Tea tree* or Lavender oil* are used to clean wounds with a few drops of each diluted in warm water. This will also act as an antiseptic.
Hypericum and Arnica* are homeopathic remedies that can be used to help the body to heal.
Rescue remedy* can be applied directly to a graze to promote healing.
Comfrey ointment* can be applied to inflamed cuts.
Comfrey ointment
▸ 500 g (1¼ lb) soft beeswax
▸ 60 g (2¼ oz) dried (or 150 g / 5 oz fresh) comfrey leaves, finely chopped
1. Melt the beeswax in a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water.
2. Add the comfrey leaves and simmer, stirring continuously, for about 1 hour.
3. Pour the mixture into a muslin bag. Wearing rubber gloves, squeeze the mixture through the bag into a jug.
4. Pour the ointment into a jar before it sets. Place the lid on the jar, without securing it.
5. When cool, tighten the lid and store in a refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Burns and scalds
First pour cold liquid onto the burn or scald for at least 10 minutes, then use whichever of the following treatments you have available.
Aloe vera will cool the area and prevent infection. Split a leaf and gently apply the juice to the affected area.
Honey will help the skin to heal.
Apply to the affected area.
Lavender oil* can be used neat on a burn to promote healing and prevent infection. Gently massage a few drops into the affected area.
Sunstroke
This is a type of heat exhaustion resulting from prolonged exposure to sun, often accompanied by headache, shivering, nausea and dizziness. Rescue remedy* will help the patient to recover. Take five drops in a glass of water and sip slowly.
Food poisoning
Warm water mixed with the juice of half a lemon will help to cleanse the system.
Honey can be dissolved in a glass of warm water and sipped frequently to increase strength and boost the immune system.
Bio live yogurt can be eaten after the vomiting has subsided to help repopulate the stomach with beneficial bacteria.
Camomile tea can be calming and soothing for the digestive system.
A tonic can be made using herbs from the kitchen cupboard, which will help to cleanse the system.
* = recommended for portable first aid kit
Cleansing tonic
▸ 1 tsp black pepper
▸ 2 cloves garlic, crushed
▸ 1 tbsp cumin seeds
▸ pinch salt
▸ 600 ml (1 pint) water
1. Place the ingredients into a pan and boil until the liquid is reduced by half.
2. Drink twice a day to help cleanse the system and to treat diarrhoea.
Growing your own medicine
Herbs have been used by humans throughout history as medicines, perfumes, insect repellents and, of course, in food. In most cases, herbs are perennial and are tough wild plants which, when introduced to the luxurious conditions of a garden, will thrive. Planting your own medicine garden is a simple, pleasurable activity that will benefit you and your family for many years to come. It is a good idea to plant a small herb garden near the house that you can use as a medicine chest. Apothecary gardens have been grown for centuries full of the healing powers of plants.
Positioning your herb bed as close to the house as possible will make tending and harvesting easier. When planning an apothecary garden remember that not all herbs like full sun; divide the area into sun, partial shade and full shade and plant accordingly. I recommend selecting a circular plot and making a herb spiral.
Creating a herb spiral
A herb spiral is as simple as it sounds: a large spiral structure, typically measuring one and a half to two meters/yards wide diameter at the base, spiralling up to a height of around one meter, with a planting path running up it. A herb spiral of these proportions is big enough to accommodate at least all of the basic herbs included here, and a few slightly more exotic ones too.
There are many advantages of creating a herb spiral. First, by making use of both the vertical and the horizontal space, it allows you to make maximum use of a small growing area. This is particularly beneficial to those with little or no garden. The curved nature of the planting beds also increases the growing area available, compared to more traditional straight-edged gardens. Due to its design, the herb spiral offers a variety of different microclimates and aspects that are all easily accessible.
The benefits of this diversity of habitats are obvious – the gardener is able to plant a wide range of plants, all with differing needs and uses, in a very small area. Oil-rich herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and sage, can be grown on the dry and sunny top southerly side, whereas the moist and sheltered base on the northerly side is perfect for green foliage herbs such as mint, parsley and coriander. There is even the potential to create a small pond or bog area at the base of the spiral for plants such as watercress and watermint.
Virtually any building materials can be used to construct the herb spiral, as long as they’re reasonably long-lived and not likely to rot away as untreated wood is liable to do. Anything from wooden stakes to large slates, bricks, stones, bottles stacked on their side, or even scrap tyres can be used to create the walls of the spiral. If you are building directly onto earth, it’s advisable to mulch the area beforehand, to prevent weed problems whilst the herbs are establishing themselves. You can use anything water permeable, such as cardboard or old carpet. If you are building onto concrete, break it up to ensure adequate drainage. You can choose one of two methods of construction. The simplest and possibly less stable method, at least while the herbs are becoming established, is to pile the soil into a large heap
