What to keep in a natural first-aid kit

Source: Best Health magazine, Summer 2014

Debbie Smrz, a naturopathic doctor in Unionville, Ont., began selling a Natural Medicine First Aid Kit in 2013, after her then-six-year-old daughter Samantha suffered burns from a spilled cup of coffee. Samantha got immediate medical care at the hospital; after that, Smrz treated her burns with Medihoney, medical-grade manuka honey (a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory that has been shown in a small study to reduce healing time by 40 days compared to conventional wound treatment). ‘When we went to the plastic surgeon’s clinic for follow-up care, the nurse said, ‘Wow, you should make kits because I’ve never seen such a fast recovery before,’ and that was my light-bulb moment,’ says Smrz.

Today, in addition to the standard gloves and bandages, her kits (from $40 at natmedkit.com) contain medical-grade honey, arnica cream for bruising and swelling, and homeopathic medicines for insect bites and puncture wounds.

Of course, always seek immediate professional medical care in emergencies.

This article was originally titled "A nurse’s first-aid kit" in the Summer 2014 issue of Best Health. Subscribe today to get the full Best Health experience’and never miss an issue!