First Aid Kit Essentials for your home: The 3 Best Essential Oils To Include

Looking to take your first aid kit to the next level? Our dear friends at Oleu Life Essential oils have shared with us their top 3 Essential oils for your first aid kit. 

Below is our first guest post written by Essential oil expert, & co-owner at Oleu Life, Mayte Salonia. 

"First aid kits should have everything we need for quick fixes and remedies. For when we get minor injuries or are feeling under the weather, there is always something that can help us get through the day. 

The aromatherapeutic benefits of essential oils do wonders for your overall wellness, but their versatility makes them go way beyond expectations. With a wide array of different properties and attributes, essential oils are able to target all kinds of medical and emotional concerns you may have. 

Speaking of versatility, essential oils work perfectly on their own, as well as in combination with other carrier oils, balms or liquids. This means that you can use them in countless ways to make your own natural remedies like headache balms, disinfectant sprays, and stress relief blends. The best part about building your first aid kit with essential oils is probably that it can be entirely personalised according not only to your needs, but also to your tastes and preferences of aromas! For once, reaching for your kit could be something you actually look forward to.

Here are our picks of the three best essential oils you must have at home, or inside your first aid kit for a quick, natural skin care product fix. We’ve also included a few kinds of essential oil DIY recipes for natural remedies to put inside your first aid kit.

Lavender is definitely one of the best essential oils you must have in your kit. You already know - It’s aroma is rather floral; with warm, earthy hints that provoke sensations of serenity and reminds you of home. It’s an incredible all-rounder oil with antibacterial, antifungal and pain relieving properties ready to help out in pretty much any occasion.

It’s among the best essential oils for cuts, topical wounds and scrapes because of its ability to decrease inflammation, and prevent scarring.  After the affected area has been disinfected, apply the blend either around or directly on top of it at least 3 times a day to help with healing. It’s also a great solution for bug bites (especially mosquito bites), so you should definitely think about including it inside your travel first aid kit, as well as in the one you have at home. 

For a soothing migraine and headache relief balm, we recommend blending 4 drops of Lavender essential oil in any 5ml of a carrier oil like jojoba, fractionated coconut or sweet almond. Give yourself a quick head massage as you rub it into your temples, back of the neck, behind the ears, and other points of pressure to enjoy an incredible unwinding sensation as the tension leaves your body.

Using Lavender oil for improving your sleep quality is also one of its best uses. Apply one drop of pure Lavender essential oil on your pillow, and see how it will help you achieve a state of relaxation and rest.  

It’s no surprise that Tea Tree oil is among our must-have essentials in our first aid kit.  

Tea Tree oil is native to Australia, and known to have the strongest antiseptic and antibacterial qualities. Like Lavender, it’s incredibly versatile and can be used in a bunch of different ways.

You know the saying “like a breath of fresh air”, right? When you have a cold, it’s fair to say that the thought of having a breath of fresh air seems so good. Yes. To relieve a blocked nose and a dry cough, Tea Tree oil is a safe bet. Let’s be honest, it’s probably the best essential oil for colds. Create your own homemade vapor rub by blending 3 drops of Tea Tree oil with a heavier carrier oil like raw coconut oil or cocoa butter. Adding Rosemary and Eucalyptus essential oils will only make your blend better to help ease infections and freeing your airways. Just remember that a little bit goes a long way and just a couple of drops can be more than enough for it to be effective and not overpowering. 

Among the many uses of Tea Tree oil, making your DIY natural first aid wound spray is another one you can try. Mix distilled water with about 6 drops of Tea Tree and 5 of Lavender essential oils into a small 10ml spray bottle and you’ll be ready to take on any scrapes, wounds, or cuts! 

Pro-tip: Keep in mind that water and oils don’t mix. Remember to shake well before each use and use quickly, at least three times a day, in the next few days whilst helping the wound heal, as you have not included a solubiliser to mix both ingredients nor a preservative to keep mould and bacteria away!

Using Tea Tree oil for skin issues is very common as well. It’s been considered a helpful form of treatment for eczema and psoriasis. To reduce itchiness and a sense of discomfort, make sure to blend it well with a carrier oil, and massage into the skin. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties make Tea Tree oil for acne, topical wounds and cuts a great option as well. Carefully apply a small amount directly on the affected area to avoid irritating the skin. Tea Tree oil for hair loss and dandruff is also a common use. Apply up to 10 drops to your bottle of shampoo, and enjoy its antifungal benefits on your scalp!

Peppermint essential oil is wonderful for many issues, mainly concerning digestion and  muscle ache. Its analgesic characteristics work by stimulating your muscles and encouraging a state of relaxation - reducing tension as a result. 

For upset stomachs, blend in Peppermint oil with a carrier oil to make an effective belly rub or muscle pain rub. Spread it over the affected area and you’ll start feeling its effect almost instantly. It’s tingy aroma also works to uplift your spirit, and give you a boost of energy to make it through the day. A natural belly rub is an excellent companion to have while travelling as well! To get rid of nausea, all you need to do is open the Peppermint oil bottle, and inhale deeply two or three times. 

It’s cooling properties also make Peppermint one of the best essential oils for headaches oil and migraines. Remember to blend it with a carrier oil, and rub it behind your temples and in the back of your ears. Feel free to add more essential oils like Lavender Spike, Tea tree or Ginger to have a more pronounced aromatherapy experience. If you’re looking for an even more intense sensory experience, another excellent way to get rid of a headache is by using essential oils for a simple breathing exercise. Apply a single drop of essential oil onto your palms and rub them together. Cup your hands and place them over your nose and mouth, and take three deep breaths. That tingly, cold feeling that you’ll get will be great to send you headache on its way. "

OLEU LIFE also offers a wide variety of handmade aromatherapy products dedicated to promoting the goodness of wellness, natural living and an environmentally conscious lifestyle that encourages self-care and mindful practices in everyday life - make sure to check them out here!