11/16/2022 / By Zoey Sky
The typical first aid kit usually includes common basic supplies like adhesive bandages, gauze, iodine, scissors and sticky white tape.
But preppers know you have to be adaptable, and this means knowing how to use medicinal herbs to treat common complaints like burns, cuts and small wounds. Before SHTF, learn how to make poultices, salves and tinctures to treat minor aches and pains. (h/t to PrepperWebsite.com)
To make an herbal first aid kit, start by organizing your supplies and homemade herbal products.
If you keep things in different parts of the house depending on their uses, reorganizing is important because it will make it easier to find things when you need them if they were stored together in one easy to access container.
After you gather all your ingredients and supplies, look for a sturdy storage container. You can use an art-supply box, a sewing box or a tackle box, but a heavy-duty, three-tiered plastic toolbox is recommended.
If you go camping or hiking often, you can prepare a smaller version of your herbal first aid kit with the most essential items. You can also include a mini-kit for your bug-out bag.
Before SHTF, label all items clearly and include an instruction sheet on the proper use of each item so your family members know how to use them if you aren’t with them. (Related: Survival medicine: How to make tinctures for your SHTF first aid kit.)
These are important items for any first-aid kit, even if you don’t have any herbal remedies:
Here are some herbal remedies you can include in your prepper first aid kit:
Aloe vera gel
Use aloe vera gel to soothe minor kitchen burns, rashes and sunburns.
Do not use aloe vera gel on someone with a staph infection because it will seal in the bacteria, allowing it to multiply.
Arnica gel
Use arnica gel to treat bruises and muscle aches and pains.
Candied ginger
Make candied ginger and store it in an airtight container. Take some candied ginger to soothe an upset stomach and relieve motion sickness.
Follow the recipe below to make candied ginger:
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Note:
Use the leftover ginger sugar in coffee, cookies or any dish that you want to add a sweet and flavorful ginger accent.
Cotton cheesecloth or muslin
Use clean, washed cotton cheesecloth or muslin as a compress or for wrapping wounds and poultices.
External liniment
Use the liniment as a sore muscle rub and to dry poison ivy.
If it’s your first time using liniment, do a skin test on the inside of your elbow. Use caution when using the liniment on a child, the elderly or someone with sensitive skin.
This liniment uses goldenseal, which is a threatened species. Use only sustainably-sourced goldenseal. Alternatively, you can substitute Oregon grape root powder for goldenseal.
Follow the recipe below to make a soothing external liniment:
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Eyecup
You need an eyecup to wash or rinse someone’s eye after SHTF.
Green salve
Green salve can be used to soothe chafing, insect bites, minor cuts, scrapes and skin irritation.
Try the recipe below to make a green salve that can help calm inflammation and soothe insect bites:
You will need:
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Jewelweed vinegar
Jewelweed vinegar can be used to repel biting insects.
To make this remedy, infuse jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) in organic apple cider vinegar and add insect-repellent essential oils if you want to.
Spray jewelweed vinegar on your skin to soothe poison ivy and bug bites. You can also apply it before going into the woods.
Slippery elm lozenges
Slippery elm’s demulcent properties coat the throat, so the lozenges can help soothe a sore mouth or throat. They are available in different flavors.
Keep in mind that they have a laxative effect if taken in excess.
Spritzers
Spritzers made with distilled water and essential oils have aromatherapeutic and antibacterial qualities.
Tea strainer or tea ball
Use a tea strainer or tea ball to make herbal teas or decoctions.
Wild cherry syrup
Make wild cherry syrup at home to treat coughs and sore throat.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can be used as a disinfectant to clean skin, relieve itching and as a liniment for sore muscles.
Before disaster strikes, gather your herbal remedies and ingredients and prepare an herbal first aid kit so you can treat minor aches and pains.
Watch the video below to know more about the health benefits of witch hazel.
This video is from the Holistic Herbalist channel on Brighteon.com.
Prepper essentials: What to include in your SHTF first aid kit.
Prepping before SHTF: 16 Items for your survival first aid kit.
Essential supplies to pack in your first aid kit for a camping trip.
Sources include:
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