While good safety practices are better learned before an accident surprises us, accidents will happen–even to the most vigilant. A first aid kit is an essential tool that is preprepared and ready to help us manage some of the most severe emergencies. However, for the most common accidents, the most we’ll probably need are cold or warm water, a band aid , an antibacterial ointment, tweezers, witch hazel, and a clean towel — natural and simplistic. Add some herbs and essential oils to the repertoire and you’ll be good to go!
Using Plant-Derived Ingredients in Your Natural First Aid Kit
Several of the plants growing around the world have been found to have medicinal properties. Humans have relied on plants to manage diseases until the recent advent of conventional medicine. Today, more and more people are recognizing the value of plants and their healing effects.
An essential oil is the liquid essence of a plant. It contains the aromatic properties characteristic of the plant and is hydrophobic by nature. Essential oils are extracted from flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, herbs, trees, and grass. They are extremely versatile and complex with tons of different chemical components. Many essential oils have overlapping characteristics; many are antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and calmative. I hope you’ll be inspired to try the following essential oils for yourself, or even better, discover a new favorite. Some of these essential oils are great for female reproductive health, hormonal balancing, respiratory health, digestive health, and more. Make sure you look for “pure” or “100% pure” essential oils to avoid the synthetic varieties. Maximize the benefits of your favorites by creating an individualized blend.
1. Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil is acquired from the oleoresin of small, woody trees of the genus Boswellia. Boswellia includes many species, but the most commonly used to obtain frankincense oil include B. carterii, B. sarca, and B. serrata. Frankincense essential oil is great for colds, coughs, scars, wounds, joint pains, infections of the skin, UTI, tiredness, anxiety, and depression. It is classically paired with myrrh essential oil.
2. Lavender
A classic and common addition to care kits around the world, lavender essential oil is a relaxing and delightful treat that can give you that wonderfully destressing, spa-like experience. Lavender is a flowering plant and includes over 40 species. Common lavender, also known as English lavender and Lavandula angustfolia, is commonly grown and used for lavender essential oil. The flowering tops of lavender is used for the extraction of the potent oil. The highly fragrant plant produces an oil that has the ability to treat ailments such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, wounds, skin infections, insect bites, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, abdominal cramping, and other muscle tensions.
3. Peppermint
Peppermint, or Mentha piperita, is closely related to many awesome herbs you may be familiar with and use regularly in the kitchen. Peppermint is a perennial plant of the family Lamiaceae . Other members of the Lamiaceae, also known as mint family, include spearmint, watermint, basil, sage, oregano, lavender, and many others. The leaves of peppermint are highly aromatic and can be fresh or dried for the extraction of its oil. Theraputic uses of peppermint essential oil include: nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, muscle aches, headaches, abdominal cramps, ance, sinusitis, and oral infections.
4. Tea Tree
Tea tree essential oil is another well known and commonly used plant essence. The oil comes from the Australian native, Melaleuca alternifolia, a bushy tree with long branches and narrow leaves. The leaves and branches are what is used for the extraction of tea tree oil. The oil has been used externally for acne, fungal infections, bacterial skin infections, lice, wounds, respiratory illnesses, warts, and athlete’s foot.
5. Clove
This sweetly fragrant plant belongs to the myrtle family, right along with tea tree. Clove, also known as Syzigium aromaticum, is a 40-foot evergreen tree valued for its flavor, aroma, and medicinal properties. It has been found in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines for centuries, and was the cause of spice wars around the world. Clove buds are harvested and sun-dried before it is used for oil extraction. Clove essential oil has been used to fight toothache, gum disease, muscle pain, warts, skin infections, bacterial infections, fungal infections, ringworm, abdominal cramping, nausea, bloating, and parasites.
6. Myrrh
Myrrh, or Commiphora myrrha, is a small thorny tree native to Northeast Africa. It was used by ancient Egyptians for incense, embalming the dead, and medicine. Resin is obtained from the plant and distilled to extract the amber-colored essential oil. This earthy and musty smelling oil has been known to heal wounds for hundreds of years. Additional therapeutic uses include: sores, insect and parasitic bites, skin infections, ringworm, eczema, gum disease, and fungal nail infections.
7. Geranium
Geranium essential oil is obtained from Pelargonium graveolens, a non-toxic flowering plant naturally found in tropical regions. The leaves and stalks of young plants are harvested for the extraction of highly aromatic oil. The oil is used to treat female reproductive disorders, menstrual cramping, infertility, endometriosis, PMS, menopausal symptoms, blood and lymph circulation, hemorrohids, depression, and fatigue. It pairs well with lavender essential oil.
8. Lemon
Lemon essential oil is extracted from the rind of fresh yellow fruit. Most of us are familiar with the benefits of drinking freshly-squeezed lemon juice, but the rind is filled with vitamins and minerals that can target infections, work as a tonic, and stimulate digestion. Lemon essential oil is also good for appetite stimulation, detoxification, cellulite, influenza, acne, skin infections, anxiety, and improved concentration.
Caution!
Essential oils are powerful. Therefore, a little goes a long way. Be sure to always dilute them with carrier oils. If you are pregnant or nursing, I recommend that you err on the side of caution by doing your own research.
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