My Natural First Aid Kit & Remedy Cabinet

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How to make a natural herbal medicine chest for first aid and illness
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » My Natural First Aid Kit & Remedy Cabinet

Despite our best attempts to live a healthy and toxin free life, there are times when illness or injury strikes. In some of these cases (like trauma) conventional medical treatment is certainly warranted, and I’m certainly grateful that medical treatment is available if needed.

But what about the times when the illness or injury is not life-threatening, but merely uncomfortable or limiting?

The following is a list of what you’ll find in my “medicine” cabinet and natural first aid kit. It is a combination of remedies I’ve tested myself, ones suggested by a naturopathic doctor, and ones that I hope to never need!

Please note that I am not a doctor and don’t play one on the Internet, so this list is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a replacement for medical attention.

Remedies & Herbs in My Natural First Aid Kit

Before we start, keep in mind that I didn’t build up this list overnight! It took many years of research and trial and error to find the remedies I use and trust the most.

Activated Charcoal- For acute use in food poisoning, intestinal illness, vomiting, diarrhea, ingestion of toxins, etc. Also, keep the local poison control number on hand in case a child ingests a toxic substance and immediately take a child to the hospital if he/she has swallowed a battery or magnet!

Arnica– Topical creme used for muscle pain or injury, bruises, or any type of trauma. We’ve found that it greatly reduced healing time or bruises and sore muscles when used topically right after an injury. Not for internal use or use on open cuts.

Homeopathics – Along with arnica (above), I keep a stash of Genexa homeopathic tablets on hand for helping kids with sleep, cold relief, and even anxiety.

Cayenne Powder– Though this is a good addition to many foods, it’s even better to have in a medicine cabinet. I keep a few cayenne capsules in my purse as well. Topically, cayenne powder helps stop bleeding rapidly. I’ve read cases of it being taken internally during heart attacks to increase blood flow and help clear blockage, though thankfully, I’ve never had to test this one. It is also a useful remedy to take internally during illness as it is shown to increase blood flow and speed recovery (although I do not give it to children).

Chamomile– I use it to make a relaxing tincture that helps calm kids if they are ill or just have trouble sleeping. The tincture also works wonders on teething gums. The dried flowers can also be made into a poultice with some gauze and placed on an eye for 15 minutes every hour to help relieve pink eye (usually works in a couple of hours). Brewed as a tea, chamomile is a relaxing drink at night and the tea can be cooled and rubbed on the stomach of colicky infants to help soothe them. I sometimes add some brewed chamomile tea to the kid’s bath as it is great for the skin and promotes relaxation. I keep the tincture in my purse at all times.

Comfrey– An external herb that promotes healing from injuries and broken bones. A poultice made with plantain and comfrey that is placed on a wound can greatly reduce the healing time and help prevent and reverse infection. I make a homemade “Neosporin” with this and other herbs and use it on bug bites, cuts, bruises, and poison ivy. It is best to keep the dried herb on hand for poultices and homemade salves.

Eucalyptus Herb and Essential Oils– I keep these in my natural first aid kit for respiratory type problems. We use eucalyptus herb in a face steam for congestion or sinus troubles and I make a mild (and petroleum-free) version of Vapo-Rub for coughing and respiratory illness. The essential oil can be diluted with coconut oil or olive oil and be applied externally to the feet and chest to help open nasal passageways.

Ginger Capsules– Ginger is great for nausea, reflux, stomach trouble, and morning sickness. I also keep some in the car for motion sickness. It helps soothe the stomach after a digestive illness or food poisoning.

Echinacea– I keep a homemade echinacea tincture on hand for severe illnesses. I don’t use it as a first resort, but it is helpful in prolonged illnesses.

Peppermint Herb and Essential Oil Another great digestive herb. For upset stomach or digestive illness, the herb is made into tea. The tincture can be used internally or externally for headaches. When combined with a few other digestive herbs, it makes a highly effective digestive aid and nausea remedy. We also use this essential oil in our homemade toothpaste.

Plantain– You’ve probably pulled this as a weed without knowing it! I keep the dried herb on hand at all times to make into a poultice for poison ivy, bites, stings, cuts, and infection. In a pinch, I’ve picked some from the ground, chewed it, and put it on a bee sting for immediate pain relief.

Slippery Elm– Helpful for sore or irritated throat or when you lose your voice. These lozenges taste great and are helpful for kids with sore throats. The herb itself can be used in tinctures or teas for sore throat relief.

