Every home should have a fully stocked first aid kit. Therapeutic grade essential oils are very effective solutions to help deal with all sorts of summertime bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes and other summertime discomforts.

When things come up, think about what oils you have on hand. Many people are surprised how many times an oil they bought for some other issue can come in handy in an emergency.

If you have the Essential Oils Desk Reference, look up the oils you have and see what they can be used for. Most oils have antiseptic properties and can be used to disinfect or clean cuts and scrapes. Some oils would need to be diluted. Especially the hot ones like cinnamon or oregano.

A few oils you should have in your Summer First Aid Kit:

Peppermint – This is probably my most favorite essential oil. I drink water with a couple drops of peppermint in it. It is so energizing and refreshing. Always use essential oils in glass containers.

Temporary Fatigue or Lack of Energy: Peppermint is very stimulating. Inhale it & put a drop or 2 on your big toes. Put a couple drops of peppermint in water and drink it.

Heat Fatigue: Peppermint oil, rubbed on base of skull, inhaled, and added to drinking water.

For Digestion and Heartburn: Put a few drops in an empty capsule and take internally after a heavy meal. (Be sure you are using PURE essential oils for this.) Rub 4-6 drops in the palm and rub over stomach and around the navel to relieve indigestion, flatulence and diarrhea.

Nausea or Motion Sickness: Put a drop of peppermint on your tongue, then on your hand and inhale it. Another way is to rub several drops of peppermint on the abdomen.

Headache: Put a couple of drops on the back of the neck and on the temples, then in your hands & inhale.

Allergy and Cold Congestion: Place a drop of Peppermint oil on the tongue and inhale into the nose and sinuses to relieve congestion.

Injuries: Apply peppermint oil immediately to bumps and bruises to relieve pain.

Cool off on a Hot Day: Drink a drop of Peppermint oil mixed in a glass of cold water.

Poison Ivy or Poison Oak: Apply Peppermint oil on location neat or dilute with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil.

Poison Ivy – Help with Itching
1 cup of cold water
¼ cup of cider vinegar
9 drops of Lavender essential oil
3 drops of Peppermint essential oil
2 drops of Roman Chamomile oil

Blend well. Place in plastic bowl with tight sealing lid.
This blend is great to keep cool in your refrigerator. Soak a washcloth in this solution to gently apply to area of skin with the poison ivy.

Itching: Apply a drop of peppermint oil topically on unbroken skin to stop itching.

Insect Repellent: Add 10 drops of peppermint to a 4 oz. bottle of distilled water. This is my favorite insect repellent for working in the garden. It works wonders to keep the biting Deer Flies off. I have had no bites while using this simple formula. Be careful not to get any near your eyes.

Take the peppermint water and spray where insects enter your house.

Remove Ticks: Apply a drop of Peppermint oil on a Q-Tip and dot it on the tick. Wait for it to let go, then remove the tick.

To Kill Aphids: Add 4-5 drops of peppermint oil to 4 ounces of water and spray the plants.

Summer Uses for LAVENDER:

Burns and Sunburn – Apply 1-3 drops on burn location to cool tissue and reduce inflammation. Apply 3-6 times daily or as needed.

LavaDerm Cooling Mist from Young Living is another option for sunburn. It has lavender and Aloe Vera.
LavaDerm Cooling Mist #3249

After-Sun Healing Spray
½ cup distilled water
¼ cup aloe vera gel
8 drops of Lavender essential oil
2 drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil
2 drops Geranium essential oil

Blend together and pour into a 12-16 ounce fine mist
spray bottle. Spray skin if you have been over exposed to
the sun. This is very healing and soothing to sunburned
skin. Do not get any in eyes.

Insomnia: Lavender is well known for its calming and sedative properties. Rub a couple drops on the back of the neck and shoulders. Rub a drop of lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow, then inhale.

Bee Sting or Insect Bite: Put a drop of lavender on the area to stop itching and reduce swelling.

Headaches: Lavender is good for headaches. Put a couple drops in your hand then inhale. Then rub a drop on your temples, the back of the neck across forehead or on location.

Allergies: Diffuse Lavender oil to alleviate the symptoms of allergies. Rub a drop of lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.

Mood Uplifting: Diffuse or put a couple drops in your hand and then inhale. Apply direct application. Lavender also helps PMS symptoms.

