As a mum, ensuring the well-being of our children is always a top priority. From playground mishaps to those inevitable late-night coughs and sniffles, being prepared for life’s little emergencies is key. That’s where the power of aromatherapy comes in, offering a natural and effective solution to common ailments that can affect the whole family. Aromatherapy can help manage the following discomforts and problems easily and effectively:
- Colds & flu, cough
- Headaches
- Muscular aches
- Cuts & grazes, minor burns
- Insect bites
- Pain & discomfort
- Nausea, vomiting, digestive problems
- Sleeplessness, fatigue
- Skin problems
- Emotional upsets
Aromatherapy for First Aid
As an aromatherapist, I highly recommend having a few essential oils in your first aid kit at home to manage life’s little emergencies.
Picture this: Your little one comes home with a scraped knee after a day of adventures at the park. With a well-stocked first aid kit, containing essential oils like soothing lavender and healing tea tree, you can provide instant relief and promote speedy recovery. Or imagine those restless nights when your child struggles to sleep due to a stuffy nose from a seasonal cold. Eucalyptus oil, with its decongestant properties, becomes your saving grace, easing breathing and ensuring a restful night for the entire household.
Whether it’s comforting your child following an unexpected insect bite, treating your partner’s severe headache, or soothing your own tired muscles after a full day of parenting, essential oils offer versatile natural solutions for the everyday challenges of family life. In this blog, we’ll explore five essential oils that deserve a prime spot in your family’s first aid kit, along with some application tips to let the healing powers of these oils shine through. Let’s dive in.
5 Essential Oils for your First Aid Kit
1. True Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender has sedative, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, healing properties.
It’s diverse healing properties make Essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia a perfect addition to your first aid kit for treating cuts & grazes, rashes, burns, eczema, sunburn, insect bites, headaches, insomnia, stress & anxiety, as well as promoting wound healing.
Application: How to use Lavender Essential Oil:
Minor burns/bites/grazes – For minor burns, bites, or grazes, Lavender Essential Oil can be applied directly onto the affected area either neat or in a cold compress. Alternatively, adding a few drops to a bath creates a comforting and healing soak, providing relief and promoting skin repair (ensure essential oil is diluted first, see directions for safe use.)
Headaches/stress – To alleviate headaches and stress, massage 1 drop into temples and nape of neck; or blend with vegetable oil for massage of neck and shoulders. Lavender’s soothing properties work to ease tension and promote relaxation. For added benefits, Lavender can be combined with Peppermint oil to enhance its effects.
Insomnia – If you are struggling to sleep peacefully, try massaging Lavender Essential Oil as above for a restful sleep. You can also add 2 drops on a tissue and inhale or place the tissue in your pillowcase. For a deeper and more restorative sleep, try adding it to a relaxing bath before bedtime (ensure essential oil is diluted first, see directions for safe use.)
Coughs & colds – Whether added to inhalations, baths, or massage blends with complementary oils like Tea Tree and/or Eucalyptus, Lavender’s anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties help alleviate respiratory discomfort and promote easier breathing.
There are many different types of Lavender essential oil. Lavandula angustifolia is recommended for your first aid kit due to its safety and versatility.
Buy Pure Essential Oil of Lavandula angustifolia (True Lavender Essential Oil)
- Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Tea tree has anti-infectious, anti-bacterial, antifungal, tonic properties.
It is a powerhouse of natural healing, serving as the first line of defence against bacteria and infections. Tea Tree Oil may be useful for colds & flu, sore throats, burns, insect bites, thrush, tinea, head lice, and acne.
Application: How to use Tea Tree Essential Oil:
Sore throats – When it comes to soothing sore throats, diluted in oil or cream, it can be gently massaged along each side of the neck, chest and back.
Bites & stings – Tea Tree oil proves to be an effective remedy for treating insect bites and stings. Apply small amount neat or blended to bite. It not only soothes the affected area but also acts as a natural insect repellent.
Cuts & grazes – Tea Tree oil serves as a powerful antiseptic for cuts and grazes. A simple antiseptic wash consisting of 6 drops of tea tree oil diluted in 2 cups of water can be applied directly or as a compress, promoting proper wound healing and guarding against infection.
If you are seeking gentler alternatives, especially for children, essential oils like Fragonia, Kunzea and Rosalina are particularly gentle, making them ideal choices, especially for children’s sensitive skin.
Buy Pure Essential Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree Essential Oil)
- Eucalyptus Australiana (Eucalyptus radiata)
Eucalyptus has antiviral, anti-infectious, anti-bacterial, expectorant, immunostimulant, analgesic, tonic properties.
Its antiviral, anti-infectious, and anti-bacterial characteristics make pure essential oil of Eucalyptus radiata an effective natural remedy for coughs & colds, flu, bronchitis, herpes, shingles, and muscular ache.
