By Bell Lifestyle

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported over 130,000 accidental deaths in the United States making it the fourth leading cause of death after heart disease, respiratory disease and malignant neoplasms (cancer). Unintentional accidents are defined as accidents associated with transportation, falls, firearms, drowning, smoke, fire, noxious substances, and other. 1

When looking at the top 10 leading causes of death, Unintentional Accidents accounts for 31.7% of for children between 1-9, 39.5% for people between 10-24 and 27.4% for adults between 25-44 in the United States. 2

In case of emergency you should always have a stocked first aid kit readily available in your home and car.

For emergency care you should always ensure that you have the following materials:

☐ Sterile adhesive bandages (assorted)
☐ Butterfly bandages
☐ Hypoallergenic adhesive strips & tape
☐ Sterile gauze pads (assorted)
☐ Roll of cotton
☐ Roll of bandages (2” and 3”)
☐ Cotton-tipped swabs
☐ Eye drops
☐ Thermometer
☐ Tweezers
☐ Face mask
☐ Latex gloves (non-latex gloves)
☐ Clean towels
☐ Bottled Water
☐ Cold compress (chemical ice packs)
☐ Emergency phone numbers
☐ First aid handbook
☐ Syrup of ipecac
☐ Anti-septic ointment
☐ Anti-biotic ointment
☐ Anti-itch ointment
☐ Anti-histamine
☐ Anti-diarrheal
☐ Pain relievers
☐ Fever reducer
☐ Decongestant or cough medicine

Here is a list of herbs that you may have in your home or that are readily accessible for gentle herbal remedies.

Herbs for Sleep and Stress*
• Chamomile – Helps to relax nerves and muscles for improved quality of sleep.
• Lavender – Promotes calmness, onset of sleep and quality of sleep.
• Lemon Balm – Promotes calmness and to address stress.
• Linden – Promotes relaxations to ease tension in the form of headaches.
• Oatstraw – Helps support the nervous system, helping to reduce anxiety.
• Passion flower – Historically used as a sedative, it helps to support quality of sleep.
• Valerian – Promote onset of sleep and quality of sleep.

Herbs for Immune & Respiratory Health*
• Black Elder Flowers – Helps with colds, flus, and sinus infections.
• Chamomile – Helps with fevers, colds and stomach ailments.
• Cinnamon Bark – Helps with colds and flus.
• Echinacea – Helps with colds and flus.
• Elecampane – Helps with coughs, congestion and is an expectorant.
• Eucalyptus – Helps with congestions, colds, and flus.
• Honey – Helps with coughs and throat irritation.
• Horehound – Helps with colds, coughs and is an expectorant.
• Hyssop – Helps with coughs and is an expectorant.
• Peppermint – Helps with congestion, coughs and cold symptoms.
• Stinging Nettle – Helps with symptoms of hay fever.

Herbs for Digestive Disturbances*
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Helps digestion by stimulating stomach acid secretion.
• Caraway – Helps digestion by stimulating stomach acid secretion.
• Ginger – Helps stomach irritations, nausea, motion and morning sickness.
• Goldenseal – Helps diarrhea, constipation and gas.
• Peppermint – Helps the passing of gas and indigestion.
• Star Anise – Helps with upset stomach and gas.
• Thyme – Helps with intestinal cramping from gas.

Herbs for Cuts, Irritations, Burns & Dry Skin*
• Aloe Vera – Helps to cool and soothe burns and sunburns.
• Calendula – Helps cleanse wounds, skin irritations and promote healing.
• Chamomile – Helps cleanse and soothe skin irritations.
• Coconut Oil – Helps to lubricate and sooth skin irritations.
• Comfrey – Helps to soothe rashes and promote healing. Not to be used on open wounds.
• Echinacea – Helps to soothe skin and promote healing.
• Lavender – Helps to ease itching, irritation and promote healing.
• Plantain – Helps to ease itch and irritation associated with bug bites.
• St Johns wort – Helps stimulate circulation to promote healing.
• Witch Hazel – Helps to sooth irritated skin and promote healing.

Herbs for Sore Muscles and Joints*
• Arnica – Helps stimulate circulation and sooth sore muscles and ligaments.
• Flax Seed – Helps with joint discomfort and muscle aches.
• Frankincense – Helps with muscle and joint discomfort when applied topically.
• Ginger – Helps with joint discomfort and swelling.
• St. John’s Wort – Helps with joint discomfort and muscle aches.
• Turmeric – Helps with joint discomfort and muscle aches.
• White Willow Bark – Helps with joint discomfort and muscle aches.

*This is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. In case of emergency or injury consult a healthcare practitioner.

1.2 Centers for Disease Control. National Vital Statistics, February 16 2016. www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr65/nvsr65_02.pdf Accessed October 26 2016.