By now most of us are aware of the side effects and potential health risk of prescribed and over the counter medication. And if you don’t know yet – Don’t read these statistics about pain killers – If you have a weak heart (Opens in a new window).

Believe it or not, your first aid kit at home doesn’t have to contain NSAIDs, Ibuprophen, Pepto Bismol and Dayquil at all. You can easily have a natural-alternative first aid kit to get you the health kick that you need – Using only herbal remedies.

My Natural First Aid Kit Contents

#1 – Apple Cider Vinegar

This one is on top of the list because it’s just so darn useful. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural antiseptic and thus can be safely used for cuts, wounds and even burns.

For Sinus infections and chest colds Cure – Add 1/4 cup or more vinegar to your vaporizer. To relieve cough, mix half a cup of ACV, half a cup of water, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 4 teaspoons of organic honey. Take 1 spoon when the cough “acts up” and one more before you go to bed.

For Sunburns – Add a cup of apple cider vinegar to your bath and soak for 10 minutes.

For Topical skin burns: Apply ice-cold apple cider vinegar to prevent blistering.

Mosquito and Other Bug Bites Relief – Use a cotton ball to dab
mosquito and other bug bites with ACV straight from the bottle.

Apple cider vinegar is rich in Magnesium, pectin and many other minerals and has many other uses, from DIY beauty remedies to cleaning, gardening and pet care. If you’d like, here are 38 other uses for apple cider vinegar.

It’s important to look for raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized, organic ACV.

#2 – Echinacea

This is probably the most powerful immune-system booster on the planet. It also has antibacterial and antibiotic properties.

Every time you feel your nose getting stuffed, or you feel that you about to catch something, dose yourself with a few drops of Echinacea Tincture and help yourself stay healthy.

It works great with vitamin C, but remember never to use it more than 2 weeks straight, because after 2 weeks it can start to harm your immune system (Much like antibiotics does from the first minute you start using it!)

Echinacea is a proven natural antibiotic, here’s my complete list of proven natural antibiotic herbs, foods and spices.

 

#3 – Ginger Root

This weird looking root has so many health uses that you won’t have enough time to read about them. In a first aid kit it’s perfect for nausea, stomach troubles and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Ginger root helps you digest better and faster, soothes an upset stomach and eliminates nausea for pregnancy (and non pregnancy) nausea. Just cut a few thin slices of the ginger root and boil them for at least 5 minutes, Wait until it cools down a little and drink the delicious and refreshing tea.

#4 – Turmeric Root Powder

This amazing spice is excellent for any type of inflammation, including arthritis joint pain and joint swelling. It’s great for the sore nipples of a breast-feeding mom; it reduces puffiness and relieves deep aches.

To use it topically, for sore nipples or joint swelling of any kind, just take 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and mix it into a little moisturizing cream. It will help spread and massage the powdered spice into your skin.

For internal use, the best supplement is called “Curamin“. It’s a curcumin-based supplement. Curcumin is produced from the turmeric root.

This yellow colored material demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, anti-carcinogenic and antimicrobial activity, liver-protective, heart-protective and anti-arthritic benefits (!!)

#5 – Cramp Bark

No more OTC pain killers stop the awful menstrual cramps. Cramp Bark is such an amazing herb that it not only dulls your pain significantly, but also helps to relax the muscles that cause the pain. Use it in a tincture, like this one.

 #6 – Goldenseal

In its powdered form, this herb prevents inflammation and infection in an open wound. It is a powerful medicine against parasites of all types, so if you ate something funky, it can help you keep your intestinal tract parasite-free.

Herbalists like to combine it with my beloved Echinacea mentioned above, to get an even more powerful immune-boosting formula, effective even for a strep throat and a severe flu. This is a good Echinacea & Goldenseal Tincture. 

#7 – Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is famous for its calming effect. Your husband threw his dirty socks on the floor again? Your kids drained any patience out of you? Open your alternative first aid kit and have a nice Organic Chamomile Tea to calm you down.

Be sure to soak the Chamomile flowers at least 5 minutes in boiled water to get all “the juices” out to the water. Alternatively, St. John’s Wort tea can relieve even a mild anxiety attack fast and naturally.

If you suffer from generalized anxiety, or just random anxiety attack, This Article has the top 10 natural methods to stop anxiety.

I frequently use a Chamomile tincture to help my un-willing-to-fall-asleep children. A Chamomile tea bag can be soaked for a few minutes in hot water and used directly on a pinkeye. This reverses pink eye in no more than 2 hours.

Another great use for brewed Chamomile tea is to add it to the kids’ bath, it helps them relaxes and makes their (smooth) skin even smoother.

#8 – Clove Oil

This amazing potion is essential for any first aid kit, due to is numbing effect. It’s actually a dental first aid miracle. If you suddenly have a toothache and there’s no doctor in sight, Diluted Clove Oil can numb the gums, mouth, and teeth.

If that’s not enough, it helps stop tooth infections from spreading. Just remember to always dilute it first and never swallow it, even though it’s used in your mouth. What I mean is don’t swallow a spoon full of it, you are not meant to digest this stuff. I recommend this Clove Bud Essential Oil.

More uses: Add clove oil to neutral oils for topical pain relief of arthritis. Small amounts of clove in a tea for nausea. 3 cloves in two cups of boiled water, steeped for 20 minutes, as an antiseptic and mouthwash.

Here’s how to relieve toothaches naturally in 5 minutes using clove oil.

#9 – Eucalyptus Essential Oil

This amazing essential oil can be used for so many home emergencies your head will spin: muscle aches and pains, rheumatoid arthritis, poor circulation; bronchitis, colds, coughs, sinusitis, sore throats, flu, and asthma; burns, blisters, cuts, insect bites, and as an insect repellent; as well as headaches and neuralgia.

For Sinusitis – Add 5 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil to a tablespoon of carrier. Rub a little over the sinuses to reduce congestion and inflammation. Keep it away from your eyes.

For headaches – mix one tablespoon of carrier oil with 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Rub your temples with a small amount with a gentle circular motion. Keep away from the eyes. Massage another small amount in the base of your skull.

For Muscle aches and pains – Use the same instruction as for the Sinusitis and rub on the painful area, or even better – Just take a warm bath with the oil blend and some Epsom salt.

This is my version of a natural first aid kit. What’s yours?

To your health and happiness,

Meital