Natural Herbs And Plants For Medicine And Illness That You Should Be Storing

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

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Garlic – (Allium sativum)
Chamomile – (Anthemis nobilis )
Cayenne Pepper – (Capsicum Minimum)
Dandelion – (Taraxacum officinale)
Echinacea –  (Echinacea Paradoxa, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida)
St. John’s Wort – (hypericum perforatum)
Marigold– (Calendula officinalis)
Peppermint – (Mentha piperita)
Thyme – (Thymus vulgaris)
Sage – (Salvia officinalis)
The wonders of stinging nettles

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    • Natural Herbs And Plants For Medicine And Illness That You Should Be Storing​

    Garlic – (Allium sativum)

  • Garlic has natural antibiotic properties.
  • In Russia, garlic is used as an anti flu remedy.
  • Garlic draws out the pain from joints, toothaches, and earaches.  Place a crushed raw piece of garlic on some gauze (otherwise some of these strong herbs can cause blisters) and place the gauze over the area of pain.  For the joints, use a garlic paste.  For the ear, use slivers in gauze.  It takes about 5 days to cure the ear infection.
  • Garlic also helps alleviate and draw out infection from abscesses in teeth as well as in the body.

    • Chamomile – (Anthemis nobilis )

  •  This herb is known for it’s uses as a mild sedative.
  • Some homeopathic and natural remedies for children with ADD/ADHD have used chamomiles calming properties.
  •  The flowers can be strained out of the tea and placed into a warm compress to use on ear infections.
  • Tea compresses and tea rinses can be used to treat eye problems.
  • It also has the power to assist in healing of  indigestion, morning sickness, nervousness, neuralgia, painful periods and assists as a sleeping agent.

    • 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.

  • This pepper can assist as a digestion aid.  Using sparingly, sprinkle a bit over food or in a hot soup.
  • Cayenne pepper is a good source of Vitamin C.
  • Mixing cayenne pepper to a citrus drink such as grapefruit juice can be a very effective energising drink.
  • Cayenne pepper can be used to combat a sore throat and can also be used in a sore throat gargle mix.
  • An effective anti flu drink uses 2 tsp. of cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tsp. of salt, 1 cup of boiling water, 1 c. apple cider vinegar.  Most adults can take between 1 tsp.-1 tbs. every half hour.
  • Sprinkling cayenne pepper in shoes will warm the feet when it is cold outside.  Caution: it will stain the area where it is sprinkled, but it is quite effective.
  • Cayenne has a history of being used during malignant sore throats and in scarlet fever where it is used internally and as a gargle.
  • Cayenne tea can be used as a control for internal or external bleeding and should be used for those health emergencies where no medical or nursing help is available.
  • A few grains on the gums of cayenne will smart on the gum, and in a cavity and act as a temporary pain alleviator.

    • 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)

  • To jump start a slow functioning liver, drink two to four ounces of freshly sliced dandelion root in two pints of water until the water is reduced to 1 ounce.
  • A coffee can be made from the root to cleanse the liver and also has a tonic effect on the pancreas, the spleen and the female organs.
  • If a person is suffering from gallstones, dandelion can also be used.  Combine an ounce of  each: dandelion root, parsley root, lemon balm with a half ounce each of licorice root and ginger root.  Add two quarts of boiling water, simmer down to one quart, strain the liquid and drink a half glass every two hours.
  • Dandelion has also been known to lower elevated cholesterol levels, as well as normalize blood sugar levels in diabetics, and can also help cure symptoms of gout due to its uric acid content.
  • Additionally, young leaves can be gathered in the spring time to make a lovely salad or a steamed side dish.

    • 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)

  • If you have gastritis, St. John’s Wort can be used as a diuretic to treat this condition.
  • A vegetable oil preparation containing the flowers of the herb is used externally to relieve haemorrhoids.
  • St. John’s wort also can relieve anxiety and fatigue.
  • St. John’s wort relieves inflammation and bacterial infection.
  • St. John’s wort soothes wounds and the pain associated with contusions.
  • The analgesic ingredient in St. John’s wort helps relieve pain associated with arthritis and other joint conditions, and can also relieve neurological pain.

    • Marigold– (Calendula officinalis)

  • Creating a plaster by combing marigold ointment and peppermint can be used on the chest to ease the heart during intense fevers.
  • Dipping a compress into marigold tea and using equal parts of apple cider vinegar can alleviate inflammation.
  • The author believes that marigold is “the greatest healing agent for all wounds.”
  • Using marigold in the case of open wounds that will not heal is an effective way to promote rapid healing.
  • This flower is also a haemostat after a tooth extraction.
  • A douche can made from marigold to aid in leukorrhea (vaginal discharges)
  • Due to marigolds cleansing properties, it can also be used as dressing a terrible wound.
  • Marigold was also used as a toothache and headache preventative in the 1500′s in England.
  • This is also a great companion plant to many garden vegetables.

    • Peppermint – (Mentha piperita)

  • It has stimulating and refreshing properties that dispels headaches.
  • Peppermint tea will also assist in overcoming muscle spasms and cramps.
  • Due to the camphorous principles in peppermint, if peppermint is applied to a wet wash cloth it can be used externally to relieve pain.
  • This herb also hep clear sinus infections.  Apply a large, warm peppermint pack to the sinus area.

    • Thyme – (Thymus vulgaris)

  • Thyme can help alleviate gastric problems such as wind, colic and bad breath.
  • Thyme also has properties to help eliminate phlegm and is helpful in overcoming shortness of breath and help with most lung problems.
  • If it also effective in fighting sore throat and post nasal drip.
  • If a person has the whooping cough, make a syrup of thyme tea and honey to help treat the disease.
  • Thyme can also be used to treat a fever.  It is recommended to mix thyme with other herbs to have a better medicinal quality.  Herbs used in conjunction with thyme to treat a high fever could be: marshmallow root tea, slippery elm powder (or tablets), fenugreek or comfrey root or leaf tea.
  • This herb also helps relax the nervous system and can relive a headache.
  • Thyme can be used as a first aid poultice.  Make up a paste of moist (hot-moistened) thyme leaves and apply it to the skin to relieve the pain of an abscess, boil or swelling.  A hot poultice of thyme can help relieve the pain of a sciatic attack, too.
  • An antiseptic can be make for both internal and external use.  It is also used as a local anaesthetic.  Medicate gauze and worrl for surgical dressings with theyme.
  • his herb is also great for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, parasitic skin infections and burns.
  • A insect spray (combined with lavender) can assist in keeping gnats and mosquitoes away.  In fact, the Greeks used thyme as a fumigator.
  • This herb can also be used to dispel worms and parasites.

    • Sage – (Salvia officinalis)

  • Rubbing the sage leaves across the teeth can be used to clean the teeth and assist in bad breath.  The tea can also be used to gargle with.
  • Sage tea rub downs and sage baths can be used to ring down a fever.  American Indians used this type of fever reducer.  Note: adding apple cider vinegar to the tea for reduction can be quite effective and the patient simply feel better.
  • Sage tea can used as an antiseptic by chewing the sage leaves to cleanse the system of impurities or drank as tea.
  • Sage has also been known to assist with hot flashes associated with menopause.
  • If a person has stomach troubles, cold sage tea can used to alleviate the symptoms.
  • Sage can also be used to treat the flu.  Using the tea before and during any type of epidemics and to hasten healing during a flu attack.
  • Sage leaves can be wrapped around a wound like a band aid to help heal the wound faster.

    • * 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

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    2 comments

      • Damien on March 9, 2020 at 10:13 pm
      • #
      • Reply

      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!

    2. 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.

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