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As spring gives way to summer, everyone’s thoughts turn to outdoor activities, from beaches and barbeques to hiking and camping. If you’ve gone camping before, chances are you have your camping gear packed up and stowed away safely. It’s time now to get it out of storage.
While you can use most of your gear from previous camping trips, there’s one thing you must restock with fresh items every year, and that’s your Camping First Aid kit.
Why Restocking Your Camping First Aid Kit Every Year is Crucial
Medications have relatively short expiry dates. You want to make sure that all the medications you have in the kit are well within the ‘use by’ dates.
Secondly, your needs would have changed over the year. Your kids are older and their medicinal requirements are different. The same goes for the older members of your family.
Standard items in any camping first-aid kit should include pain and fever medication, band-aid, antiseptic lotions, insect repellent, sunscreen, and burn ointment at the very least. You may not use any of them but it’s always better to be prepared.
Why Essential Oils for Camping?
Till a few years ago, essential oils would not really have been considered a standard item in a first-aid kit. But as we look for more natural alternatives to treat common injuries and illnesses, essential oils have become a popular addition to our medicine cabinets and first-aid kits.
Of course, not all oils will come in useful while camping. The best essential oils for camping are those that can be used to treat common camping-related issues such as cuts, scrapes, bug bites, and campfire burns.
Many top brands such as Plant Therapy and Rocky Mountain Oils have also introduced specially formulated Synergy Blends and Essential Oil Roll-Ons that are great for specific purposes such as repelling bugs, soothing burns, treating minor scratches, calming an upset tummy, and more. Scroll below to see my top roll-on picks for different purposes.
Essential Oil Roll-Ons are hugely popular because they are easy to pack without worrying about spills, and they are even easier to use. These are prediluted with essential oils. You just open up the tube you need and roll over the affected area.
Before talking about the best essential oils for camping, an important note about carrier oils.
Best Essential Oils for Camping
Below each essential oil, I’ve highlighted the ways you can use that oil on a camping trip. As you scroll below, you’ll find a few all-natural products that will also come in handy while outdoors.
1. Lavender
One of the most popular of all essential oils, lavender is commonly associated with relaxation. Lavender is an incredibly versatile essential oil. Its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties make it very useful for relieving pain and promoting healing too.
A bottle of lavender essential oil in your camping first-aid kit will come in handy for all of these:
- Soothing sunburn as well as campfire burns
- Soothing insect bites
- Calming blisters
- As an antiseptic for cuts and bruises
- Calming rashes
- Relieving muscle cramps and stiffness
- Repelling bugs and mosquitoes
For topical applications, whether to soothe burns, bites, or blisters, remember to first mix 2-3 drops of lavender oil with 1 teaspoon of fractionated coconut oil before applying to your skin. You can apply this mix for all of the topical applications above.
In addition, lavender is also excellent to induce relaxation and sleep. If you’re having trouble unwinding or settling down to sleep, put a few drops of lavender oil in your portable diffuser or on your pillow before lying down. Breathing in the aroma will help you unwind, relax, and drift off to sleep more easily.
2. Tea Tree
Tea tree essential oil’s powerful anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial essential oils make it another really useful addition to your camping first-aid kit.
Here are the many ways you can use tea tree essential oil, whether you’re out camping or spending time in your backyard:
- Excellent disinfectant for cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Soothing sunburn
- Repelling mosquito bites
- Soothing bug bites
- Relieving a stuffy nose
#3 Peppermint
Peppermint’s many uses stem from its analgesic, antispasmodic, and antiviral properties.
When you’re out camping, you can use peppermint essential oil for any of these purposes:
- Calming headaches
- Relieving nausea
- Reducing aches and pain
- Soothing itchy skin
- Calming an upset stomach
- Combating viral infections
- Sunburn relief
- Soothing sore muscles
#4 Citronella
Citronella is well known for its powerful mosquito repellant properties. If you decide to add just one essential oil to your camping first aid kit, make it citronella. Mosquitoes can be the bane of any camping trip but your bottle of citronella oil will take care of this problem for you so you can get on with enjoying the outdoors peacefully.
Citronella essential oil can also be used for these purposes:
- Relieving muscle pain
- Soothing headaches
- Reducing cold and flu symptoms
# 5 Chamomile
Chamomile is another versatile addition to your camping first-aid kit because of its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and pain-relieving properties.
