Outdoors.
Scratches.
Scrapes.
Cuts.
Abrasions.
Herbal Antiseptic Wash.
Here’s a recipe for an herbal antiseptic wound spray that you can trust to clean out minor scrapes and scratches properly.
When applied to broken skin, it works just as well — better in my opinion — than any store-bought antiseptic wound spray…and naturally prevents infection from setting in.
Herbs and Their Properties
Among the blessings of the plant kingdom, there are several different herbs and flowers that contain highly antiseptic properties and are known as potent germ-killers.
For example:
- Calendula flowers — anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-microbial, anti-fungal
- Sage — anti-microbial, astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-viral
- Yarrow — anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, astringent
- Thyme — anti-septic, anti-viral, astringent
- Lavender — anti-septic, soothing
- Goldenseal Root — anti-bacterial, antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial
- Tea Tree — anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-septic
***Note: Above information obtained from Practical Herbalism: Ordinary Plants with Extraordinary Powers
Making an Antiseptic Wound Spray can easily be done at home…
…one that is soothing, healing, and safe for use on the whole family.
Here’s how!
First-Aid Antiseptic Spray
Ingredients
* Use homegrown or organic ingredients whenever possible.
- 4 ounces aloe vera
- 2 ounces witch hazel infused with calendula flowers, sage leaves, thyme leaves and flowers, yarrow, and/or goldenseal root
- 2 ounces lavender hydrosol (flower water)
- 1 teaspoon castile soap, liquid
- 5 drops grapefruit seed extract, optional
- 20 drops lavender essential oils
- 15 drops tea tree oil
- 5 drops thyme essential oils
- 5 drops myrrh essential oils
Method
- Gather the plant material you will be using based on affordability and availability — either dried or fresh, or a mix of both…I use garden-fresh as often as possible.
- Place herbs and flowers into a glass jar. Pour enough liquid witch hazel extract over the plant material to cover it completely. Note: Proceed using these basic tincturing methods for making an herb-infused witch hazel.
- Once the witch hazel is tinctured, gather remaining ingredients.
- In a glass jar, combine all ingredients.
- Shake jar vigorously to mix.
- Pour mixture into a dark or colored mister/spray bottle.
- Label with name, contents, and date.
- Spray is shelf-stable for 1-2 years depending on quality of raw materials used.
- Keep away from heat and direct sunlight.
To Use
Use this First-Aid Antiseptic Spray to help prevent contamination and skin infection — and for relief of pain associated with minor scrapes, abrasions, burns, cuts, and other skin irritations. Spray directly on to wounds to clean.
For added herbal wound healing, apply a thin layer of Herbal Miracle Balm or an herbal First-Aid Ointment before covering with a clean bandage.
Warnings
For external use only. Not for deep/puncture type wounds. Likewise, if you have a wound that doesn’t improve with the use of the herbal antiseptic…it is vital that you stop using the spray and go see a doctor immediately. This could indicate a more serious infection and you need to consult a professional.
Where Can I Get This Stuff?
–Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need for this remedy! I LOVE the quality of their oils and essential oils. It’s your one-stop-shop!
–The Bulk Herb Store also carries a few of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.
–From Nature With Love likewise carries a HUGE selection of high-quality raw materials.
I do have this Herbal First-Aid Antiseptic Spray
available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.
Click here to visit the Marketplace…
Thanks for the info…love this idea!!
You’re very welcome:) It’s a must-have in my house — especially with all the little’s running around! Enjoy!
I could not locate it on your etsy site? I looked under both names you provide with no luck. How do I find to purchase?
Hello,
First, thank you for offering these recipes, I always appreciate them! I have a question, I hope it isn’t too dumb (I know, no dumb questions, right?): What is the purpose of the castile soap? I realize of course that soap cleanses, but since this isn’t meant to be washed off with water after applying, I guess I’m a little confused about leaving it on the wound. Thanks in advance!
No dumb question:) When using this spray — especially with my children — I always spray it on and then wipe or rinse the wound with water to be sure and clean it thoroughly. Every wound should be cleaned out well to prevent infection. Because most of what I spend my time caring for are wounds from falling outside and/or bicycle accidents, this spray really helps remove dirt and blood from the broken skin — much better than water alone.
Auggg! I *just* placed an order with Mt Rose 2 days before I saw this. I’m still new to all this, so I only have a few of these on hand. With my 4 and 2 year old out climbing and exploring, I’m sure I will use it often. Now I’ll get to try my hand at making my first tincture!! (Now I have to find the patience to wait until the next new moon). Is there any way you could add a “Pin it” button at the bottom of the emails! You put out so many great ideas, I want to keep them all in one place for easy reference! Thank you so much!!
Try using Evernote
I am very glad i subscribed to your blog, I enjoy all your posts as they are so informative. You may have addressed this before but, I would like to know your thoughts on essential oils and wether they are organic or not. Would essential oils have a potential to carry concentrated amounts of pesticides in them. I was wondering if maybe the processing of I think steam distillation would remove these chemicals…?
I looked under both names and could not locate this product on your Etsy site. Where is it located?
http://www.etsy.com/listing/151824341/herbal-first-aid-spray-2-ounces
Good morning! Thank you for this recipe. I have one question–could this be tinctured using alcohol instead of witch hazel extract? I realize the alcohol may add a bit of a sting to cleaning the wound. Just wondering. Thank you and God bless.
Is this using aloe vera gel, or juice? I would assume juice, since it’s in a spray bottle, but the recipe doesn’t specify.
When you click the aloe vera link in the recipe it leads you to a gel to purchase.
What is the quantity of the flowers, leaves and root that go with the two ounces of witch hazel?
This sounds amazing but what quantity of calendula flowers, sage leaves, thyme leaves and flowers, yarrow, and/or goldenseal root is to be used to infuse the witch hazel?