10 Must Haves for Your Natural First Aid Kit

It’s a good idea to have some essentials in your first aid kit … 

We all need some simple + basic items on hand … just in case. It’s no shocker that I am all about natural stuff. It’s time we stop relying on “medicine” for everything when there are other alternatives that work. Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for modern medicine and modern medicine can be wonderful. That being said, sometimes we just need to go back to the basics and use some common sense.

I could go on and on about different natural remedies that I love, but today I’m only focusing on 10 basic must haves for a natural first aid kit.

10 Must Haves for Your Natural First Aid Kit

Arnica montana and Arnica Oil 

I am never without the homeopathic arnica montana. This is a must have for everyone. Arnica is well known for use after any kind of physical trauma {bruises, pain, etc.}. It was the only thing I used for pain management after giving birth to my first daughter. It’s amazing stuff! If you have children at home who are active and love to play hard, this is something you want to always have on hand.

I always have the homeopathic in my wellness kit, but I also keep the arnica oil on hand too. The oil is great for topical pain management on bruises or sore areas {NOT for use over open wounds or cuts}. I use this arnica oil, but this one is a great brand too. 

Activated Charcoal

If you don’t have activated charcoal at home yet, get some now. You don’t want to be without activated charcoal. EVER. This can be a life saver when someone has the flu, food poisoning, tummy upset, vomiting, diarrhea, had a food that doesn’t react well in the body, etc. Now obviously, if someone has eaten something that is poisonous, call poison control and/or go to the hospital.

I find it easiest to empty out the capsule into water and sip on it slowly if you’re having trouble keeping food/liquid down. It doesn’t have a taste either, so it’s not hard to drink. Activated charcoal is also great for other things like teeth whitening {this is one thing I use for my oral health routine}. Some people like to use it in face masks or mixed with clay and rubbed on the armpits as an armpit detox.

Because activated charcoal is detoxing, it’s not meant for extended internal use because it absorbs all of the nutrients in your body too. So once you’re feeling better, make sure to rebuild and nourish your body with lots of healthy foods and drinks. 

Tinctures

I love tinctures. I can’t say enough good things about them. I used to have a ton of them before my family lost everything to toxic mold {I had to toss them since they had all been opened}. I highly recommend keeping some specific ones on hand – Echinacea Tincture {immune support}, Ginger Tincture {digestive support}, Plantain Tincture {cleansing and detox support – I also like to keep the herb itself on hand for poultices} and Goldenseal Tincture {respiratory support}.

Of course, there are so many more that I love, but these are really beneficial ones to have in a wellness kit. One great thing about tinctures is that they will last forever as long as you keep them out of sunlight and in a cool, dark place. All of these tinctures help with many things and are probably four of the most important ones you’ll always want to have on hand just in case.

Elderberry Red Root Throat Spray 

It’s always a good idea to have something on hand for when you start to get a scratchy + irritated throat. I love this elderberry throat spray because it has some awesome ingredients in it. It combines the natural powers of elderberry, echinacea, slippery elm and cayenne! Take that itchy throat! Can’t beat those super immune boosting herbs and spices. 

Homeopathy 

I love using homeopathy! It’s pretty amazing stuff. One homeopathic that is super helpful to have on hand during the colder months is Oscillococcinum. It works best when taken at the first signs of any flu-like symptoms like body aches, fever, chills, etc.

I also like to have Belladonna on hand – it’s known for helping with fevers, and Apis mellifica – known for being helpful with bites and stings. As I mentioned above, arnica is my favorite and I always have that on hand too. There are so many options with homeopathy, but I find that these four tend to be the most used, especially when you have kiddos in the home. 

Hydrolyzed Collagen

I love collagen! It’s truly a superfood! Collagen is basically the same thing as gelatin, but it doesn’t gel like gelatin does and it fully dissolves in liquid. It’s known for helping support digestion and gut health, helps support bone and joint health, helps build and restore muscle, helps support metabolism, helps soothe the stomach lining when you’re not feeling well + so much more. It also has a high protein content. I only recommend using a quality grass-fed collagen. Knowing the source and where the collagen comes from is very important.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is so helpful to have on hand, especially during the colder months. I like using a liquid vitamin D3 that comes in an olive oil base. Most people are deficient in vitamin D. Many have found that supplementing with vitamin D3 can help support the immune system + help increase energy. 

Even though I live in Northern California, and we tend to get lots of sunshine … we’re still not getting enough of that noon/afternoon time sunshine {during the colder months} to absorb enough vitamin D. My family takes this daily during the winter months. 

Vitamin C

I always keep a whole food {non-synthetic} vitamin C powder on hand. It’s one of those vitamins that is so helpful for immune boosting + it’s so easy to use {just add it to your water, smoothies, etc.}. Watch those vitamin C powders though, most of them are synthetic based. Make sure to use a pure, whole food vitamin c powder that does not contain synthetic ascorbic acid or fillers.

Manuka Honey 

Manuka honey … if you haven’t heard about this stuff yet, it’s AMAZING! It has so many uses and benefits! Raw honey is wonderful too, but manuka honey kind of takes it to the next level. It’s such a great health booster. I love using it to help support the immune system + using it for skin stuff. My kids will ask for it when they have a “boo boo” or an itchy bug bite. Yes, it is more pricey compared to regular raw honey, but the good news is a little goes a long way. I also love to use a little for an occasional face mask. Manuka honey is truly amazing for the skin. 

Bentonite Clay 

Bentonite Clay is known for its healing and detoxing properties. When made into a poultice or paste, it can be applied externally {on bug bites, bee stings, etc.} and helps draw stuff out. I keep this bentonite clay and this food-grade bentonite clay on hand. I also use the food-grade one to make my own homemade toothpaste and for face masks. 

Other Must Haves for Your Natural First Aid Kit 

Hydrogen Peroxide  

Hydrogen peroxide … it’s just one of those things that everyone needs to have on hand. As we all know, it’s helpful for cleaning or cleansing. When you have little ones at home, this one is a must. 

Probiotics

Probiotics are also very helpful to have on hand. Probiotics are great for supporting gut health and supporting the immune system. Not all probiotics are created equal though, make sure to use a quality brand of probiotics. I like this brand and this brand.

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar 

Raw, organic apple cider vinegar is just one of those staples that’s always great to have on hand. It’s great for everything … it makes a wonderful tonic, helps support the immune system, helps support digestion, helps sooth and clean skin {diluted in filtered water}, helps soothe an irritated throat + more. It’s shelf stable too! 

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Disclaimer: ALL information you read on Recipes to Nourish is purely for informational and educational purposes only. I love to share and share with love, but I am not a health care practitioner. Information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Statements within this site have not been approved by the FDA, meaning information and statements regarding health claims on this blog have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All blog posts are solely my personal experiences and opinions and should not be interpreted as an attempt to offer a medical opinion. If you have questions about food, diet, nutrition, natural remedies or holistic health, please do your own research and consult with your health care practitioner. For more information please see all of my disclaimers and disclosures.