Herbal first aid for dogs. You read that right … you can make a first aid kit out of nothing but herbs.
Herbs can be so powerful and effective, they’re a great addition to any dog’s first aid kit!
And the best part is, unlike the usual antiseptic, antibacterial, immune-suppressing products found in most first aiid kits … these amazing herbs will help your dog.
They help not only in the short term, but they’ll protect his immune system from the long term. And without the damage that those harsh products can cause.
So are you ready to learn about the herbs you’ll want to carry in your non-medicine cabinet?
I thought you might be!
Here are the top essential topical herbs you should have in your canine first aid kit.
Making A Herbal First Aid Kit For Dogs
Before you build your kit, consider what trouble your dog can get into. Things you might want to prepare for include:
- Cuts and scrapes
- Insect bites
- Rashes
- Muscle aches and pain
- Bleeding and bruises
- Burns
- Abscesses
Your herbal first aid kit can handle more than just cuts and scrapes, so why not be ready for other common issues too? This way, if something does come up you’ll find it easier to avoid chemical-based products.
Here’s a list of all-natural, safe and effective herbs you’ll want to have in your kit.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula heals skin fast! It helps regenerate skin and can even prevent scarring. It also provides:
- Antibacterial support
- Anti-fungal support
- Antiviral support
Which is why it’s great at making sure the wound stays clean and pathogen-free.
You can apply calendula as a salve or tea to:
- Cuts
- Burns
- Bites
- Scrapes
- Abscesses
- Fungal infections
Just be careful if applying it to open wounds that look infected. Calendula is such a good wound healer it can heal infected wounds like abscesses quickly… but that could mean the infection can’t get out.
So make sure the wound isn’t draining before using calendula.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Comfrey is well known as “bone knit.” It’s earned this name because of its great affinity for fast tissue healing. It’s great for skin, muscle, tendons and even bones.
You can apply comfrey topically on the affected area as a salve, poultice or tea. It works well to speed the healing process for sore joints, burns, and swelling.
Or you can also use dried comfrey as a styptic to stop bleeding. You just apply the dried herb directly to the skin … and make sure you have it on hand when cutting nails!
Plantain (Plantago major)
Plantain is a common weed that you can find almost anywhere in North America. It likes to grow alongside paths and roads. Plantain is a great wound healer and anti-inflammatory.
You can use it to treat insect bites and stings, poison ivy and burns. It can even work as a drawing agent, pulling foreign bodies out of paws and ears.
You can use plantain directly on the affected area as a poultice. To make the poultice, just chew up some leaves (look down, they’re everywhere!) and apply them right to your dog’s skin! Plantain works great for bug bites.
Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera is renowned for its ability to soothe irritated skin. Naturally it makes a great dog ointment. It’s an easy-to-grow potted plant that many people keep in their homes for the treatment of burns.
Aloe works great for healing burns and relieving the pain and inflammation. And it also supports soft tissue healing with it’s anti-inflammatory support.
Aloe works best when applied fresh from the plant. This is because bacteria can grow in commercial aloe products or juices. And you ‘ll want to avoid using aloe on deep or infected wounds, or severe burns.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a great addition to your first aid kit. Use it as a salve or poultice, or just use the fresh plant.
Yarrow is a great anti-inflammatory. It also helps builds new tissue, and stop bleeding. So it’s most effective when used to treat bruises, sprains, and strains. Yarrow also protects against bacteria and fungi, so it’s also a great choice for cuts, bites, burns, and stings. Use it as a salve, poultice or tea.