff!