In this special submission to CTV.ca, natural medicine expert Bryce Wylde, author of "The Antioxidant Prescription: How to Use the Power of Antioxidants to Prevent Disease and Stay Healthy for Life" offers up a guide to creating and implementing your own 'natural first aid kit.'

Arnica (for bumps and bruises)

The flower of arnica (mountain daisy) is used to make medicine. Arnica is applied to the skin for pain and swelling associated with bruises, aches, and sprains. It is also taken by mouth for sore mouth and throat, insect bites, painful and swollen veins near the surface of the skin (superficial phlebitis), sore gums after the removal of wisdom teeth and for causing abortions.

In foods, arnica is a flavour ingredient in beverages, frozen dairy desserts, candy, baked goods, gelatins and puddings. In manufacturing, arnica is used in hair tonics and anti-dandruff preparations. The oil is used in perfumes and cosmetics.

The active chemicals in arnica are effective in reducing swelling, decreasing pain and acting as antibiotics.

Some interactions may include medications that slow blood clotting (anticoagulant /antiplatelet drugs). Arnica might slow blood clotting. Taking arnica along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Other names: Arnica cordifolia, Arnica Flos, Arnica Flower, Arnica fulgens, Arnica latifolia, Arnica montana, Arnica sororia, Arnikabluten, Bergwohlverieih, Fleurs d'Arnica, Kraftwurz, Leopard's Bane, Mountain Tobacco, Wolf's Bane, Wundkraut.

Calendula and tea tree oil (for minor scrapes and burns)

Calendula is a plant. The flower is used to make medicine. Calendula flower is used to prevent muscle spasms, start menstrual periods, and reduce fever. It is also used for treating sore throat and mouth, menstrual cramps, cancer, and stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Calendula is applied to the skin to reduce pain and swelling (inflammation) and to treat poorly healing wounds and leg ulcers. It is also applied to the skin (used topically) for nosebleeds, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the rectum (proctitis), and inflammation of the lining of the eyelid (conjunctivitis).

Don't confuse calendula with ornamental marigolds of the Tagets genus, which are commonly grown in vegetable gardens.

It is effective for wounds, nosebleeds, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, treating mouth and throat soreness, leg ulcers, etc. It is thought that the chemicals in calendula help new tissue grow in wounds and decrease swelling in the mouth and throat.

Don't use or take it if you have a ragweed allergy. Some interaction is possible with sedative medications (CNS depressants). Calendula might cause sleepiness and drowsiness when taken orally. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking calendula along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

Other names: Calendula officinalis, English garden marigold, garden marigold, gold-bloom, holligold, marigold, marybud, pot marigold, zergul.

Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree. The tea tree was named by eighteenth century sailors, who made tea that smelled like nutmeg from the leaves of the tree growing on the swampy southeast Australian coast. Do not confuse the tea tree with the unrelated common tea plant that is used to make black and green teas.

Tea tree oil is applied to the skin (used topically) for infections such as acne, fungal infections of the nail (onychomycosis), lice, scabies, athlete's foot (tinea pedis), and ringworm. It is also used topically as a local antiseptic for cuts and abrasions, for burns, insect bites and stings, boils, vaginal infections, recurrent herpes labialis, toothache, infections of the mouth and nose, sore throat, and for ear infections such as otitis media and otitis externa.

Some people add it to bath water to treat cough, bronchial congestion, and pulmonary inflammation.

