An Herbal Recipe Round-up

Every first aid kit needs supplies to keep you safe and healthy. In the past, I have usually purchased my first aid items at the dollar store  or just purchased a complete First Aid Kit like this one found on Amazon. I keep the dollar store kit in my car trunk and the purchased kit is under the bathroom sink. I also have one in my 72-hour kit.

We use them a lot.

It can get expensive, though, and it has me thinking that there has to be a better way. I’m all for making some of these essential items myself. What are the essential items I’d like to replace with homemade items?

These 7 homemade herbal remedies will make a great addition to your household kits or Bug Out Bags.  Best of all, they are inexpensive to make, easy to carry and natural.

An antibacterial cream like Neosporin is useful for minor cuts and abrasions. Purchasing this can really add up, so this recipe from Mrs. Happy Homemaker for Healing Boo-Boo Salve is a winner.

Chapped lips can really be a pain. If you find that you are bugging out and using your 72-hour kit, having a bit of lip balm will really be nice. Actually, lip balm is expensive, so learning to make it yourself will save money every day. This recipe from Don’t Mess With Mama for DIY Healing Lip Salve will certainly come in handy. You can make it plain – but why? when you can have cocoa and peppermint or orange. There are many ways to be creative with this lip balm.

This recipe for DIY sunscreen will give you SPF 30 protection naturally. Just as chapped lips can be a pain, so is having a sunburn! If you find yourself out in the open with no protection you will be glad to have this waterproof sunscreen that’s good for your skin. Find the recipe for DIY Waterproof Sunscreen at Real Food RN.

Of course, you need the ability to clean a wound and witch hazel is effective, easy to use and inexpensive. You can make Witch Hazel Wipes by placing cotton balls or cotton rounds (get them at the dollar store) into a small plastic container with a tight lid, and pour witch hazel over them. When you need to clean a wound, just pull out a pre-moistened wipe. Find out more about the Wonders of Witch Hazel in this post from our archives.

When stress is present an upset tummy might not be far behind. This Happy Tummy Honey from Living Awareness will be a welcome addition to your 72-hour kit. Honey is soothing and has anti-bacterial properties.

This homemade Plantain Anti-itch Salve also comes in bars from Our Happy Acres. It is easy to make and great to have in your first aid kits. We use it daily during the dry winter months too. Plantain is naturally healing and great for your skin.

Whether working around the yard or in the kitchen, you never know when you will get burned. This Best Burn Salve from Little House Living has just three simple ingredients and can be whipped up with a spoon. It stores great too, so make some for a small plastic container and make sure you add it to your 72-hour kits.

All of these salves and ointments can be placed in your very own individual use containers by using this tutorial for Single Pack Salves from Field of Tansy. I think this is so creative! It certainly solves the “how should I carry that” problem you might have for a 72-hour kit.

Master list of supplies for these 7 homemade herbal remedies:

Coconut Oil
Olive oil – How to Make an Herb Infused Oil
Sweet Almond Oil
Shea Butter
Beeswax
Vitamin E Capsules
Aloe Vera
Apple Cider Vinegar
Witch Hazel – Herb Infused Witch Hazel
Raw Honey – The Benefits of Raw Honey
Plantain Leaves (fresh or powder) – Herbs to Know: Plantain
Fennel Seed (powdered)
Coriander Seed (powdered)
Cumin Seed (powdered)
Zinc Oxide powder
Comfrey (dried) – 6 Fantastic Reasons for Growing and Using Comfrey
Calendula (dried) –  Growing and Using Calendula – The Benefits of Calendula Oil
Lavender essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
Lip Balm Containers (or put them in straws – see above)
Glass Jars – Measuring Cups – Measuring Spoons

Where can you get supplies for these recipes? Check your local natural food store and buy local when possible. All of the dried herbs can be grown in your own garden. Online they can be purchased at Amazon, Mountain Rose Herbs, Starwest Botanicals, Bulk Herb Store, or Botanical Interests (these are affiliate links – thanks for supporting PreparednessMama)