Naturopathic First Aid Kit
I love having my first aid kit at home well-stocked so that I have what I need when an illness or injury happens and don’t have to run to the store. Below is a list of my favorite dietary supplements and herbal medicines to have on hand at home. As a parent to a toddler who just started daycare, my family has already encountered several bouts of illness this fall. We’ve dealt with everything from painful earaches to the stomach flu and had many viral respiratory illnesses in between.
Now feels like the perfect time to share my naturopathic first aid kit with you. I have included a list of specific nutrients and herbal medicines useful for many first aid issues, including the common cold, influenza (flu), and minor cuts and scrapes. Things like bandaids and a thermometer are not included in this list. To complement my naturopathic first aid kit, here’s a first aid kit from Mayo Clinic, including other first aid supplies and over-the-counter medications that may be good to have on hand as well.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is best taken at the onset of illness, especially respiratory illnesses like the common cold and flu. This nutrient can make you feel better faster if you take it when feeling sick. Specifically, vitamin C can reduce the duration of illness and the severity of cold and flu symptoms. Vitamin C has antiviral and immune-supporting properties.
I typically dose vitamin C in 500 mg capsules for adults. I suggest taking it every 4-6 hours throughout the course of a viral illness. Taking several grams of vitamin C can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. If this happens, decreasing the dose or using a buffered vitamin C product usually helps. For children and those who have difficulty swallowing pills, there are powdered drink mixes, chewable tablets, and gummy vitamin C versions available.
Vitamin D
It’s essential to have adequate vitamin D in the body to help prevent illness. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to be vitamin D deficient living in a northern latitude like Minnesota. I recommend getting your vitamin D level checked with lab testing if you have not done so in the past year. Some people need to supplement with vitamin D daily to increase stores in their body, especially during the winter. During illness with the common cold or flu, supplementing higher doses of vitamin D around 5,000 IU daily for adults will give your immune system an extra boost. Take your vitamin D supplement with a meal to increase absorption as this is a fat-soluble vitamin.
Zinc
This mineral is excellent for supporting the immune system during a respiratory illness like the common cold and flu. Like vitamin C, zinc is best taken at the onset and throughout the course of illness to help speed recovery. Higher doses of zinc, around 30-50 mg daily, can be used during acute illness in adults for a short period of time. However, avoid supplementing high doses of zinc daily for longer periods of time due to the risk of copper deficiency. Zinc is usually well tolerated but may cause stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea at higher doses.
NAC
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is derived from the amino acid L-cysteine. NAC is great for alleviating nasal and chest congestion by breaking up mucus. NAC is not only a powerful mucolytic but is also a potent antioxidant. Thus, NAC helps lower inflammation. NAC is commonly dosed in 600 mg capsules and taken up to three times daily as needed for congestion in adults. Many people notice a difference in mucus drainage from their sinuses within 15-20 minutes of taking the supplement. Anyone with an allergy to sulfa medications or who are sensitive to garlic and onions, are at an increased likelihood to have an allergic reaction to NAC due to the sulfur content.
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
This herbal medicine prevents and treats the common cold and flu. Elderberry is shown to lower the number of colds when supplemented regularly, reduce the number of days with a cold and lower the severity of symptoms. I commonly find this herbal medicine prepared as a glycerite instead of a tincture, which is appropriate for children. Elderberry glycerite does not contain alcohol like a tincture. Elderberry glycerite tastes delicious, and my toddler loves it. This herb is usually well-tolerated. Please avoid harvesting and eating raw, unripe fruit, seeds, and leaves.
Garlic and Mullein Ear Drops
As a traditional herbal remedy, topical garlic and mullein oil dropped into the ear are used for ear infections. Garlic and mullein can help soothe the pain and fight infections in the middle and external parts of the ear. Do not put anything in the ear without a doctor looking inside first to be sure the eardrum is intact. Putting oil in the ear is contraindicated when the eardrum is ruptured or perforated. Most ear infections are viral and should improve within 1-3 days. The use of antibiotics for ear infections depends on many factors, including the patient's age, the duration and severity of symptoms, and the patient’s or parent’s preference. This is a discussion you should have with your primary care doctor.
