I’m one of those people that gets scrapes, scratches, bites from the time the first crocus appears in the Spring. Let’s look at natural healing with essential oils and herbs.
When thinking about bites, scrapes, and rashes, the first thing that comes to mind is cleaning the wound, followed by pain relief, and protecting the wound from infection.
What simple items can be used for bites, rashes and scrapes?
Aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis) Aromatics International has a great aloe vera gel product that is not a jelly. I love it for making blends. On the label it says that it is “organically grown and 99.75% aloe”. Aloe is a go-to for burns.
Bee stings, mosquito bites and the like can be treated with a dab of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) right out of the bottle or lavender hydrosol would work for larger rashes and brush burns. Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate which has many therapeutic benefits such as being anti-inflammatory, antifungal, analgesic, antibacterial, and skin healing.
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) can be used neat on wounds the same way as lavender. The only exception is not to use them on puncture wounds. I have a recipe for an itch stick that has lavender, helichrysum, peppermint and german chamomile. Wonderful for those mosquito bites that I always get.
German Chamomile (Chamomila recutita) helps to reduce inflammation due to the constituent b-farnesene. It also has antinociceptive properties which means it blocks the pain sensory neurons.
Scrapes and rashes benefit from a calendula or chamomile wash or hydrosol. Chamomile’s antihistamine properties make it wonderful for any kind of rash.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is used for wounds and rashes. Calendula infused oil is also used in my antibiotic-like product. Works wonders for cuts, scratches, scrapes, and the like—just do not use it for puncture wounds because of the comfrey in it.
Plantain (Plantain minor) (Plantain major) used crushed in the field for soothing bites and stings. Chew it up into a poultice and apply. Infused oil is also in my homemade first aid salve, which is used where you would use an antibiotic-like product. The plantain root is an antivenom for rattlesnake bites, the leaves can also be used.
In the Spring here is an easy salve to make with chickweed (Stellaria media) that may be growing in your yard.
Pick a handful of chickweed (Stellaria media).
Chop it up, let wilt overnight. Measure out about 1 cup.
In a pot, add 1 cup of carrier oil, and the chickweed.
Slowly infuse the chickweed and oil for several hours. Use very low heat, so not to burn.
When infused, add 20-28 grams of beeswax. Melt and pour into tins. Keeps 1 yr.
“You must serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your food and water. I will take away all sickness from among you.”
Exodus 23:25
Happy Blending,
Crystal.