Nature's toolkit: Essential oils for your survival and emergency preparedness

By hrseditor // 2025-08-12

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Essential oils are natural, long-lasting and multi-purpose. Extracted from plants, they offer powerful health-supporting benefits, making them ideal for survival kits.
Some of the best essential oils for emergencies are lavender (stress relief), lemon (disinfectant) and peppermint (energy boost, cooling effect).
Essential oils can repel insects, deter pests and provide mild sun protection when mixed with carrier oils.
Always dilute oils before skin application, avoid ingestion (unless food-grade) and keep them away from pets and children.
Small and portable, essential oils provide a natural alternative to synthetic medications and supplies in emergencies.

When preparing for emergencies, most people think of food, water and first aid supplies. But one often overlooked item is essential oils. These potent plant extracts have been used for thousands of years for their potency and many health-supporting properties. Lightweight, long-lasting and versatile, essential oils can be a game-changer in survival situations, outdoor adventures and everyday preparedness. (h/t to ThrivingThroughItAll.com)

Why essential oils belong in your survival kit

Essential oils are natural, concentrated extracts from plants that are taken from leaves, flowers, bark, roots and seeds. Plants produce these oils to protect themselves from pests, infections and environmental stress, and these are benefits that humans can harness as well. Here’s why they’re a smart addition to any emergency kit:

Long shelf life – Unlike medications that expire, high-quality essential oils can last for years if stored properly.
Multi-purpose uses – From first aid to natural insect repellent, they serve multiple functions in survival scenarios.
Compact and portable – A small bottle takes up minimal space but offers powerful benefits.
Natural and chemical-free – For those avoiding synthetic products, essential oils provide a plant-based alternative.

Top essential oils for survival and emergency preparedness

Here are some of the best essential oils for your prepping stockpile:

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oil, making it a must-have for any survival kit. Uses:

Helps reduce stressful feelings – In high-stress situations, using lavender for aromatherapy can help reduce stressful feelings.
Helps clean wounds – Thanks to its natural antiseptic properties, lavender essential oil can be used to clean minor cuts, burns and scrapes.
Promotes restful sleep – Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil on a pillow or a diffuser can support deep and restful sleep in unfamiliar environments.

Lemon

Lemon essential oil is a powerhouse for purification. Uses:

Disinfects surfaces – Mix lemon essential oil with water to clean tools, gear or hands when soap isn’t available.

Note that lemon oil is phototoxic. This means you should avoid sun exposure after applying it to your skin to prevent burns.

Peppermint

Peppermint oil is a must for outdoor enthusiasts due to its cooling and invigorating effects. Uses:

Helps with fatigue – A quick sniff of peppermint essential oil can help reduce feelings of fatigue during long hikes or stressful situations.

You can also mix 10 drops of peppermint oil with four ounces of water in a spray bottle for a cooling mist on hot days.

Practical survival uses for essential oils

Here are some practical ways to use essential oils at home or in survival scenarios

Natural insect repellent

Commercial bug sprays often contain harsh chemicals, but essential oils offer a safe alternative. To make DIY bug repellent, combine 50 drops of citronella, lavender or eucalyptus oil with four tablespoons of carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba). Store the mixture in a glass bottle. Apply the DIY bug spray to pulse points in your wrists, ankles or behind the ears to repel mosquitoes and ticks.

Ant and pest deterrent

No one wants bugs near their food or shelter. A simple spray can keep them away. Combine 35 drops each of clove and peppermint oil, then add four ounces of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the ant and pest deterrent around entry points, gear or picnic areas.

DIY skin protector

While not a replacement for high-SPF sunscreen, some essential oils offer mild UV protection. Combine five to ten drops of lavender or carrot seed oil with one ounce of coconut oil. Pour into a glass bottle. Apply the essential oil sun protector to exposed skin. This mixture is best for short sun exposure.

How to use essential oils safely in survival situations

Keep these tips in mind to ensure that you use essential oils safely:

Dilute before applying

Most oils should be mixed with a carrier oil, like coconut or almond oil, to prevent skin irritation.

Avoid ingestion

Essential oils shouldn't be ingested unless you are using food-grade products. Remember that some oils are toxic if swallowed, so stick to aromatherapy or topical use unless certified safe.

Keep away from pets and children

Some oils, like tea tree or eucalyptus, can be harmful to animals and young kids.

Store properly

Keep essential oils in dark glass bottles away from heat to preserve potency. Essential oils may seem like a luxury, but their versatility and health-supporting properties make them a valuable asset in emergencies. For preppers, outdoor adventurers or anyone looking for natural, multi-use solutions, adding a few key essential oils is a simple yet powerful way to be prepared.

Where to buy lab-verified essential oils for your survival kit

The Health Ranger Store is committed to helping you prepare for any emergency. That’s why we’re proud to introduce an assortment of clean and lab-verified essential oils, such as Organic Lavender Essential Oil, Organic Lemon Essential Oil and Organic Peppermint Essential Oil. Health Ranger's Organic Lavender Essential Oil is carefully extracted from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia through steam distillation. It has a distinct floral scent, marked by sweet herbal nuances and rich green accents that will transport your mind to a fragrant lavender field. Freshen your home, linens and clothes by placing a few drops of this purified essential oil in your diffuser, wardrobe or on your mattress. To relieve stress and keep you more grounded and focused, add this fragrant essential oil to your bath water and enjoy a luxurious lavender bubble bath. You can also try Health Ranger's Organic Lemon Essential Oil, a potent, all-natural food grade oil that is extracted from the peel of the Citrus limon fruit. Its powerful natural cleansing properties and refreshing aroma make it ideal for use as a non-toxic cleaner or air freshener. We also offer Health Ranger's Organic Peppermint Essential Oil, which is extracted by steam-distilling the leaves and topmost flowers of the Mentha x piperita plant, a hybrid species of spearmint and water mint. Our peppermint essential oil also contain high concentrations of menthol (50 to 60 percent) and menthone (10 to 30 percent), which are known for their invigorating, energizing and cooling properties. Health Ranger's Organic Peppermint Essential Oil can be used topically or for aromatherapy to support your overall health and well-being. You can also use it to keep your breath fresh or to freshen your home naturally. Health Ranger's Organic Lavender Essential Oil, Organic Lemon Essential Oil and Organic Peppermint Essential Oil are all certified organic and contain no additives or synthetic chemicals. They are thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. Visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store to find more prepping products for your stockpile and survival kit. Click on this link to learn more about emergency food myths and facts. Watch this clip about Organic Lavender, Lemon and Rosemary Essential Oils and how they can help support healthy skin. This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

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