Apple Cider Vinegar– I keep a bottle of organic Apple Cider Vinegar with “the mother” on hand for digestive troubles, indigestion, food poisoning, and more. Taken in a dose of 1 teaspoon per 8 ounces of water every hour, it helps shorten the duration of any type of illness, though it is tough to get kids to take it willingly.

Vitamin C– Helpful for all illnesses, but especially flu-related illnesses. I keep the powder on hand because it is additive-free and can be mixed into food or drinks to get the kids to consume it.

Aloe Vera Plant– We have one growing in the house for burns and blisters.

Epsom Salt– Good as a bath soak for sore muscles. Dissolved in water, it can also be a good soak to help remove splinters.

Hydrogen Peroxide– I keep several bottles on hand at all times. It’s perfect for disinfecting, cleaning small cuts, and in my homemade OxyClean. Personally, I also use a dropper full of hydrogen peroxide in the ear at the first sign of ear infection (but check with your doctor first). I leave the peroxide in for 15 minutes or until it stops bubbling and then repeat on the other side.

Homemade Neosporin I make my own “boo-boo” lotion as my kids call it (no petroleum needed). I keep it in small tins and in lip chap containers for on-the-go size. I use this on cuts, bruises, rashes, and anything else antibiotic ointment could be used on.

Witch Hazel I keep a gallon on hand for use on cuts, scrapes, and cosmetic uses. It makes a great skin toner and is good for the postpartum bottom. 🙂

Gelatin– I take gelatin regularly for its health benefits, but I also keep it on hand for first aid and illness. The natural gelatin in homemade chicken soup (from the bones and tissue) is one of the things that makes it so nourishing during illness. During any type of illness, the afflicted gets gelatin in various ways: in food, homemade jello, smoothies, and hot tea.

Baking Soda– Also a good remedy to keep on hand. For severe heartburn or urinary tract infections, 1/4 tsp can be taken internally to help alleviate quickly. It can also be made into a poultice and used on sider bites.

Probiotics– These are the probiotics we use during any illness and afterward to repair gut bacteria. I’ve seen clients improve skin conditions with regular use of probiotics, and I especially recommend them to pregnant mothers, as newborn babies receive their gut bacteria from their mothers. For children who get constant illness and ear infections, probiotics can also really help.

Coconut Oil– From skin salve to diaper creme, makeup remover, and even antifungal treatment, coconut oil is great to have around! I keep some in the natural first aid kit to add remedies to take internally, use in tinctures, and apply externally to dry skin and chapped lips.

A Better-for-You Medicine Cabinet

The only actual medicines you’ll find in my cabinet comes from Genexa and their line of no dye, no preservative, additive-free medicines. They have everything from pain reliever to saline, as well as homeopathic medicines. You may also be able to find these in a local pharmacy near you!

Other Natural First Aid Kit Supplies

  • Patch Bandages- These bandages are made from 100% organic bamboo and are enriched with coconut oil.
  • Butterfly Bandages
  • Gauze
  • Superglue– On minor to moderate skin cuts (not puncture wounds) use superglue and butterfly bandages. I’ve used this instead of stitches several times and it healed faster and left less scarring than the places I’ve had stitches. This especially works for the face and other visible areas that scar easily or in the hair where other bandages can be difficult to apply. I’ve also used it on fingertips or knuckles (I’m infamous for grating knuckles while cooking) or other places where band-aids won’t stay well.
  • Strips of sterilized muslin cloth in plastic bags for wrapping wounds.
  • Cut off wool sleeves from old sweaters to cover bandages and hold ice packs
  • Hot water bottle
  • Enema kit
  • Bulb syringe and NoseFrida for helping with congestion in children
  • Homemade ice pack (just freeze liquid dish soap or rubbing alcohol in a double-bagged- ziplock bag and use as an ice pack.

Learn how to store and organize your natural remedies here.

This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Do you use any natural remedies for illness or first aid? Share your tips below!

How to make your own natural herbal medicine chest and first aid kit with natural remedies, supplements and herbs to handle most minor injuries and illnesses.

