If we ever have a war or a major disaster such as an EMP or an eruption from Yellowstone Super Volcano, or perhaps a huge Hurricane that wipes out the hospital in our area, medical care may be very hard to come by. Long triage lines, lack of hospital beds and very few nurses . If this happens, we may need to help ourselves at least temporarily. Now for the disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I am not telling anyone to stop taking the medicine ordered by your physician! The ideas set forth on this blog and by my radio show are for the event that medical care is not obtainable.
Modern medicine was born out of folk medicine and the herbalists and aromatherapists of that day. Before the advent of modern medicine, the pharmacist or “wise woman” of your community would compound a remedy from natural materials. As an example- Valium is synthesized from Valerian, an herb. Digitalis or Digoxin is synthesized from the Foxglove plant, a beautiful flower, present in many gardens today. Over time, many people discovered that a certain tree bark would stop a cough, or that a poultice of an herbal mixture promoted healing of a burn or wound. It is a good idea for us to relearn some of this wisdom as part of a plan to survive a major disaster. It is important that we all get reference books on this subject and do some reading. For instance, if you are allergic to ragweed, you may have a reaction to vetiver or chamomile, both in the grass family. There are essential oils that should never be used directly on your skin. Most of them must be diluted in an oil or other “menstruum” or solvent before they are used.
The following recipes for useful remedies or aromatherapy products should be followed carefully and do not substitute another oil or herb without studying that herb or oil before hand! Never take an unknown oil or herb internally, because they may be good for the skin but poisonous if swallowed. I cannot emphasize enough that it is very wise to take a course in Aromatherapy or Herbal Medicines so that you will know how to do this safely.
YOUR BACKYARD FIRST AID GARDEN
PURSLANE- can be used to treat headaches caused by dehydration and loss of sleep
ECHINACEA- Purple Coneflower can help reduce swelling and inflammation and helps to immobilize the immune system, and is used for colds and flu
CHAMOMILE- This is used for a calming agent, to settle stomach upsets, helps to reduce pain and swelling in a bath and its tea can be used on a washcloth or compress to soothe teething pain in infants
STINGING NETTLES- This is used to treat pain and burns, but always wear gloves when gathering this!
YARROW- This is a very common plant . It was once used to treat soldiers, as it helps to stop bleeding. The fresh flowers will stop bleeding. You can mash or chew the leaves to make a poultice to treat rashes or make a yarrow salve to soothe skin irritations.
PLAINTAIN- Chew the leaves to make a poultice to draw out and remove splinters or stingers.
COMFREY- fresh leaves can be used to stop pain and stop the bleeding of small cuts.
LAVENDER- This is a sweet scented beautiful plant that has many uses. It helps sleep- a few drops of the essential oil on your pillow at night can help. Also it can be used in a tea blend, and in cooking.
This is just a few of the common back yard “weeds” and herbs that you can benefit from. Others include Dandelion, Peppermint ,Catnip or Catmint , Red Clover, Joe Pye weed, Spicebush, Violets, Goldenrod and Burdock. Culinary herbs such as Basil, Holy Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary ,Parsley, Sage and Cilantro are all wonderful choices for your backyard . They flower and have wonderful fragrances. It is therapeutic just to stand among these plants and gently rub a leaf or two and smell its fragrance. When we smell these oils, we absorb the molecules into the smell receptors in the back of our nose and these can affect our brains. Therefore, aromatherapy is not simply smelling a nice fragrance, it can be truly be medicinal. Peppermint can help with headaches, stress and nausea. A candle with true essential oil of peppermint or even a small vial with a few drops of peppermint oil in a carrier oil base can be used. Just open the vial and inhale from it every few hours (the fragrance, not the oil, of course). Rosemary can help clear the mind and make you sharper and more alert. This is not recommended for Epileptics, however, as it can stir up seizure activity. Essential oil of Citronella really does help keep mosquitos away. In my next blog, I will list a few recipes for you to try. Until then, may Father bless.
Surviving In Troubled Waters 
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