10 Essential Supplies for Making Natural Medicine
If you’re preparing for a survival scenario, you know the likelihood of doctors of typical medicine being readily available is slim. Learn how to keep yourself ready by stockpiling meds ahead of time and keeping medical supplies on-hand. This article will give you the rundown.
Keeping Extra Meds on Hand
While Mother Nature loves to lend a helping hand, she can’t necessarily cure every ailment under the sun. Keeping extra medications in your prepper supply is essential for guaranteeing the health and safety of your family during survival. DIY’s are great, but save the medicine making for when it’s truly necessary!
Let’s start by looking at some of the best meds to acquire for your stockpile. First, ibuprofen is a classic must-have medicine. It’s of the most effective in treating both pain and inflammation.
Naproxen (Aleve) is an essential nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It will help relieve pain, fevers, and inflammation. Aleve is similar to ibuprofen, but it lasts up to 12 hours.
Another important painkiller to stock up on is Aspirin. People take it to reduce fevers, control pain, and reduce swelling and inflammation. It can also be used as a blood thinner in low doses to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots.
Survivalists will reap the benefits of having Tylenol in their supply. This medication is the only OTC pain-reliever that’s not an anti-inflammatory drug. It won’t irritate the stomach like ibuprofen but is still effective for both pain relief and reducing fevers.
When it comes to stomach issues and allergies, Benadryl will be the prepper’s best friend. It’s commonly used to relieve symptoms from upper respiratory infections and hay fever. Not to mention, Benadryl can treat hives, nausea, itching, and insomnia.
Though it’s icky, diarrhea and thus, dehydration, are practically inevitable during survival situations. Imodium and MiraLax can help control diarrhea and relieve intestinal cramps. Since the stress of disaster can lead to constipation, MiraLax acts as a stool softener.
Colds and allergies are insufferable enough as is; imagine dealing with coughs and sniffles while trying to survive through disaster! Luckily, Sudafed and Allegra can relieve congestion and allergies. You can often combine the two medications for increased relief of allergy symptoms.
While enduring a survival scenario, those prone to motion sickness and nausea may be suffering. Dramamine is a prepper necessity for relieving vomiting, vertigo-like dizziness, and motion sickness. Additionally, some people find it helpful for in treating anxiety and insomnia.
While salves and tinctures are easy to make at home, having some healing ointment on hand will save some hassle. Hydrocortisone cream, in particular, is a survivalist staple. It’s helpful for treating inflamed and itchy rashes like eczema, poison ivy, diaper rash, and other minor skin irritations.
How to Store and Stockpile Medication
Now that you know which meds to pick up next time you visit the pharmacy, how much should you keep stored for emergencies? The answer will be different for everyone; consider the size of your family and how much each person will need. Also keep in mind that medicine loses potency over time, so looking at expiration dates is important.
While plenty of medicines will still do the trick past their expiration date on the bottle, fresh products are ideal. Therefore, it’s best to only purchase them in reasonable quantities. Most preppers recommend re-stocking supplies every couple of years and disposing of old meds to ensure the supply stays fresh.
Another important factor when stockpiling medicine is the unique needs of your family members. Evaluate everyone’s allergies, illnesses, pain issues, etc. Consider whether you’ll need child or infant formulations of these meds, as well.
When it comes to storage, medication will typically store best in a cool, dry, and dark location. Keeping it in the original unopened packaging until use Is deal. Toss them out and don’t consume if the appearance or color of the meds look off.
10 Prepper Supplies for Making Natural Medicine
Now that you know what medications to stock up on, what other prepper supplies are essential for the stockpile? There are tons of long-lasting and affordable products that can help heal ailments and serve plenty other survival purposes. Some of them are also essential for making medicinal salves, tinctures, and other forms of natural medicine.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a fantastic staple to keep in the medicine cabinet and prepper first aid kit; its qualities are endless. You can treat heartburn by drinking a cold glass of water with just a teaspoon of dissolved baking soda. Or, relieve pain and speed up the healing of canker sores by rinsing with a solution of ½ teaspoon baking soda in a cup of warm water once per day.
Skin irritation and rashes are no fun in survival situations. Take a warm bath with one or two cups of baking soda to relieve itchy skin. If you have a rash or inflammation, mix one part baking soda with three parts water to create a thin paste and apply to the infected area daily.
When dealing with heat rash, it can be helped with a mix of baking soda and water applied to the affected area. Let the mixture dry and dust it off for quick healing. Those experiencing sunburn will love soaking in a cool tub with a few cups of baking soda added.
Pesky bugs stand no chance against baking soda. Create a thick paste for bug bites and bee stings by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply to the affected area, allow it to dry, and repeat as needed.
