Maybe I've watched World War Z a few too many times, perhaps big pharma has lost my trust of late, or potentially the CDC's Zombie Apocalypse preparation post freaked me out more than I'd to admit, but in the face of an impending zombie apocalypse or any other disaster scenario, being prepared wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

While you may have stockpiled food, water, weapons, and a few bottles of vodka, a well-equipped medicine cabinet to address common health issues should definitely be on your list of dooms-day things-to-do.

Natural home remedies can be valuable assets when conventional medical assistance is unavailable, so we've put together a comprehensive list of natural home remedies, explaining why they are helpful, how to store them, and what they can help to heal should Sean of the Dead becomes a reality shi*t-show near you.

These remedies, including aloe vera gel, honey, tea tree oil, lavender essential oil, ginger, echinacea, apple cider vinegar, activated charcoal, Epsom salt, calendula, peppermint oil, and cayenne pepper, can address a wide range of health issues, from minor wounds to stress and digestive problems.

Remember to educate yourself on how to use these remedies properly and responsibly, as their effectiveness can vary based on individual circumstances.

ALOE VERA GEL

Why It's Helpful: Aloe vera gel is renowned for its soothing properties. It can be used to treat minor burns, sunburns, and skin irritations. In a chaotic situation, maintaining proper hygiene can be challenging, and aloe vera can help prevent infection when applied to minor wounds.

How to Store It: Aloe vera gel can be stored in an airtight container or purchased in pre-packaged tubes or bottles.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Aloe vera helps to heal burns and skin irritations by reducing inflammation and promoting skin cell regeneration. Apply it directly to the affected area for relief.

HONEY

Why It's Helpful: Honey possesses natural antibacterial properties and can act as a wound dressing. It's also an excellent source of energy and can help boost morale during trying times.

How to Store It: Store honey in a cool, dark place in a sealed container to prevent crystallization.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Honey can help heal wounds by keeping them moist, creating an environment where bacteria struggle to thrive. Apply honey directly to minor wounds and cover with a bandage.

TEA TREE OIL

Why It's Helpful: Tea tree oil is a potent natural antiseptic. It can be used to clean wounds, treat fungal infections, and help with insect bites and stings.

How to Store It: Store tea tree oil in a dark, glass container in a cool, dry place.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Tea tree oil can be diluted with water and used to clean wounds, helping to prevent infection. It also relieves itching and discomfort associated with insect bites and stings.

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

Why It's Helpful: Lavender essential oil has calming and soothing properties. It can be used to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and even provide pain relief.

How to Store It: Store lavender essential oil in a dark, glass bottle in a cool, dry place.

What It Helps to Heal and How: In a high-stress situation, inhaling the scent of lavender essential oil can help calm nerves and reduce anxiety. A few drops on a cloth or tissue can be used as a makeshift aromatherapy tool.

GINGER

Why It's Helpful: Ginger has potent anti-nausea properties and can alleviate motion sickness, morning sickness, and nausea caused by various factors, including food poisoning.

How to Store It: Ginger can be stored as fresh rhizomes in a cool, dry place or as powdered ginger in an airtight container.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Ginger can be steeped into a tea to ease nausea or consumed directly in small quantities. It helps by calming the stomach and reducing inflammation.

ECHINACEA

Why It's Helpful: Echinacea is a well-known immune booster. It can help fend off common illnesses and infections, which is crucial during a crisis when access to medical care may be limited.

How to Store It: Echinacea can be grown in your garden and harvested when needed. Alternatively, it can be purchased in various forms, including dried herbs and tinctures, and stored in a cool, dark place.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Echinacea can be consumed as a tea or tincture to strengthen the immune system and reduce the severity and duration of colds and infections.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Why It's Helpful: Apple cider vinegar is a versatile remedy with numerous health benefits. It can be used as an antiseptic, digestive aid, and skin toner.

How to Store It: Keep apple cider vinegar in a sealed glass bottle in a cool, dark place.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Apple cider vinegar can be diluted with water and applied to minor cuts and scrapes to disinfect and promote healing. It can also be consumed in diluted form to aid digestion and boost overall health.

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

Why It's Helpful: Activated charcoal is a powerful detoxifier and can be used to treat poisoning by adsorbing toxins in the digestive tract.

How to Store It: Store activated charcoal in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.

What It Helps to Heal and How: In case of accidental poisoning, activated charcoal can be mixed with water and consumed to help absorb toxins before they are absorbed into the bloodstream.

EPSOM SALT

Why It's Helpful: Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a versatile remedy for muscle aches, stress relief, and constipation.

How to Store It: Epsom salt should be stored in a sealed container in a dry place.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Dissolve Epsom salt in warm water for a soothing bath that can relieve sore muscles and promote relaxation. It can also be ingested in small quantities to relieve constipation.

CALENDULA

Why It's Helpful: Calendula is a potent natural remedy for skin issues. It can be used to treat wounds, skin irritations, and even diaper rash in case of young children.

How to Store It: Calendula can be grown in your garden and harvested when needed. Alternatively, it can be purchased in various forms, including dried flowers and salves, and stored in a cool, dark place.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Calendula can be infused in oil and used as a healing balm for skin issues. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it effective for wound care.

PEPPERMINT OIL

Why It's Helpful: Peppermint oil has a variety of uses, including relieving headaches, reducing nausea, and providing relief from respiratory issues.

How to Store It: Store peppermint oil in a dark glass bottle in a cool, dry place.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Peppermint oil can be diluted and applied to the temples to alleviate headaches or added to hot water for inhalation to relieve congestion and respiratory discomfort.

CAYENNE PEPPER

Why It's Helpful: Cayenne pepper is a natural pain reliever and can be used topically to alleviate muscle and joint pain.

How to Store It: Store dried cayenne pepper in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

What It Helps to Heal and How: Cayenne pepper can be mixed with oil to create a homemade pain-relieving balm. Its active component, capsaicin, works by reducing the perception of pain.