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak: Apply 2-3 drops of lavender oil to stop the itching and heal the skin.

Cuts, Scrapes and Other minor injuries: Cleanse & soothe cuts or scrapes.

First-Aid Spray

5 drops lavender

3 drops tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

2 drops cypress

Mix above oils thoroughly in 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add this to 8 ounces of distilled water and shake vigorously. Put in a spray bottle. Spray minor cuts and wounds before applying bandage. Repeat 2-3 times daily for 3 days. Complete the healing process by applying a drop or two of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil to the wound daily for the next few days.

Purification – This one is great for disinfecting cuts and scrapes. Also put on location whenever you have bee stings or other bug bites.

Thieves – This is one to have on hand for when cuts and scrapes get infected. I put Thieves on and layer
AnimalScents, V6 or other carrier oil over it if it needs to be diluted.

PanAway, Helichrysum or Deep Relief
These are all pain relievers.

PanAway is a blend with wintergreen, which has an active principle similar to cortisone; clove, which contains
eugenol, used synthetically by dentists to numb gums; peppermint, calming for nerves; and helichrysum, soothing to localized discomfort.

Many people have had relief from arthritis symptoms, sports injuries, sprains, muscle spasms, bumps and bruises.

Apply on location for muscles, cramps, bruises, compress on the spine and Vita Flex points on the feet.

Headache – Rub a couple drops of PanAway on the back of the neck, on temples or forehead, inhale. Create a
soothing compress by rubbing 1-3 drops of PanAway on location, cover with a warm cloth. Leave for 30 minutes.

Helichrysum is a good oil to have around to stop bleeding. I had an experience with this a while back when I cut myself. I didn’t have straight helichrysum but I had Aroma Life which has helichrysum in it. I put Aroma Life on the cut and stopped the bleeding.

These are just a few ideas for your First Aid Kit.

Did you know that you can do a Raindrop Technique just on the feet? It’s marvelous!!! You apply each of the oils in the Raindrop Kit, one after another, to the feet. If you know Vita Flex (a technique that we use to work oils into the body) use it, otherwise, just rub them on. I would use 3 – 4 drops of each oil on each foot, and use less (1 – 2 drops) of the oregano and thyme at first, because they can heat up on the skin.

Also, I know of several people who just use peppermint oil on their feet when they ache and love the results that they get.

These are just a few ideas for your First Aid Kit.

Did You Know . . .

. . . that throughout history lavender has symbolized cleanliness, and that during the First World War lavender was used to dress war wounds?

. . . that as of today there are 149 lavender essential oil studies on www.PubMed.gov?

. . . that lavender plants need little to no water once it’s established?

. . . that lavender essential oil has been known to possess balancing, calming and mood uplifting qualities?

Video: Using Young Living Lavender Essential Oil

Young Living Essential Oil

Lemon has antiseptic-like properties and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function. According Jean Valnet, M.D., the vaporized essence of lemon can kill meningococcus bacteria in 15 minutes, typhoid bacilli in one hour, Staphylococcus aureus in two hours, and Pneumococcus bacteria within three hours. Even a 0.2% solution of lemon oil can kill diphtheria bacteria in 20 minutes and inactivate tuberculosis bacteria. Lemon oil has been widely used in skin care to cleanse skin and reduce wrinkles. It promotes clarity of thought and purpose, as well as health, healing, physical energy, and purification. Its fragrance is invigorating, enhancing, and warming. Lemon has been shown to have antidepressant effects in research done by Komori, et al.,1995. It may also help brighten a pale, dull complexion by removing the dead skin cells. It serves as an effective insect repellent and works well in removing gum, wood stain, oil, and grease spots.

More ideas for Lemon Essential Oil:

