Pack a Naturopathic First Aid Kit for the Great Outdoors. It’s Only Natural!

For hiking, camping, a day at the beach or just in case, this kit will get you prepared! In addition to your first aid must-haves like Band-Aids, gauze and the like, there are several great homeopathic and natural remedies that you shouldn't be without. The following will cover nearly all your bases:

brooke, kalanick, naturopathic, first aid, kit, must-haves, homeopathic, naturalAll Purpose Salve with soothing herbs such as calendula and comfrey, as well as vitamin E and vitamin A. Great for applying to irritated skin. Try Herbal Ed’s salve, available at most health food stores.

Activated Charcoal absorbs toxins and will treat food poisoning. Take 6 caps at first sign of digestive upset or food poisoning. Take 3-4 capsules thereafter.

Sting Stop homeopathic ointment for bug bites.

Natural Insect Repellent is a healthy optionfor warding off bugs. Very few things we put on our skin are worse than commercial insect repellents.  Have a natural version; see suggestions below for prevention. Natural products made with essential oils work well—opt for one containing citronella.

Yunnan Biayao is a Chinese medicine used to stop bleeding. Open the packet and take the one included pill orally. Next apply powder to the bleeding wound. Works wonders!

EmergenC treats dehydration, low blood sugar or heat stroke.

GingerTea Bagsare excellent for upset stomachs and nausea.

Black Tea Bags make excellent astringent compresses for swelling, such as from a bee sting or swollen “allergy eyes.”

Instant Oatmeal can be used as a soothing compress for Poison Ivy or Poison Oak. Simply mix with water to a packet of instant oatmeal to make a thick paste— apply directly to affected skin.

Rescue Remedy is for distressing situations. Take 5 drops under the tongue or in water in case of shock or any type of upset or stress.

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy is a great healing modality that is easy to use and travel with. These remedies are "energetic," meaning there is the essence of the medicine in each little lactose (milk sugar) pellet, but no physical dose, making them side effect free—and they taste like sugar! They are excellent medicines for kids. (Note: I haven’t seen an issue using these lactose-based pellets with individuals that are sensitive to dairy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.)

Homeopathy is based on the principle of "like cures like." Thus the remedy for nausea and vomiting Is—you guessed it—Ipecac. At physiological doses, Ipecac would induce those symptoms; at an energetic dose, they counteract them.

The key is getting the right remedy for the symptom. Here's an easy guide. Print this out and keep in your first aid kit. For most acute conditions, a potency of 30C is best. These remedies can be found in your local health food store. (Hint: ignore indications listed on the label and refer to this guide. Remedies are used for a very wide variety of conditions that won’t all fit on the label.) 

Acute Care Remedies:

Apis 30C- Swelling and redness from insect bites, bee stings, hives, etc. Red spots, swelling with stinging pain.  For bee stings, dose 5 pellets every 30 minutes.

Arnica 30C- First remedy for bruising, swelling, bleeding and traumatic injuries, muscle strains, sprains and soreness due to overexertion.

Arnica Gel- Use topically to avoid extensive tissue bruising.

Belladonna 30C -Heat stroke, rapid inflammation, earache, mumps, and hypertension, often with pupildilation, flushing heat and throbbing pains.

Cantharis 30C- Burns, scalds, urinary tract irritation and infection with burning pain.

Hypericum 30C- Nerve injuries and slamming injuries to sensitive extremities like fingers and toes.

Ipecac 30C- Nausea, vomiting, acute asthma, gagging cough, upset stomach, nosebleeds, bleeding elsewhere.

Ledum 30C- Puncture wounds, punctures from insect bites and snakes, black eye, rheumatism and poison oak.

Nux Vomica 30C- Stomach upset due to excess eating, drinking, drugs, etc (the hangover remedy). Can also be used for irritability.

Rhus Tox 30C-Arthritic pains which improve with movement and are worse with cold, wet, damp weather. Poison Ivy, chicken pox, herpes.

Ruta 30C- Shinbone injury or injury to bones, tendons. Helpful in joint sprains after using Arnica.

Silica 30C- Splinters, cactus needles, porcupine quills, when foreign object needs to be expelled from the body (useful in styes, cysts and acne as well when they won't "come to head").

For each remedy dose as follows: 
Adults - Take 5 pellets under tongue every 3-4 hours.
Children - Take 3 pellets under tongue every 3-4 hours.
Infants - Can take the pellets dissolved in water if they are unable to hold them under their tongue.

brooke, kalanick, naturopathic, first aid, kit, must-haves, homeopathic, naturalAbout Dr. Brooke Kalanick

Dr Brooke Kalanick, ND, MS, LAc is a naturopathic doctor and graduate of Bastyr University – the leader in natural medicine education, research and the training of holistically minded primary care providers.  Dr Brooke specializes in fat loss, PCOS, hypothyroidism, fertility and women’s health. Her knowledge of both conventional and alternative medicine helps her give patients back the control of their body and their hormones. Dr Brooke’s down to earth approach reminds us it’s not always about being perfect, but at least being better.

Dr Brooke is the co-author of Ultimate You: 4 Phase Total Body Makeover. She’s been featured in the NY Times as well as being a consulted expert for various print and online publications including FITNESS, Women’s Health, Allure and iVillage. She is also a regular contributor for Martha Stewart’s Whole Living Radio and WholeLiving.com. 

More Healthy Contents:

To contact Dr Brooke or to learn more visit www.betterbydrbrooke.com.