What everyone encounters are health maladies, the occasional “boo-boos” such as headaches, a sore throat, a sudden aching tooth, upset stomach, minor burns and scrapes, all which can suddenly appear when unexpected.
What’s known is that most of these issues can be handled effectively from home, with natural remedies. For minimalists, the key becomes stocking up on holistic solutions, and preparing their own first-aid kit, for when these common minor injuries and illnesses arises.
Traditional natural remedies are often known to work just as well as a prescription from your doctor, with usually less side effects. They are also less expensive.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
When it comes to the minimalist/survivalists first aid kit of medical solutions, what’s essential is including raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. It can be directly applied topically on bug bites along with other skin irritations, as well as ingesting it internally for gastrointestinal relief, or to reduce headaches.
The solution fights off a variety of infections because of its antimicrobial properties. Because of it’s alkalizing effects, it also helps in safely calming down an upset stomach.
Just dab a few drops on a cloth to reduce skin irritations, or dilute in purified water, to alleviate stomach related issues, or to reduce headaches.
8. Baking Soda
Baking soda is the “Swiss army knife” in your first aid kit, as it’s a natural inexpensive solution that’s capable of curing a variety of ailments.
What it does is counteracts the poison from insect bites, while being an excellent alkalizing agent, this to provide instant relief when it comes to heartburn or indigestion.
It can be applied topically as a paste to relieve insect bites or stings, or it can reduce skin irritation such as acne, by applying it directly on the affected areas.
It reduces heartburn or alleviates colds, by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water with lemon juice.
7. Lavender Oil
What’s needed in everyone’s natural first aid kit, is a bottle of lavender oil. What it possesses are superior antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
This oil can be applied to everything from bruises, burns, blisters, to insect bites topically, to be effective. It fights off infections, or reduces headaches by just applying a few drops on a cloth and breathing it in.
It repels insects like mosquitoes, by just adding several drops of lavender oil mixed with a carrier oil, and applying it on the skin.
6. Clove Oil
A few cloves, or a bottle of clove oil is an essential item to include in your first-aid kit. Clove oil is known as the best remedy when it comes to improving oral health, or effectively reducing tooth pain.
What it contains are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It’s effective for a variety of other health issues as well.
All that’s needed is applying a few drops of clove oil directly on the toothache and the surrounding gums with a cotton ball. Just chewing on a few cloves, can also reduce the pain as well.
5. Chamomile Lotion Or Tea
Chamomile can be found in a variety of forms such as in a lotion, as a tea, or an essential oil. What’s recommended and necessary, is having this in your first aid kit.
What chamomile naturally contains are antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antibacterial properties, this to relieve a variety of ailments. What it does is reduces indigestion, stomach aches or bloating, by drinking it in tea form.
To alleviate skin irritation, chamomile tea bags can be applied directly on the skin. Chamomile lotion can be applied to reduce rashes or eczema. It also fights off headaches, bug bites, bruises and minor burns.
4. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is an effective home remedy for treating skin conditions such as acne, because of it’s extremely powerful astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. What’s available are witch hazel extract or pads.
To reduce any skin related symptoms, apply a few drops of witch hazel extract on a cotton pad, and apply it directly on the area as needed. To reduce any type of infection, first clean the area before applying the solution.
3. Activated Charcoal
When it comes to bloating and gas, activated charcoal can be the best natural solution so it’s a must in your first aid kit. What it does, is soaks up excess gas and acids that can accumulate in the gut, providing quick relief for acid reflux, indigestion, or a bloated stomach.
It can be taken in capsule form several times a day, when it comes to an irritated stomach. To prevent gas, take one activated charcoal capsule with water, this an hour before eating a potentially gassy meal. Activated charcoal, also relieves insect bites, bee stings, and rashes.
2. Arnica Cream or Gel
What’s needed in your minimalist first aid kit is arnica, this in cream, gel or essential oil form. What arnica contains are anti-inflammatory stimulating properties, which makes it an effective natural remedy for treating sore muscles, sprains and bruises.
Just apply a few drops of arnica oil in 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, or any other carrier oil, and apply it to the affected area by gently massaging it in. Arnica in ointment form, can be used several times a day for best effect.
Avoid applying it directly into open wounds or cuts.
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Since you can’t keep a fresh leaf of Aloe Vera in your first-aid kit, the next best thing is the readily available Aloe Vera gel or tissues. Aloe Vera is effective for reducing inflammation, this when it comes to minor burns, scalds, or sunburn.
The natural antibacterial agent that it contains, helps in fighting off the bacteria that’s responsible. It’s effective in reducing issues such as acne breakouts, by stimulating the growth of new skin cells. Aloe Vera is effective for the healing or relief of any skin irritation.