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

158 responses to “My Natural First Aid Kit & Remedy Cabinet”

  1. Carrie McClung Avatar
    Carrie McClung

    hope this isn’t repeating any other comments — I keep Oil of Wild Oregano (organic) at hand in capsule form. Any sign of sinus or respiratory problems in us and we start two capsules 3 times a day until well past symptoms stop. It’s a natural antibiotic, so keep taking yogurt to keep your probiotics up. For my 2 year old, who cannot take capsules yet, I pierce a capsule and spread the oil directly onto his chest if he cannot sleep from congestion In my opinion it works better and faster than any Vics I’ve ever used. Rubbing it on the feet before bedtime also help tremendously. I’ve read that others have used it on feet against calluses effectively. I’ve read reports of it used on toe fungi and athlete’s foot. I’ve used it on cuts. You smell like “Pizza-man” for a while, but there are worse things than that 😉 It can be taken orally (sublingually) but the taste is peppery and many find it unpleasant.

  2. Magi Hernandez Avatar
    Magi Hernandez

    Call me old fashioned! Very thankful to have this available in the blogosphere, However, for personal ongoing reference I prefer a will indexed text. Is there a book you can recommend – or perhaps have you collected this info into an e-book I can download and print/

    1. Andrea Davis Avatar
      Andrea Davis

      Pin it on Pinterest & index it yourself that way. Great place to store this kind of thing.

    2. Stephanie Avatar
      Stephanie

      A home remedies ebook would be pretty cool… if you can stomach the idea of a new book so soon after your cookbook! 🙂

  3. April Grow Avatar
    April Grow

    I have a million questions. I’m especially fascinated with the chamomile, but in the back of my mind it seems like I read that I shouldn’t take it while pregnant. Is that true?

    I’ve been drinking raw ACV religiously the last several weeks and it has eliminated my pregnancy reflux and the pregnancy burps. I’ve been taking extra to fight off a bug. The only part that seems to be winning is this annoying cough. That tickly cough that offers no relief. I mix 2 cups water with 2 tbsp ACV, 2 tbsp regular cider (just for flavor purposes), a tbsp raw honey, cinnamon (although I think last night that aggravated the cough tickle), a drop of lemon essential oil and a drop of On Guard essential oil. The On Guard is the only thing I added the last few days since I’ve been fighting this bug. Before I was just drinking it in the morning, but now I take it at night too with the cough. My kids are coming down with it and I cannot convince them to take it. It may completely take them over, but I can’t pour it down their throats.

    I’m pregnant with number 6, and all 5 of my other babies have had bad reflux. We use a Tucker Sling and Wedge to keep them elevated (which helps a lot!) among other natural remedies. The medications don’t stop the reflux, just make it not burn, and these other measure seem to help more. Anyway, I wish there were some way to give the AVC to my baby to help the reflux, but it tastes horrible! I wonder if the benefits can be passed on through my breast milk. But I also wonder if the ACV will negatively affect the flavor of my breast milk.

    I make a comfrey tea for healing, but I also used a comfrey oil (by Dr. Christopher) and applied it topically to help heal my diastasis, well to repair the connective tissue while I was doing exercises to bring the muscles together.

    What do you give for internal pain? One of my boys gets growing pains in his legs and has since he was teeny (he’s 6 now). I give him motrin and rub his legs. I always hits around 11 pm. If I just rub and don’t give meds then he is back within the hour. What would you give for that or earache pain?

    How do you use hydrogen peroxide for respiratory illnesses?

    I’ve had all c-sections (the first was with my triplets), and I’ve elected not to do a VBAC bc to me the risks are too great and not worth the danger. So number 6 will also be c-section. That means no populating the gut during delivery. So what do I do? We drink raw milk, and since we started that we haven’t needed probiotics. Do you think that is enough for me? I drink about a cup a day but could drink more if I need to. I just love water and tend to mostly drink that. Or should I take the ones you recommend?

    I probably have more questions but will stop with that for now.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I stick to Chamomile tea while pregnant since it is lower concentration and generally considered safe while pregnant.
      Depending on kids’ ages, we do herbal face steams, epsom salt baths, elderberry and slippery elm tea for coughs…
      I take ACV while nursing and haven’t seen any issues with milk taste. Have you ever done an elimination diet while nursing to see if there could be a food intolerance causing the reflux?
      My daughter gets growing pains occasionally and I give chamomile tincture internally and rub chamomile and peppermint tinctures externally…
      We use hydrogen peroxide in the ears until it stops bubbling at the first sign of illness…
      After birth, I personally refuse the antibiotic eye drops (which can get rubbed in to mouth and start populating in the gut) and use my finger to rub probiotics into the baby’s mouth before each nursing session to help with beneficial gut bacteria and I also take a lot of probiotics while nursing…

