Herbal Remedies for Everyday Ailments

 A little traditional knowledge can go a very long way when it comes to taking care of our bodies on the day-to-day. The following compilation includes the common maladies I'm asked about most often and the elixirs, herbal remedies & lifestyle practices that I always recommend. 

For simplicity, this list is divided into Topical Issue, for everything skin & hair related, and Internal Issues, which includes congestion, pain and other ailments that affect us below the skin. Almost all of the following products can be found in our Topical Medicinals collection. 

Topical Issues

DRY / CHAPPED / RAW SKIN

• Use Whipped Love Face & Body Butter after bathing & as needed for dry skin   
  
• For skin that is raw, chapped or cracked, apply Seven Seeds or Forest Bather Balm after bathing & as needed 
• Use a mild soap for handwashing, such as the Black 'Olena Cleanser or castile soap diluted 1:1 with water
• See our post on Caring for Overwashed Hands for more info on taking care of dry skin 

DRY-TYPE ECZEMA / SKIN IRRITATION

• Identify potential food insensitivities in your diet (the most common cause of severe eczema) or products that your skin may be reacting to (generally the source of contact dermatitis irritation) ~ common triggers include dairy, wheat, soy, nuts and cleaning products, fabrics, hand soap or other personal care products ~ remove triggers to the best of your ability 
• For dry, raw, itchy or inflamed areas, apply Savior Salve as needed
• If the area is extremely itchy, use Magic Mender to relieve itching
• For very small or mild areas of eczema or irritated skin, use Solve All Salve until resolved
• Avoid conventional soaps on irritated skin; wash as needed with Black 'Olena Cleanser 

INFLAMED 'DAMP' TYPE RASHES (FUNGAL, FOLLICULITIS, ETC.)

• Spray S.O.S. Spray or raw Apple Cider Vinegar diluted 1:1 with water 1-3 times daily over clean skin 
• Keep the area clean, dry & uncovered; avoid spreading through unwashed fabrics or skin to skin contact
• For persistent rashes that won't go away, contact the herbalist at herbalist@indigoelixirs.com 

SCARS / STRETCH MARKS / TATOO HEALING

• Apply Seven Seeds daily onto scars, stretch marks & new tattoos
• Use Seven Seeds on the belly throughout pregnancy to prevent stretch marks 

HEMORRHOIDS / VARICOSITIES

• Apply Magic Mender Balm to hemorrhoids soothe the area & encourage healing and use a stool for better bowel movement posture 
• Massage Magic Mender onto varicose veins and practice daily full body movement to support vessel health 

CUTS / SCRAPES

• Apply a thin layer of Sangre de Drago to staunch bleeding, prevent infection & encourage scab formation 
• Use Solve All Salve a few times daily once a scab has formed to speed recovery of the skin 
• Read our full post on First Aid Basics: Wound Care for more info 

ACNE

• Wash face daily with Black ‘Olena Cleanser for problematic areas
• Use Matcha Kalo Mask as a weekly treatment to detoxify skin & balance oil
• Apply a thin layer of Sangre de Drago over zits after washing  & drying the area; leave on overnight to reduce inflammation

INSECT BITES

• Apply Sting Zinger Bite Relief, Solve All Salve or Sangre de Drago
• Use Don't Bug Me Insect Repellent as a preventative 

SCALP ECZEMA

• Replace shampoo & conditioner with Black 'Olena Cleanser and/or Citrus Bliss Rinse
• Massage Savior Salve onto the scalp & reduce itching as needed 
• See notes above under ECZEMA regarding potential allergens 

HAIR THINNING / LOSS

• Massage Luscious Locks Serum regularly into the scalp to improve circulation
• Use Citrus Bliss Rinse in place of shampoo/conditioner or as a weekly hair mask
• Practice daily scalp massage & gentle inversion yoga postures that encourage blood flow to the head (like forward fold or downward dog)

DRY / FRIZZY HAIR

• Apply Tropical Locks Serum for thick, frizzy or dry hair 
• Use Luscious Locks Serum for hair prone to breakage or dry scalp 
• Wash & condition with Citrus Bliss Rinse or use as a weekly hair mask

Internal Ailments

HEADACHES / CONGESTION / COUGHING

• Apply Head Tonic or Breathe Relief Balm to temples, sinuses, forehead and chest as needed
• Pinch the fleshy area between your thumb & forefinger to stimulate Hegu, an acupuncture point that helps to relieve headaches & congestion 

DRY NOSE / COLD PREVENTION

• Apply a thin layer of Breathe Relief Balm or Solve All Salve on the inside of nostrils to lubricate the nasal passages and allow them to work most efficiently at filtering out germs & pathogens 
• See our post on Top Tips for Healthy Travels for more on cold prevention 

RUNNY OR STUFFY NOSE

• Apply a thin layer on the inside of nostrils of Savior Salve or raw unrefined Shea butter (both work as a nasal decongestant) or Breathe Relief Balm to help open the sinuses; use as often as needed

EARACHE / MILD EAR INFECTION

• Mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part 70% rubbing alcohol in a clean glass bottle; use a dropperful in the ear 1-2 times daily until resolved  

ACHES / SORENESS / INJURIES / BRUISING OF TISSUE OR BONE

• For acute or chronic injuries, inflammation or bruising, massage Pain Healer Salve onto the affected area daily and especially before bed 
• For sore, achey muscles or painful areas prone to coldness, apply Blue Moon Balm as needed
• Make a fresh Comfrey poultice & use for acute injuries, bruising or areas with chronic pain 
• Get acupuncture to speed healing and relieve pain & inflammation
• Incorporate warming & circulating foods into your diet such as Turmeric, Ginger & Cinnamon 

STOMACH ACHES

• Sip on Digestive Harmony Tea in the evenings, after heavy meals or as needed
• Massage Blue Moon Balm onto abdomen in gentle circular motions
• Read our post on How to Eat for Optimal Health to encourage good digestion 

MENSTRUAL CRAMPS

• Massage Blue Moon Balm on to abdomen, low back & achey areas
• Sip on Digestive Harmony Tea to encourage easy digestion 
• Incorporate warming, circulating herbs like Ginger, Cinnamon & Turmeric into your diet to keep the blood moving and minimize cramping 
• Minimize sugar intake in the week leading up to your period 
• Avoid cold, raw & heavy foods & drinks; keep meals warm & nourishing 
• Keep the abdomen warm with comfortable, non-constricting clothing

COLD EXTREMITIES

• Massage Blue Moon Balm onto cold areas
• Incorporate Cinnamon, Ginger & Rosemary into your cooking
• Practice daily full body movement to encourage healthy circulation