*Disclaimer:
The information provided here is for suggested use. This is not medical advice. Use at your risk. The authors do not take any responsibility for using the ideas presented here. These are natural treatments for common problems, not for medical emergencies. As always, do your research and talk to a medical provider before using. The treatments outlined are suggested for use in line with a normal first aid kit, and compliment it.*
 

Trail Issues:

Owie! Stinging Nettles?
You fall into a bed of stinging nettles while trying to reach a bush of berries. It itches like crazy! What to do?
Look next to the nettles for your answer:
The fern bush. Quite often it grows next to it. Tear off a piece, crush it a bit, and use the underside of the leaf, rubbing it gently over the area affected.
No ferns? Is there mud nearby? Smear mud on the affected area, allow to dry then dust off.
A simple paste of baking soda and water will also work. This can be easily mixed up in a small ziploc snack sized bag, and applied. Allow to dry, then wash off or brush off.

Owie! Bee/Hornet Sting?
As long as you are not allergic to bee stings, they are just painful bothers to get. It isn't fun getting stung, especially while hiking. Your first priority is to remove the stinger by scraping. A credit card or drivers license can work in a pinch. So can tweezers. As with nettles, you can turn off the pain with a baking soda paste smeared on. No matter what though, take it easy if you get one. It takes a while for the pain to go down!
A drop of Lavender Essential oil can also be applied to help with the stinging and itchiness.

Obnoxious Plants is a neat resource on plants sent to us by Ms. Doolittle.

Upset trail stomach from too many freeze dried meals?
Take along a few packets of chamomile tea. Not only is it good for sleep, it helps get you hydrated and helps sooth your stomach. (Hydration is very key to staying "regular" on the trail as well!) A packet of honey only sweetens the deal.

Hate DEET, but the bugs won't leave you alone?
Make your own insect-off mix (topical use only!):
Combine:
2 ounces of Witch Hazel
10 drops Cedarwood essential oil
5 drops Patchouli oil
Carry in a small pump spray bottle with you. Apply as needed.
Do keep an eye out for old hippie guys though.........

Making blisters better:
You are halfway thru a hike, and you ended up with bad blisters, that are now popping, and hurt badly. So what to do? First off, make sure they stay clean. Wash your feet and allow to air dry. Tamanu oil can be applied (1 or 2 drops) then covered with a clean bandage. For very effective coverage, use Bandaid Blister Block ones. They fill in the area where the blister was, and pad it. I have walked for miles and miles and not felt any pain with these on. While pricey, they are worth carrying them. Curad also makes silver infused bandages for blisters.

Make Your Own Sport/Electrolyte Drink Mixes:

Sport Drink:

10 tbs. sugar (5/8 cups or 120 grams)
3/4 tsp Morton Lite salt (4.2 grams)
1 package of unsweetened Coolade mix for flavor (ie...Koolaid or similar)
Water to make 2 liters

The recipe will give a total of 124 grams of solute which in 2 liters water gives a total of 6.2% concentration. For an 8 oz serving this gives:
14.2 grams carbohydrate (6%)
53 calories
103 mg Sodium
121 mg Potassium

You'll notice that the amount of potassium is quite a bit higher than Gatorade, but the rest is pretty close. If you wanted to reduce the potassium, another option would be to use 1/2 tsp. each of regular salt and the Morton Lite Salt. This would change it to:
104mg sodium
40mg potassium

From Seattle Weekly I came across these recipes. I have posted the recipes themselves, but for all the information and help, please visit the link provided and visit the column and support Seattle Weekly! By Jonathan Kauffman:

Energy (or "tropical citrus" flavor Vitamin Water):
2½ cups (20 ounces) filtered or distilled water
¼ teaspoon Nature's Path Buffered C powder
¼ teaspoon Twinlab Super B Complex liquid vitamins
3/8 capsule of Natural brand guarana seed extract
3 tablespoons (1 ounce) crystalline fructose

Power C ("dragonfruit"):
2½ cups filtered or distilled water
½ teaspoon Buffered C powder1
¼ teaspoon Super B Complex2
1/5 drop AquaChrome chromium 1/16 teaspoon NOW taurine
Several shavings off a Country Life 50-milligram zinc tablet
3 tablespoons (1 ounce) crystalline fructose

Focus ("kiwi-strawberry"):
2½ cups filtered or distilled water
¼ teaspoon Buffered C powder1
1/8–1/12 teaspoon Super B complex
1 small drop from a Nature's Life 20-milligram lutein capsule
3 tablespoons (1 ounce) crystalline fructose

Perform ("lemon-lime"):
2½ cups filtered or distilled water
1 packet Emergen-C multivitamin formula
2½ tablespoons crystalline fructose