We’re almost at the end of July, but you still have 6 weeks to get in a summer camping trip. Today I will introduce 4 must-have Chinese medicines to keep in your first aid kit. Whether in the great outdoors or at home, these tried-and-true medicines are amazingly effective.
1. For when you ate that ______.
When camping or traveling, you may eat food you don’t normally eat at home. For example, that BBQ brisket and rack of baby back ribs at that diner you stopped at on your way to your campsite. Or maybe that spicy buffalo wing salad with ranch dressing you had try, followed by ice-cream. And I think a lot of us have experienced what’s next: nausea, abdominal cramping, bloating and–yes, I said it–diarrhea.
For such emergencies there are a few hero medicines–Po Chai Pills (Bao Ji Wan) or Culing Pills (Kang Ning Wan). Essentially the same formula, they come in small vials containing pellets that you swallow with water. Your symptoms should start relieving in 20-30 minutes. After 30 minutes you can take a second vial if you haven’t gotten relief. These pellets have literally saved my butt on multiple occasions. And, by the way, these formulas have an added side benefit: they help with hangovers too!
2. For when you picked up that hot cast iron pan with your bare hand.
Part of camping is playing with fire. I don’t know about your kids, but for my son, roasting marshmallows over a campfire is the highlight of his trip. But even when we’re careful burns can happen. That’s when you can save the day with an amazing burn cream: Ching Wan Hong. This stuff is so effective at treating burns, Chinese hospitals use it for 3rd degree burns. I recommend using it for 1st or 2nd degree burns and sunburns, as it can sooth the sting and help heal the damaged skin without leaving a scar. Added side benefit? Research shows it’s also effective at treating the sores that can develop in advanced diabetes. I said it was amazing!
3. For when you fell on that sharp rock during your 5-mile hike.
When you go camping, challenging yourself with outdoor activities like hiking, rafting or rock-climbing is part of the experience. And while some of us are true experts at some of these activities, many of us may do them only rarely. Believe me, if you scraped yourself when you tripped on a tree root the first time you tried trail running, you are not alone. Make sure it’s just your ego that gets bruised by keeping some of this magical powder on hand: Yunnan Baiyao. This stuff is so amazing at stopping bleeding, its exact formula is a Chinese state secret. Another claim to fame? Chinese soldiers used it in the battlefield to stop bleeding from gun shot wounds.
Yunnan Baiyao comes in different forms, but for emergencies its best to use the powder form. Open the vial and sprinkle the powder on the bleeding area use as much as needed to stop the bleed. For small cuts and scrapes, you won’t need very much. I’ve kept vials for years without going through it all. It also comes in a liquid form, which brings us to our final category.
4. For when you twisted your ankle trying to get a closer look at that waterfall.
You are camped next to a beautiful stream, clear water cascading over rounded boulders. A patch of sun calls to you on the other bank, and all you have to do is climb a few (slippery rocks) to get there. Just in case you roll your ankle on your way there, a liniment is what can prevent extended pain and swelling from joint and muscle strains. What is a liniment you ask? It is a liquid (usually alcohol-based) herbal extraction that you use externally for bruises, sprains and strains. Unlike Yunnan Baiyao, don’t use it for open wounds (ouch!).
There are a lot of different liniments out there. The most well-known is probably Zheng Gu Shui, as seen on almost every acupuncturist’s treatment room cabinet top. However, I don’t think it is the most effective. I prefer the liniment version of Yunnan Baiyao that comes in an aerosol can. Or even better is Dr. Shi’s Liniment by Spring Wind, though this is only available through practitioners.
To use it, apply the liquid to the affected area either by spraying or using a cotton ball and gently spreading in a circular motion. Allow it to dry and then apply another layer. Reapply the liniment 3-5 times a day. You will be amazed at how little bruising and swelling develop if you apply it within 24 hours of your initial injury. Not only does it help you recover faster, it prevents your body from forming adhesions or internal scar tissue. Adhesions are the major cause of chronic pain limited range of motion after an injury, so, unlike cool unicorn stickers, you don’t want them.
Where do I get these must-have medicines?
Well, of course you can get them from your acupuncturist. Did I really need to say that? But they are also widely available at the pharmacy section of most Asian grocery stores. If you don’t have one of those nearby, you can order online from T S Emporium, an online Chinese pharmacy. The best part is that most of these medicines won’t cost you an arm and leg to help repair your arm and leg. It’s easy to keep them stocked up for camping or just for your first aid kit at home.
