shock and fainting
Use lobelia leaf tincture; a few drops on the tongue will help in any shock
situation, from grief to a car accident. It also helps to revive patients
suffering blackouts. The tincture only needs to be rubbed onto the lips in
situations in which swallowing or access is limited. Dr. Bach Rescue
Remedy will also work well in this situation.
sleeplessness with extremely shocked or exhausted
nerves
To ensure good sleep, use valerian root tincture or capsules (an average
adult dose) three hours before bedtime and then more just prior to
retiring. More can be taken if waking in the night is a problem but a two-
hour interval should have elapsed since the bedtime dose. This treatment
can be used for a week or more but real nerve building is also required;
for this, use skullcap leaf, chamomile fl ower, lime tree (Tilia) fl ower, and
lobelia leaf long-term.
snakebites
Lavender has a long history of use against the venom produced by the
European adder; however, lavender essential oil and echinacea root
tincture applied externally together are more effective. Echinacea root
should also be administered by mouth as a tincture in frequent doses.
Echinacea root for bites by rattlesnake, copperhead, cottonmouth, and
the Florida coral snake has also been used for centuries in Canada and the
United States. Additionally, just a few drops of lobelia leaf tincture
applied both topically and internally will help keep the body from going
into anaphylactic shock. Do not suck the bite — any injury in the mouth
would become contaminated; fi lled teeth can also harbor the venom and
may cause the jaw to swell to an enormous size. You can buy antivenom
treatments at pharmacies and camping stores. The shape of the snake’s
eyes can give a rough indication of its type: round-eyed snakes are
nonpoisonous, but snakes with elongated eyes are poisonous.
unconsciousness
Apply a few drops of lobelia leaf tincture and Dr. Bach Rescue Remedy to
the lips and wrists. If the patient does not regain consciousness within
three minutes, call for an ambulance.
wasp stings
For wasp stings, which are alkaline, it is best to neutralize the sting with
278 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition