Herbs that heal skin and flesh and belong in every first aid kit: aloe, arnica, calendula, St. John's wort, usnea, self-heal and jewelweed (with plantain, yarrow and comfrey in their own families). Chapter 5 teaches this family as a whole.
No. 131Aloe Vera
Traditional uses and main actions
Dr. Schulze's "miracle healer" for burns: slabs of fresh gel laid on a burn (after it has been cooled) soothe, protect and heal, and he has seen it bring back tissue doctors had given up on. Also for sunburn, wounds, rashes and insect bites; taken by mouth, the clear gel soothes the gut. Keep living plants in the kitchen.
How it's prepared
Fresh leaf split open, gel laid on the skin; gel by mouth.
Typical amounts
Outside freely; gel by mouth, 1–2 tablespoons a day.
Cautions and interactions
Schulze says only the fresh plant works. The yellow sap just under the skin is a strong laxative (see Cape Aloe): rinse it off gel taken by mouth. Not by mouth in pregnancy.
Taught in Lessons 3, 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 132Arnica
Traditional uses and main actions
The great herb for bruises, sprains, strains, sore muscles and blunt trauma, used outside as an oil, salve or gel. Part of Schulze's Deep Tissue oil. Homeopathic Arnica is taken by mouth for the same injuries (Chapter 8).
How it's prepared
Infused oil, salve, gel or tincture, outside only; homeopathic pellets by mouth.
Typical amounts
Outside, several times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Only on unbroken skin, and not by mouth as an herb: arnica taken internally is toxic to the heart and gut (homeopathic arnica is a different, highly diluted preparation). Can cause a rash in people sensitive to the daisy family.
Taught in Lessons 3, 8 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 133Calendula
Traditional uses and main actions
The gentle wound healer for cuts, scrapes, burns, rashes, diaper rash, eczema and sore nipples; antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, it speeds healing and lessens scarring. Taken as tea, it soothes the gut and lymph. Part of Christopher's INF and Schulze's Deep Tissue oil.
How it's prepared
Infused oil; salve; tincture (diluted as a wound wash); tea; compress.
Typical amounts
Outside freely; tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe. Rare allergy in people sensitive to the daisy family. (Not the same as the French or African marigold, Tagetes.)
Taught in Lessons 2, 3, 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 134St. John's Wort
Traditional uses and main actions
Outside, its red infused oil heals nerve pain, burns, bruises, sciatica and wounds (part of Schulze's Deep Tissue oil). By mouth, a well-studied remedy for mild to moderate low mood, and antiviral.
How it's prepared
Infused oil of the fresh flowers (it turns blood-red); salve; tincture; capsules.
Typical amounts
By mouth, 300 mg of standardized extract 3 times a day or 1–2 dropperfuls of tincture 2–3 times a day; oil outside freely.
Cautions and interactions
By mouth it interacts with many drugs: antidepressants (serotonin syndrome), birth control pills (they can fail), warfarin, digoxin, HIV and transplant drugs, and others, because it speeds the liver's clearing of them. Not with bipolar disorder. Makes the skin sun-sensitive. The oil outside does not have these interactions.
Taught in Lessons 3, 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 135Usnea
Traditional uses and main actions
A pale green lichen that hangs from branches, a strong natural antibiotic against bacteria and fungus: for infected wounds, sore throats, bladder and lung infections. Part of Schulze's Anti-Infection formula and Nicole Apelian's "healing trinity" (as a spray). To identify it, pull a strand apart: it has a white, stretchy inner cord.
How it's prepared
Tincture (high-proof alcohol, or a double extraction); spray for wounds and throats; powder on wounds.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 1 dropperful 3–4 times a day for infection; spray as needed.
Cautions and interactions
Gather from fallen branches (it grows slowly). Not in pregnancy by mouth. Its usnic acid in large concentrated amounts (diet pills) has harmed the liver; the tincture in ordinary amounts is traditional.
Taught in Lessons 3, 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 136Self-Heal
Traditional uses and main actions
As its name says, a wound herb: a poultice or wash for cuts and sores, and a gargle for sore throats and mouth sores. In Chinese medicine (xia ku cao) it cools the liver and is used for swollen glands. A common lawn weed with purple flower spikes.
How it's prepared
Poultice; tea; gargle.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe.
Taught in Lesson 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 137Jewelweed
Traditional uses and main actions
Nature's remedy for poison ivy, which it often grows beside: the juice of the crushed fresh stems, rubbed on right after contact or on the rash, soothes and helps clear it. Also for nettle stings, bug bites and other itchy rashes.
How it's prepared
Crushed fresh stems and leaves; frozen juice cubes; vinegar extract.
Typical amounts
Rub on the skin as often as needed.
Cautions and interactions
For outside use. The seed pods burst when touched ("touch-me-not").
Taught in Lesson 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).