Tough splinters can even be removed easier with the assistance of baking soda. Create a thick paste using water and baking soda, then apply to the area. Cover it with a bandage for the next day before attempting to remove the splinter: it should come out much easier.
Storage conditions will play a significant role in the shelf life of your baking soda. It likes to stay in an air-tight, moisture-proof container in a dry and cool (40-70 degrees) location. While its official shelf life is three years, you can basically use it indefinitely if the product is in good condition.
To test its potency, mix a hot cup of water with a teaspoon of vinegar and add a spoonful of baking soda. If the product is still viable, you’ll immediately see fizz and healthy bubbles. As it loses potency over time, those bubbles will become less vigorous.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Moving onto a prepper product on the rise for its incredible health benefits, meet your new wellness BFF: apple cider vinegar. From sicknesses and pain to skin issues, it’s a survivalist super-ingredient. Even those who aren’t prepping should consider taking some every day.
Diabetics can use apple cider vinegar to help maintain sugar levels. Take two teaspoons in a glass of water daily for diabetic health. Those with high cholesterol or liver issues would also benefit from taking it daily; this product boosts heart health.
No woman wants to imagine going through menopause during a survival scenario. Luckily, if you do have to, using apple cider vinegar can help aid with the night sweats. When dealing with aches and sore muscles, put a cup of it into the bathtub.
Say goodbye to dry throats and coughs, even during survival mode, with apple cider vinegar in the prepper pantry. In the past, people prescribed the natural medicine of a mix of honey and vinegar to soothe coughs. Simply gargle this healer to enjoy its soothing benefits.
It’s no secret that our typical shower routine full of yummy smelly soap and luscious lotion might not be possible during survival. However, that doesn’t mean you have to leave wounds uncleaned and skin issues untreated. Apple cider vinegar is a natural antibacterial that helps with tons of skin conditions like eczema, warts, and brown spots.
This powerful healer also aids with skin rashes, athlete’s foot, and provides corn and callus relief to feet. When bites and stings occur, vinegar can help soothe them: just pour it directly onto the infected area! Take an apple cider vinegar soak if sunburn gets the best of you.
When used with Vicks VapoRub, apple cider vinegar also has the power to combat ringworm. Any minor wound can be treated with apple cider vinegar since it kills bacterial pathogens. Plus, its smack of acetic acid.
The shelf life of apple cider vinegar is about two years unopened, and one year once you’ve broken the bottle’s seal. You don’t have to refrigerate it. Instead, keep it in the prepper pantry away from direct sunlight.
Coconut Oil
When it comes to coconut oil, the medicinal qualities are endless. It’s like a magic healer for preppers. For starters, it kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, and other illnesses.
Coconut oil has the ability to kill bacteria that cause ulcers, urinary tract infections, gum disease, throat infections, pneumonia, and more. It’s also strong enough to kill fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, thrush, diaper rash, athlete’s foot, and other infections. The oil expels or kills tapeworms and other parasites.
In addition to killing diseases, coconut oil provides a natural source of quick energy. It boosts vitality and endurance, improving physical state and performance. By improving digestion and absorption of other nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, coconut oil helps make the most of a prepper food supply.
Those suffering from pancreatitis can use coconut oil to reduce symptoms. It improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose. In doing so, the oil reduces health risks associated with diabetes.
By improving calcium and magnesium absorption, coconut oil can help support the development of strong bones and teeth. Additionally, osteoporosis stands no chance against this healing ingredient. Coconut oil can even help relieve symptoms associated with Chron’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
As we’ve discussed, bowel and stomach issues are inevitable during disaster. Coconut oil improves bowel function and relieves irritation caused by hemorrhoids. Any minor inflammation can be treated with this oil.
Coconut oil is incredibly supportive for the body. It aids immune system function and tissue repair. Plus, this oil helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other forms of cancer.
While using other oils, the body’s antioxidant reserves may become depleted. With coconut oil, it improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation instead. It can also help relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue symptoms.
Since a normal skincare routine may be impossible during emergency survival, use coconut oil to keep your skin in check. It supports the chemical balance of the skin. Thus, coconut oil softens skin and helps relieve flakiness and dryness.
Keep in mind that while storing it, coconut oil will melt at about 76 degrees. While melting doesn’t necessarily hurt it, its shelf life will be extended if the product is stored in a cool and dark location. You can then soften it by placing the closed jar in a pan of hot water.
Alcohol
Even when we’re not in a SHTF scenario, alcohol is just an overall classic essential. It’s excellent for disinfecting, whether it be wounds on the skin or materials being used during survival. Anything that’s over 70 proof can help disinfect wounds and objects without sterilizing them.
Disinfecting an item eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, expect bacterial spores. If something goes without cleaning, the risk of infection increases greatly. It should be noted that alcohol can be harsh on the skin and should only be used when totally necessary.
