holistic first aid kit - life in motion photography

 

I thought I’d come share what went in our camping first aid kit after getting some requests over on this instagram photo.

I know going in that my husband is going to roll his eyes joyfully at this post.  I know this because he’s been sweetly snickering every time he passes the pile on the kitchen counter for the last week.  It’s ok, I can embrace my neurotic love of all things first aid kit.  I think it makes me quirky and loveable.  And even though we gave up most things that come in a traditional first aid kits, I still find myself wanting to prepare, prepare, prepare when we travel to the great outdoors.  So what’s a first aid kit fanatic to do when she turns crunchy?  Why, a holistic first aid kit, of course!

I started off with nice sized box I picked up at Bed, Bath and Beyond (couldn’t find it on their website but the one linked is the same.  It folds out and has 3 tiers).  I wanted something that was durable, with a hard case and something that would be big enough to house glass mason jars, etc.  I highly recommend buying small travel containers for most of the products so that it doesn’t look like you are packing everything AND the kitchen sink.  It helps keep the snickering to a minimum.  I like these travel containers as I prefer glass over plastic.

Glass roller ball containers – these are great for essential oils and ACV.
Bottle Droppers – I use these for silver, witch hazel, peroxide and ear oil.
Clear Glass Jars – these are great for baking soda, coconut oil, vitamin c, aloe and gelatin.

While I’m linking amazon above so you can see what I use, I do buy them (not in bulk) from Natural Grocers.  Except the roller balls, I buy those in bulk because we use so many of them!  I wrote the contents of each glass jar on the bottom in sharpie.

Basic supplies:

Bandages
Bulb Syringe
Reusable Ice Pack
Tweezers
Nail Clippers
Small essential oil diffuser
Cotton balls
Fractionated coconut oil
Qtips

Coconut Oil – the single most universally used item in our kit.  We can cook our eggs with it, use it for diaper rash, reduce sunburns and so much more.
Activated Charcoal – we use this if someone has an upset stomach, food poisoning, etc.
Apple Cider Vinegar (jar and spray bottle) – there are a million and one uses for ACV.  My top favorites are for stomach problems, urinary tract infections, apply topically to ease both sunburns and bug bites.
Bentonite Clay – we use this for stomach issues, tummy bugs, food poisoning or at the onset of illness.
Vitamin C – immune booster.  Can reduce sunburn if used with Vitamin E.
Colloidal Silver – immune booster, great for ear infections, eye infections.
Baking Soda – can be used in a detox bath for illness.  Can also be used on spider bites.
Probiotics – we never leave home without them.  They help keep the immune system strong and functioning properly.  We travel with store bought probiotics (live strain, must be kept cool).  We also consume fermented foods and drinks daily and those travel with us as well.

Echinacea – we use it at the onset of illness.
Aloe – sunburns.
Epsom Salt – perfect for soaking sore muscles, ridding the body of toxins during illness or an allergic reaction.  A pinch in some warm drinking water can help ease constipation.
Hydrogen Peroxide – we use it to clean wounds.
Witch Hazel – soothes skin irritation, scrapes and burns.
Gelatin – this is the first thing we consume at the first sign of illness.
Elderberry – immune boosting.  We take it leading up to a trip, especially if air travel is necessary.
Mullein Ear Oil – garlic oil for ear infections.

Homeopathics:

Calm Forte – we call this the “anti-whine”.  It helps calm kiddos who are too hyper, tired of traveling or just all out of sorts.
Calendula
Drawing Salve
Addicide – we keep this in our house at all times and always travel with it.  It’s a homeopathic that removes pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives and dyes from the body.
Arnica – homeopathic pain reliever.
Belladonna – homeopathic for inflammation.  Use for minor injuries, sunburns, etc.
Chamomilla – promotes relaxation and helps with teething.  If you have a restless bunch at the end of a road trip, a quick dose of chamomilla will help calm.
Poison Oak Blend
Nux Vomica – indigestion, nausea

Other homeopathics to consider throwing in you kit include:  Kali Mur, Lycopodium, Ferrum, Phosphorus, Gelsemium, Rhus Tox, Aconite, Pulsatilla, Kali Bich, Apis, Lachesis, Mercurius

Essential Oils:

Thieves
Oregano
Serenity / Lavender
Purify
Eucalyptus
Breath Blend
Elevation
Valor
Balance
On Guard

What is in your holistic first aid kit?  Did I forget anything?