Whether traveling out of country or remote, a solid First Aid Kit is an important companion. Be prepared when emergency strikes!

I travel with a BC Basic First Aid Kit. You may order one at your local pharmacy.

 

In addition I have added Traditional Chinese Medicine and other beneficial allies discussed below that are available to the public.

 

Burn Cream (Jing Wan Hong Ruan Gao) 

Recommended for first & second degree burns. A first degree shows superficial redness while a second degree will form a blister. This cream will reduce pain, scarring and healing time. Clean the wound with saline, cover with cream and wrap in sterile bandage.

For more severe burns the bandage will need to be changed more often, wiped and cream re-applied.

Third degree burns damage the external layers of tissue and are a medical emergency. In the event of this emergency, simply cover the area with a wet, cool, clean cloth and head to a hospital.

 

Yunnan Baiyao

Award goes here for best all-around formula to stop traumatic bleeding and prevent infection! Used historically in battle-field medicine. Can be taken both externally and internally depending on context.

This powder used externally on a clean wound will generate healthy flesh for optimal healing and minimal scars. To stop bleeding, sprinkly the powder and use direct pressure plus elevation of injured area. Particularily helpful in cases where wounds refuse to seal, apply under a sterile bandage.

Internal use of Yunnan Baiyao is contraindicated during pregnancy. This is where the cute spoon comes in! Helpful in cases post-surgery, bruises, contusions, sprains, strains, brain injury and to prevent or stop infection. In cases of suspected concussion or internal bleeding, take Yunnan Baiyao before heading directly to hospital!

 

Die Da Jiu “Hit-Fall Wine” Trauma Liniment

Die de jiu is a general term for a liniment of raw herbs soaked in alcohol, used for bruises, contusions, sprains and fractures. Here I have included one from my teacher, Xian Yi Hu, that I made and use often as evidenced in photo! I included the recipe if you would like to make it. Be sure to cover the herbs with double the amount of alcohol to herb ratio and let soak at least a few weeks until the colour leaches into the alcohol (use high-proof grain, eg. Everclear).

• For external use only, do not use with any direct heat such as a heating pad, do not apply to or near any mucuous membrane, do not use on open wounds, cuts or abrasions. Contraindicated in the area of low abdomen or back of pregnant women.
• “Where there is pain there is stagnation” & this liniment helps to break stagnation which can be seen in bruises swelling and inflammation. Pain can be invisible and liniments will be helpful especially ‘Black Ghost Oil’ which deeply penetrates deep layers and muscle around the bone.
• Interested to learn about treating your injuries and learning more about healing secrets of great Chinese Warriors? Tom Bisio’s book ‘A tooth from the Tiger’s Mouth’ is a must-have!

 

*To find immediently, at a local Chinese Pharmacy, ask for ‘Zheng Gu Shui‘ aka. Angry Bone Water. You may want to consult the Pharmacist as to which liniment is appropriate as there are other patented liniments depending on what you need it for.

 

Saline Solution

Very important for washing wounds and rinsing irritated eyes! While hydrogen peroxide still stands as the go-to for wound care, and could be if nothing else is available, remember that peroxide kills everything, including healthy tissue!

Iodine Tincture is another helpful wound cleaner to use only during preliminary wound care. Following initial cleaning there are other products more appropriate for healthy wound healing (See below).

 

Non-TCM Rockstars

Listed from left to right:

• Activated Charcoal pills: Best used alone and as soon as possible following ingestion of toxins, poison and tainted food (eg. food poisoning). Depending on the severity of what was ingested your next move should be to a hospital.
• Propolis: Sticky resin that reduces pain and speads healing of: boils, ringworm, fungal infections, minor wounds (eg. scratches), sores (eg. cold sores), abscesses, eczema, insect bites and improves skin integrity.
• Aloe Vera Gel (bonus if mixed with seaweed!): Useful in the healing of acne, eczema, inflammation (eg.psoriasis) , dermatitis, dry skin, abrasions and itchy or weeping rashes.
• Targua ‘Dragon’s Blood’: A tree resin of Central and South America. It maybe hard to find outside of local areas, in lieu propolis can be used as the properties are similar. If you live in an area of pine trees, that resin will also be helpful in some relatable ways. Read more about Dragon’s Blood aka. Targua and order HERE.

 

Moxabustion

No, these are not cigars, it is a tube stuffed with Mugwort ài yè 艾叶. Light it up and create a coal on the end, be sure to have a ceramic cup full of dry rice to extinguish after! A ziploc is a must have to store your cool Moxa-sticks!

This is not necessary for first aid, yet I am including it. This is an OTC way to stimulate Acu-points, beneficial in post-acute sports injury, warm body areas cold to touch or when areas ache in cold, damp weather and any pain-relief or comfort (eg. menstrual cramps) you may need from a little fire. Hold the Moxa above the skin where pain is and where it is at a comfortable temperature. Do not make contact with the skin!

It maybe useful incase of shock. If a person is in shock, get them to lay down, elevate legs and feet slightly unless this will cause further injury. At the least cover them with the First Aid silver shock blanket. While help is on the way, you could light a stick of Moxa and hold it to finger or toe tips. If you happen to have salt, fill the belly button and Moxa over (that in lieu of a silver shock blanket). You may also Moxa the Acu-point Zu San Li (ST36):

*Contraindicated in cases of high fever, skin conditions with open wound or allergy to Mugwort or Daisy family.

 

Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui

An OTC formula, in portioned mini-bottles for ease. Generally this formula is used for acute gastrointestinal disordered gastroenteritis by regulating the intestinal microbiome and immune-microenvironment. For viral infections involving the digestive tract and food poisoning, diarrhea, vomit, carsickness and summer specific maladies. Many studies exist into the uses and benfits of this and all Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas. Please check the ingredients to be certain no allergy or contraindication exists for you.

Jiu Huang Jie Du Pian

A strong OTC pill useful for health of the inner ear, mouth, teeth, throat and salivary glands as well as the gastrointestinal and respiratory system. It is only for acute situations and long term use needs supervision from a DTCM or TCMP. Used in situations involving sore throat, mouth ulcers, cough, cold sores, sore gums, watery or itchy eyes and constipation. Contraindicated for pregnancy.

 

Yin Qiao San

Used in the treatment of acute respiratory illness, yes for the common cold! Yin Qiao decreases the severity and time of the cold and flu. In TCM there are distinctions between a ‘heat’ or ‘cold’ illness and there are also stages illnesses will go through requiring shifts in herbs depending. So, Yin Qiao is useful in early-stage wind-heat with symptoms such as: sweating, flushing, fever, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion when the sputum or mucous is yellow. Wind-cold is supported with ginger tea (bring on the chicken soup!), sputum and mucous will be clear and copious, there will be chills and any of the aforementioned symptoms without ‘heat’.

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Here’s to a healthy 2026! Reach out via the Contact page for one-on-one consultations via Zoom or to schedule an Acupuncture appointment.