Medicinal tinctures are also created using an alcohol base. Become your own natural medicine doctor and make your own by soaking parts of your favorite herb in alcohol or vinegar for several weeks. This soaking process extracts the herb’s active components so it’s more effective to consume.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Every prepper needs the ultimate cleaner, hydrogen peroxide. Ear infections, bacteria, and even the common cold can be stopped in their tracks with the assistance of hydrogen peroxide. Destroy sinus infections, kill airborne germs, and soothe boils with a single ingredient.
When ear issues arise, simply pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a clean eye dropper, tilt your head, and pour two or three drops of it into one ear. Keep your head tilted and let it fizz for about 10 minutes. Then tilt your head and repeat the process on the opposite direction, letting the liquid drain out.
One of the biggest scares during survival situations is the threat of airborne germs, which can cause sickness to spread among the household much quicker. To prevent this issue, pour a pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide for every gallon of water in your humidifier (pro tip: get one if you don’t already have it), and let the machine run.
Getting a sinus infection can ruin your week and leave you in pain even in normal conditions, we don’t want to imagine the possibility of it worsening during survival! One way to combat this problem is by combining peroxide with a cup of water into a squeeze bottle, then spraying up the nose twice per nostril. Just be sure to use a dark-colored bottle for this process, since sunlight can drastically reduce peroxide’s effectiveness.
With boils, they’re generally caused by bacteria, something that runs wild in SHTF scenarios. They also tend to worsen quickly when left untreated. Luckily, hydrogen peroxide is here to help.
Start by adding a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a standard sized bathtub filled with water. Be sure to fill the tub completely to ensure proper dilution, then lay in the bathtub to feel relief from the boils. Make sure you only soak for 30 minutes or less, and only take this bath if it’s absolutely necessary to prevent skin irritation and damage.
Epsom Salt
Anybody who’s uber active or deals with common muscle pains is probably familiar with Epsom salt. It’s an excellent soother for body aches and pains. Plus, it’s no secret that this salt is amazing when caring for the feet.
Athlete’s foot is no fun, especially when you’re counting on your feet to carry you through survival! Mix Epsom salt with a few drops of tea tree oil to soak away fungus and bacteria from the skin’s surface. Even toenail fungus can be banished with this product.
Get rid of icky toenail fungus by starting a daily foot soak with Epsom salt and tea tree oil. Consider wearing sandals and avoiding socks until the fungus has gone away. Soaking in Epsom salt will also aid in the process of cutting nails.
No one wants to walk around with hard calluses on their feet. Soften them with a warm Epsom salt soak, but just remember that your body thickens the skin to protect it. To prevent your skin from re-thickening after using the salt soak, use moleskin or find a more suitable pair of shoes.
Those dealing with blood pressure issues can help regulate it with Epsom salt. It offers a powerful detox as well as pain relief for the head, heart, and kidney. The combination of magnesium and sulfate within this product is what helps it detoxify and relax the body.
Itchy skin can come from many places during a survival scenario. If you’re dealing with the shingles, Epsom salt can help relieve the pain and increase circulation. It will be a welcome soother to the painful, blistering skin rash of shingles.
The healthy dose of magnesium also adds to its anti-itch qualities.
When eczema and psoriasis are activated, this can be tremendously painful. Use an Epsom salt to help alleviate the symptoms. If a bath isn’t available to soak in, make a paste for the skin instead.
Sunburns and first-degree burns are itchy and painful. A cool or lukewarm water soak with the Epsom salt will help irrigate these wounds. Making a compress using a soft cloth can help extend this relief for longer.
As if Epsom salt baths didn’t have enough awesome healing purposes, here’s a few more! Banish poison ivy or poison oak with a salt soak followed by a compress treatment. Plus, alleviate leg cramps and relieve frustrating constipation.
Peppermint Essential Oil
If there’s one wellness ingredient every prepper should know about, it’s Eessential oil. Peppermint oil, in particular, is a staple within the kitchen and the medicine cabinet. Preppers, doctors, and scientists alike have discovered the healing properties of peppermint for the gastrointestinal tract and other parts of the body.
Struggling with even minor tummy trouble can limit your ability to function normally. We may not have time to read a novel on the toilet or hide in bed ‘till the discomfort leaves during survival, though. Those with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), leaky gut, flatulence, constipation, nausea, and motion sickness would all benefit from using peppermint essential oil.
There are a few different ways to utilize this naturopathic medicine for stomach issues. Topically, you can apply the oil directly to the abdomen or use it to massage the feet. To inhale it, rub a few drops in the palm of your hand and breathe in the healing aroma.
Peppermint tea is one of the best ways to ease any nausea issue. You can also add food grade peppermint oil to recipes for a delicious and healthy touch. Drop a tiny bit in water if you’re looking for a quick fix.
