Want to build a natural first aid kit? We've sourced the best natural ingredients you need to pack in your first aid kit, so you can help treat any ailments as they come up. These alternative remedies have wonderful healing benefits. Read on to see what to pack in your kit.
Natural First Aid Items You Should Have In Your Kit
When it comes to the contents of traditional first aid kits, we think of bandages, gauze, gauze tape, tweezers, scissors, etc. I advise everyone to always keep those items as part of their first aid kit.
In today’s article, I will list the following all-natural items and their intended uses:
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Witch Hazel
- Lavender Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Ginger Capsules Or Candies
- Clove Oil
- Arnica Oil
- Chamomile (Lotion, Tea Bags, Or Essential Oil)
- Activated Charcoal
- Baking Soda
Let’s get started!
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is great for cooling, soothing, and reducing inflammation due to sunburn and/or minor burns/scalds.
Instructions: Clean the affected area with mild soap and water. Next, apply a generous amount of aloe vera gel. Repeat throughout the day as needed.
Please seek medical help immediately if the burn is severe.
Note: You can add an aloe vera leaf or the bottled aloe vera gel to your first aid kit. It’s a matter of personal preference. However, you may want to just include the bottled aloe vera gel if you think an aloe vera leaf has the potential to be in the first aid kit for an extended period of time. They both provide the same results.
2. Witch Hazel
You can add witch hazel extract or witch hazel pads that are already prepackaged to your all-natural first aid kit.
Witch hazel can be used to:
- Soothe bug bites and/or stings (apply a few times a day as needed)
- Eliminate germs on your hands and face
- Relieve itchiness from a rash (if the rash is severe, seek medical help)
3. Lavender Oil
Due to the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of lavender oil, it makes a great addition to your all-natural first aid kit.
It can be used topically to treat insect bites and stings, burns, blisters, and bruises.
Instructions: Combine a few drops of lavender oil and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and apply to the affected area. Leave the area for 30 minutes and rinse with warm water. Repeat the process twice a day.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar (Raw, Unfiltered ACV)
The antimicrobial properties of ACV make it an effective all-natural solution for relieving skin irritations related to bug bites/stings and minor skin infections.
Instructions: Using a cotton ball, dab a small amount of ACV onto the affected area and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse the area with warm water.
Note: If you have sensitive skin, combine equal parts of ACV and water to treat the affected area.
5. Ginger Capsules Or Ginger Candies
Ginger possesses antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-tussive (for coughing) properties. As you can see, it is a must-have item for your all-natural first aid kit!
Instructions: To soothe or prevent nausea as well as indigestion, you can take ginger capsules. (Use as directed per directions on the bottle)
To soothe a sore throat, congestion, or cough, chew on ginger candies.
6. Clove Oil
Clove oil possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties and is yet another must-have item for your all-natural first aid kit.
Also, clove oil is commonly used to relieve tooth pain.
Instructions: To soothe tooth pain, dab a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and apply to the affected tooth and the surrounding gums. Leave the cotton ball on the affected area for a few minutes. This will help to numb the pain and clean the affected area.
7. Arnica Oil
Arnica oil, as first aid, is used as an anti-inflammatory and circulation stimulation agent for bruises, sore muscles, strains, and sprains.
Instructions: Combine a few drops of arnica oil with 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Gently massage this mixture onto the affected area 3 times a day.
Note: Never apply arnica oil to broken skin.
8. Chamomile (Lotion, Tea Bags, Or Essential Oil)
Chamomile is another must-have for your all-natural first aid kit as it treats a great number of things!
- To relieve stomach upset and indigestion, drink a cup of chamomile tea.
- To relieve skin irritation due to minor rashes or eczema, apply chamomile lotion to the affected area.
- To relieve headache discomfort, apply chamomile oil to your temples.
- Soothe minor burns, bruises, and bug bites; apply chamomile oil to the affected area.
9. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is great for relieving stomach bloating and preventing gas. It is also used for skin irritations due to bug bites and/or rashes caused by exposure to poison ivy and poison oak.
Instructions: For stomach bloating, you can take up to 3 capsules a day. To prevent gas, take 1 capsule about 1 hour before your meal.
To soothe skin irritations, add a few drops of coconut oil to activated charcoal and apply to the affected area.
10. Baking Soda
Ah! The wonders of baking soda! As first aid, it’s used to treat bug bites and stings and provides instant relief from heartburn and indigestion.
Instructions: To treat bug bites or stings, first wash the area with antibacterial soap. Next, make a paste with baking soda and water, apply the paste to the affected area, and leave for 5–10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Repeat as needed.
For heartburn and indigestion, add 1 heaping teaspoon to 4-6 ounces of water, stir, and drink. Lemon can be added for flavor, but it is not necessary.
Note: Considering that coconut oil is used in conjunction with so many of the natural items in today’s article, it would be a great addition to your all-natural first aid kit as well.
What natural ingredients do you swear by? Let us know in the comments!
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The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 9, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
you forgot honey! Antiseptic antibiotic great for burns or other skin irritations.