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Ayurvedic First Aid Kit

Ayurvedic First Aid Kit

{Published on Thrive Global)

Ayurvedic medicine is a practical science that evolved in India. In fact, the name “Ayurveda” derives from Sanskrit, meaning the “science of life.” If that sounds a little broad, it’s because it is. Ayurvedic medicine is all about creating a holistically healthy lifestyle striving to create harmony between the body, mind, and spirit.

The ways in which individuals use Ayurveda varies from person to person, and there are simple ways to begin incorporating the medicine into your everyday life. This is my herbal first aid kit and helps me live life as a natural little yogi on the road.

A note: In Ayurveda, honey, ghee, and milk are used as a medium to carry the medicinal properties of the herbs to bodily tissues. You can mix the herbs and spices with one of the three ingredients below to allow the medicinal properties to stay in your system longer. This list can be used as a basic overview to show what natural, powerful, and commonly found herbs, spices, and plants might be the key to what is ailing you. (Bold items I keep in my purse).

Aloe Vera Gel – topically use for burns and overall skin hydration.  Internally it is very effective for the liver, gallbladder, stomach, ulcers, colitis, and an over all blood purifier.  Amazingly effective for hemorrhoids

Arnica gel or cream – anti-inflammatory for muscle sprains and pains

Baking soda– antacid.  One teaspoon in a shot of water

Black pepper – increases digestive juices, alleviates constipation, dry hemorrhoids, gas and loss of appetite.  (With pinch of honey) for intestinal worms

Calendula Comfrey Salve – wound heal

Chamomile Tea – Relax, indigestion, insomnia

Citronella Insect Repellant – anti-malaria/ dengue. (also a good skin moisturizer)

Castor oil – natural pain reliever and laxative.  Used as a strong detoxifying massage oil (make sure you rinse off 30 minutes later).

Cayenne pepper – rids of worms and parasites.  Increases circulation and sweating.

Cinnamon – pain reliever

Cloves oil– amazingly effective for toothaches

Cumin – for diarrhea and dysentery, abdominal cramps and pains.

Echinacea liquid Extract – immune builder (take before flights)

Eucalyptus oil – colds and backache

Flax seed– tea at night for constipation.

Garlic– good for digestion and removing gas.  Garlic oil is very effective for earaches and toothaches.

Ghee–  I will write another blog post just on ghee… It’s the backbone of all Ayurvedic remedies.  In India they put ghee in your eyes, ears, mouth and bum, for everything.  Drink with a little warm milk for constipation.

Ginger – an antispasmodic, gas relieving. Great for digestive problems, highly effective for motion sickness and nausea. Neutalizes toxins.

Goldenseal – an antiseptic used for  travellers diarrhea, and topically on wounds

Gotu kola – relieves stress, calms the mind. Sinuses.  In Sri Lanka, This is the most common Ayurvedic tea, drink before meals in the early morning

Grapefruit Seed Extract – I swear by this stuff.  If I only take one thing with me to india this would be it.   It purifies water. Is an amazing immune booster, gastrointestinal miracle medicine, parasite killer and topical antiseptic.

Honey – reduces vata. Heals internal and external ulcers. Excellent blood purifier.  Honey water flushes the kidneys.

Lavender Essential oil – headaches, anxiety. I put a little on my pillow and sleep in a bed of flowers.

Laxative tea (Cassia Senna) – stimulates intestinal activity. First action I take for a bout with constipation

Licorice root – for peptic ulcers, gastritis, inflamed gallbladder.

Mustard seed – neutralizes toxins, reduces muscle pain, spasms and improves digestion.

Nutmeg – (add to milk) treats lack of control of urination, relaxant, induces sleep, helpful for insomnia.

Peppermint – upset stomach, clears sinusitis, lessens insect bites

Salt – a shot of salty water is an amazingly effective laxative. Aids in digestion. Gargle for sore throat.

Tea tree oil – antiseptic, antibacterial.  Cleans wounds and clears pimples.

Turmeric – aids digestion and relieves constipation.  Perhaps the worlds best anti- inflammatory. Use for pain, swelling and inflammation.  Helpful for diabetics.

Valerian Tincture – anxiety, insomnia, tension, pain reliever (good for flying days)

Witchhazel – skin irritation, bites and stings

Yellow dock – calms pitta.  Arthritis, laxative, purifies blood, anti- inflammatory.  Use for dermatitis, bleeding hemorrhoids and inflamed eruptions on neck and back. Purifies blood and calms out of balance pitta.