It Takes Time

Natural living, one step at a time

Navigation
  • Home
  • Natural Living
    • House
    • Beauty
    • Foodie
    • By Kids for Kids
  • DIY
  • Recipes
  • Natural Health
    • Dental
    • Gut Health
    • Detox
    • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Unseen Reality
    • Microbes & Mold
    • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • About Andrea

Natural Band Aid




Yum

August 14, 2014 by Andrea Fabry 35 Comments

This all natural version of the Band-Aid comes in a variety of sizes and widths – and it’s edible! (Prior to using of course.)

Got Kombucha?  Extra SCOBY? Enjoy Natural Living? Try These Incredible Edible Band-Aids @naturalliving

Your first step is to obtain a kombucha SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast). These are simple to grow if you have access to store-bought kombucha. (See How to Grow Your Own SCOBY.)

Kombucha SCOBY for Incredible Edible Band-Aids

 

If you have a friend who makes kombucha no doubt he or she will be more than willing to share. SCOBYs reproduce rapidly and no one wants to throw away a perfectly good SCOBY.

How to make this natural band aid

Your next step is to dehydrate the SCOBY. It requires approximately 4 hours in the dehydrator or a bit more time if dried in the sun.

Once the SCOBY is dried it will feel like leather. It’s quite sturdy! I’ve seen jackets made with kombucha SCOBYs.

Cut to desired shape and place on an area of need. Ā I would not suggest this for a deep wound, but it works great for simple scratches, cuts, irritations and rashes. Think of all those beneficial microbes protecting you from airborne pathogens! (Moisten each end to get the band-aid to stick. You can also add the first-aid tape if needed.)

My greatest success with the Incredible Edible Band-Aid was a recent lesion on my foot. I purchased my first pair of Earth Runners (a healthy alternative to traditional running shoes), and because of an extreme toe strap sensitivity I encountered an immediate problem. I continued to break them in while allowing time for the big toe area to heal. I tried the dried SCOBY and wrapped it around the strap. It worked like a charm!

SCOBY Band Aid Earth Runner 2

How do these Incredible Edible Band-Aids taste? Well, they’re a little “tough” but virtually tasteless. Our dog Tebow loves dried or raw SCOBY.

Oh, and did I mention that used Incredible Edible Band-Aids are 100% biodegradable?

What are your thoughts on the Incredible Edible Band-Aid? I’d love to hear!

 

Related Posts

  • 10 Alternative Uses for Kombucha
    43
    10 Alternative Uses for KombuchaOnce you start making kombucha, you'll find yourself with more than you need. Or it goes too long and turns to vinegar. What can you do besides throw the excess away? Ā 10 Alternative Uses for Kombucha FOOD I find that I can easily substitute kombucha for whey in virtually any…
    Tags: kombucha, scobys, scoby
  • How To Grow Your Own Kombucha SCOBY
    36
    How To Grow Your Own Kombucha SCOBYWould you like to start making your own kombucha but want to bypass an online purchase? You can easily grow your own kombucha SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) using store-bought kombucha! For my SCOBY, I purchased kombucha commonly found in health food stores as well as popular grocery…
    Tags: kombucha, scoby

Filed Under: DIY, microbes and mold, Natural Living Tagged With: all natural, band-aid, band-aids, DIY, DIY first aid, kombucha, natural, scoby, scobys

« How to Make Your Own Liquid Stevia
First Month on the GAPS Diet »

Comments

  1. Angela Burch says

    August 14, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    I think it’s an awesome idea, Andrea!

    I’ve used SCOBYs for my cuts, scrapes, rashes, etc. Never thought to dry them first, though, so thanks for the idea!

    šŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 15, 2014 at 8:14 am

      They do work well when they’re not dried too. I should mention that in the post. Thanks Angela (as always)!

      Reply
  2. Chrystal Johnson says

    August 18, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    I have so many extra SCOBYs all of the time and have been meaning to try this. I’m glad it worked for you!

    Reply
  3. Jennifer @ GrowingUpTriplets.com says

    August 18, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    Wow! I’ve never thought to use my Scobys for this! The way my 2 year old triplets go through band-aids for their “owies”, though…I am going to try this! šŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 18, 2014 at 8:00 pm

      Imagine how your triplets will brag to their friends when they’re older, Jennifer.
      “Look what my mom gives us when we get an owie!” šŸ™‚

      Reply
  4. Raia says

    August 18, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    Well, you learn something new every day. Haha. Now I know what to do with all the scobys (or is it ‘scobies?’) I’ve been storing. šŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 18, 2014 at 8:22 pm

      SCOBIES looks better. I say SCOBYs but now I’m thinking twice about it. šŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Theresa L says

        August 19, 2014 at 4:52 pm

        Technically since SCOBY is an acronym, the plural is not scobies. Though I’m not sure if SCOBYs is right or not but it’s what I would use. Maybe it’s already plural like “deer” is

        Reply
        • Andrea Fabry says

          August 19, 2014 at 4:53 pm

          SCOBIES still looks better. But I agree more than likely SCOBYs. šŸ™‚

          Reply
  5. Shary says

    August 18, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    That’s amazing! I admit I’m both a little grossed out and a lot of intrigued. I have yet to brew my kombucha starter kit because I’m afraid of the darn things..!

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 19, 2014 at 8:44 am

      I was very daunted by them too, Shary. Once you’re over the hurdle you start to see the SCOBYs as your friend. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. heather says

    August 19, 2014 at 5:48 am

    filing this under “neatest ideas ever!!”

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 19, 2014 at 8:42 am

      šŸ™‚ Thanks, Heather.

