I recently had one of those “oh yeah—this is exactly why I do what I do” moments.

My daughter was playing in a softball game—full-on spring energy, stealing second base like a pro—until her ankle rolled hard right off the bag.

A sprain, for sure.
But instead of panicking, I grabbed my herbal first aid brain (and my van stash of remedies) and got to work.

I had an old jar of Arnica oil tucked in the console—honestly from a batch made back in 2021 or early 2022. Not ideal. Definitely past its prime. But still better than nothing.

When we got home, I was grateful to have fresh Comfrey growing in the garden. I mashed up the leaves and wrapped them on her ankle with an ace bandage, just like I’d learned in my wilderness EMT days.

It was one of those moments that called for some self-reflection.

Even as someone who teaches herbalism and has made medicine for years, I’m not immune to letting things sit a little too long on the shelf.

I had already planned to make new oils this year—and just last week, I planted extra Comfrey in the garden to get ready for it. But life gets busy. Remedies get tucked away. And before you know it, you’re reaching for something that’s well past its prime.

That moment reminded me why it’s so important to keep my apothecary actively stocked—not just with good intentions, but with fresh, effective medicine I trust.

The Herbs I Use for Sprains and Strains

When it comes to sports injuries, bumps, bruises, and active kid moments, there are a few herbs I always want on hand:

Arnica (Arnica montana)

Anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and amazing for bruises, swelling, and trauma. Best used topically.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

A true tissue healer. It’s often called “knitbone” for a reason—it helps repair quickly.

Cayenne (Capsicum spp.)

Increases circulation and helps deliver other herbs to the injury site.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Great for nerve pain or when deeper tissue support is needed.

Menthol, Peppermint, & Camphor

Cooling and relieving for overworked muscles or fresh injuries.

These are all part of a formula I used to make and sell as Bobcat Balm—created for hikers, climbers, parents, and active folks who love the outdoors. 

Why Old Oils Don’t Cut It

That Arnica oil I used? It worked well enough in the moment, but…

Over time, herbal oils lose potency, oxidize, and can even go rancid.

It was a clear reminder—it’s time to restock.

I haven’t made fresh oils in quite a while. When I closed my apothecary in 2022, I had so much medicine on hand I ended up giving a ton of it away. But now, most of those remedies are well past their “best by” date.

And with sprains, softball games, and all of life continuing to roll on…
I want to be ready.

When You Make Remedies Without a Plan

Let’s be real. If you’ve ever looked at your shelf of jars and thought…

“What even is this tincture? Why did I make this again?”

…you’re not alone.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of making remedies just because the plants are in bloom.

We end up with:

• Stuff we never use
• Wasted oils and dried herbs
• Frustration when we don’t have what we actually need

Join Me for the Herbal Medicine Planning Party!

That’s why I created the Herbal Medicine Planning Party—a free, 4-day event to help you figure out:

• What remedies your family really needs
• Which herbs to grow or source
• How to stop wasting ingredients
• And how to build an herbal cabinet that works for real life

It’s free. It’s fun. And it’ll help you create a well-stocked apothecary on purpose.

Click here to join the Herbal Medicine Planning Party

What’s the One Remedy You Never Leave Home Without?

I’d love to know:
What’s always in your herbal first aid kit?

Send me a DM on Instagram @theherbalistspath or reply in the comments below—I love hearing from you!