Attempting
to travel or camp with children can be a daunting task. You want to imagine the worst
things that could befall your family and be prepared; yet you don’t want to end
up with a bulky package of what –in-cases that take up precious cargo room. Here are some tried and true summer first aid
basics.
The over-all best resource
book to have with you is: ‘Smart Medicine for a
Healthier Child’, Zand, Walton and Roundtree.
This resource will cover all the medical, herbal and homeopathic basics.
Most of these resources are available at Health Food Stores.
Health Care Basics
Hypericum Lotion also called Mother Tincture. This is used in place of alcohol
or peroxide for open wounds, broken skin, inflamed tissues and to
prevent infection. Alcohol or peroxide
although it sterilizes, does eat away at the freshly healed tissue
somewhat.
The great thing about Hypericum MT
is that it sterilizes, feeds the wound and heals the wound from the inside
out. This is especially beneficial when
you suspect particles that may still be in the tissues. You don’t want the skin to seal on the
surface when you’re not sure if there is hair or debris still trapped in the
wound
Method: Dilute 1 part MT to 4 parts water. Apply with Q-tip or cotton pad or it can be mixed
in a sterile spray bottle. Attempting to
spray it on is more successful that trying to come close to an ‘owie’. Use often to cleanse the wound and speed its healing. This is a wonderful remedy for post-scratched
infected or inflamed bug bites.
Calendula Lotion also called Calendula
Mother Tincture. Whereas Hypericum
Lotion is used anytime the skin is open, calendula is most effective for abrasions,
burns, chafes, sunburn or any kind of itch.
Calendula does come in an ointment form, but I don’t like putting oil on
burns or abrasions. Calendula, a type of
marigold flower, speeds healing, is an antiseptic, and reduces inflammation and
pain.
Calendula cream can be used
for soothing and healing an irritated scalp and works well for a dandruff prone
scalp. It is great for reducing the itch
of insect bites heat rash and for sunburn.
In regard to diaper rash, calendula can be used on the skin as a healing
layer, and a barrier product used on top of it.
As a quick first aid for
kitchen burns, Calendula is without rival. Calendula helps to take the heat out of a burn
fast. A word of caution, Calendula is not recommended for open wounds and where
the skin is broken.
Method: Dilute 1 part MT to 4 parts water. Apply with Q-tip or cotton pad or it can be mixed
in a sterile spray bottle. Use often to speed healing and increase comfort.
Summer dehydration
It is the minerals in our
bodies that keep the water balanced in the cells. In the summer we gravitate to
cooling hydrating foods such as celery, peaches, watermelon, and cucumber. Adding sea vegetables such as kelp, nori or
dulse to our diets can help us to keep our cool during hot weather (much better
than refined table salt). Enduralyte or a quality unsweetend electrolyte formula can really help us to keep our blood minerals balanced in the heat.
Biochemical cell salts
When we are cremated, what is
left over is cell salts. They are the carbon
components of our own tissues. Cell
salts stimulate and support proper function of cell/organ/system. They keep water in balance and feed the body
at a cellular level.
The Summer Cell Salts
To
relieve stomach upset, bloating, intestinal discomfort and lassitude consider Kali Mur,
Nat Phos, and Nat Sulph. They are usually found in low potencies such
as 6x or 12x. Their value is vastly
underrated especially in regard to very young children.
Homeopathics are
diluted forms of plant material that cause a healing and balancing response in
the body. For home use you would be
using low potencies. I will let you do
your own research on this.
Think of an aeroplane
traveling down a runway, and you notice one wheel drifting off the tarmac,
Homeopathics are a way of nudging the body back on track. (Balance)
The Integrative Approach
Use herbs and vitamins and
minerals as well as Homeopathics. Not
all or nothing.
Also support the body long
term. What else would help? Don’t lose
sight of the cause.
Heat Exhaustion
Tissue Salts 12 in One-Melange
(all of the 12), Encourage small sips of water,
Consider Homeopathic Aconite
Skin eruptions
Kali
Mur, Kali Sulph, Calc Sulph, and Silica
Rashes, itch, nettle rash,
or heat rash
Urtica
homeopathic
Poison ivy
Rhus
Tox 6x homeopathic or Urtica
Also
avoid eating cashews and mangoes which are in the same food family.
Sprains and Bruises
Arnica 30k
Can use Arnica liposome
topically for swelling
Ruta 30 or 200k for deeper
bone bruising
Concussion
Arnica 200k
Always seek medical care.
Burns including sunburn
Calendula Lotion topically
Utica Urens or Cantharis Homeopathic
Protect
the skin from sun by using non allergenic pure mineral makeup as sunscreens.
These fine powders will not sweat off easily or get easily washed off.
