Best Medicinal Plants for Survival and when the sHTF

From the very first beginning man looked at nature to provide everything he needed for survival.
They considered plants to have a somewhat magical power, possessing healing powers and the ability to cure anything from aches and pains, to severe illness.
These medicinal plants became the mainstay of their survival.
But what are the best natural herbs and plants for medicine to ward off illness?

In a disaster or SHTF situation, mainstream, over the counter medication will not be available. Except, of course, if your a politician, member of the royal family or their cronies.
For the rest of us it will be go fend for yourselves.....
People will have to turn to more traditional, old fashioned methods and look to nature again.
Therefore people will to alternative ways to alleviate health issues: stocking up with books on herbal medication is a must.
Right off the bat I want to recommend two books to you. They are called Hedgerow Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies, by Julie Bruton-Seal, and the other is Dian Dincin Buchman’s Herbal Medicine: The Natural Way to Get Well and Stay Well
I have based parts of this article on Julie's and Dian's herbal remedies.
top 10 Natural herbal remedies
for preppers
grow your own herbs
Natural Herbs And Plants For Medicine And Illness That You Should Be Storing

Chamomile – (Anthemis nobilis )

Cayenne Pepper – (Capsicum Minimum)

Cayenne pepper is traditionally known as powerful stimulant, it can produce a sense of warmth and heat within the stomach, and a general glow over the body without a inducing a narcotic or adverse effect.
A few grains placed in hot tea will help to calm a sluggish digestion and also flatulence.
If use in its ground up form [*finely ground]. It is also great to add to your first aid kit as an emergency means to stop bleeding.
It can be bought, already finely ground, from health shops or online via Amazon: [see details here - Cayenne Pepper] and is priced at around £5 for a large 500grm pack and I have found this is by far the best way to get it.
Dandelion – (Taraxacum officinale)

Echinacea – (Echinacea Paradoxa, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida)

- There are three types of echinacea plants, and all have the same healing properties. The chemical constituents are different in some, but the healing is the same.
- Although the root is most widely used for it’s medicinal purposes, truly the entire plant can be used.
- This herb strengthens the body’s ability to resist infection and stimulates production of white blood cells. Echinacea stimulates the body in non chronic illness such as colds, bronchitis, sore throats, abscesses and for recurrences of yeast infections.
- Echinacea can also be taken as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis.
- A gargling solution can also be made with the tea to use with a sore throat. For cases that are not strep throat related: add 10-16 drops to water or to sage or ginger tea and use as a gargling agent. If a person is fighting strep throat: every two hours, gargle with the above mentioned teas to which add a drop-full of echinacea extract. If only tablet or capsules are available, take then every two hours during the acute stage.
- It also helps eliminates mucus and phlegm associated with certain respiratory conditions.
St. John’s Wort – (hypericum perforatum)


Peppermint – (Mentha piperita)

Thyme – (Thymus vulgaris)

Sage – (Salvia officinalis)

* The wonders of stinging nettles

I also have another separate article on the wonders of stinging nettles. Considered a 'superfood' which is well worth a read.
You can find it here:
Natures Super Food - How To Make Stinging Nettle Tea

These ten plants are able to ease many health conditions and ailments, they are also able to ease painful conditions where nothing else is available.
So when you are gearing up and buying your seeds for a survival garden, it is important that you don't forget to purchase medicinal herbs.
Health is vital in a SHTF situation and you must keep your body as strong as possible from viruses, colds and flu.
These organic healing medicines will help your overall long term survival and in an extreme emergency assist in saving their lives.
Steve Hart - UK Preppers Guide

3 comments
Garlic, Lemon and Honey are three powerful ingredients from nature. All of them have strong anti-microbial properties and are great as a home remedy for fighting lung infections, colds and the flu.
This tonic is very popular in Russian and German Herbal Medicine. The combination of these ingredients are extremely powerful. This solution has it’s roots in ancient Egyptian medicine.
Daily Single Batch Mason Jar Method
Ingredients
– 1/2 lemon
– 3 cloves of garlic
– 1-2 tablespoon honey
– 2 cups of hot water
Preparation
Peel the garlic and mince them and place them into a 1 quart mason jar (they will need to set exposed the the air for 20 minutes. While you are waiting for the garlic. Meanwhile, put on a pot of water and let the water boil. Wash a lemon. Once the 20 minutes has past, pour the water over the mixture and steep like a tea. Next, make sure the water is cool. Use a kitchen strainer to filter out the pulp.
Add honey and lemon juice to garlic tea and stir til uniformed. Keep it in the fridge.
How to use: It is recommended to pour the elixir into a cup with straw and sip through out the day. You will get use to the taste. Make a fresh batch of this elixir as needed.
Note: If you want to increase the potency add ¼ to 1 tsp cayenne pepper (according to tolerance) to your cup, stir and sip slowly.
Those of us who take medication on a regular/semi-regular basis must remember that some plants and herbs can have adverse reactions to our meds, such as st John’s wort, which can interact with anxiety medications. Always do research before deciding to try these herbal remedies.
Well-written post, though I’ve been thinking about experimenting with dandelions and nettles for a while!
Thanks for sharing those awesome tips! Many of the plants you mentioned can be found in our area. I didn’t know that thyme can be used for scaring the mosquitoes off but I tried it as an antiseptic. Tansy is another plant which can be used as a natural mosquito repellent, by the way.