Create Your Own First Aid Kit with Natural Remedies
Creating Your Own First Aid Kit
It’s time to create your own first aid kit. You’ve probably dealt with your fair share of cuts, bruises, abrasions, burns, sprains, insect bites, stings, and other minor injuries that require first aid. We all know that modern medicine is necessary for serious injuries. However, you can care for many minor ones easily at home. All you need is some basic knowledge of first aid and a few home remedies.
When it comes to home remedies for first aid, herbs and essential oils can also have a place in your first-aid kit. Natural remedies nourish and support tissues, help with swelling, and help injuries begin to heal, oftentimes without scarring. Natural remedies can help support the body’s healing process, making them great first-aid remedies to keep in your home.
We are going to cover remedies you can keep on hand as well as what these remedies can help so you can start thinking about what you want to add to your kit. You can view my favorite supplements and herbs for setting up your First Aid Kit. For homeopathic remedies like Arnica and Rhus Tox, I like the homeopathic products from Boiron.
What to Include in Your First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit can include basic first-aid supplies along with some of the natural remedies you use regularly. Consider keeping items such as:
- Adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, medical tape, and disposable gloves
- Tweezers, small scissors, and a thermometer
- Saline wound wash
- Cold and heat packs
- Herbal salves for minor skin irritations
- Aloe vera gel
- Calendula
- Arnica for bumps and bruises
- Lavender and tea tree essential oils for appropriate topical use and bug bites
- Epsom salts for soaking sore muscles
- Ace bandages for sprains – various sizes to fit hand, knee, wrist
- Any medications or emergency supplies specific to your household
First Aid Kits | Herbal Salves
I love to make salves, aromatherapy products, and lotions. Herbal salves are great to make or purchase and have on hand when you need them. One of my favorite salves (Tea Tree Salve) is made with calendula-infused olive oil and a blend of essential oils including Lavender and Tea Tree. Calendula has many benefits for the skin, and according to Healthline, it offers antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This can be some help when you have a minor wound, any type of itchy rash including eczema and poison ivy or oak.
I also carry with me a pain relief salve made with arnica-infused olive oil called Joint Salve, and a blend of essential oils that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It’s super easy to make your own salves. If you are interested in making your own products, I highly recommend Mountain Rose Herbs; they offer great supplies and a well-written instructional blog.
Know When First Aid Isn’t Enough
A home first aid kit is intended for minor injuries. You need to seek medical attention for serious injuries such as deep wounds, uncontrolled bleeding, severe burns, suspected broken bones, serious allergic reactions, head injuries, difficulty breathing, or signs of a serious infection.
Healthy habits include being prepared. Keeping a well-stocked first aid kit means you’ll have the basic supplies and natural remedies you use most often ready when you need them. If you’d like to work on more everyday habits that support your health, learn more about my Healthy Habits Challenge.
This article was originally published as part of the Sunshine Sharing newsletter series.
Browse the archive