    2. Sarah Jane Butcher Avatar
      Sarah Jane Butcher

      Milk Kefir and Water Kefir and cultured veggies are all very cheap just buy the cultures and strain and use the kefirs just replace with new milk or sugar water depending on type of kefir and its super cheap and very powerful probiotics the cultured veggies can be made with salt or culture packs check out http://www.culturedfoodlife.com she is awesome. I think the probiotics will help your kids my 4mo old baby was getting relly spitty uppy and wold not settle when he was 3 weeks old one dip of y finger in goat milk kefir in his mouth 3 minutes later he settled and went to sleep for his usual ammount of night sleeping and was great when he awoke. Good luck!

  4. Shalene Avatar

    This is a fabulous resource! I’m going to print it out and keep it accessible! I already order from Mountain Rose Herbs and couldn’t be happier with their products, but it looks like I now need to add a few things to my next order! One quick question … Do you have a comprehensive resource that you could recommend on herbs and their many uses? I would love to have a complete resource at my disposal that I can thumb through when seeking a natural treatment for a specific ailment. Since you have such a great herbal knowledge base, I thought you might have a trusted book or source you could recommend. Thanks!

  5. Alicia Trotter Avatar
    Alicia Trotter

    Any advice on the stomach bug? My daughter has been fighting MRSA on her arm and so we had to do oral antibiotics, however after 2 complete rounds and now on our 3rd plus a topical one, her immune system is weak. She takes probiotics daily and eats greek yogurt. Yet at 4am this morning she woke vomiting. Usually I brew ginger tea and combine it with ACV (raw) once tea is cooled to room temp and give it in a syringe. Any other advice? I feel so bad for the poor little one. 4 years old, her gymnastics demo tonight and preschool party tomorrow. Any advice on how to keep the rest of us from getting it? Besides, hand washing, laundry of blankets, towels, sheets, etc. and bulking up our probiotics?

    1. Sherryl Avatar

      This in an old comment but Active Manuka Honey is great for MRSA. Make sure it’s activated. It’s a special honey from Australia and New Zealand from bees that favor the Manuka tree. I get mine from manuka honey USA- they are a great source of info.

      1. tracy Avatar

        I know this comment was awhile ago but DoTerra Onguard Plus capsules – been proven to fight MRSA. Research it and determine on your own. Hope all is well.

  6. Deborah De Block Avatar
    Deborah De Block

    NOT that I actually believe everything that “The Doctors” television show says, but they did say not to use hydrogen peroxide in a wound since it kills all the protective bacteria and I have to agree with that. Can’t you just use coconut oil? I’ve even heard from many moms that it can heal ear infections. Oily ears might not be so pleasant though.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      For wounds, I actually like oregano oil and cayenne pepper to kill the bacteria, but still have the hydrogen peroxide on hand because with my boys (and brothers in laws) we’ve had a few injuries where there was a potential exposure to some really bad stuff in lake water, etc, in which case the hydrogen peroxide is a lesser evil than a staff infection, but for most cases, I definitely agree..

  7. Logan Adsit Avatar
    Logan Adsit

    I have been going natural since my son was born 9 months ago, making all of my own products, eating healthier, and taking various supplements that I’ve chose for good health. By 2013, I will have accomplished my goal- I have lotion bars and my first aid kid left- I am so excited to have this list- you are by far one of the best bloggers I come to see what you have!! P.S. there are only 2 others that I adore as well- but you’re great and I knew you would have what I need. I live in a rural area with a lot of people who think I’m crazy for doing any of this- you give me a peace of mind. I’ll be trying this in the next few weeks!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

    1. Barb A Avatar

      The enema kit is for giving an enema. Enema helps with constipation, fever reduction, and other ills.
      Herbal enemas are great.

      Read in book Prescription For Nutritional Healing.

      The link shows a enema bucket kit. It would be better to buy and have in the home a enema bag. The old fashioned red rubber enema bag. They are still sold in most pharmacies and at Walmart.

      The bag could also be used as a heating, warming, pad. Or ice bag if needed.

      Where the bucket set shown can only be used for giving enemas.

      A small 6 or 8 oz rubber reusable enema bulb syringe is also good to have in the home. For giving a child’s enema.