Insect Bites and Stings
Hypericum Tincture topically
Golden Seal Herb poultice and
internally as a tea (not when Pregnant)
Homeopathic Apis or Urtica
Motion Sickness
Cocculus homeopathic
Bone Breaks
Symphytum homeopathic
Always seek medical aid. This remedy encourages and stimulates the
natural healing of the broken bones. I
would also recommend the extra use of a good cal mag for the initial first week
or so of the healing. I suggest Floradix Liquid Cal Mag. This product is made from food, and is more
body friendly. This is especially
important for optimum absorption for children.
It will, however, require refrigeration.
Muscle Cramps or growing pains
Again, Flora Liquid Cal Mag. Give a couple of teaspoons every 10 minutes
or so until the cramping stops. This is
especially important for absorption for children
Food Poisoning
Nux Vomica homeopathic and
Choline 1 tablet every 15 minutes.
Cheladonium Plex is a helpful homeopathic plex that can be taken ongoing
for a week or so to bring the digestive system fully back to balance. The use of live culture probiotics is
essential.
Digestive Disturbances
The summer tissue salts are
helpful: Kali Mur, Nat Phos and Nat Sulph.
Probiotics and digestive enzymes are helpful to restore the gut. The overall reducing fatty foods and
processed foods can help. Reducing
mucous forming foods such as dairy and wheat can be helpful while the body is recovering. Cheladonium Plex can be helpful when used
over a longer period of time to strengthen the digrestion.
Parasites
Black Walnut Tincture, Cina
30k, Unda # 39
Over-indulgence of food,
alcohol or too much mental work
Nux Vomica 30k or 200k,
Choline
Coughs and Respiratory
Congestion
Drosera, Spongia, Dulcamera
in 30k or 200k
Flu or Sudden illness
Unda
# 37, Oscillococcinum by Boroin or Flu Buster by Homeocan are good treatments when
used at the earliest onset of flu symptoms
Aconite
homeopathic is good to have on hand for anything that comes on suddenly. Even for emotional scares, like a near
traffic accident, aconite is helpful to restore balance. Keep this in mind for when there is
stuttering from fear or anxiety.
Another product worth keeping
on hand is ‘Febriplex’. This is an
especially effective for children, when coming down with cold, fever, flu and
gripe. Most products that people choose tend to suppress the body’s
functions. Febriplex is a homeopathic
plex that supports the body’s self-healing efforts.
Plexes (combinations) are
helpful for motivating the healing process, and helping increase comfort.
Just a note of wisdom; sometimes emergency
treatment is necessary. Natural and 1st
Aid basics can be employed even while proceeding to Medical care. According to Steig Larsson,author of 'Girl with the Dragon Tatoo', if you are
absolutely desperate for something to cover a wound and there are no bandages
handy; our ever handy duct tape can keep a wound clean and effectively slow
bleeding until you reach a medical facility.
The Sanity Section
For Mom: Hormone - PMS and Menopause
Sepia – hateful/spiteful/
wants to be left alone
Pulsatilla – moody/weepy/consolable
wants you near
Keep Grounded
Stopping frequently is
essential for adults and children alike.
Stretching your legs once an hour or two at the most, is a great way to
keep alert and grounded. Switch drivers
at least once every two hours.
Keep Hydrated
We often think we are hungry
when the body is really crying out for water.
Hydration makes us more electrical.
It keeps our brains alert. Water
keeps our kidneys working well and flushing properly.
Keep Nourished
Healthy snacks are another
way to nourish, hydrate and entertain.
Visiting Fresh Produce stands can be a great way of getting a break as
well. Traveling is usually a time when
our systems can feel sluggish.
Pay particular attention to include
fibre rich foods. Fresh fruits,
vegetables are essential for keeping our bowels working. Reduce the glue foods like sugar, pasta, chips and refined flour.
Keep Rested
Avoid being over tired. Stop for the night rest early and settle in
and do something fun. Nothing beats the ‘grumpies’
like a refreshed and well rested crew.
Keep Entertained
Pack efficiently. Creating a clutter free space for each
traveler reduces irritation for everyone.
Put some brain-space into
preplanning your trip. Get your hands on some really great kid’s pastimes that
work well in a confined space. Hide them
away and create a new surprise to open up each day of travel. Create travel games. Counting horses with spots, or being the
first to spy non-home-province license plates, or playing interactive word
games can be a fun way of putting in travel time. My friend Amy brought along small DVD screens that could be attached to the back of the front seats.
One very creative Dad I know
took along dice. This way the family could
leave a lot of decisions to chance.
Stop? Not stop? Eat here?
Stop x minutes. Who wins a
decision score?
Drivers, invent a signal that
means we’re off NOW! What ever it is, make
the signal consistent and tolerate no doddling. I remember traveling across the
continent. The signal was a final rev of
the engine in neutral which meant ‘all aboard’.
After the first day, we were all ‘hopping to’ just like trained dogs.
Create an intention of FUN! Even young children can appreciate that the purpose of the travel is to spend
time enjoying each other. Take lots of
fun photos. Don’t be afraid to create whacky photos. Consider writing an ongoing group travelogue
for your trip.
Do you have some great
ideas? Please share.
Have a great summer and keep well_
Nelda
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