Every household needs to have a first-aid kit, especially if you have disaster-prone kids running around. When you build a first-aid kit, you need to account for all kinds of emergencies, from cuts and scrapes to more serious issues like respiratory problems. While medicines and other drugs do deserve a place in your kit, many other items can actually be replaced with more natural alternatives. Essential oils are nature’s best medicine and can be used in several ways. In many instances, essential oils are actually much more effective and safer to use than common medicines. If you’re new to essential oils, here’s how you can include them in your first-aid kit.
Pick A Carrier Oil
Before you start exploring the world of essential oils, you need to pick a good carrier oil. Essential oils are very concentrated and are too strong to be used directly. They need to be diluted with a gentle carrier oil before you can use them topically. Jojoba and sweet almond oil are popular carrier oils because they’re gentle on the skin and come with their own set of healing properties. Coconut oil is also a great carrier oil because it has antibacterial properties that come in very useful for healing wounds. However, if you live in a colder climate, avoid using coconut oil because it solidifies at room temperature and won’t be usable during emergencies.
Essential Oils For First-Aid Kits
Now that you have your carrier oil, it’s time to start picking a set of essential oils. Each essential oil is useful for treating specific conditions. If you’re new to them, stick a label on the bottle of each oil with a list of things it can be used for. Here are six essential oils every first-aid kit needs to have.
1. Lavender
Lavender is the cure-all of essential oils. This oil can be be used for a whole range of emergencies, so when in doubt, always use lavender. Lavender essential oil has powerful antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. If you cut yourself, lavender can reduce swelling around the area, help the wound heal faster and prevent it from leaving a scar. It also reduces itchiness from insect bites and heals skin rashes. If you have severe migraines, rub some diluted lavender oil on your temples or breathe in the scent of lavender for immediate relief. Lavender essential oil is so versatile that if you include only one essential oil in your first-aid kit, it has to be lavender.
2. German Or Roman Chamomile
Many essential oils are too strong to be used on babies, but chamomile essential oil is the exception. Chamomile oil has potent analgesic properties which makes it great for relieving pain. Rub some chamomile oil over scraped knees or minor burns to numb the pain immediately and help it heal faster. If you have pollen allergies or hay fever, chamomile oil can relieve your symptoms. It also works effectively against nausea and diarrhea. It’s important however, that you use only German or Roman chamomile oil for your first-aid kit. There are many other varieties of chamomile oil available, but only these two have healing properties.
3. Eucalyptus
If you’re prone to stuffy noses and colds, eucalyptus essential oil needs a place in your first-aid kit. Breathing in the scent of this oil or rubbing it over your chest can decongest your airways and help you breathe easy again. Eucalyptus is also great for treating inflammation, so rub some over your joints if you suffer from arthritis or rheumatism. This essential oil is also a natural insect-repellent and can be rubbed over bug bites to reduce swelling and itchiness.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most important essential oils you can include in your first-aid kit. Tea tree oil is one of the strongest antibacterial and antifungal substances found in nature. You can rub it over scrapes, burns, blisters and bumps for a quicker recovery. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to a steaming water and breathe in the fumes to clear your airways. Tea tree oil is perfect for skin infections and rashes because it prevents the area from getting infected.
5. Rosemary
While the other essential oils help you treat wounds on the outside, rosemary essential oil helps you heal on the inside. If you lead a highly stressful lifestyle, rosemary can help lift away your stress. Breathe in some rosemary or massage it over your temples for an instant calming effect.You can also add a few drops of rosemary to bandages if you have a sprained ankle to help ease the pain.