• Use 6 drops of Lemon oil and 6 drops of Purification oil in a squirt bottle mixed with distilled water to use in the bathroom as an air freshener.
• Use 1-2 drops of Lemon oil to remove gum, oil, grease spots or crayon.
• Use 1 drop of Lemon oil to add flavor to baked goods or beverages.
• For homemade lemonade, in a blender mix 2 drops of Lemon oil, 2 tablespoons of honey and two cups of pure water. Adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your own taste.
• Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a corn, callous or bunion mornings and evenings.
• To clean and increase the shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-3 drops of Lemon oil. Drop your cleaned fruit into the water and stir. Be sure all surfaces of the fruit contact the lemon water.
• Add 2-3 drops of Lemon oil to water and spray counter tops to sterilize them.
• Soak your dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water and a drop of Lemon oil to disinfect and kill germs.
• Add a drop of Lemon oil to your dishwasher before the wash cycle.
• Rub a drop of Lemon oil on your hands after using a public bathroom.
• Use a paper towel soaked with several drops of Lemon oil to sanitize bathroom fixtures.
• Place a drop of Lemon oil on cold sores, herpes or other mouth ulcers to lessen pain and aid in healing.
• Put a drop of Lemon oil on bleeding gums caused by gingivitis or tooth extraction.
• Put a drop of Lemon oil on oily skin or acne to balance sebaceous glands (oil glands).
• Rub several drops of Lemon oil on cellulite to improve circulation and help eliminate waste from the cells.
• Rub two drops of Lemon oil topically to clear athlete’s foot.
• Rub several drops of Lemon oil on varicose veins to improve circulation and relieve pressure on the veins.
• Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a wart morning and night until it disappears.
• Rub a drop of Lemon oil to clean a butcher’s block or other cutting surfaces.
• Put 10-15 drops of Lemon oil in each gallon of carpet cleaning solution to help pull out stains and brighten the rug. This also leaves a fresh smell in the room.

The Essential Oils First Aid Kit by Melodie Kantner

Essential oils can be very helpful in any number of emergencies. Many people only think of essential oils as a pretty smell or a natural perfume. Essential oils are so much more. Many Essential Oils repel virus, bacteria, and other microbes and have antiseptic properties.

If you have essential oils in your home and are not using them in your first aid kit, you are missing a powerful tool that could help you in all kinds of situations.

By “First Aid Kit,” I mean oils kept on hand for various types of emergencies. They could be on a shelf in the bathroom, in the medicine cabinet, on your night table, in a basket, in a special oils cupboard, in an oils pouch in your purse or as in my case, all of the above.

Your choices for emergency oils might be very different from mine. There are so many possibilities and everyone is different in what they prefer to use. For example, cuts and scrapes – there are many oils that you could choose to clean and disinfect the wound. Some choices could be: lavender,lemon, Melrose, melaleuca alternifolia (commonly called teatree oil), or many others.

Several oils I will always keep well stocked for whatever emergency might come up: lavender, peppermint, Valor, Trauma Life, PanAway, Thieves, Peace & Calming, Christmas Spirit,Joy, Purification, lemon, helichrysum and Melrose. I have many others I like to keep on hand but these are the ones I make sure I never run out of.

If I could only use three oils, I would choose lavender, peppermint and Valor. Thankfully I have many more than three.

Note: The first 7 of the oils on my list are in Young Living’s Essential 7 Kit. Product #3120

LAVENDER – is the most “universal” oil. (When in doubt, use lavender.) It’s antiseptic, analgesic, sedative,anti-inflammatory.

Burns & Sunburns – Apply lavender oil to a burn and experience almost immediate relief. Also use it to cleanse & soothe cuts or scrapes.

Other uses for lavender: to calm and relax, anti-stress, anti-depression, insomnia (just inhale), headaches, PMS,poison ivy and poison oak.

LEMON – Has antiseptic qualities, Mood uplifting – Lemon is beneficial for anxiety and promotes a sense of well being.

Sore Throat – Mix 1 drop lemon in half glass of warm water. Mix well then gargle.

Disinfecting – Use a drop of lemon to disinfect your hands after using public restrooms.

Lemon also works well in removing gum, oil and grease spots. Mix a drop in a teaspoon of water & wipe the kitchen counter to kill bacteria (makes the kitchen smell fresh too). Put a couple drops in drinking water to purify.

NOTE: Citrus oils are photosensitizing, so avoid applying to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight or UV light.

PEPPERMINT – I always have at least 2, usually 3 bottles of peppermint. One on my night table, one in the kitchen and one goes everywhere with me in my purse. I use it for headaches, nausea, motion sickness. For a headache, I put a drop on my forehead and temples. Don’t get any in your eyes. You can also make a compress using a washcloth dipped in a bowl of ice water to which a few drops of peppermint oil have been added. Squeeze out the water then lay the cloth across the forehead. Renew the compress often.

For nausea I put a drop on my tongue. If I ate something that didn’t agree with me, I put 2 drops in water and drink it.

