There aren’t too many worse feelings in the world than
1. Being stranded in a place you wish you weren’t stuck in, and
2. Wishing you had an item you don’t have.
Although we can’t guarantee you won’t get stranded anywhere, we can help with problem #2! Especially when it comes to being prepared in the great outdoors. There are many ways to be made, especially when it comes to first aid. But the great thing about creating an essential oil first aid kit is that it’s natural doesn’t take a ton of time to make, and it’s easy to travel with!
Essential Oils for Sunburns and Bug Bites
Lavender also helps take the sting out of burns and bites and helps soothe skin after sun exposure. Although not an essential oil, ordinary household vinegar can be used to relieve the skin of burns/stings from bites or overexposure.
Tea Tree is exceptionally versatile. And has been used for years to help repel against bugs and treat existing bug bites. You can add this oil to any carrier oil and use as a bug spray on your next hiking or camping adventure! We can do the best we can to prevent those pesky bug bites, and some still seem to slip through the cracks. So when you do get those annoying bites or need some after sun relief, grab some vinegar, Lavender, and even some Tea Tree essential oil to whip up a little at-home skin relief remedy.
To help prevent against future bug bites, there are several different essential oil bug spray recipes you can refer to, but any combination of the following essential oils will create a potent bug spray deterrent:
- Lavender
- Catnip
- Basil
- Vetiver
- Neem
- Tea Tree
- Lemongrass
- Peppermint
- Cedar
- Geranium
- Oregano
- Citronella
- Rosemary
- Clove
- Eucalyptus
You can also try this amazing recipe from The Herbal Academy for homemade calamine lotion, to help soothe bug bites and even mild skin irritations.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay (remember not to use any metal when using bentonite clay, as this will react with the clay making it less effective.)
- Water/witch hazel to form a paste (I often use witch hazel for its astringent properties as well as its ability to help relieve itching.)
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops chamomile essential oil
- 1 teaspoon carrier oil
Directions
- Combine all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl.
- In another bowl mix the essential oils with the carrier oil, if using.
- Add the blend of essential oils and a carrier oil to the dry ingredients mixing well.
- Slowly add in the water/witch hazel until smooth and creamy paste forms.
- Apply to itchy bug bites, rashes, and more! *If using distilled water this may last in the fridge for longer than a week.
Oils for Minor Scrapes and Scratches
Tea Tree has natural cleansing agents that are often used to help with cuts, scrapes, and abrasions. It’s cleaning properties work as a natural way to help clean any wounds you may encounter while indoor or outdoors! Tea Tree also helps to protect cuts and scrapes against possible infections. So make sure you don’t leave home without this bad boy.
Comfrey oil is derived from the leaves/roots of a comfrey plant. Perhaps less known in the essential oil world, comfrey plants contain allantoin and rosmarinic acid. Allantoin aids in the growth of new skin cells, while rosmarinic acid is often used to help relieve pain and inflammation.
Melissa oil is an ideal oil to use to help calm and relax the skin after overexposure or irritation. Melissa is Greek for “honey bee,” and is known to attract bees because of its natural sweet scent. So although this oil won’t make the cut for our bug spray repellent list, it still makes our essential oil first aid kit!
Hopefully, with this list of some helpful at-home holistic remedies and preventatives, you’ll be more prepared next time life throws you a curveball!