Tummy Tonic or Gripe Water
Upset tummies can occur for a variety of reasons, some of which include the stomach flu (norovirus and rotavirus), other foodborne illnesses, or food allergies. Chamomile, fennel, and lemon balm are herbal medicines that may help soothe an upset stomach by alleviating gas and cramping abdominal pain. Marshmallow, aloe vera gel, and licorice are demulcent, soothing herbs often used for an upset stomach or heartburn. Also, ginger is helpful for nausea. These tummy-soothing herbs can usually be found in capsules, tinctures, glycerites, and teas. Combination products are also available. Gripe water is a great option for infants and toddlers. Gripe water often contains chamomile, fennel, and lemon juice.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is used to treat certain types of poisoning. It is best taken immediately following suspected exposure. Activated charcoal helps bind toxins and prevents your stomach from absorbing them. Charcoal is not helpful for eliminating the toxins from certain corrosive agents, like cleaning products, gasoline, and paint thinners, or alcohols. Contact Poison Control or go to the emergency department if you suspect serious poisoning.
Aloe vera gel
Applied topically to the skin, aloe vera gel can help cool, soothe, and heal irritated and inflamed skin. Aloe vera gel is helpful for sunburns, other burns, and skin flare-ups from eczema and psoriasis. You can use the inner leaf gel directly from the Aloe plant if you have one at home by breaking off a leaf and squeezing out the gel.
Calendula oil
Topical calendula oil is an excellent wound healer for red and irritated skin, cuts, and scrapes. I mix a few drops of calendula oil with a teaspoon of jojoba oil and apply it topically to affected areas on the skin. On a personal note, my kiddo had mild eczema as an infant, and topical calendula oil significantly helped relieve the redness of his skin and improved his rashes. Calendula oil is also great for chapped hands and cheeks after being outside in the cold.
Castor oil
Topical castor oil can help lower swelling and pain associated with sprains. All you need is a dime-sized amount of castor oil rubbed over the swollen area. Avoid putting castor oil over open wounds. As with most oils, castor oil will stain clothing, so have caution when using it. Some people prefer to prepare traditional castor oil packs with a flannel cloth, plastic wrap, and a heating pad.
Other Combination Products
I like to use a few specific combination products for acute illness to help support the immune system and fight infections. These products contain many different vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, and herbs. Specifically, herbs like echinacea, myrrh, goldenseal, astragalus, ginger, garlic, and mushrooms to name a few. I have included the specific products I am referring to in my Naturopathic First Aid Kit and Pediatric Naturopathic First Aid Kit on Fullscript. You can view my protocols on my online medicinary, Fullscript.
Homeopathy
There are many different homeopathic remedies available for various first aid concerns. The best part about homeopathy is that it’s safe for children. One of the most common homeopathic remedies is oral Arnica montana which is used for bumps and bruises. Topical Arnica products are also available for pain relief. I have a few specific combination homeopathic products I like to use for cold symptoms and red, itchy, and irritated eyes. You can find these products specifically listed on my online mediciary, Fullscript.
Over-the-Counter Medications
I always keep a few over-the-counter medications stocked at home in case of severe illness or allergic reactions. Some brands are better than other, more common household names because they lack food dyes and additives. You will see in my naturopathic first aid kit on Fullscript the brand I like the purchase for a few specific children's medications.
This first medication I keep stocked at home is children's liquid acetaminophen, which I use to treat high fevers. While fevers are necessary to fight infections, a fever of 103 degrees or higher increases the risk of febrile seizures in children under 5 years. This is when it becomes essential to lower the fever.
The second medication I always have in my first aid kit is an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine, which helps lower the inflammatory response in an allergic reaction. Liquid versions of this medication are available for children. You never know if you or your child is going to have a serious allergic reaction to something as simple as a bee sting. Consult with a doctor about appropriate dosing for over-the-counter medications in infants and children.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to supplement medical care. Please consult a naturopathic doctor for specific recommendations on dietary supplements and herbal medicines based on your health concerns. The general dosing of the products I mention in this blog is for adults. For children, it’s best to always read the label for dosing instructions based on their age or weight and consider consulting with your naturopathic doctor to be sure the supplements are safe to use. Some dietary supplements will specify how to dose in children, whereas others may not. If you are pregnant or nursing, please consult a doctor before taking dietary supplements and herbal medicines. If you ever experience a medical emergency, seek emergency care.
Create an Account in Panka Natural Health’s Medicinary online to view my Naturopathic First Aid Kit and Pediatric Naturopathic First Aid Kit
Resources:
Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 7th ed. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone; 2010:810.
Gaby, Alan. Nutritional Medicine. 2nd ed., Fritz Perlberg Publishing. 2017.
Rakel D, ed. Integretive Medicine. Fouth Edi. Philadelphia, PA; 2017
Pizzorno, Joseph E., and Michael T. Murry. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 4th ed., Elsevier/Saunders, 2013.
Natural Medicines. Professional Monographs. Naturalmedicines-therapeuticresearch.com
