9 natural first-aid helpers

In an ideal world, your body wouldn’t undergo any trauma, big or small. The reality? Every day you face a range of mishaps that trigger aches and pains, bumps and bruises. Skin often takes the brunt, sometimes bearing scars that linger long after pain has subsided.

Luckily, just as Mother Nature intended, your body works to repair itself—and a little well-chosen help goes a long way. “Natural ingredients work effectively when applied to the right conditions,” says herbalist Candice Nelms, owner of The Alchemist Collection, a natural medicine skin care line. “There is a known understanding about nature: For every poison that grows, there grows a remedy next to it.”

Not unlike the mind, skin can get stressed out—and those stressors are both internal and external, according to Mark Gray, a dermatologist, pathologist and founder of Ao Skincare. Like Nelms, Gray points out the skin’s ability to seek and find balance. “It’s good to focus on ingredients that help the skin become and remain optimally healthy and adaptive,” he says.

Whether protecting from the elements such as wind and sun, alleviating itch from bug bites or burns, or healing scrapes and cuts, natural ingredients can help your body step up to the challenge.

Aloe vera

The American Academy of Dermatology highly recommends the aloe plant for relieving burns (the Academy says to steer clear of petroleum lotions for burns; they can actually trap heat in the skin). Aloe also has regenerative properties, which accelerate the healing process for cuts and scrapes, according to Gray.

Arnica

If you’re banged up from a long day out in the wild, arnica could be your BFF. This homeopathic remedy enjoys a long reputation of easing bruises, reducing swelling and speeding recovery. Research is inconclusive, but some studies show promise for bruise and muscle relief.

Calendula

Another first-aid all-star, calendula—nicknamed the “mother of the skin”—has been used since the 12th century for its range of healing benefits, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Lotions, oils and ointments using calendula alleviate chafing, blisters, bites and burns.

Coconut oil

Not only does coconut oil have a luscious texture and tropical flavor, it’s also chock-full of healthy fats, making it ideal for wound healing when applied topically. To make a salve that lessens and lightens scars, mix a bit of lemon juice into coconut oil.

Eucalyptus oil

Every natural first-aid kit needs a natural bug repellant—and not all of them are created equal. Research shows that lemon eucalyptus oil is as effective against mosquitos as low concentrations of DEET. The Environmental Working Group recommends products with a concentration of 30 to 40 percent eucalyptus oil to protect for long periods of time (but don’t use on children younger than 3 because they might get it in their noses, where it could be toxic at high doses).

Manuka honey

Thanks to the New Zealand manuka bush (and the bees that pollinate it), dark manuka honey is considerably more potent and therapeutic than the honey sitting in your pantry. It exhibits well-researched antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to heal wounds, subdue irritation and even regenerate skin cells.

Lavender essential oil

The best ingredients are multitaskers—and lavenderoil fits the bill with its soothing,antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that work on everything from scrapes and burns to bites. Lavender is a favorite first-aid ingredient because while it heals it can also reduce scarring from burns. Dilute it in a carrier oil before applying to skin.

Mugwort

This herb (which, fun fact, flavored beer in pre-hops days) shows promise in fending off bacterial infection. Try using a moxa stick (a cigar-like stick packed with mugwort) for bites and stings. You’ll also find mugwort in salves.

Neem

It’s no wonder neem took on the moniker “village pharmacy” in its native India, where it has been touted for its range of beauty uses and beyond for more than 5,000 years. Its versatility holds true for modern applications, too. Why add it to your first-aid kit? Thanks to antihistamine and antibacterial qualities, neem combats irritation and even infection from cuts and scrapes.