Essential Oil and Herbal First Aid Kit

With so many herbs and the diverse information out there how do we choose what is right for us and how do we know if it is working? This is not designed to be a full listing of what anyone needs to treat disorders and disease, This is literally a first aid kit of natural herbal remedies with universal uses. What each household should have and possibly what you may not want to leave the house without once you become accustomed to their uses.

All cures, pills, salves and prescriptions are actually herbal based. On all of these products they list the "active" ingredients, these are the part of the product that actually addresses the issue we are buying the product for. The difference is that we do not always pay attention to what is in them or as in the case of prescriptions we do not know. The other difference is that they are mixed in with all kinds of "inactive" ingredients we do not need and may have their own adverse effects. They are also extremely diluted and sometimes polluted from the preservatives and bases that are added to them. Pay attention next time you buy any of these first aid products and read how much is active and how much is inactive ingredients as well as what the active ingredients actually are. You will be pleasantly surprised to find that the active ingredients are almost always an herbal product.

We are all using herbal remedies everyday, but they are called Ben-Gay, Foot Powder, antacids etc. The recommendations below are to use exactly the same medicinal remedies, minus the additives. Using pure herbal products is also more cost effective as we realize the numerous uses of herbs overlap into many over the counter products. One oil can replace up to ten different products and the amount used is always a drop or two so it lasts for quite a long time.

In a typical first aid kit, we want something for pain, aches and pains, cuts, wounds and injuries. An herbal first aid kit takes care of all of these typical things. The basics For your Herbal First Aid Kit would be: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Wintergreen, Hyssop, Geranium, Clove and Rosemary preferably in 100% pure oil form. However, if you have any of these available in herbal plant form they would also work. Oils are the most pure concentrated form available, and you can dilute it yourself if you decide to with non toxic products like other oils (IE.olive oil) or water. Oils are absorbed through the skin and distributed to the entire body through the blood system within 5 minutes. Following will expand on exactly what each one is used for.

Peppermint is used for headaches, digestive issues and increased energy. Peppermint is recommended to be used for preventative as well as curative properties. Peppermint is naturally found in foot powders, and in rubs like Ben-gay as well as in some antacids. Peppermint after meal mints are not just nice to our taste buds they are used to aid in the digestive properties. Peppermint is also the "icy" in "icy hot" muscle rub.

Use Peppermint for any digestive disorder including lactose intolerance, IBS, or anything that causes heartburn. Peppermint is highly recommended for any one receiving chemotherapy. To use as a preventative, apply pure peppermint oil to the bottom of your feet each morning. This will eliminate foot odor, as well as bad breath issues, it will provide even energy throughout the day, This will also keep your digestive system running smoothly and prevent headaches. After prolonged use you will just get used to feeling good and will no longer experience headaches or digestive issues at all. If you experience heartburn, apply a drop to the tongue for instant relief. If you experience a headache apply a drop to the temples it will go away quickly. If you experience any type of abdominal discomfort, gas, bloating etc. apply directly to the affected abdominal area to alleviate the discomfort or cramping. Long term continual use will almost completely alleviate any digestive issues to include all symptoms of irritable bowel.

Eucalyptus aids with all breathing issues and boosts the immune system. Eucalyptus is best used as a preventative measure. Each morning apply undiluted to the chest area and rub in. This is like a barrier against colds, flue's and other viruses considered to be communicable. It will keep the airways open and clear. Eucalyptus can be used as an aid to overcome and decrease recovery time if any of these viruses are contracted, also to open the airways and restore free breathing. Use to treat symptoms and to overcome the same way by applying directly to the chest and rubbing in. Use eucalyptus on you and your children each morning and have the healthiest immune systems in the neighborhood, while everyone else is recovering, you can just be maintaining and enjoying everyday life.