Effective for:

  • Preventing or treating bacterial or fungal infections: Topical application of a 10 per cent tea tree oil solution on wound helps prevent infection.
  • Athlete's foot (tinea pedis): Topical application of a 10 per cent tea tree oil cream works about as well as tolnaftate 1 per cent cream (Genaspor, Tinactin, Ting, and others) for relieving symptoms of athlete's foot, including scaling, inflammation, itching, and burning. But the 10 per cent tea tree oil cream doesn't seem to cure the infection. A stronger tea tree oil solution (25 per cent or 50 per cent) is needed for that. Application of 25 per cent or 50 per cent tea tree oil solution appears to both relieve symptoms and clear up the infection in about half of people who try it for 4 weeks. However, 25 per cent or 50 per cent tea tree oil concentrations don't appear to be as effective for curing the infection as medications such as clotrimazole or terbinafine.
  • Fungus infections of the nails (onychomycosis): Topical application of a 100 per cent tea tree oil solution, twice daily for six months, can cure fungal toenail infection in about 18 per cent of people who try it. It can also improve nail appearance and symptoms in about 56 per cent of patients after three months and 60 per cent of patients after six months of treatment. It seems to be comparable to twice daily application of clotrimazole 1 per cent solution (Fungoid, Lotrimin, Lotrimin AF). Lower concentrations of tea tree oil do not seem to be as effective. For example, there is some evidence that a 5 per cent tea tree oil cream applied three times daily for two months has no benefit.
  • Mild to moderate acne: Applying a 5 per cent tea tree oil gel appears to be as effective as 5 per cent benzoyl peroxide (Oxy-5, Benzac AC, and others) for treating acne. Tea tree oil might work more slowly than benzoyl peroxide, but seems to be less irritating to facial skin.

The chemicals in tea tree oil may kill bacteria and fungus, and reduce allergic skin reactions.

*No known interactions.

Other Names: Australian Tea Tree Oil, Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca Oil, Oil of Melaleuca, Oleum Melaleucae, Tea Tree Essential Oil.

APIS (Insect Bites)

Bee venom is made by bees. This is the poison that makes bee stings painful. Bee venom is also used to make medicine. Don't confuse bee venom with bee pollen, honey, or royal jelly. Other venoms are derived from related members of the insect order Hymenoptera.

Conventionally bee venom is given as a shot for rheumatoid arthritis, nerve pain (neuralgia), multiple sclerosis (MS), reducing the reaction to bee stings in people who are allergic (desensitization) to them (venom immunotherapy), swollen tendons (tendonitis), and muscle conditions such as fibromyositis and enthesitis. Homeopathically, bee venom is given in very hyperdilute form as a topical or oral solution to common insect bites to reduce symptoms associated with inflammation, swelling, and itch.

*No known interactions

Electrolytes (Dehydration)

Sweating is the way in which the body maintains its core temperature at 37 degrees centigrade. This results in the loss of body fluid and electrolytes (minerals such as chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium) and if unchecked, will lead to dehydration and eventually circulatory collapse and heat stroke. The effect of fluid loss on the body is as follows:

Per cent of body weight lost in sweat, and resulting physiological effect:

  • 2 per cent: Impaired performance
  • 4 per cent: Capacity for muscular work declines
  • 5 per cent: Heat exhaustion
  • 7 per cent: Hallucinations
  • 10 per cent: Circulatory collapse and heat stroke

Electrolytes serve three general functions in the body:

  • many are essential minerals
  • they control osmosis of water between body compartments
  • they help maintain the acid-base balance required for normal cellular activities

The sweat that evaporates from the skin contains a variety of electrolytes. The electrolyte composition of sweat is variable but comprises of the following components:

  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Chloride
  • Bicarbonate
  • Phosphate
  • Sulphate

A litre of sweat typically contains 0.02g Calcium, 0.05g Magnesium, 1.15g Sodium, 0.23g Potassium and 1.48g Chloride. This composition will vary from person to person.

To refill your electrolytes naturally, here is a simple home solution that is chemical free and without the sugar or artificial colours or flavours of a typical sports drink (alternatively, there are simple premix formulas that you can purchase at your local health food or drug store):

Homemade Electrolyte Drink:

In 1 Litre of water add:

  • 1 squeezed lemon
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tsp black strap molasses
  • 1 crushed 99mg Potassium tablet

Instructions: Drink over the course of the day to prevent electrolyte depletion in addition to other fluids.