| Whether you are a child or an adult you are as | | | | infection. A dressing steeped in a mild solution of |
| susceptible to the damage done to skin and soft | | | | calendula extract was enough, and it likely saved |
| tissue by hard activities as anybody else. So what | | | | many lives. |
| can you look for if you decide have a day outdoors | | | | Another plant with similar properties is the alpine |
| and face the dangers that you will come across that | | | | Arnica, which is useful to reduce the swelling and pain |
| want to leave you bruised ,scratched, scraped, cut | | | | of bruises. It works simply by rubbing the leaves on |
| and itching from all the falls, knocks, stings and bites | | | | the area when you have a fall or a hard knock. The |
| that most people experience when they are more | | | | active ingredients here are again flavonoids, and |
| used to spending their time indoors? | | | | sesquiterpene lactones along with tannins, carotenoids |
| Bruises are caused by a knock, and can happen | | | | and thymol. These, along with the flavonoids, |
| without you even being aware of it. The blood | | | | stimulate the circulation and carry away any fluids |
| vessels get damaged and leak. If you notice it right | | | | trapped in bruises and swellings. |
| away, you can lessen the degree of bruising by | | | | The sesquiterpene lactones act as anti-inflammatories |
| applying ice or cold water to constrict the capillaries | | | | and boost the immune system, helping to reduce |
| and cut down the flow of blood leaking from them. | | | | swelling and pain. In fact terpenoid chemicals are |
| Some people bruise easier than others, and | | | | common to many of the herbs and flowers that |
| excessive bruising for no apparent reason could be a | | | | have found a use in the relief of pain in swelling and |
| symptom of a more serious underlying condition and | | | | bruises. The same is true of Ledum, better known as |
| you should see your doctor. | | | | Rosemary, traditionally used for the treatment of |
| A bump, or lump, can appear for many reasons, but | | | | burns, ulcers dandruff, and dry skin and to get rid of |
| generally settles down after a while. It can simply be | | | | lice among many other internal and topical applications. |
| the body's reaction to a hard knock that did not | | | | The active ingredients of rosemary (ledum) include |
| damage the blood vessels, but prompted a natural | | | | mono-, di- and triterpenes and also the ubiquitous |
| swelling to protect the area. They can also be caused | | | | flavonoids and camphor and linalool. If you wash |
| by insect bites. You don't always see these little | | | | down burns, grazes and cuts with a wash of ledum |
| pests - they have lunch then zip off without you | | | | extract, then you will protect the patient from |
| even being aware of it until the area begins to itch | | | | infection at the time when they are most vulnerable |
| and swell. However, if you have a lump under the | | | | to infectious agents. |
| armpit, in your neck or behind your ears it could be a | | | | Hypericum has uses as an anti-inflammatory and |
| swollen gland and you should contact your physician. | | | | antiseptic, and is therefore useful for exactly the |
| Everybody gets minor scrapes now and again, and | | | | same conditions as all of the above. It also has |
| when you spend any time outside you can get bitten | | | | astringent properties, so that like Calendula, |
| by insects such as mosquitoes, midges, blackflies, | | | | Hypericum can be used to prevent the capillary |
| horse flies - you name it, they will lunch on you as on | | | | seepage that frequently leads to infections. The |
| any other animals. You can also get stung by | | | | active ingredients here are apparently flavonoids |
| vegetable nasties, though if you do then look around | | | | again, with their antiseptic and anti-inflammatory |
| for a remedy. Strangely, many stinging plants have | | | | properties. |
| another plant close by that can be used as a remedy. | | | | Considering that they are among the most common |
| This is likely because, after being stung, people just | | | | antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in the plant |
| rubbed whatever was handy on the area and | | | | world; it is no coincidence that flavonoids just happen |
| eventually these remedies were discovered. | | | | to be contained in the vast majority of natural |
| Thus, dock leaves are often found beside nettles, | | | | treatments for scratches, grazes and bruises. They |
| and touch-me-not beside poison ivy. These are good | | | | reduce swelling, pain and inflammation, and also act as |
| natural remedies for stings caused through contact | | | | antiseptics by disrupting the cell walls of bacteria. |
| with these particular plants, and there are many | | | | Hypericum is well known by its alternative name St. |
| other natural remedies that can be used for the | | | | John's Wort, where it is used in the treatment of |
| other everyday hurts that people receive just for | | | | depression. However, the active ingredients here are |
| carrying out normal activities outside in a natural | | | | mainly hyperforin and hypericin, which have little to |
| environment. Let's have a look at some of the | | | | do with the topical benefits of the plant. |
| natural remedies that people have used through the | | | | If you have suffered from insect bites and stings, |
| ages, and that are still used to this day, even in | | | | then you would have been thankful had you brought |
| proprietary creams and salves. | | | | some Apis Mellifica with you. Obtained from bees, this |
| Calendula, or marigold, is very effective in relieving | | | | again contains terpenes among many other chemicals, |
| skin irritations and inflammation. It can be applied | | | | and is used paradoxically in the treatment of bee |
| topically to relieve the symptoms of bruises, cuts and | | | | stings and other insect stings and bites. It's amazing |
| scrapes, and also for the initial treatment of burns | | | | how many of these old remedies contain terpenes of |
| and scalds. It has anti-inflammatory properties and | | | | various types and also flavonoid chemicals. It is useful |
| can be used on inflamed or infected cuts and skin | | | | for most rashes that have raised puffy lumps, such |
| lesions. These properties are believed to be due to | | | | as hives. |
| the high level of flavonoids found in calendula that | | | | Finally, if you manage to stay out without getting any |
| have anti-oxidant properties and help the immune | | | | bruises, abrasions, scratches or bites, you will be very |
| function to do its work. Among these is the powerful | | | | lucky. However, if you get sunburn through being out |
| Quercetin with its strong anti-histamine properties. | | | | in the sun too long, just look around for some |
| It also appears to possess anti-viral properties, | | | | stinging nettle, or Urtica. The leaf contains |
| though the reason for this is not clear and is still | | | | polysaccharides and lectins that stop the production |
| under investigation. Marigold also contains carotenoids | | | | of prostaglandins in the body that cause inflammation. |
| and triterpene saponins, both of which will contribute | | | | Your sunburn will ease and you be able to return |
| to the medicinal effects. The dried flowers or leaves, | | | | home relatively symptom free from your day |
| or the fresh flowers, can be used and it is an old | | | | outdoors. |
| adage that pus will not form where marigold is used. | | | | These natural remedies can be hard to find growing |
| It is also good for the treatment of insect bites and | | | | naturally due to many factors such as the time of |
| boils, where it appears to either prevent infection or | | | | year or your geographical location these herbs may |
| clear up any that are there. It has also been proven | | | | grow in. Alternative sources are available at your local |
| to prevent the seeping of blood from the capillaries in | | | | health food store where you can find all the above |
| scrapes, and to promote blood clotting. | | | | mentioned herbs in ointments and creams specifically |
| Calendula was used during the First World War by | | | | formulated for your needs. |
| British doctors to dress wounds and prevent | | | | |