Application: How to use Eucalyptus Essential Oil:
Coughs & colds – Inhalations, using 2 drops in a bowl of warm water or on a tissue offer immediate relief by clearing nasal passages and promoting easier breathing. For more sustained relief, you can add to vegetable oil and massage along neck, chest, back and/or soles of feet. Adding a few drops to a bath, either alone or mixed with other complementary essential oils, offers a relaxing and therapeutic experience, further supporting respiratory health.
Herpes – In cases of herpes outbreaks, you can apply neat or blended as soon as tingling appears to help minimise symptoms and promote faster healing.
Muscular aches & pains – For muscular aches and pains, blending Eucalyptus oil with a vegetable oil for massage provides targeted relief, soothing sore muscles and promoting relaxation.
For those seeking alternative options, essential oils like Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis CT1) and Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica) offer comparable benefits and can be effective substitutes.
Note: There are many different types of Eucalyptus essential oil. This relates to 1,8 cineole rich eucalyptus. Do not use around throat or neck of children under 3 years of age.
Buy Pure Essential Oil of Eucalyptus radiata (Eucalyptus Essential Oil)
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint has analgesic, antispasmodic, digestive tonic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory (cooling) properties.
Its powerful healing properties make it an effective natural remedy for pain, nausea, indigestion, respiratory infections, fatigue, and itchy skin conditions.
Application: How to use Peppermint Essential Oil:
Pain relief (minor trauma) – Whether it’s minor trauma or muscular discomfort, Peppermint Essential Oil is an effective option for pain relief as it offers soothing relief, easing tension and promoting relaxation. Simple apply trace of oil neat in light strokes or diluted in massage oil.
Headaches – Peppermint Essential Oil proves to be a soothing balm and when applied in diluted form to the forehead, temples, behind the ears & the nape of the neck, its cooling sensation provides relief, reducing the symptoms of a headache. When paired with lavender oil, its effects are further enhanced.
Nausea & motion sickness – Add 1 drop on a tissue and inhale. It’s refreshing scent can help alleviate feelings of sickness, promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
Digestive upsets – For digestive upsets, blend Peppermint Oil with a vegetable oil and massage on the abdomen in a clockwise direction.
Fatigue – Whether used in inhalation or massage, peppermint oil offers a revitalizing boost. Its energizing scent can help combat tiredness and promote mental clarity and alertness.
If you are seeking alternative options, essential oils like Spearmint, Ginger, Roman Chamomile (digestive problems) Kunzea, and Roman Chamomile (pain) offer similar benefits and can be effective substitutes in certain situations.
N.B. Peppermint oil must not be used around throat or neck of children under 3 years of age.
Buy Pure Essential Oil of Mentha piperita (Peppermint Essential Oil)
- Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Geranium has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-infectious, haemostatic, circulatory, balancing properties.
With its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-infectious properties, Geranium Essential Oil serves as a versatile remedy, aiding in everything from minor bleeding, wound healing, acne, fluid retention, varicose veins, neuralgia, to combating stress & anxiety, depression, PMS/hormonal imbalance.
Application: How to use Geranium Essential Oil:
Minor bleeding/wound cleansing – Geranium Essential Oil can be used to promote wound healing and stop minor bleeding, ensuring protection against infection. Simply put 3-4 drops of essential oil onto cotton or cloth, put onto cut applying pressure for 1 minute. Cover with bandage and leave for 8-12 hours.
Stress & anxiety – Incorporating Geranium Essential Oil into your wellness routine through inhalation, baths, or massages can help restore stability and promote a sense of calm.
Buy Pure Essential Oil of Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium Essential Oil)
Harnessing the power of essential oils in your family’s first aid kit can truly be a game-changer in navigating life’s little emergencies. As mothers, we always strive to provide the best care for our family and having these 5 essential oils on hand ensures that we’re equipped to handle whatever comes our way. From soothing cuts and grazes to alleviating headaches and promoting restful sleep, these natural remedies offer gentle yet effective solutions for the whole family.
🍃If you are looking to add Essential Oils to your First Aid Kit for natural relief, check out Mother Nurture First Aid Packs range, providing simple and practical solutions to improve health and treat minor ailments for the whole family. Our First Aid Packs come in a handy box with easy-to-follow instructions – they’re perfect for busy moms seeking natural solutions. Click here to shop and embrace a healthier, happier home today! 🍃
🍃Also, check out our OUCHES & ITCHES Treatment Balm containing natural oils that are soothing, healing and antiseptic. This useful balm can be applied to minor cuts, grazes, bruises and bites. Suitable for children over 2 years of age as well as adults.🍃
Please Note
Always follow instructions for applications and concentrations of blends; discontinue use if any adverse reaction occurs. It’s advisable to do a patch test on people with sensitive skin.
It is always a good idea to also carry a small bottle of good quality vegetable oil to use for dilution. It is also useful if skin irritation occurs. In that case, just wipe area with vegetable oil not water to remove the essential oil.
For further directions and to ensure safety when using essential oils, read directions for use here.
Click here for extra advice on Safe Aromatherapy use for babies and young children.
If in doubt always consult a qualified aromatherapist for advice.
