Living well

Eleanor assembles an all-natural first-aid kit

As a family, we love to spend as much time outdoors as we can. However, our adventures often mean scrapes, bug bites, sunburn and the like. For those wanting to have a go at making your own natural first-aid kit, here are some of our favourite homemade remedies that are effective and simple to make.

AFTER-SUN SPRAY

Aloe vera and peppermint are cooling on the skin, while lavender has lovely calming properties. My daughter also likes to spray it on her tummy to relieve the motion sickness she sometimes gets on long car journeys. It’s super-soothing and acts quickly.

2 Tbsp pure aloe vera gel

10 drops peppermint essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil

1 In a 50ml glass spray bottle, add the ingredients and top up with water. Tip upside down a few times to disperse. Spray onto skin after a hot day at the beach to soothe and cool, but don’t apply to broken skin.

EVERYTHING BALM

We use this balm to soothe cuts and scrapes, encourage faster healing and prevent infection in minor scrapes. I find it also comes in handy for itchy skin or insect stings. It does get rather soft in the sun so is best stored somewhere cool.

1 cup coconut oil

2 Tbsp grated beeswax 10 drops lavender essential oil 10 drops tea tree essential oil

1 Melt the coconut oil and beeswax together in a double boiler, stirring until combined. Stir in the essential oils.

2 Pour the mixture into tins or small jars and allow to set (about 20 minutes).

BUG SPRAY

I always have a bottle of this spray on hand for evening barbecues or picnics at the beach. Store-bought insect repellents often contain nasty chemicals, whereas this recipe is entirely natural. 45ml almond oil or fractionated coconut oil 7 drops lemongrass essential oil

7 drops geranium essential oil

7 drops cedarwood essential oil

1 Combine all the ingredients in a 50ml glass spray bottle. Tip upside down a few times to disperse.

Note:

There are a number of other essential oils that act as a natural repellent, such as peppermint, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus and citronella. Feel free to try different variations to suit your preference.

A FEW OTHER HANDY ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR KIT

+ Waterproof bandages will stay in place when you’re enjoying water activities.

+ Washable muslin wipes are essential for wiping cuts and scrapes.

+ Tweezers, because splinters always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times!

+ Mini scissors are handy for all sorts of things.

Be ready for the sunburn and scrapes of summer with an all-natural first aid kit