A Summer First Aid Kit

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A Summer First Aid KitSummer is almost here, and with it comes more time to spend in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, more time outdoors means we are more prone to insect bites, sunburn, and muscle aches from the extra activity.Essential oils are a natural way to relieve the common ailments that most of us experience during the summer months. So, to get you started, we have prepared a list of our favorite "must haves" for your summer first aid kit.Start with the basics - a clean cloth that can be used for hot and cold compresses, or to clean the area prior to treatment, band-aids, a carrier oil, and some aloe vera gel to quickly soothe those barbeque burns, or tender sun drenched skin.As many of the popular essential oils have a variety of healing properties, we need only recommend three for you to include in your kit.The first is Tea Tree. Tea Tree oil is antifungal and antiseptic, and this makes it great for conditions like burns, athletes foot, cuts and scrapes, and itching insect bites. Tea tree can be applied neat - which means it doesn't require a carrier oil - ensuring ease of use.Like Tea Tree, Lavender oil can also be used on its own. This fact, along with its range of uses make it another of our "must have" essential oils. Lavender oil can be used to combat allergies, bruises, burns, headaches, insect bites, muscle aches and sunburn.Third on our list is Geranium. It is also antiseptic and antifungal, making it a good choice for cuts, sores, and fungal infections. As well, Geranium oil is reputed to have a lessening effect on the appearance of cellulite - being swimsuit season, this seems a definite property of general interest!Keeping those pesky insects at bay is another matter. Two essential oils excellent for use as insect repellents are Clove and Peppermint. Simply mix a few drops of either of these oils with a carrier, and apply to exposed skin.Contributed by A World of Aromatherapy at: http://www.aworldofaromatherapy.com

 

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