Wilderness 1st aid Balm

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Populus fremontii  Cottonwood buds

Prunella vulgaris Self heal

Plantago lanceolata Plantain

Urtica dioica Nettle

Stinging Nettle’s bark is used by almost all the tribes in the area as a type of cordage made out of the bark of its stem. The bark of the stem is peeled,  dried and rolled on the thigh into a two-ply string and weaved together to make different thicknesses of cordage and nets. The Skokomish, Lummi and Snohomish use the cordage for duck nets. Nettle is also used by the entire area of tribes for medicinal properties. It is used for rheumatism, paralysis, colds, soreness, stiffness, hair care and as a general tonic by the salish people however their uses vary.  Nettle is also given to women during pregnancy and when experiencing difficulties in labor. The coastal tribes whip the seal hunters and warriors with stinging nettle then after are covered by seal fat to help keep in the heat caused by the body's reaction to its sting, but most importantly this ritual gives the warriors power and adrenalin to stay awake all night and hunt for seals in the cold ocean. 

Cottonwood buds are used indigenously for materials and medicine. Many PNW Salish and Lushootseed tribes use cottonwood for living infrastructure and building materials. Squaxin use the bark as tea for sore throats and bruise the leaves into water and use it as an antiseptic on cuts.  For centuries around the world the resin from the buds have been made into a salve with some sort of animal fat to treat pains and rheumatism. Cottonwood buds have been made into a sweet smelling salve for centuries to treat a variety of skin ailments from cuts to minor bruises and burns and to ease pain. The salve is referred to as the Balm of Gilead, as referred to in the Bible which means Balm of God. It’s bright aromatherapeutic scent is it’s most memorable characteristic and its medicinal properties are it’s strongest.

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) English Plantain or Ribwort is an introduced plant to the PNW. It is certain that it has been here for so long that it has many indigenous uses but is also considered native to Europe. English plantain is abundant in fields and yards however, a very long time ago indigenously it was rare to find and very sought after. The Cowlitz make it into a tea to use as a tonic and The Klallam formerly rubbed this plant on their bodies to make their husbands like them better. The Cherokee use this plant for many ailments that I use them for today and are the main reasons why plantain is such an important addition to my trauma and 1st aid balms. The Cherokee make the leaf into a poultice applied for headaches, burn dressings, blisters, ulcers, insect stings and make plantain infusions out of the root to check baby bowels and dysentery. They make leaf infusions used for poisonous bites and stings, used orally and as a wash. The Cherokee use the leaf juice as medicine for sore eyes.

Self Heal is considered an introduced native plant to the Pacific Northwest and is used medicinally by The Quileute and Quinalt for boils. The coastal tribes use the whole plant for cuts and inflammation. The Quinault apply the juice directly onto the boil. The Nuxalt prepare a tea to drink for the heart by boiling the whole plant in water.  Self heal is widespread and common in Britain and Ireland, and this species is native to mainland Europe, Asia and North America. The common name Selfheal refers to the plant having been used as a treatment for wounds and bruises for centuries until recent times. In China the dried flower is used in tea to make an herbal drink. Self heal is used by indigenous people all over North America and has been used for all kinds of different ailments including cuts, bruises, inflammation, sores, eyewash, acne, body wash for fevers. Backaches, diarrhea, blood purifier, colds and coughs. This  plant has amazing medicinal qualities that has a wide range of uses indigenously that has been affirmed through western medicine. Today this plant is used to help with all of these symptoms in natural medicine though plant salves, lotions, tinctures and more.

Stinging Nettle is a perennial plant of the nettle family (Urticaceae), known for its stinging leaves. Stinging nettle is distributed nearly worldwide but is especially common in Europe, North America, North Africa, and parts of Asia. The plant is widely common in herbal medicine, and the young leaves are packed with nutritional properties and can be cooked and eaten. Stinging nettle has been used for it’s bast fibres for textiles, cosmetics and made into topical creams to aid in joint pain and in skin ailments like eczema and cirrhosis. This plant has also been used in shampoos to treat dandruff. Nettle has a long history of use as a medicinal herb and is still used today by naturopathic doctors, herbalists and by people making medicinal folk remedies in their homes. The fresh leaves have been applied to arthritic joints to stimulate blood flow in a process called urtification. The roots and leaves have been made into a tea and used as a diuretic and for prostate enlargement as well as other urinary disorders. Tea made from the leaves has been used to treat hay fever, diabetes, gout, and arthritis. There are studies that reveal correlation with nettle relieving anxiety, stuttering and motor nerve malfunction as well. 

Cottonwood Buds have antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, and anti inflammatory properties that aid with healing 1st aid bruises, cuts and burns. A compound called salicin reduces fevers and inflammation from arthritic joints,, hyperextension as well as ease the pain. It is specific for the muscular-skeletal system and an analgesic and anti-inflammatory herbal oil. Active Components:  a volatile humulene oil,Balsamic resin; gallic acid, malic acid, salicin, populin, mannitol, chrysin, fixed oil, tectochrysin, arachidonic, trichocarpin, and bisopolol.

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) English Plantain is both edible and medicinal and has been eaten raw or cooked. Eating the young leaves is the best way to go because the older and larger leaves can be bitter and fibrous. The seed can be cooked and used like sagod or ground into a powder and added to flour when making baked goods. Plantain is an effective treatment for bleeding, it staunches blood flow and helps in the repair of damaged tissues. The leaves contain mucilage, tannin and silic acid. An extract of them has antibacterial properties. They have a bitter flavour and are astringent, demulcent, mildly expectorant, haemostatic and ophthalmic.  They are used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, asthma and hay fever. Plantain is used externally in treating skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, stings etc. The heated leaves are used as a compress for wounds, swellings etc. The root is a remedy for the bite of rattlesnakes, it is used in equal portions with Marrubium vulgare. The seeds are used in the treatment of parasitic worms. Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds. A distilled water made from the plant makes an excellent eye lotion. The leaves contain a high amount of fiber and can be used for textiles. A mucilage obtained by macerating the seed in hot water  is used as a fabric stiffener and the whole plant can be used to dye gold or brown.

Self Heal is a delicious edible herb. The leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked and the whole plant is usually added to soups and other hearty dishes as a potherb. The aerial parts are used to make medicine. Self-heal is anti inflammatory and is used both topically and internally for inflammation. It is used for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, colic, and stomach irritation. It is also used for mouth and throat ulcers, sore throat, and internal bleeding, fever, headache, dizziness, liver disease, and spasm. It is also used as an antiseptic to kill germs, as an expectorant, demulcent and as an astringent to tighten and dry skin. These properties stabilize tissue and protect the moisture of our skin at the same time. Self heal is applied directly to wounds, burns, cuts and bruises topically. Self-heal contains vitamins C and K, and thiamine that can be absorbed through digestion and topical application.