Wintergreen is the "Hot" in "Icy Hot" muscle rub. Use wintergreen oil on any injury or pain that does Not break the skin. Wintergreen is not intended for use on broken skin or applied directly to the tongue, sinuses or any other sensitive areas.Wintergreen is for muscles aches or injuries, whether from falling down, working out and even including broken bones. Wintergreen will reduce pain and highly accelerate recovery from any of this type of injuries. Wintergreen is the perfect choice for reducing swelling or inflammation. Wintergreen can be applied directly either 100% or diluted with another oil, or put a few drops into a hot bath and soak in the oils (Epsom salt added helps too). If there is bruising included with the injury use in conjunction with hyssop oil, they are compatible for use together.

Hyssop oil is used for breathing disorders, colds associated with breathing disorders and for bruising. A few drops of Hyssop in a pot of steeping water or a bath for breathing and absorbing into the lungs will help with all breathing disorders. For any bruising apply oil directly to the bruise, this greatly reduces healing time and dissipates bruising very quickly. The sooner it is applied the greater the effectiveness. Hyssop can be used repeatedly until bruising is gone a couple of times a day. If Hyssop is applied within a couple of hours of being bruised, the bruising can be gone as quickly as 24 hrs. Remember to use wintergreen for any swelling, pain or inflammation on a closed injury. Hyssop and Wintergreen are compatible for use together.

Geranium is for us on all open wounds, cuts and abrasions. Not to be used in the eyes. Geranium has antibacterial properties as well as for clotting. Apply oil directly to any open wound or burn immediately. Geranium will cause a pure clotting action, stop bleeding and create a smooth protective surface rather than a scab. The healing process begins immediately and any open would would will heal in less than half the usual time, and reduce the possibility of infection. The best part is it will also reduce the possibility of scarring. You usually won't even need a band aid or covering unless the wound is very deep with a possibility of breaking open again. Re-use geranium oil as needed if the wound breaks open again. Geranium oil is compatible to be used in conjunction with clove oil and both are equally effective on burns as open wounds. Apply both immediately to any burns.

Clove is one of the most diverse universal medicinal remedies. Cloves combats, prevents and treats infections naturally instead of using antibiotics. Cloves is also a natural pain killer and sedative. Cloves is a large portion of what the dentist uses to numb your mouth to do dental work. Applying cloves directly to any open wound or burn will numb the pain immediately! Cloves can also be used orally for a toothache or even an abscess. Applying cloves repeatedly to an abscess will not only numb the pain it will take care of the infection without the use of antibiotics so the dentist can do the work needed. Mix cloves with baking soda for the most effective toothpaste with no chemicals it will give you great breath, reduce bacteria and help your digestive system. Use clove oil liberally with geranium oil on all open wounds, cuts, abrasions and burns. Used early on, clove will prevent infection, used later on it will clear up an infection.

The final basic for your herbal first aid kit is Rosemary with its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Mix a few drops of rosemary with water and a little bit of alcohol to help them mix in a small spray bottle. Use this spray in place of hand sanitizer and Lysol spray. Spray on doorknobs, children's toys, hands, any where you would feel the need to use a disinfectant. Also add a few drops in with dentures to keep them fresh and disinfected. Rosemary also promotes healthy hair growth, so add a little to your shampoo.

This is what is in my medicine cabinet and first aid kit. I am 45 years old, I do not take any medications prescribed or over the counter. I do not own any tylenol, advil, nyquil, foot powders, toothpastes, bengay, neosporin or any of those "usual" items. I do not receive vaccinations. I have been using these oils for about five years now as I instructed above. Prior to their use I got colds, the flu, viruses, scars and had aches and pains for a while when I received injuries. I can honestly say I have not had any viruses, colds, flu, or trips to the doctor for injuries or had any need for any antibiotics for anything. This not only applies to me but it applies to any one in my family who has taken these tips and uses them and many others who have taken this advice and tips. These few oils can change your life to a healthier way of living, reduce trips to the Doctors office, and less down time from the job and less school days missed for your children.

As with anything else try it out and make sure you do not have allergies, although I have not run into any one yet with an allergy to any of these this does not mean you may not be. Always inform your physician of any herbal remedies you are using so they can be aware just as you would any other medications. When in doubt, ask or do not do it. Use your own common sense and as always, if it does not feel right to you, it is not right for you.