  8. Samp Avatar

    Do you have any suggestions for ear infections? Also thoughts on causes of reoccurring ear infections? Trying to avoid surgery (tubes) for a friends 1 year old.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Recurring are almost always diet related (grains and dairy most often). Externally, hydrogen peroxide in the ear will help, or Wally’s Ear Oil. Coconut Oil internally can also help shorten the duration.

    2. Kare Avatar

      fYI, my sons are now 17 and 14. my first son had a few ear infections and I didn’t understand it at all. How they occurred and why the antibiotics worked , then he’d get another one. I met a woman who was quite crunchy and her husband aw an audiologist, not a doctor, who had an entire file of info on ear infections that he let me read. after looking all of it over,I did as he recommended and refused to medicate my sons next ear infection. To y surprise, the illness had the exact same duration and severity with one exception. One tiny spot of blood, like a pin prick, on his pillow one night, the obvious sign of a ruptured eardrum. The pain and crying ceased and he never got another ear infection and in fact has been very healthy. My youngest had one suspected ear infection which went untreated and didn’t cause a rupture but resolved on its own within a week and never recurred. treatment for ear infection? IMO, no treatment needed. Usually resolves on its own and it’s better in the long run for the immune system if it does. A small rupture is of no consequence. Moms and Dads need to do their research on this issue because we are ruining our children’s own defenses bu treating it unnecessarily

      1. Crystal McKinley Avatar
        Crystal McKinley

        I don’t understand your experience but when it happened to my kids I would do anything to ease their pain! My daughters ears were oozing and causing other marks on her skin! She needed treatment.

    3. Cristina Avatar
      Cristina

      We swear by H2O2, garlic drops in the ear and/or doTerra Basil EO behind the ear. It depends on who has the ear infection as to what we do. All three work great!

  9. Susan Bewley Avatar
    Susan Bewley

    Wow, this is a fantastic list! I never though of using some of the herbs this way. I have quite a few of these herbs in my soap making kit for aromatherapy, as well as making natural teas.   Do you just use a mortal and pestle for making some of medicine, or the full herb? Sorry, a bit curious since I have been looking at growing some of these fresh for my soap hobby 🙂

      1. Susan Bewley Avatar
        Susan Bewley

         Thanks! I am also going to check out the supplier you use.  I’m curious if they are cheaper than my soap one 🙂  Also, sorry for editing my post above. I saw a typo and had to fix it.  I was looking at your site last night at like 1 am. You have so much fun information!

  10. Stef Avatar

    Any suggestions on internal pain (as in, menstrual cramps)? I can’t live without my advil for those four days every month…

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      taking magnesium regularly may help the cramps eventually go away. Also, a natural progesterone cream (applied to arms, stomach, legs, etc) for the second half of each cycle often really helps the cramps. If it is really bad though, I’d take the advil rather than have the stress of being in pain and annoyed. I take about 4 advil total after each baby to get past the after cramps too…

      1. M Cleveland Avatar
        M Cleveland

        Arnica pellets are amazing for afterbirth pains, maybe they’d work for cramps?

      2. Lindsey Avatar

        GLA is great for prevention of cramps and all things PMS related. I didn’t believe it until I tried it.

        1. Stephanie Avatar
          Stephanie

          Cool, haven’t seen a recommendation for GLA for dysmenorrhea before & I’ve been reading up on that for MONTHS. Thanks for another avenue to explore.

          Right now I’m trying Maca capsules & raspberry leaf tea, so we’ll see if those help. The most relief I’ve personally received has been with Vitex throughout the month & Black Cohosh a couple days before until the last day of symptoms. A couple days before, I take about 30mls 3x/day. As soon as my period starts, I’ll drop it down to 5-10 drops, but every hour or two. It’s ends up equalling the same dosage at the end of the day. For me, Black Cohosh has worked better than Cramp Bark & usually herbalists rave about Cramp Bark. Either way though, it gets me through without any using any pills. (I used to take 800mg every 5 hrs, plus tylenol sometimes — waay too much.)

          I’ve also heard Black Haw is best for cramps with a heavy flow, but I haven’t had the opportunity to try it yet. If the Maca doesn’t help, that’ll be my next experiment.

          1. Bianca Avatar

            A drop or two of clary sage essential oil dissolved in half a teaspoon of carrier oil (coconut, sweet almond, grapeseed, emu, etc.) and rubbed on the lower belly works wonders on menstrual cramps.

      3. Denise Avatar

        My daughter has recently started using an application of Clary Sage EO to her stomach and feet. She hasn’t gone far enough into her cycle yet to tell if it’s working., though. She has pretty bad endometriosis so is really hoping it helps.

