A first aid kit is an essential item to have in any household or workplace but how do you go about making are you are using natural or herbal products.  There is an array of herbal preparations available that are effective substitutes for the over-the-counter products that are usually on offer in a first aid kit.  To create a first aid kit that avoids chemical preparations, is effective and potent follow these guidelines:

Antimicrobial salve
Look for a salve or ointment that contains comfrey and any herbs such as echinacea, calendula, St John’s wort or plantain.  These herbs are great at soothing affected areas and accelerating the healing process.  For any grazes or burns also keep a bottle of lavender or rosemary to hand.  For puncture wounds use Echinacea tincture instead.

Insect Repellent
Lavender, eucalyptus, cedarwood, citronella and lemongrass are all noxious to insects but pleasant for humans.  Combinations of the oils work much better than single oils.  Use in a base of water and alcohol. 

Muscle Ache Liniment
For external use include arnica, St John’s wort and witch hazel tinctures in combination or try camphor, rosemary, clove bud and eucalyptus are also excellent.  Please note Arnica must not be applied to broken skin.

Antiseptic Lotion
Don’t leave home without it your Echinacea tincture!  This potent herb is an internal and external antibiotic and is well renowned for its immune boosting properties. Its great to take internally if a cold is threatening. 

Tummy Upsets
Ginger capsules are extremely effective for all types of tummy upset including travel sickness, wind and morning sickness.  These little gems are great for menstrual stomach cramps also.  Other herbal alternative are peppermint and fennel.

Diarrhoea
Charcoal tablets help to aid with the detoxification process and should be taken every 4 hours.  Ensure you take on a lot of fluids.  Herbs that can help you through include raspberry leaf, slippery elm, strawberry root or leaf and blackberry root or leaf.  Also you may not be aware but cooked white rice is great at reducing the diarrhoea.

Anti-inflammatory/Pain killer
Try meadowsweet tincture or willow bark tea.

Mouthwash
Thyme in essential oil is wonderfully effective for toothache and sore throats.  It can also be used externally for head lice and is a fabulous inhalation oil for flu, colds and bronchitis.

Insect Bites & Stings
Try witch hazel, St John’s wort and comfrey to get relief from the itching and to prevent infection.  Lavender oil is again great for taking down the swelling and can be applied directly to the skin.

Bruising
These are injuries where the skin has not been broken.  Use cayenne, arnica, calendula and comfrey in tincture and if applied immediately can prevent the bruise actually forming.