Herbs have been used for centuries for all sorts of injuries and wounds. Their very names remind us of the fact: yarrow’s botanical name (Achillea) comes from Achilles, who reputedly used it before the gates of Troy to heal his fellow Greeks. In some cultures a warlike nature tended to dominate views of herbs: the Maori of New Zealand, for example, were always fighting each other and the vast majority of their traditional remedies involve poultices and compresses to heal the injured.

Herbs are still ideal for all sorts of minor cuts, grazes and burns: the choice is wide, so even when you are far from home there is generally a suitably styptic healer close at hand. (more…)