Peppermint essential oil is excellent at easing headaches. Its analgesic effect on neuropathic pain is incredible. In addition to easing head pains, heal bruises by applying a drop of peppermint oil and frankincense as long as the skin isn’t broken.
Even if you’re not bruised up, muscle pain can still be lingering. To create a muscle rub, mix frankincense with peppermint essential oil just like for headaches and bruises. If your skin is sensitive, however, dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut oil.
Peppermint essential oil can also come into play during allergy season. Use a diffuser to allow the clearing aroma of peppermint into the air. Inhaling with your hands is another way to clear sinuses fast.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Peppermint isn’t the only essential oil worth adding to your herbal medicine list. It’s one of the best essential oils for natural first aid. Tea tree deals with everything from cuts and abrasions, to sprains and shingles.
Using tea tree essential oil topically is easy with the aid of a carrier oil or isopropyl alcohol. Just like with peppermint, you can also inhale it using a diffuser. It can even be used orally for analgesic relief of a toothache (just don’t swallow it)!
Tea tree oil can relieve pain in many ways due to its analgesic effect when applied to the skin. Dentally, it can help remineralize dental plaque and rid the mouth of gingivitis. Again, just be sure to swish and not swallow.
If you have to remove a tick, the aftercare can be painful. After removing it, apply tea tree oil to clean the wound and relieve pain. If possible, seek medical attention regarding the risk of Lyme disease.
In addition to relieve pain, tea tree oil acts as a natural antiseptic for skin conditions. The aboriginal crushed tea tree leaves and applied the oil as an herbal medicine to cuts, burns, and infections! While it’s great for cleaning, you should dilute it for application directly to the skin.
Tea tree oil has compounds that can kill fungi and help preppers deal with skin issues naturally. Soak away fungus and bacteria from the skin’s surface with tea tree oil when dealing with athlete’s foot. Combat ingrown toenails and toenail fungus with this natural medicine for preppers, as well.
All around, tea tree oil is an antiseptic, antibacterial antiviral, and antifungal. Using it during the flu or to remove warts is favorable. Any room that needs to clear the air will benefit from tea tree essential oil diffusing.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is another one of those classic, yet incredible soothers to keep as a prepper. This product can help with almost any skin issue under the sun. Not to mention its powerful health benefits.
With little sleep and skincare during survival situations, your eyes might be on the puffy side. Place a bit of aloe vera gel under your eyes after a long night to de-puff in no time. Even keep the aesthetics in check by fading stretch marks, age spots, and freckles.
If you’ve ever dealt with hemorrhoids, you know how difficult it would be trek through survival in this condition. Fortunately, aloe’s anti-inflammatory constituents can help reduce the irritation of them. Just break off a piece of the aloe vera leaf and apply only the clear gel to hemorrhoids.
Aloe vera gel can also serve as a remedy for intestinal issues. When taken internally, it can heal stomach ulcers and heartburn and soothe the digestive tract. Be wary that some people report adverse effects like diarrhea and kidney trouble, so try it out first!
Acne, eczema, sunburns, and other types of skin irritation all respond favorably to the natural antiseptics in aloe. Apply gel to the area two or three times per day until your issue has healed. Keeping the skin hydrated and adding a protective layer makes aloe a sunburn superhero.
We know this alternative to medicine is great topically, but what about on the inside? Aloe vera is known to boost the immune system. Its long list of phytonutrients, including vitamins A, B, C, E, minerals, plant sterols, and enzymes, make this ingredient an essential prepper healer.
Raw Honey
Aside from making every cup of tea delicious, raw honey provides plenty of great medicinal qualities. This product contains an array of plant chemicals that act as antioxidants. Certain types of honey even have as many antioxidants as fruits and veggies.
Raw honey contains plenty of nutrients, including calcium, niacin, phosphorus, pantothenic acid, manganese, riboflavin, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Not to mention its load of antifungal and antibacterial properties. We can thank honey’s phytonutrients for all these healing powers.
Studies have found that raw honey may have benefits for wound healing. We recommend using it to create a salve or another form of topical treatment mixed with other products. These same powers also promote honey’s immune-boosting and anticancer qualities.
Honey is sometimes also used to treat digestive issues for diarrhea. It may also have the potential to cure stomach ulcers. More research is needed to confirm its effectiveness, but if SHTF, why not just give it a go?
Everyone knows the tried-and-true remedy of honey for coughs and sore throats. Add it to hot tea with lemon if a cold virus hits. Using this herbal medicine for cough may even be superior to other forms of care for the improvement of upper respiratory tract infections.
With plenty of essential meds and helpful supplies to stock up on, you’re about to be ready for anything. As you accumulate these survival products, test ‘em out so you’re prepared! Check out some more of Crow Survival’s content to stay ahead of the prepper game.
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