Stop the Bleeding : To stop bleeding apply a cold compress soaked in a decoction of these herbs, or use the fresh leaves if you have them available. Agrimony can effectively stop bleeding from cuts and scrapes. ¹ Shepherd's Purse is a good first aid herb for nosebleeds, wounds and cuts. Best if used fresh. Roses and more so rose bark are astringents, and help to staunch bleeding. Yarrow has an ancient reputation as a wound herb used to staunch bleeding and disinfect wounds. Gerard tells us it is the same plant with which Achilles stanched the bleeding wounds of his soldiers, hence the name of the genus, Achillea ¹

Healing the skin: Aloe is soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial - helps heal wounds of all kinds. Aloe makes a great houseplant, both decorative and useful. Buy only the 100% pure organic aloe vera gel and keep it handy in your home first aid kit. The bright orange blossoms of calendula are anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antiseptic, calendula promotes new skin growth and inhibits bleeding. Gentle enough for children and the most sensitive of skin. ³ Externally a cold infusion of Elder flowers may be used as as a compress for chilblains, and are used in ointments for irritation of the skin. ⁶ Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, creams containing Balm of Gilead buds are used to treat frostbite, sunburn, superficial injuries of the skin. Comfrey is a time honored treatment for healing sores, bruises and healing broken bones.⁴ Comfrey is a cell proliferant, speeding healing to skin. Those comfrey has recently become controversial for internal use, it is considered safe for short term use on tough skin problems. ⁵ The active ingredient in Gotu kola, asiatic acid, is particularly effective in stimulating synthesis of collagen, a prominent component of the deeper layers of skin. ³ The high mucilage content of Slippery elm is responsible for it's effectiveness in herbal medicine for treating itchy, inflamed, or irritated skin as well as cuts, scrapes, scratches, and minor burns. White Willow,cooled and applied externally, the decoction helps aid healing of sores, burns, or cuts.

Healing Oils: In Pacific island folk medicine, Tamanu oil is applied liberally to cuts, scrapes, and sores. Geranium oil can be applied to stop excessive bleeding and hemorrhaging. Because of its antimicrobial properties, it beneficial for hygienic maintenance. ⁷

Backyard Remedies: Honeysuckle flowers act as natural antihistamine, although they are more useful for treating rashes and inflammation than for treating coughing and sneezing. Traditionally combined with mint for rashes or outbreaks on the skin following nervous tension, and with scutellaria to treat boils.² Speedwell is a simple and effective as a lotion or skin wash applied to the skin to speed wound healing and relieve itching

Plant based Antibiotics Clove is virtually pure eugenol, a powerful, multifaceted phytochemical that anesthetizes, kills bacteria and fungi. ⁴ Both Lavender and Tea tree oils can be applied neat to scrapes and cuts to prevent infection. Put a few drops into warm water to clean wounds. Organic raw honey can be applied to a cut or scrape as an antibiotic and to improve skin healing. Keep a bottle of pure distilled witch hazel on hand to clean and disinfect wounds, and calm the itch of insect bites and rashes. Goldenseal makes a good topical antiseptic for minor injuries.