Allergy Lifeline Roadmap

Webmaster's Bio
Meet Traute Klein,
AKA biogardener.

Allergy Lifeline Guestbook

Further hints and insights are discussed in the discussion thread following the original publication of this article. One of my postings tells of a May 31, 1999 encounter with poison ivy which could have had disastrous results due to my own stupidity. I did, however, experience no ill effects whatsoever, because I remembered to do the right thing immediately, even without a shovel to dig up some clay.

I have also written an article on how I came to be one of the keepers of this secret remedy of the North American Indians, a remedy which they had been reluctant to share with the white man. The article also has photographs which will help you to recognize poison ivy at various stages, even after the leaves have fallen off.

First Aid Naturally

by Traute Klein, AKA biogardener

Natural remedies are more effective for me than any commercial first aid kit. Read about the Manitoba Natives' sure-fire remedy for poison ivy and other serious poisonings, infections, and burns.

Change of Plans

I thought I had this article all ready to publish tomorrow, when something unexpected happened 10 minutes ago. As I was sitting by my computer, I felt something crawling on my neck. Without thinking, I caught it with my left hand and squooshed it. Instantly a sharp sting paralyzed my middle finger. I had been stung by a bee. Don't ask me how the bee got into the house. I only know that it was there. That poor insect gave her life to give me a chance to test out my most powerful poison remedy once more just in time to tell you about it.

I dashed out into the backyard where a pail of pure clay stands ready for use. All I needed was a few pinches of clay dissolved in water and part of a plastic bag to wrap the wet clay around my finger, and in two minutes the pain was gone. I am even typing with that bulky finger. And now I need to reorganize this article.

The Magic of Wet Clay

I learned about the miraculous powers of wet clay 42 years ago from a missionary who lived among the native Indians on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. It is their magic cure for poison ivy, a plant which is found in abundance in Manitoba. This magical remedy is found almost everywhere in the province and is free for the digging.

Wet clay applied to the skin will draw out all traces of the poison. If covered with plastic, it can be left on overnight. If used soon after exposure to the poison, as in the case of my bee sting, one application will do the trick.

Wet clay also turns a sunburn into a tan and will draw the poison out of infections. There are other remedies that are often more convenient, but their effect is not quite as powerful. I have seen wet clay work on poison ivy poisonings quickly and completely more often than I can count. I am in a habit of wearing thongs all summer long and have walked through poison ivy many times while picking raspberries. I have always been able to get rid of the watery blisters in a few hours. I cover my feet with wet clay, stick them into plastic bags and cover them with socks. In the morning, every trace of the blisters is gone.

When I am away from home, I carry an old cream jar with wet clay in my purse or knapsack. It is the most valuable part of my first aid kit. If clay is not found where you live, you can get a handful from a potter.

The Rest of My First Aid Kit

I carry a small pill bottle with natural source vitamin E and natural source vitamin A (or A+D) on me at all times.

Vitamin E squeezed directly from the capsule is my first aid for wounds and burns. It will relieve pain in a few minutes, turn a sunburn into a tan overnight, and prevent scarring. It is obviously more convenient than clay, which is difficult to keep wet on a large area. And both of these remedies are far more effective than aloe Vera, which needs to be applied repeatedly.

Natural source vitamin A squeezed directly from the capsule will prevent or heal an infection or poisoning. It will cure the pain and swelling and any other reaction from insect bites or from poisonous plants in a few minutes with just one application. I use vitamin A+D capsules from fish live oil because they are less expensive than the extracted vitamin A alone and they are just as effective.

To cover a small area, vitamin E or A can be squeezed onto the pad of a band-aid and applied to the skin.

Garlic is my number one first aid for asthma attacks and I carry a couple of raw cloves in various pockets. I have tried every kind of commercially prepared garlic remedy on the market and have not found one which had any effect on breathing problems. A crushed garlic clove swallowed with a glass of water will relieve an asthma attack in 10 minutes and several years of repeated use have not diminished the effect. If taken at the first sign of a cold, garlic has averted a cold most of the time; and taken regularly, garlic can work as a preventive measure. If swallowed without it touching the teeth or remaining in the mouth, the tell-tale aroma is eliminated.

A fresh piece of ginger root can be found in every one of my pockets. It is a great breath freshener and helps to relieve nausea. Just a smidgen is sufficient. More than that burns the mouth. I drink neither coffee nor black tea and when offered a hot drink, I just ask for hot water. If I have no other herbs on me, I simply cut my ginger root into the hot water. It tastes great and aids digestion.

What is Missing from My First Aid Kit

You are probably wondering why there is no antiseptic liquid and no pain remedy in my first aid kit. I have found vitamin A more effective in preventing infection than any antiseptic and certainly more pleasant. To relieve pain, I use pressure points, especially those which are easy to reach, like on the hands, on the ear lobes, on the face, or on any other part of the body. If you want to learn the how-to of pressure point pain relief, you might investigate books such as Hand Reflexology by Mildred Carter or almost any other book by the same author or on the subjects of shiatsu (AKA acupressure), reflexology, acupuncture, or hand reflexology. I was fortunate to have been able to learn the basics of shiatsu in local workshops many years ago.

And that bee sting? What bee sting? I might as well wash the clay off my finger.