      Reply
  7. Amy M says

    August 21, 2014 at 7:03 am

    This is an amazing idea! Plus then I will not have band-aid wrappers all over the floor when my little ones need a band-aid…:)

    Reply
  8. Kelly Bisciotti says

    August 22, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    This is fascinating to me! Definitely pinning and sharing for later as I’ve not made my own Kombucha yet!

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 22, 2014 at 5:42 pm

      You’re going to love kombucha! So much fun to make and you’ll already have a plan for your extra SCOBYs. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. Heather says

    August 23, 2014 at 10:37 am

    I love this idea bc we use essential oils for boo boos and never have anything to cover up the wound that won’t be affected by the oils. Thanks for the idea šŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 23, 2014 at 4:27 pm

      True about the oils, Heather!

      Reply
  10. Gina B says

    August 23, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    Why didn’t I even consider there’d be a natural solution for this! LOVE. Coolest thing ever šŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 23, 2014 at 4:27 pm

      Thanks Gina. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Diana Andersen says

    August 26, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    I do have a question, how long does a dried SCOBY last? I would love to use these band aids but Im not sure how to store them hehehehe since Im sure they are not going to be of any use if I have to dry it first….
    thanks for the information! My sister-in-law showed me the article and I so glad she did!

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 27, 2014 at 8:42 am

      Diana,
      These last indefinitely when dried. All microbes are contained and “dormant” – only water would bring back their activity. This makes it a positive thing if it gets wet while wearing it. Good healing microbes šŸ™‚

      Reply
  12. Jessica @ConveyAwareness says

    October 29, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    Maybe I missed this part but when the SCOBY is dried, how does it stay in place on the skin for the ‘band-aid?’

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      October 29, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      Great question, Jessica! I will add to the post. I moisten the end and it sticks to the other end or use first aid tape to help hold it in place. Depends on the nature of the wound. Most of the time moistening it has helped.

      Reply
  13. Leslie says

    April 1, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    Me again!
    Wondering how to dry a SCOBY if I don’t have a dehydrator. I put it on a plate, but it dried to the plate. I had to wet it again to get it off.
    Any suggestions?

    Thanks Andrea!
    Leslie

    Reply
    • Cori says

      June 28, 2018 at 2:00 pm

      A tad late for a response, I realize, but try using parchment paper, or if you don’t have any, wax paper.

      I prefer parchment paper as it has not been treated with paraffin wax.

      Anyway, parchment paper, like wax paper, acts as a release paper for food, so I do all my baking on it, and I have dehydrated many things as well. Works like a charm. Cookies and dried foods peel right off.

      Reply
      • Kim says

        August 17, 2018 at 4:26 pm

        Just curious…I’m trying a fresh (wet) SCOBY as a bandage on poison ivy using sedan wrap to hold it on. How long should I leave it there?

        Reply
        • Andrea Fabry says

          August 18, 2018 at 1:45 pm

          I don’t think you can overdo this. I think you’ll know, but I definitely have not tried it so I have no direct experience.

          Reply
  14. Priscilla says

    August 3, 2015 at 7:19 am

    How do you make those into dried dog treats? We have a lab and I would like to make some for her.

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 3, 2015 at 10:39 am

      I just put the SCOBY in the dehydrator (can be dried in the sun) and break it up. Tebow loves them!

      Reply
  15. Kim says

    September 4, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    Yea! Now I have something useful to do with my abundance of SCOBY,s. Thanks a bunch!

    Reply
  16. Deb says

    October 29, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    My doctor (environmental) is afraid of fermented foods, saying its too easy for them to mold.
    I’ve been on this path for only a year and my gut is still unstable.
    I have been making my own coconut yogurt and kefir and fermented a lovely apple chutney, as well as a couple of forays into sauerkraut.
    Have you had monarchs mold? Is it safe while I am still on the Candida diet?

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      October 29, 2015 at 7:04 pm

      As I understand it, Kahm’s yeast is normal and often shows up on beet kvass. I’ve not seen any mold on my ferments. I’m super careful to use an airlock for sauerkraut and kimchi. It sounds like you tolerate the ferments quite well. I would listen to your instincts and be attuned to your body’s needs – which sounds like you are doing.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Green Moms Network Week in Review says:
    August 22, 2014 at 4:41 am

    […] Here’s a mind blowing idea…edible band-aids! It Takes Time shares how to make these biodegradable and yes, edible band-aids. […]

    Reply
  2. 4 Things To Never Do With Your Extra SCOBY by Hybrid Rasta Mama says:
    August 28, 2014 at 8:15 am

    […] Incredible Edible Band Aids from Andrea at It Takes Time […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MEET ANDREA

I am a certified Building Biology Advocate, a former journalist, mother of nine, and avid CrossFitter who likes to think outside the box. After our family's health crisis in 2008, I learned to ask questions about what's in our food, our water, and our air. I hope to empower you as you seek to live safely in a complex world. Thankfully, small steps lead to big changes. Let's travel this road together, one step at a time.

Follow

Now Available on Amazon

10 Things I’ve Learned (The Hard Way)

1. The answer may be right in front of you.
2. Time is often the best medicine.
3. Speak kindly to yourself.
4. The air we breathe matters.
5. It's better to know than not know.
6. Relinquishment is a balm for the soul.
7. Symptoms will instruct if we listen.
8. Sometimes you're the expert.
9. Allow hindsight to move you forward.
10. The next step is enough.

The Connecting Place Latest Episode

Listen to "Behind the Scenes: Mold Questions" on Spreaker.

Popular Posts

DIY Deodorant Powder That Works

Beet Kvass

Looking for safe products?

Natural Living

Are you learning to cook with real food? Clean without chemicals? Use safer products on your skin? Natural living is fun and rewarding. Come join the fun!

Copyright 2023 It Takes Time - Andrea Fabry