This will be the last posting in this series, although I have not exhausted all the potential conditions that you might be required to treat with your Natural First Aid kit in the home.
Conditions such as; rash, burns, constipation, travel sickness, are just a few of the examples that need exploring.
I have decided to edit the material we have so far as well as add information on some of the other conditions I have not dealt with on this website. I will then add a section with information about identification, harvesting, processing, preparation, application and dosage. This I will put into a booklet form that you can keep together with your kit for easy reference.
If you would be interested in having a copy of this booklet, please contact me using the contact information on my website and I will put aside a copy for you once it is done.
The herbs I have introduced you to during this series are mostly indigenous or easily accessed. This makes the information in the series relevant and easy for you to start incorporating into you daily life. To summarize, to date we have learnt about the application of; Echinacea, Pot Marigold (Calendula), Yarrow, Lady’s Mantel, Cramp Bark (Guelder Rose), Meadowsweet, White Willow, German Chamomile, St John’s Wort (Hypericum) Verbena (Vervain) and Clivers (Goose Grass). There was also our colds and flu formula made up of the combination of Yarrow, Elderflowers and Linden flowers.
This final post is concerned with the common afflictions caused by fungal infection. Fungal infections can affect various parts of the body. Two of the most common manifestations are those which affect the feet (Athlete’s Foot) and those which affect the genital area (Candida), the latter often being brought on by the use of antibiotics causing an imbalance in the bacterial flora within the body.
As in many conditions, Natural First Aid can be the first line of relief. However, if you are suffering from a chronic fungal condition a more comprehensive investigation into the causes of the condition is needed to facilitate cure. Some of the herbs that may be required in such a case are best applied by a trained and experienced herbalist. However, we already have a couple of herbs of value in our Natural First Aid kit that will offer relief until a more comprehensive program of treatment is determined.
Pot Marigold and German Chamomile can be employed in various forms to deal with fungal infections. Again, these are both herbs that have affinity with the fire element and although the symptom of itching suggests a hot condition, the actual fungal infection reflects a cold and stagnant constitution. Hence, these two herbs are well suited for the case.
Treating genital Candida is best served by making a cream or an infusion.
A cream can be made by adding powdered herb or tincture to a good cream base at about 10%. This can be applied to the afflicted area several times a day.
A vaginal douche can also be made from the infusion of flowers by adding 2 oz of flowers/petals to a pint of boiled water and infuse with a lid on.
Athlete’s foot can also be treated by applications of cream as well as a foot bath made from the above infusion. But as a adjunct to the applications, care must be given to daily hygiene. The feet should be washed and dried thoroughly before each application. If necessary, use a blow dryer to help dry the feet. The final application can take place before retiring to bed. This functions best if a sock is worn to avoid rubbing off the cream (but not a woolen one as this may cause more itching).
Another form of application that works well for Athlete’s foot is an ointment. This can be made by gently warming the flowers that should be lightly covered by an oil of quality, such as Almond or even Olive. A more traditional method is to put the flowers into a glass jar, just cover with oil, and put them in the window for a couple of weeks to allow the sun to gently infuse the oil with the healing properties. This should be shaken at least once a day to help the process. The finished oil should be strained and then a quantity of bees wax added to thicken it to your desire. There are numerous recipes out there…some that even contain a combination with lard also among the ingredients. Getting involved with herbs is about getting your hands dirty and finding what suits you best.
Of course, attention needs to be given to diet to alter the nature of the fluids and juices in the body and thus deprive the fungus of the food they crave. Abstain from sugars and foods with yeasts or mould in them (bread, cheese, alcohol, marmite etc.)
I hope you have enjoyed this series….Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about information you have read in this series.
Health and Happiness
The Green Man
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