On the other hand, most essential oils are quite inexpensive and have the added bonus that a prescription is not required. With essential oils you have the freedom of where to shop, how much to pay, and how to use them. You can dilute essential oils in a carrier oil or salve, use them in a compress, or diffuse them, or use them in a myriad of other ways suitable to your situation.
With that in mind, today I want to answer one of the most frequently asked questions I get regarding essential oils: what are the best essential oils to set aside for my survival kit? In other words, what are the specific "set it and forget it" oils that are on par with emergency food and water storage?
Nine Essential Oils for the Long Term Survival Kit
There are many factors that have gone into my choices, including an oil's versatility and its ability to resolve multiple woes. I have also taken into consideration price and shelf life. More about that in bit; but first, here is my own list of the nine best essential oils for the long-term survival kit along with my top 4 uses for each of them.
1. Lavender
Treats cuts, scrapes, and burns and works to promote healing2. Peppermint
Induces calm, relieves anxiety and stress, promotes sleep
Eliminates the sting of bug bites
Relieves pain and soreness caused by sprains and muscle aches
For more uses: The Miracle of Lavender Oil: 25 Amazing Uses for Survival
Resource: Lavender Essential Oil
Relieves headache pain3. Melaleuca (Tea Tree)
Topical treatment of allergies
Repels ants, spiders, mice and other pests from home and garden
Treats digestive disorders such as heartburn, bloating, indigestion, and constipation
For more uses: The Miracle of Peppermint Oil: 20 Practical Uses for Survival
Resource: Peppermint Essential Oil
Use as an antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial and fungicide. Kills germs and prevents infection!
Eliminate mold and mildew
Fights colds, sinus infections, respiratory ailments and bronchitis4. Rosemary
Treats wounds
Resource: Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil
Improve concentration and memory plus provide increased mental and physical stimulation5. Frankincense
Relive anxiety and stress by calming and relaxing the nerves
Sooth and heal skin disorders by reduce itching, dryness and irritation
Treat respiratory problems and congestion through inhalation
For more uses: The Powerful Healing Qualities of Rosemary Essential Oil
Resource: Rosemary Essential Oil
Reduce inflammation and relieve conditions where pain and inflammation are present6. Clove
Heal wounds from cuts, scrapes, and burns
Mitigate depression and feelings of helplessness
Boost and supercharge the effectiveness of other essential oils when used in tandem or layered on top of other oils
For more uses: 22 Powerful Uses of Frankincense Essential Oil
Resource: Frankincense Essential Oil
Relieve toothaches and reduce the pain of canker sores and gum irritation7. Lemongrass
Disinfect hard surfaces and utensils
Freshen foul or stale air
Treat wounds, cuts, scabies, athlete's foot, fungal infections, bruises, prickly heat, insect bites and stings
For more uses: 20 Ways To Benefit from Clove Essential Oil
Resource: Clove Bud Essential Oil
Provide immediate relief to "clenched" and knotted tendons and muscles8. Roman Chamomile
Reduce fevers
Eliminate body odor and other foul smells
Reduce bacterial around the home by using it in DIY cleaning products
For more uses: 23 Awesome Uses for Lemongrass Essential Oil
Resource: Lemongrass Essential Oil
Promote sound sleep (especially when nothing else works!)9. Shield Protective Blend or other "Robber's Blend"
Create a sense of well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and fearfulness
Heal skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema
Treat nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and gas
Resource: Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Use as an effective hand sanitizerWhat About Shelf Life?
Blend into DIY cleaning products for extra disinfecting power
Create an anti-viral spray to eliminate both airborne and surface micro-organisms
Prevent or relieve the symptoms of colds and flu
Note: "Robber's Blend" can go by many names, including Shield, Thieves or simply "Protective Blend." The components are similar and include various amounts of clove bug, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary oil. Although you could make it yourself, having it ready-to-go in your survival kit will save you time and eliminate the need to store the variety of oils needed.
Resource: Shield Protective Blend
Something that preppers struggle with is shelf life, especially under climate conditions that are widely variable. This not only applies to food storage, but also to essential oils. That being said, essential oils have been known to stay viable for years, even when kept at room temperature.
The issue, so it seems, is that once opened, if not tightly sealed, they may evaporate or oxidize. Certain oils, and especially citrus oils and some coniferous essential oils, are rich in a hydrocarbon class called "terpenes" and tend to deteriorate more quickly.
The thing to remember is that in a survival situation, storage conditions will not be optimal. Besides evaporation, signs that your oils have degraded include a drastic change in aroma, intense thickening, and cloudiness. I personally have not had this occur with any of my oils, many of which are over five years old. In addition, I keep a bottle of lavender oil in my vehicle and even after sitting outside in the sun for the past six months, it smells as fresh as the day it was initially opened.
The Final Word
This article is in response to the many comments and emails I have received asking which oils I personally stockpile for the long term. This is that list; a list I like to call my "ultimate essential oil survival kit." In my experience, all of these oils have proven themselves over and over again in my own use, and, with the exception of Frankincense, are reasonably priced if not downright cheap.
My recommendation? When one of these oils goes on sale, purchase two or three and set them aside for the long term. If the stuff hits the fan, not only will food become scarce, so will medications and essential oils. In my own household, we are stockpiling both, with a heavy emphasis on essential oils. We do this with the blessing of our personal health care provider who is tracking our progress and weaning us from pharmaceuticals when practical.
As with all things related to survival first aid and healthcare, your mileage may vary. The best you can do is learn is much as you can now to determine what works best for you and your family. Something that works well on one person, may work differently on someone else. Use essential oils neat, in a diffuser, or diluted with a carrier oil or simple salve. Have fun with them and embrace the use of plant-based oils to foster good health!
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
About the author:
Gaye Levy started Backdoor Survival to share her angst and concern about our deteriorating economy and its impact on ordinary, middle-class folks. She also wanted to become a prepper of the highest order and to share her knowledge as she learned it along the way.
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