Emergency medicine: How to make your own first-aid antiseptic at home using natural ingredients

06/02/2025 / By Evangelyn Rodriguez

Amid rising antibiotic resistance and distrust of synthetic medications, people (especially preppers) are turning to natural wound-care solutions using accessible herbs and ingredients.
Ancient traditions (e.g., honey in Egyptian medicine, yarrow in Native American practices) are supported by modern research, such as studies on honey’s antibacterial properties and coconut oil’s lauric acid, which can fight pathogens.
A WWII-era recipe from The Home Doctor combines beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E and essential oils (tea tree, lavender, lemon) for a chemical-free ointment with antibacterial, antifungal and skin-healing benefits.
Made with all-natural ingredients, this antiseptic ointment can be used to treat cuts/scrapes and will last up to four years if stored in a cool, dark place.
The resurgence of natural medicine aligns with prepper movements, distrust of monopolies and concerns over antibiotic-resistant superbugs, offering a sustainable alternative in crisis scenarios.

In an era where synthetic medications dominate pharmacy shelves, a growing number of people are turning to time-tested natural remedies for wound care. Preppers, in particular, know to trust in the power of medicinal herbs and their valuable components – all readily available resources that can be harnessed for free by people who know where to look and what to look for.

This article serves as a guide for preppers, especially beginners, who wish to learn how to make effective first-aid solutions that are free of harmful chemicals. With antibiotic resistance on the rise and economic instability driving interest in homesteading skills, this guide provides timely knowledge for anyone looking to bolster their medical self-sufficiency.

The science behind natural antiseptics

Natural antiseptics have been used for millennia, with ancient Egyptians applying honey to wounds and Native Americans harnessing the natural antimicrobial properties of plants like yarrow and calendula. (Related: Revolutionizing health: The enduring impact of Murray and Pizzorno’s “Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.”)

Modern research supports these traditions. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that honey’s high sugar content and enzymatic hydrogen peroxide production can inhibit bacterial growth.

Similarly, coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has proven effective against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. Preppers can combine these time-tested ingredients with essential oils such as tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), which is known for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, to make effective natural alternatives to modern medicine.

Recipe for a homemade antiseptic ointment

This comprehensive recipe shared by PrepperFortress.com was taken from a book called “The Home Doctor,” a compilation of medicinal and herbal recipes developed to help people overcome chronic diseases and maladies in a safe and purely natural way.

The Home Doctor is a direct copy of the little notebook carried around by the author’s grandfather, who was taught herbalism and healing while in active service during World War II. The author claims that his grandfather treated many soldiers using homemade cures like tinctures and tonics that are described in this little notebook.

The recipe below makes use of powerful natural ingredients such as beeswax, coconut oil, tea tree oil and lemon and lavender essential oils that are known to have antibacterial properties. Here is the complete recipe for making your very own all-natural antiseptic ointment:

Ingredients

1-1/2 ounces beeswax, grated
1 Cup Coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil for skin healing
1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil
20 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions

Grate 1-1/2 ounces of beeswax using a cheese grater or simply slice thinly with a knife.
Add 1 cup coconut oil and the grated beeswax to a pot.
Heat the coconut oil and beeswax over low heat or using a double boiler until they turn into liquid. Remove from heat and add the tea tree oil, vitamin E oil and essential oils and stir briefly.
Pour the mixture into sterilized jars (you can boil them for 10 minutes or run them through your dishwasher). You can use baby food jars or mason jars. Let the mixture cool on the counter.
Store in a cool, dark place. Use as needed on cuts, scrapes and abrasions. This antiseptic ointment can last four years if stored properly.

The resurgence of natural medicine reflects broader cultural shifts, such as the growing public distrust in monopolies, the rise of the “prepper” movement, and concerns over antibiotic-resistant superbugs. A 2016 analysis published by the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – established by U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron in 2014 – has warned that by 2050, drug-resistant infections could cause 10 million annual deaths globally. Homemade alternatives like this antiseptic ointment offer a proactive solution, particularly for remote or crisis scenarios where medical supplies are scarce.

Interested in learning how to make other natural remedies for your medicine cabinet? Visit EmergencyMedicine.news for more recipes.

Watch the following video to learn how to make a homemade natural antibiotic ointment that can also relieve pain.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.