The Public Herbarium

Plantain (Plantago major) leaves


Herbal First Aid: Your Complete Guide

CRITICAL: This guide addresses MINOR injuries only. Seek emergency medical care for serious injuries, deep wounds, severe burns, suspected fractures, head injuries, or anything concerning.


Why This Matters: Immediate natural remedies for minor injuries, complements (not replaces) conventional first aid, accessible FREE herbs, empowering home care, reduces need for minor medical visits.

Why Build a Herbal First Aid Kit?

Benefits:

What it’s for:

Your Container

What you need:

Good options (NZ):

organisation:

Core Kit: The Essentials

Category 1: Cuts, Scrapes & Wounds

1. Calendula Salve

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

What it does:

When to use:

How to use:

  1. Clean wound with water
  2. Pat dry gently
  3. Apply thin layer calendula salve
  4. Cover with clean bandage if needed
  5. Reapply 2-4x daily

Where to get (NZ):

Storage: Cool, dark place. Lasts 12-18 months.

2. Plantain (Fresh or Tincture)

botanical cropped image of Plantago lanceolata (narrow leaf plantain)
Narrow leaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

What it does:

When to use:

How to use:

Fresh (best!):

  1. Find plantain leaf (common “weed” everywhere in NZ)
  2. Wash leaf
  3. Chew it briefly OR crush thoroughly
  4. Apply directly to bite/sting/splinter
  5. Hold in place or secure with bandage
  6. Change every few hours

Tincture:

Why chewing works: Breaks down plant cells, releases active compounds (aucubin, mucilage), mixes with saliva enzymes. Not pretty, but VERY effective!

Where to get:

Cost: FREE if foraged!

3. Manuka or Raw Honey (Small Tube)

honey in small jars
Honey

What it does:

When to use:

How to use:

  1. Clean wound
  2. Apply thin layer honey directly
  3. Cover with sterile dressing
  4. Change daily

Which honey:

Where to get (NZ):

Storage: Room temperature. Lasts indefinitely.

4. Sterile Gauze & Tape

Include:

Where to get: Pharmacy, supermarkets ($5-15 for variety pack)

Category 2: Bruises, Sprains & Muscle Pain

5. Arnica Cream or Gel

Botanical drawing of Arnica (Arnica montana) leaves and flowers
Arnica (Arnica montana)

What it does:

When to use:

CRITICAL: NEVER use on broken skin or open wounds. Arnica is toxic if it enters bloodstream. External use only on intact skin.

How to use:

  1. Apply to bruised/sore area
  2. Massage gently
  3. Use 3-4x daily
  4. Stop once bruising resolved

Where to get (NZ):

Storage: Cool place. Lasts 12-24 months.

6. Ginger (Tincture or Crystallised)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

What it does:

When to use:

How to use:

Where to get:

Category 3: Digestive Upset

7. Peppermint Tea Bags

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) leaves
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

What it does:

When to use:

How to use:

  1. Steep 1 tea bag in hot water 5-10 minutes
  2. Sip slowly
  3. Can drink 3-4 cups daily

Where to get: Supermarkets, health stores ($4-8/box)

8. Ginger (for Motion Sickness)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

What it does:

When to use:

How to use:

Where to get:

Category 4: Stress & Nervous System

9. Lemon Balm Tincture

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

What it does:

When to use:

How to use:

Where to get (NZ):

10. Lavender Essential Oil (Small 10ml Bottle)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) flower stalk and some leaves
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

What it does:

When to use:

How to use:

For stress/headaches:

For burns (after cooling):

Where to get: Health stores, pharmacies ($8-15/10ml)

Safety: Pure essential oil. Never ingest. Avoid eyes.

Category 5: Tools & Supplies

Include:

Where to get: Pharmacy, Warehouse, Kmart ($10-20 for everything)

Optional Additions (Customise Your Kit)

Add based on YOUR needs:

Echinacea tincture ($15-25):

Aloe vera gel ($5-10):

Chamomile tea bags ($4-8):

Cayenne powder (tiny container, $3-5):

Tea tree essential oil ($8-12):

Simple Formulas (Make Your Own)

Calendula Healing Salve

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) flower
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Melt oil and beeswax together in double boiler
  2. Remove from heat
  3. Add lavender (if using)
  4. Pour into small tins or jars
  5. Cool completely before capping

