Wondering which are the best essential oils for camping? Here are my top 6 picks!

Camping season is here! It’s a wonderful time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. The fresh air, tall trees, campfires, hiking trails, and roasted marshmallows all call to me in the summertime.

However, along with the fresh air and tall trees come insects. Along with the campfires sometimes come burns. Along with the hiking trails may come blisters or sprains. When you are roughin’ it in the bush, there are more opportunities for injuries and accidents.

I use essential oils daily around my home, so when I am getting ready for a camping trip, I know I need to pack some of them in my duffle bag as well. They are just too useful to leave at home.

So many essential oils have natural healing properties which mean they make excellent additions to a natural first aid kit.

These are my picks for the six best essential oils for camping:

(For suggestions of methods of application, see below.)

1. Chamomile

Chamomile is known for its soothing qualities, so it makes sense that chamomile essential oil would be an especially functional choice for camping woes. It is pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, just to name a few properties. Chamomile essential can be used for:

• alleviating blisters
• healing cuts and sores
• soothing insect bites
• calming rashes
• treating sprains and strains in ligaments, muscles, or tendons

2. Citronella*

I’m sure you have seen those citronella candles and torches to keep the mosquitoes away, right? Well, they don’t work well because they are only citronella scented. Using the actual essential oil will provide better results. Citronella essential oil can be used for:

• repelling insects, especially mosquitoes

3. Eucalyptus*†

Eucalyptus essential oil is pain relieving, antiseptic, and antiviral. It can be used for:

• repelling insects
• healing wounds

4. Fennel

I usually think of upset stomachs when I think of fennel, but it turns out it also has another ability that is more geared toward camping incidents. (And if you happen to experience some stomach discomfort while camping, you are covered for that too.)

Fennel essential oil is anti-inflammatory and a circulatory stimulant, which means it can be used for:

• treating bruises

5. Lavender

Definitely one of the most versatile essential oils, you totally should pack your bottle of lavender! This stuff does everything! It is antimicrobial and antiseptic while also relieving pain and promoting healing. Lavender essential oil can be used for:

• alleviating blisters
• treating bruises
• soothing burns (including sunburns!)
• healing cuts and sores
• soothing insect bites
• repelling insects
• calming rashes
• healing wounds
• relieving muscle cramps and stiffness
• treating sprains and strains in ligaments, muscles, or tendons

6. Tea Tree

Another versatile essential oil, tea tree will have many of your camping bases covered. It’s definitely one of the best essential oils for camping in my opinion. It is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial which makes it the perfect choice for keeping clean and sanitary. Tea tree essential oil can be used for:

• keeping blisters clean
• healing cuts and sores
• soothing insect bites
• healing wounds

*Safety note: Citronella and eucalyptus essential oils are not recommended for use while pregnant by some sources. Check with a professional and always exercise caution.

†Safety note: Eucalyptus essential oil is not recommended for use on children under 6 years old. For older children, the essential oil should be diluted twice as much.

Note: In today’s day and age it’s important to be aware of the risk of tick-borne illnesses. Here’s an important article on natural tick treatment.

I created this chart to make it easy to reference which essential oils to use for which camping concerns. You can also look at it to determine the best essential oils to blend together for a particular remedy.

Methods of Application

Massage

For a small travel size bottle, use about 6-10 drops of essential oil to 10 mL (2 teaspoons) carrier oil to make a therapeutic oil. My go-to carrier oils are grapeseed oil and sweet almond oil.

Gently applied massage oil would be an effective treatment for blisters, bruises, cuts and sores, rashes, wounds, muscle cramps and stiffness, and sprains and strains.

Cold Compress

This may be more difficult to do while out camping, but if you have the supplies it is highly effective. To make a compress, add 5 drops of essential oil to 1 cup of water (as cold as possible, like an ice pack). Soak a cloth in this solution then ring it out. Place the cloth on the affected area until the cloth goes back to regular temperature.

A cold compress can help relieve bruises, burns, cuts and sores, rashes, wounds, muscle cramps and stiffness, and sprains and strains.

Spray

Combine 125 mL (1/2 cup) distilled water with 20-40 drops of essential oils in a small spray bottle. Spray onto body. Then spray onto hands to apply to your face to avoid getting it in your eyes.

An essential oil blend spray would be effective for use as an insect repellent, but will be need to be reapplied more often than a conventional bug spray, so keep it handy. (Check out: DIY Insect Repellent Spray with Essential Oils)

You can take charge of your health and wellness while you are away from home. Pack these six best essential oils for camping on your next trip, and you will be able to enjoy your time knowing that you can deal with whatever comes your way.

Related: 10 Tips For Camping With Young Kids

Now get out there and relish the great outdoors!