As parents, we have enough to worry about. Having toxic products with endocrine disruptors in our first aid/wilderness kits shouldn’t be one of them.
When my babies were little babies and they had their first Texas summers descending upon them, the question always prevailed- “What kind of sunscreen should I buy?” A friend had told me about an app called Think Dirty. I had already been using it to scan our toiletries and cleaning products, but I had no idea about all the chemicals masked as fragrances in our “natural” and “clean” products that we had been exposing ourselves to at home. It made me start thinking more about our little first aid kit that is full of random wonders including our chosen sunscreen each season.
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Things have evolved greatly throughout the years. I’m no doctor or medical professional. Just a grown woman with thyroid issues who wants to find healthy options for her family. None of these items are mentioned under the pretense of medical advice, though. I’m simply a mom of three wild cubs. We use a lot of traditional first aid kit items (and some that aren’t so traditional). My family generally just uses what works for us. Be mindful that some essential oils are photosensitive (especially citrus oils) and might make your skin more sensitive to the light. Please take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your skin if you are using essential oil products while enjoying nature.
This is a peek inside my family’s Mary Poppins-esque first aid kit that has left us prepared with what we need- when we need it.
$20 Bill (B/C my mama always said I always need a little emergency money- just in case)- A few dollars in quarters. (For jukeboxes, candy machines and other fun things that only take coins)
- Granola Bars (Nature Valley Oat and Honey for life)
- Tweezers
- Sunscreen (We like Badger and Young Living sunscreen)
- Colloidal Silver (Used to prevent infection because of antiseptic properties; use for cuts and scrapes)
- Bandaids
- Fingernail Clippers
- Hand Sanitizer
- Gauze (& Tape)
- Thermometer
- Nose Frieda
- Lip Balm
- Tylenol
- Motrin
- Liquid Benadryl
- Nox Vomica or Ipecacuanha (A homeopathic for nausea or vomiting)
- Arnica Montana (A homeopathic for muscle pain, swelling and bruising)
- Small Tin of Baking Soda
- Matches (or Lighter)
- Needle and Thread
- Similisan Homeopathic Eye Drops
- Aquaphor (For minor cuts to slow bleeding- Boxer style)
- A few condoms (For covering scrapes and cuts, use to transport water in a pinch)
- A few tampons (Helpful for bloody noses amongst other things)
- A few gallon-sized Ziplock bags
My Apothecary/Hippie Remedies for:
- Field Cleaning Solution: Water, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap, Thieves, Tea Tree & Lavender EOs)- for cuts, scrapes and minor sunburns
- Seasonal Allergies: Rollerball with Lavender, Lemon, & Peppermint EOs and carrier oil (use topically)
- Poison Ivy/Poison Oak: Small spray bottle with Oregano & Lavender EOs, Thayers Witch Hazel and carrier oil (spray topically and wrap loosely with gauze)
- Bug Spray: Thayer’s Witch Hazel, Citronella, Lemongrass, Tea Tree*, Lavender, Peppermint, Thieves* and Eucalyptus* EOs and water)
*=ADULT ONLY: for kids, leave out - Bee Stings (& Ants): Rollerball with Thieves and Panaway EOs and carrier oil, baking soda paste
- Wasp Stings (& Hornets)… are different than bee stings because their venom is alkaline and needs to be neutralized using acid: Lemon EO and carrier oil, Apple Cider Vinegar
- Blisters: Lavender and German Chamomile EOs and carrier oil, Frankincense EO
