The Importance of Herbal Medicine in Your Survival Medical Kit

How to Treat Your Conditions Naturally

Modern medicine is certainly a miracle, but have you ever considered what would happen if we didn’t have access to the technology physicians rely on? If we suddenly had no electricity, our society would immediately lose decades of medical advances in a single instant. That’s why every survivalist needs to be an extreme herbalist.

Our ancestors used herbal remedies for centuries. In fact, you could really say that herbs are the great-grandparents of many of the pharmaceutical drugs we rely on today. A lot of people still rely on natural herbal medicine to effectively treat

common ailments and injuries. If you want to be truly prepared for an emergency situation, you need to know how to use some basic herbs for first aid and medical intervention. Let’s take a look at some common questions about herbal remedies.

Including Herbal Medicine in a First Aid Kit

Including herbs is a great way to insure that your medical supplies are emergency proof. In other words, if technology runs out, you need a back up plan. Herbal remedies are a great choice because they will be much more accessible in a survival situation. If you need access to medical herbs, you can simply pick them from your garden or get them from your dried herb supply.

You can dry your own herbs or purchase dried herbs from an organic supply company. Avoid buying herbs from the grocery store, as they will not be as fresh and will most likely have pesticide residue.

Fresh or Dried Herbs?

Fresh herbs are always preferable because they have the highest potency. However, in some cases, that just won’t be an option. For instance, you might not be able to keep your herbs growing well during the harsh winter months. In this case, you should have a supply of dried herbs on hand to last until you are able to access fresh herbs from your garden again. The best idea is to keep dried herbs in your medical supplies at all times, but only use them when fresh herbs are not available.

Should I Use Essential Oils Instead of Herbs?

There is quite a bit of hype out there about essential oils and a lot of it is legitimate. They are really beneficial as an alternative medical treatment when used properly and in the correct dosages. Essential oils and herbs are not enemies; in fact they work well when paired together.

For instance, you can use a few drops of lavender essential oil mixed with jojoba oil and apply to your temples to help relieve a headache or you can add dried lavender to boiled water, let it steep, and breathe in the steam to relieve the headache. Dried herbs work best for teas and tinctures, while essential oils are best used in salves and compresses.

Only purchase 100% pure essential oils, not ones that are mixed with additives or fragrances. You can actually get more benefits from your fresh herbs by using them to create your own herbal oils. Just combine the fresh herbs with a small amount of sunflower oil, cover with a lid, and let it sit in a warm place for a week. Then strain the herbs out and use your homemade herbal oil as an instant medical remedy.

Common Preparations of Herbs

There are many ways you can use herbal medicine! You can create teas, tinctures, salves, or essential oils from herbs as I mentioned earlier. For instance, peppermint tea soothes the gastrointestinal tract so it’s a great choice for nausea. If you have arthritis, a salve made with ginger root can ease inflammation and reduce joint pain.

Most herbs can be taken safely by people of all ages. However, there are a few herbs that can interact dangerously with prescription medications. It’s always best to exercise caution and check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start using a new herbal tea, tincture, or salve.

Where Should You Get Herbs?

An herb garden is quite easy to start using our medicinal preparedness seeds, which are non-hybrid, non GMO to ensure quality and longevity. If you don’t have a place to grow your own herbs, you can purchase them online or in a health store.

If you plan to look for herbs growing naturally in the wild, make sure you have taken a wild edible course that covers the various types of plants and herbs that are safe for medical use. Do extensive research ahead of time and take along a book with photos so you are absolutely certain you have the right plant before you use it.

Once you learn about the benefits of herbal medicine and essential oils for medicinal use, you will be able to treat minor illnesses with natural remedies instead of pharmacological ones, which can have unpleasant side effects.

You can avoid the harmful chemicals that are added to many first aid products by making your own from essential oils and beeswax, or make a cough syrup from herbs and honey without the artificial flavors and colors found in the store brands. With the right knowledge, the possibilities are endless.