Pain Relief – If you bump or bruise yourself, use peppermint to relieve the pain. Put a drop on the area.

PANAWAY – Gary Young created PanAway as a result of an injury in which he severely tore the ligaments in his leg. PanAway is a blend of birch, which has an active principle similar to cortisone; clove, which contains eugenol, used synthetically by dentists to numb gums; peppermint, calming for nerves; and helichrysum, soothing to localized discomfort. Many people have had relief from arthritis symptoms, sports injuries, sprains, muscle spasms, bumps and bruises.

Apply on location for muscles, cramps, bruises, compress on the spine and Vita Flex points on the feet.

Headache – Rub a couple drops of PanAway on the back of the neck, on temples or forehead, inhale. Create a soothing compress by rubbing 1-3 drops of PanAway on location, cover with a warm cloth. Leave for 30 minutes.

JOY – I always keep several different anti depression oils around. Joy and Christmas Spirit are my 2 “MUST HAVE” anti-depression oils.

Diffuse, put in bath water, over the heart, on wrists, neck,as a compress and dilute with V-6 Mixing Oil for full body massage.

NOTE: Joy has citrus oils in it. Citrus oils are photosensitizing, so avoid applying to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight or UV light.

PURIFICATION helps to purify the air. It neutralizes mildew, cigarette smoke, poison from insect bites such as spiders, bees, hornets, wasps, and noxious odors found in homes, offices and other confined areas. Diffuse, apply topically to disinfect, put on cotton balls to place in air vents of home, car, hotel room, office, etc. It has been said to repel bugs, insects and mice.

Insect Bites, Cuts & Scrapes – Apply to the skin to cleanse the area. Purification may help neutralize poison from spiders, bees, hornets & wasps. Insect Repellant – Mix with carrier oil and rub on skin or mix with water in a spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray on skin before going outside.

PEACE AND CALMING promotes relaxation and a sense of peace after a stressful day. When diffused in the home, it may help calm overactive and hard-to-manage children. Diffuse, wear as a perfume, apply on bottom of the feet.

This blend has been used to reduce depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

Peace & Calming along with Mineral Essence may be a healthy alternative to Ritalin.

NOTE: Peace & Calming has citrus oils in it. Citrus oils are photosensitizing, so avoid applying to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight or UV light.

VALOR – This is one of my favorite oil blends. Valor has often been called, “Chiropractor in a Bottle.” If you haven’t experienced it yet, you are missing something really great. I used to do an inventory job where I would wear one of those computer keypads strapped around my hip. My back was always twisted from reaching forward with my left hand to count and entering the numbers on the keypad at my hand at my right side. When I would get home my back would be very sore. For back pain I rub Valor on the bottom of my feet on the reflexology spine points. Within minutes my back feels better. You can also have someone rub it on your back, but usually the feet is all I need.

Valor is also good for balancing the electrical energies of the body. It is the first oil used in the Raindrop Technique. It is wonderful for massage therapists. Use it on the feet first. Let it work for 5-10 minutes before you start the massage, then massage 5 or 6 drops into the back. On the emotional level it helps with courage, strength and confidence.

MELROSE – has antiseptic properties when used topically for cleansing cuts, scrapes, burns, rashes and stressed tissue. It may also help prevent microbial growth. Melrose also helps dispel odors.

THIEVES – I keep this one around protect my family from colds,viruses, etc. It was created from research about the thieves during the 16th century plague in England who rubbed oils all over their bodies to protect themselves while they were robbing the dead and dying. It is a proprietary blend of pure essential oils tested at Weber State University for its potent antimicrobial properties. Thieves was found to have a 99.96 percent kill rate against airborne bacteria.

TRAUMA LIFE – May help release buried emotional trauma as well as upsets such as accidents, the death of a loved one, assault, abuse, etc. This blend of calming, grounding essential oils can help purge stress and uproot traumas that cause fatigue, anger, restlessness and a weakened immune response.

HELICHRYSUM – I just used this oil a couple nights ago night to stop the bleeding when I ripped a scab off an old wound that hadn’t healed yet. Part of it was sticking up so I just had to give it a tug.

These are a few oils that one might put in a first aid kit. If you have the Essential Oils Desk Reference, you can look up the oils you have and see how to use them or what oils you may want to add to your emergency arsenal.