To make calendula-infused oil:

  1. Fill jar with dried calendula flowers
  2. Cover with olive or sunflower oil
  3. Place in sunny spot 4-6 weeks
  4. Shake daily
  5. Strain through cheesecloth
  6. Store in dark glass bottle

Plantain Tincture (Fresh Plant)

broad leaf plantain
Broad Leaf Plantain (Plantago major)

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Fill jar 1/2 to 3/4 with chopped plantain
  2. Cover completely with vodka
  3. Seal, shake well
  4. Store in dark place 4-6 weeks
  5. Shake every few days
  6. Strain, bottle in dark glass

Use: For insect bites, stings, minor wounds

Ginger Tincture

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Fill jar 1/3 with grated ginger
  2. Cover with vodka
  3. Steep 4 weeks, shaking daily
  4. Strain, bottle

Use: 2-4ml for inflammation, nausea, muscle pain

Building Your Kit: Step by Step

Week 1-2: Start with 3 items

  1. Calendula salve (buy or make)
  2. Plantain (forage fresh or buy tincture)
  3. Peppermint tea bags

Week 3-4: Add 2 more

  1. Arnica cream
  2. Lemon balm tincture

Month 2: Add tools

Month 3: Customise

Start small, build gradually!

NZ-Specific Budget Tips

Forage (FREE):

Grow your own:

Buy dried herbs in bulk:

Reuse containers:

Kit Maintenance

Every 3 months:

Every 6 months:

Every year:

Label everything:

How to Use Your Kit

For cuts/scrapes:

  1. Wash with clean water
  2. Apply calendula salve
  3. Cover if needed
  4. Monitor for infection (increasing redness, pain, pus)

For insect bites/stings:

  1. Remove stinger if present (scrape, don’t squeeze)
  2. Apply fresh plantain poultice immediately
  3. Or use plantain tincture on cotton ball
  4. Relief should be nearly instant!

For bruises:

  1. Ice immediately (reduces swelling)
  2. After 24 hours, apply arnica cream
  3. Massage gently
  4. Repeat 3-4x daily

For nausea:

  1. Sip peppermint tea slowly
  2. Or chew small piece crystallised ginger
  3. Rest

For stress/anxiety:

  1. Take lemon balm tincture (2-4ml)
  2. Breathe lavender oil
  3. Remove yourself from stressful situation if possible

When Herbs Aren’t Enough

Seek immediate medical help for:

Wounds:

Burns:

Head injuries:

Sprains/strains:

Allergic reactions:

General:

Trust your instincts. When in doubt, get help.

Special Kits for Specific Needs

Travel Kit (Compact)

Outdoor/Tramping Kit

Kids’ Kit

NZ Suppliers

Dried herbs:

Tinctures & products:

Containers & supplies:

Plants:

Summary: Your Action Plan

Start now:

  1. Get a container
  2. Buy or make 3 core items (calendula, plantain, peppermint)
  3. Add tools (scissors, tweezers, bandages)

Build gradually:

Maintain regularly:

Use it!

Remember:

Be prepared, stay safe, and enjoy the confidence that comes with having natural remedies ready when you need them.

Budget-Friendly First Aid Kit

Essential herbs (mostly FREE):

Low-cost supplies ($10-20 one-time):

Free first aid herbs:

Condition-specific (free/low-cost):

NZ budget note: Commercial first aid herbal products $15-40. DIY herbal first aid kit using foraged/garden herbs costs $13-24 one-time for supplies, then FREE ongoing.

Emergency first aid (items to have on hand, free):

References

Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy: Modern herbal medicine (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone.

Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of herbal medicine (3rd ed.). Dorling Kindersley.

Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Herbal first aid supports minor injury care but does not replace emergency medicine or professional medical care. Always seek immediate medical attention for serious injuries, severe symptoms, or any concerning conditions. Call 111 for emergencies. Consult qualified healthcare practitioners before using herbs, especially if pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or having medical conditions. Use herbs at your own risk.

Note on Pricing: All prices mentioned in this guide are approximate and based on New Zealand suppliers as of December 2025. Prices vary by supplier, season, and market conditions. We recommend checking current prices with your local suppliers.

The Public Herbarium is built on a foundation of scientific integrity, transparency, and care. Research sources are referenced throughout the site wherever possible. Content creation is assisted by AI tools and carefully reviewed for accuracy.