It’s finally warming up, and our family recently enjoyed a quick trip down to Capitol Reef for some hiking and beautiful nature. The temperature was just right, the canyons and scenery were amazing, and the company was excellent.

Toward the end of our first day, I started itching on my torso and around my waist. Upon inspection, my skin was bright red, and the kids thought I had a sunburn. I was wearing a sun shirt, so I was confused about how a burn could have happened, but I pulled out the Complete Tissue & Bone ointment from the little herbal first aid kit I always carry and rubbed it on immediately.

We finished our last hike—itching all the way—and when we finally arrived at our lodging, I took a closer look at the area. I had bright red, raised welts around my entire waistline. This was definitely not a sunburn.

As herbalists, we know to look for the root cause, so I stopped to think. My legs had also been itchy throughout the day... could it be my pants? They were new hiking pants my husband had bought for me. A quick check of the tag revealed they were made of 100% nylon. I hadn’t even thought to check the tag—which is silly because I usually do, preferring clothing made from natural fibers! I had washed them before the trip, so it wasn’t something on the pants; it was the pants themselves.

I had found the cause; now I could get to work.

Welts can be a sign of the body’s reaction to an irritant or allergen, and I know exactly what to do for that. I rubbed Plantain ointment all over the welts and pulled out the Kid-e-Soothe and Nettle tincture that I carry with me at all times. I took some of each internally and kept applying both the Plantain and the Complete Tissue & Bone ointment.

Later that night, the itch and pain got worse, making it impossible to fall asleep. I got up, rubbed some Nettle tincture and more Complete Tissue & Bone ointment directly onto the area, and took another internal dose of Nettle. The combination soothed the area so deeply that I was finally able to sleep through the night. I had initially thought the Plantain ointment would be best, but the Complete Tissue & Bone ointment ended up being the most soothing for me.

The swelling had gone down a little by the next morning, but the welts were still raised and discolored. I made sure both the Nettle tincture and the Complete Tissue & Bone ointment were in my most accessible pocket and reapplied them frequently throughout the day. We hiked six to eight hours a day for the next two days, and the welts were never an issue. Herbs work fast!

I kept applying the Nettle and the Complete Tissue & Bone ointment (and oil) for the next three days until the welts were completely flush with the rest of my skin. From there, I just used the Complete Tissue & Bone oil for the remainder of the week. Seven days later, everything was fully healed and back to its normal color.

I usually carry Nettle tincture specifically for my daughter’s food allergies, but I hadn’t used it externally on an allergic reaction before. I love that, as an herbalist, I naturally think about what the body needs, look at what I have on hand to support it, and then put it to use. The herbs work every time.

I am so grateful I completed the Master Herbalist program through the School of Natural Healing. It trained me to be a detective, to reach for the most needed herbs, and to trust the body to heal itself. That kind of confidence is priceless.

Tara Christopher Eyre is a Master Herbalist and Foot Zone Therapist dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their path to wellness. Carrying forward the legacy of her grandfather, Dr. John R. Christopher, she finds her greatest joy in teaching the simple, natural principles that restore both body and soul.