Chamomile essential oil can be used for:
- Soothing skin rash
- Soothing insect bites
- As an antiseptic for cuts, bruises, and sores
- Relieving muscle sprains
#6 Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil has powerful antiseptic, antiviral, and pain-relieving properties. On a camping trip, it can come in very useful for:
- Clearing congestion
- Repelling insects
- Soothing rashes and bug bites
- As an antiseptic for cuts, sores, and wounds
- Relieving muscle cramps and stiffness
Special Note When Using Essential Oils For Camping
You should never use concentrated essential oils directly on your skin. These are very potent plant extracts and can irritate your skin when applied directly.
Mix 2-3 drops of your chosen essential oil with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil before topical application. The carrier oil helps to dilute the essential oil and prevent any adverse reaction.
Fractionated coconut oil is the best carrier oil for this purpose. Add one bottle of this oil to your camping first-aid kit for all topical applications.
You do not need to pack any carrier oil if you are using Essential Oil Roll-Ons as these are prediluted with the appropriate carrier oils.
Okay, here then are the 6 best essential oils for camping or even when you’re just spending time outdoors. Please scroll below to read the precautions.
Best Premade Essential Oil Roll-Ons to Add to Your Camping First-Aid Kit
These essential oil-based Roll-Ons are specially formulated for different purposes and will come in really handy on your camping trip.
Best Essential Oil Roll-Ons to Keep Bugs Away
Between the annoying bites and irritating itching, bug bites can turn a camping adventure into a nightmare. The products listed below are formulated to keep pesky bugs at bay without the harsh chemicals or overpowering smell of traditional bug sprays.
Bug Away Roll-On
Bug Away Roll-On is made from a combination of natural insect-repelling essential oils and skin-care essential oils in a base of 98% Fractionated Coconut Oil. This dilution makes it safe for topical application on children ages 2 and older.
It’s portable and easy to carry along whenever you and the kids are heading outdoors in summer. It’s easy to use too. Just roll it overexposed skin areas before heading out.
Nature Shield Synergy Roll-On
Nature Shield Synergy Roll-On contains a propriety combination of insect-repellent oils and skin-friendly oils diluted in Fractionated Coconut Carrier Oil to 5%. This combination creates a natural, effective barrier to shield you from nature’s outdoor annoyances, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor excursions without worry.
To keep bugs away, rub the Nature Shield Synergy Roll-On over bare arms, legs, and neck before heading outdoors.
Shield Me KidSafe Roll-On
Shield Me KidSafe Synergy Roll-On contains the same composition as Nature Shield but this roll-on uses essential oils from Plant Therapy’s KidSafe line.
This is the best insect repellent for kids. Rub the Shield Me KidSafe Synergy Roll-On over your child’s bare arms, legs, and neck before they dash out the door. It’s useful whether they are camping out on a campsite or playing in the backyard.
Best Essential Oil Roll-Ons to Soothe Bug Bites
Itch Away KidSafe Roll-On
Plant Therapy’s Itch Away KidSafe Roll-On is specially formulated to help relieve the itching, redness, swelling, and discomfort associated with bug bites and minor skin irritations.
Made from 100% pure KidSafe essential oil, the Itch Away Roll-On is safe for the whole family. Simply roll on the affected areas to calm the itchiness and discomfort.
One tube of Itch Away is all you need to enjoy your outdoor excursions.
Best Essential Oil Roll-Ons to Treat Minor Scrapes and Cuts
Better Than Kisses Roll-On
Better Than Kisses Roll-On is made from a combination of KidSafe essential oils and is specifically formulated for children between the ages 2-10 years old. The essential oils used work together to support rapid healing while soothing red, irritated or damaged skin.
Better Than Kisses Roll-On comes pre-diluted in Fractionated Coconut Oil and is ready for immediate use. Wash the affected area with soap and water before applying. When applied over the wound, it helps keep the affected area clean, reduces the appearance of redness and helps ease the perception of pain.
Best Essential Oil Roll-Ons for Tummy Upset
Tummy All Better KidSafe Roll-On
Tummy All Better KidSafe Roll-On is formulated to help soothe the occasional tummy trouble,. The refreshing scent of dill and subtle floral hints instantly helps to alleviate the feeling of upset tummies. Tummy All Better can be useful during long car rides or even for little ones that have trouble with regularity. You can inhale the blend to relieve queasiness or apply the Roll-On topically to help with digestive upset.
Roll Tummy All Better directly onto your child’s abdomen, massaging gently in a downward clockwise motion.
One last but important note about packing essential oils in your camping first aid kit
Essential oils are intended to complement the traditional items in your first-aid kit. They are not meant to substitute them entirely. It’s just as important to get immediate medical attention if anyone in your camping group is severely injured or sick.
Have you had any experience with using essential oils while camping? Do share your experience in the comments below.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your physician before using essential oils. See Full Disclaimer here.