      4. Tanya Moorehead Avatar
        Tanya Moorehead

        Do you have a brand of progesterone cream that you recommend? Thanks!

        1. Brianne Avatar

          Quicksilver Scientific just came out with an excellent nano emulsion progesterone cream. They also have an Estradiol. So far so good for me!

    2. mary Avatar

      If you must take an OTC med, Naproxyn/Alleve targets menstrual pain more specifically than Ibuprofen/Advil. It acts directly on two of the prostaglandins, the imbalance in which causes cramping of the uterus.

    3. Bebe Avatar

      Ginger is known for it’s pain relieving properties and a recent study showed it to be as or MORE effective than NSAIDs. Take it as a tea, tincture, in capsules or, my favorite, in a bath.
      Run a bath and add a couple cups, or more, of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) along with some ginger essential oil or straight up powdered ginger. Have a cup of ginger tea while you soak!
      Cayenne can also be taken internally via capsules. It is known for its pain relieving properties as well. Just be sure to take with food or you will feel even worse!

    4. Tex Avatar

      I know this is an old post, but I can’t help but share this b/c I used to be so bad w/ cramps, I would get physically sick unless I constantly took advil.

      Meta i-3-C (from Metagenics); it’s a dietary supplement and it’s helped me with a lot of symptoms (PMS, strong cramps, etc). I had barely need the advil anymore. I take it twice a day per dr recommendation.

    5. Maggie Valera Avatar
      Maggie Valera

      For menstrual cramps I’ve not found anything that works better than blue cohosh. It’s amazing!

      1. Crystal McKinley Avatar
        Crystal McKinley

        Black cohosh is used for menopause isn’t it? So what is the real difference between the two colors?

    6. Christina Turner Avatar
      Christina Turner

      Cramp bark tincture for menstrual cramps works great. 1-2 tsp every 3-4 hours

    7. D.Sharp Avatar

      For menstrual pain I’ve been taking broad leaf plantain tincture regularly and have had wonderful results moderating my hormones and thus pain. I’ve seen lots of relief from menstrual distress by taking any kind of herb is used for cleaning the liver. Plantain got rid of my acne too.

    8. SarahJoy Avatar

      I used to have the same issue, now I drink Tulsi or Holy Basil tea and the cramps go right away!

    9. Michelle Avatar
      Michelle

      I read that if you eat a lot of carrots, your next menstrual period would be less painful. You can try it out.

    10. Kathie Palladino Avatar
      Kathie Palladino

      You are wise not to take Advil or any other pharmaceutical drug such as that. When I was 13 and started my cycle, my mother told meTo run around the house a few times. She said the movement of the body in running would cause the blood to start flowing down, then the pain would go away. It did and I ended up teaching the same thing to my daughters, all five of them.

  11. ValerieB Avatar

    Does regular Apple cider vinegar work for tummy troubles or does it have to have “the mother”?

      1. Crystal McKinley Avatar
        Crystal McKinley

        So what is “the mother”? And I was also wondering about the Echinacea you said you have handy but never used. Exactly what would you use it for?

  12. Violet Avatar

    Hi! Love your site, it keeps me inspired!
    Just wondering about eh Hydrogen Peroxide for ear infections. Do you just put it in straight, or diluted? I have the 3% solution at home, and would love to try. My partner has been struggling with ear infections (and much more) over the last few weeks.
    Thank you! Violet

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Just undiluted 3% straight into the ear… even used it in the kids this way without problem.

      1. Maggie Valera Avatar
        Maggie Valera

        Have you used tea tree oil mixed with coconut oil? I use it with my doctors endorsement. I don’t like H202 personally because it gets in my inner ear and makes me dizzy. My doc doesn’t like it because it can get trapped under wax it’s trying to dislodge and put pressure on the ear drum.

  13. Amy Avatar

    Great list!  I also use a tincture of astragalus to keep the immune system healthy – as well as drinking echinecea tea regularly during cold/flu season.  It must be working – everyone in my office is out with the flu and I’m still going strong.  I think eating Paleo keeps the immune system strong.

