An herbal travel kit lets you take your natural remedies with you on the road! Here’s how to assemble an herbal first aid kit so you can treat your family even when you’re away from home.
Guest post by Jasmine of The Christian Herbal
We were at a family reunion when my daughter was stung by a wasp. I searched the well-manicured lawn for any sign of plantain, hoping to ease her pain. I ran inside the rented ranch house, hoping to find some baking soda or maybe a spice rack. Nothing.
We made do with some cool water, but this experience made me realize that I needed to be better prepared.
I decided to put together an herbal travel kit that’s highly portable so we can take it along on car rides, camping trips, or any time we’re on the go. I love that an herbal travel kit allows me to treat my family naturally–even when we’re away from home.
How to Make an Herbal Travel Kit
First Aid Bag
The first thing you need to consider in making an herbal travel kit is the container. I have an old first aid bag with separators and zippered pockets.
You could also use:
- a cosmetic bag
- a small plastic tool box
- a plastic tub with a lid
- purchase a first aid bag
Containers
Your choice of containers is important for several reasons.
First, if your first aid kit is left in a vehicle or in the sun, plastic containers could melt. Plastic containers also contain harmful chemicals that can leach into your herbal medicines. If you are going to use plastic containers, I recommend getting nalgene containers. They are high density and BPA free.
Second, make sure that your containers are leak proof. The last thing you want to do is pull out your herbal travel kit and find that your medicines have leaked out all over the kit.
Options for containers:
- small glass or nalgene bottles for liquids (tinctures, glycerites, essential oils)
- small glass jars or tins for powders (clay, activated charcoal, powdered herbs)
- ziplock or paper bags for teas or loose herbs
- small glass jars or nalgene jars for salves and creams
Medicines
I try to keep my herbal medicines to a bare minimum when packing an herbal travel kit. Packing excessive medicines makes the kit heavier and harder to find what you are looking for.
With that said, I do make sure that I try and pack for any kind of problem I may face when I am away from home. I include herbs for first aid, as well as acute illnesses.
There are many herbs that will work great in an herbal travel kit. These are some of the herbs I like to have on hand:
Note: You can purchase many of the ingredients mentioned in this post from The Bulk Herb Store. Also, here’s a basic how-to for making a tincture.
Yarrow Tincture/Glycerite (Achillea millefolium)
- fever modulating herb
- helps stop bleeding
- antiseptic wound cleanser and healer – dilute tincture with water and pour over wound
Meadowsweet Tincture/Glycerite (Filipendula ulmaria)
- muscle aches
- headaches
- pain reliever
- menstrual cramps
Nervine Tincture/Glycerite
(I like a combination of motherwort, milky oats, and skullcap. Passionflower is also great for insomnia.)
- insomnia
- anxiety
- over-stimulation
Chamomile Tea (Matricaria recutita)
- upset tummy
- eyewash – strain tea through paper towel to make sure there are no plant particles in the tea before using as an eyewash
- colic
- teething
- motion sickness
Activated Charcoal
- food poisoning – mix into a glass of water and drink
- drawing from a wound – mix with water and apply as a poultice
- staph infections – mix with water and apply as a poultice
Garlic Capsules
- antimicrobial
- ear infections – puncture capsule and squeeze out a few drops of garlic oil into the ear
- parasites
- cold and flu
Slippery Elm Powder (Ulmus rubra)
- diarrhea or dysentery – mix into a glass of water and drink
- sore throat
- poultice
Antimicrobial Salve
(I make a salve with equal parts of comfrey, St. John’s wort, calendula, and plantain. You can also buy a kit for making your own salves.)
- cuts and scrapes
- burns
- bug bites/stings
- rashes
If some of these herbs are new to you or you are not quite sure how to use them, I have a Facebook group where members can ask herb related questions. We would love to have you join us!
Do you use herbs when you travel? Would having an herbal travel kit make it easier to use herbs on-the-go?
Jasmine is a Christian wife and homeschooling mother to 7 kiddos ranging in age from 3 months to 19 years old. She has a passion for using the plants around her to take care of her family. She started The Christian Herbal to teach others about herbal medicine with a Christian foundation. Interested in Christian fellowship and great herbal discussions? Join Jasmine and many other knowledgeable herbalists at The Christian Herbal Facebook group!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am just a mom who likes to research and share what’s worked for me. This blog is for entertainment purposes only. Please seek advice from your trusted healthcare provider.
Related Posts:
6 Must-Haves to Stock in Your Natural Medicine Kit
Herbs All Moms Should Know About
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
Thanks so much for this informative post and great list! My son was just stung by a bee at Vacation Bible School last week and I had nothing with which to help him. This would have been wonderful to have on hand. Thanks. Pinning it now!
Erin
Oh no–I hope he is better now!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
I just wanted to add that I usually have a simple first aid kit in the car, but I never thought to have herbs. Thanks, again.
Erin
I hadn’t either!
Lesley
Any way you could provide links of your recipes for these tinctures & salves? I am so interested in making these for our first aid kit!! Thanks for posting I have never thought about herbs in a kit. Also where did you get your glass dropper bottles from?
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Coleen Goree
I grow comfrey plantain and calendula but St. John’s wort I don’t. I did years ago. Do you make a salve with equal parts by weight or just guestimating (this is the way I do nearly everything with herbs)? Have you tried any other herbs?
Heidi
i might add cayenne powder to my first aid kit…it stops bleeding, heart attacks, strokes and flu bugs!!
great post!
Erin
Awesome idea!!