Summer is the season of endless adventures with trail riding and outdoor arenas. But with these also comes the inevitable bumps, bruises, sprains, and bug bites, whether human or horse. Our collection of easy, effective herbal recipes will help you create a natural first-aid kit, ready to tackle anything that summer throws at you and your horse.

Echinacea tincture (to disinfect and reinforce)

Echinacea tincture is a must-have in any equine herbal first-aid kit. Known for its antibacterial and immune-stimulating properties, it’s so versatile for all kinds of uses. Cleanse cuts and scrapes by diluting it with water, or feed/take it internally at the first sign of infection to boost immunity. Find our organic Echinacea tincture here. 

Calendula salve (for bruises, burns, and bites)

Calendula is a time-honoured herb for soothing minor wounds, bumps, bruises, burns, and bug bites, due to its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, and astringent properties. It’s no wonder that it’s a key herb for salves and lotions.
 
If you fancy having a go at making your own Calendula Salve, here’s a really easy recipe:

• ·Dried calendula flowers – find our organic calendula flowers here.
• 250ml oil for infusing the flowers, i.e. olive, coconut, and/or sweet almond
• 28g Beeswax
• Optional essential oils - 10-20 drops
   
  

1. First up, make the infused calendula oil. Here are some different options:
2. This first method is probably the easiest – it’s as easy as putting two ingredients together and letting them sit on a sunny windowsill for a few weeks - but it does take the most time. Exposure to sunlight can degrade some oils more quickly so this method is best for oils that don’t go rancid quickly, i.e. coconut. If you’re using more light sensitive oils such as sweet almond oil, put the jar in a cool place such as a cupboard.
3. Add the dried calendula flowers into a jar and cover them with the oil. Stir gently to get any air bubbles out, then leave in your chosen location.
4. For a quicker way of making infused herbal oils, use a double boiler by putting the herbs and oil in a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Make sure that the oil doesn’t get too hot so as to fry the herbs, and it should be done in a matter of hours.
5. I’ve also used a mini slow-cooker on the warm setting to make calendula oil with good results.
6. When ready, strain the infused oil using a cheesecloth and strainer, squeezing out as much of the oil as possible.
7. Now pour the oil into a double boiler, i.e. a stainless steel bowl that fits over a pot with an inch or two of water in it.
8. Bring the water to a simmer to gently heat the oil.
9. Add in the beeswax, and stir till it’s completely dissolved.
10. Now add essential oils if using, and stir to combine.
11. When all melted, carefully pour the hot salve into your chosen tins or jars. Let cool completely before using, and enjoy!

Brilliant for our horses, and I personally use this salve almost daily, usually to nourish dry hands and skin, plus it’s also brilliant for chapped lips.

Yarrow Styptic Powder (to stop bleeding)

Yarrow has been used since ancient times to staunch bleeding, making it an essential addition to your equine herbal first-aid kit. If you’re lucky enough to have yarrow growing naturally in your field, simply grind dried a few yarrow leaves and flowers into a fine powder and transfer to a clean, airtight container.

Apply a pinch to minor wounds to help stop the bleeding, or to stop heavier bleeding and disinfect a wound, apply a poultice of fresh yarrow leaves and a pinch or two of ground powder. Find our organic Yarrow herb and flowering tops here.

Aloe Gels

Remember we’ve got a useful selection of soothing, organic aloe vera gels to topically support your horse through the summer, plus regular aloe vera gel with lavender essential oil is perfect for sunburns, scrapes, and as a hand cleanser.

Your summer travel kit - first aid essential-oils

Travelling with your horse? Essential oils are perfect for your kit due to their portability and potency. They can handle various first-aid and travel issues, fitting easily into your travelling kit.

Four essential oils that should be in every equine travel kit:

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): For bug bites, sunburn, cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): Again for bug bites, cuts, scrapes.
• Helichrysum (Immortelle) or Cistus (Cistus ladaniferus): For bleeding, wound healing, pain, and bruises.
• Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): For cooling down, and muscle pain. Also offer as an aromatic for concentration and focus, several inches below the nostrils.

Us humans need TLC too!

Try our travel sickness, jet lag blend, and a hotel bedtime linen spray to make your travels more comfortable.

Travel motion sickness

Blend 20-drops of Ginger, Peppermint, and Lemon essential oils into a small amber therapy bottle, and keep on hand to breathe in slowly when required.

Jet Lag

4-drops Fragonia TM (Agonis fragrans) essential oil
2-drop Frankincense (Boswellia spp.) essential oil
10ml fractionated coconut oil

Mix into a small amber therapy bottle, then massage a few drops round the back of the neck and behind the ears every few hours.

Hotel room bedtime linen spray

Arrived at your holiday hotel? Make a strange room feel more like home and make it easier to fall asleep with this aromatic spray formula to spritz the bedroom and bed linens with. Safe to use on children’s bedding as well. Spray 10-minutes before retiring to bed.

Equally, if you’re on an overnight flight, carry this spray in your hand-luggage and spritz on the airplane seat arm rests or table.
 
Add all the following into a 50ml spray bottle, and shake well before using:

- 1 teaspoon vodka
- 14 drops cedar wood (Juniperus virginiana) essential oil
- 24 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
- 10 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil
- Distilled or purified water

That's it for now - here’s to a lovely summer!

Till next time,
Carol