  14. Chantel Barber Avatar
    Chantel Barber

    I know you use Tropical Traditions, but do you use both the gold label and green label  or one or the other? Just curious if maybe you use one to consume and one for various other applications?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      We mainly use the gold label for food use and I’ve used all of the others for cosmetic use and all seem to be great for other applications. To save money, I just stick to the gold for eating…

  15. Karen B Avatar

    I’ve been using coconut oil as a makeup remover and it works great (better than anything I’ve ever used) and is good for my dry skin.  The only problem I have with it is that no matter how much I try to avoid it, my eyes are cloudy and fuzzy for hours afterward.  It seeps in no matter what I do!  How do you avoid this?  Does anyone have any suggestions?

    1. Laura Avatar

      I use grapeseed oil and have great luck with removing my makeup.

  16. Dawn Avatar

    Thank you so much for this. 🙂  It’s like you have my dream first aid kit in your own home!  🙂  Just a heads up-my mom uses witch hazel to soothe her sciatica!  I am loving the list and, one day when I have this same first aid kit in my home, I’ll be printing it out to go inside the kit area for quick reference!  Thank you!

    1. Sonya Avatar

      Dawn, may I ask how your mom uses witch hazel for her sciatica? I also suffer from sciatica, and some days are difficult. Maybe her witch hazel remedy would be something helpful for me, if you wouldn’t mind sharing? Please? Thank you for your time dear.

    1. Tera Avatar

      Superglue is a great alternative to “stitching up” cuts than going to the doctors and getting stitches. Super Glue was originally used to help put together open wounds out on the battle field, mostly cuts. Just clean up the cut and apply the super glue. The glue will come off on it’s own eventually.

      1. Tera Avatar

        Oh, don’t apply the super glue over wool or cotton (cotton balls). It will generate a chemical reaction that heats up and releases a smoke. if the wool or cotton is on your skin, it could result in a chemical burn from the heat. This only happens when the glue is still wet, the glue is harmless when dry, and water proof.

    2. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Just hold them together and glue. Works wonders, doesn’t sting to apply and less bothersome than a bandage..

      1. Sarah Jane Butcher Avatar
        Sarah Jane Butcher

        I had heard this but was too scared a Doc said it MUST be special derma-bond glue and ended up getting stitches for my son’s 2 facial cuts that were all the way clean to the skull(you could see white bone at the bottom of the wound and the surgical tape would not hold it shut Doc confirmed it before sewing it shut both times) but I did use medical tape to “butterfly” shut his eyebrow that took a good chunk out so this would be same type of idea? how deep can one superglue? 2 years ago I had a 3.5″ laceration in bck of my calf going all the way to the muscle and the stitches barely held so I’m guessing the glue has its limits but how deep would you think it would hold?

        1. Wellness Mama Avatar
          Wellness Mama

          I’ve only used on cuts that went through skin only… I’d take anything deeper to a doc to at least be checked out, but it has worked great on skin cuts, especially on fingers (which I occasionally slice when cooking…)

        2. Lizzie Lou Avatar
          Lizzie Lou

          As a nurse, I can tell you that superglue is the goto. There isn’t always that special dermabond available…which is just a superglue hybrid….hope this helps

        3. Maggie Valera Avatar
          Maggie Valera

          I had a cut on my cheekbone like that. Didn’t have an superglue handy, but yes it would have worked. Instead I used duct tape. The laceration went to the bone but you can barely see a scar. Due to the adhesives making a tight bond the skin can fuse together easily without having to grow new tissue to fill in (scar tissue). There is less scarring with duct tape and superglue than there is with stitches and staples. You don’t want to go deep, you only want to hold together the outer layers of skin. Never put superglue in an open wound, hold it shut then put the glue over it to seal.

    3. Tassie Avatar

      Superglue has long been the secret for a number of trades, especially sheet metal workers and glaziers… they often get cuts and a quick dab of the superglue and they are back to work… works on deep paper cuts / cuts from knives and razors too… BTW, great info Kate

    4. Carol L Avatar
      Carol L

      When my young daughter got pushed into a piano and had a quarter size cut on her head, the doctor put it together with superglue. He said it would not hurt like stitches and would do as good a job on it. This was in the early 1980’s. I was shocked ( but also was suffering FROM shock, as I had to drive her over an hour to get to the doctors…) But in retrospect, it did work and she was just fine.

  17. Austin Avatar

    Thank you!  I’ve needed to give my cabinet an overhaul and now I have a list:)

  18. Nicole Avatar

    Love Love Love your little handy hints. I recently had a bout of food poisoning and remembered reading about your home remedy. I didn’t have any charcoal on hand but the apple cider vinegar really helped – so thanks from your little Aussie follower 🙂

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