As we head into warmer days, it’s the season of scraped knees, bug bites, garden adventures, and the occasional sunburn. And for those of us who lean into herbal remedies, it’s also the perfect time to put together (or refresh!) a simple herbal first aid kit.
Whether you’re brand new to herbs or you’ve already got jars of dried plants lining your shelves, having a small stash of go-to remedies for everyday bumps, bruises, and burns can be a game-changer.
Let’s go through how to build a simple one, using some of my favorite, time-tested herbal staples.
🌼 A Few Herbal Essentials I Always Keep Handy
Here are a handful of herbs and herbal goodies I never leave out of my kit—ones I’ve used over and over again for my family, my farm, and my home:
✔️ Powdered Yarrow – A Summer Must-Have
As soon as spring rolls around and my husband is outside doing farm chores, it’s like clockwork—he ends up with nicks and cuts from fencing or tools. Powdered yarrow is my secret weapon. It stops the bleeding fast so I can get him bandaged up and back to work. You can make your own by grinding dried yarrow leaves and flowers into a fine powder and storing it in a small jar or spice shaker. Just sprinkle it directly onto minor cuts—it works like a charm.
👉 Want to know more about yarrow? Here’s my blog post on yarrow and why I love it.
✔️ Sunburn Spray – Instant Cooling Relief
Another one I never go without is my DIY sunburn spray. It’s super easy and super effective. I use one of those 2 oz travel spray bottles from Walmart and fill it about ¾ full with aloe vera gel. Then I add about a tablespoon of almond oil that I’ve infused with calendula (so good for the skin!). This year, I added 3–4 drops of peppermint essential oil to help cool the skin even more. Shake it up and spritz it on when you’ve had too much sun—instant soothing, plus the aloe and calendula help the skin heal faster.
You can read more about calendula’s skin-healing superpowers right here.
🌿 A Few More Herbs to Consider
If you’re just getting started, these herbs are worth having on hand for all sorts of first-aid needs:
- Plantain (Plantago spp.) – Great for bug bites, stings, and splinters. Make a quick spit poultice or use it in a salve.
- Lavender – Calming, great for burns and stress. A few drops of the essential oil go a long way.
- Chamomile – Gentle and soothing. Use the tea to rinse irritated skin or tired eyes. (Check out my blog post on chamomile’s many uses.)
- Echinacea tincture – Handy for minor wounds and immune support. I walk through tincture-making, step by step, in my class. You can learn more about that here. Â
🧰 What to Include in Your Beginner Kit
Here’s a quick list to help you stock your herbal first aid bag:
Keep it all into a small bag or box and keep it somewhere easy to grab—especially if you’re heading outdoors or going on a trip. I keep some powdered yarrow in the kitchen next to the bandages and the sunburn spray stays next to the back door, all the time during the summer. Â
🌱 Want More Herbal Support?
If you’re just starting your herbal journey and new to Enchanted Herbals I’ve got all kinds of free resources, monographs, and how-to’s on the herbal blog to help you feel confident using herbs at home. If you’re not part of my herbal community yet, get signed up, and get your free guide to using tea as an herbal remedy here. You’ll be amazed at what you can do with a cup of tea.
Got questions about building your kit or what to include for your family? Send me a message—I love hearing what you’re putting together!
