herbal solutions

[farnet]

one of the areas I have always been interested in is old remedies and herbal alternatives in case of emergency.

Not just for the 'big finale' but also if you are camping or hiking.

its these sorts of skills and knowledge thatd give you the edge in the end.

I've started buying packets of different herbs etc to learn the benefits and uses (other than in a good curry)

[Trawlerman]

Herbs are the traditional medicines that we relied on before the big pharmaceutical companies came along.

I usually drink a mug of Peppermint tea before bedtime. I find it relaxing but it also helps get rid of excess wind and bloating that otherwise causes great discomfort and a lack of sleep. There are no side effects from it either. AFAIK you can't overdose on it.

[Lemony]

I bought this book late last year, and have tried out a lot of different remedies from it (some were a lot more successful than others!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1001-Natural-Re ... 0751364479

I try not to take painkillers - I realised about eight or nine years ago that the more I took, the more headaches I got... I went cold turkey and don't tend to get headaches at all now. The few I do get seem to be related to dehydration - I have a big glass of water, and they tend to go quite quickly. If ever my husband reaches for painkillers, it's what I advise him to do too

I also drink herbal teas - chamomile to relax, ginger if I'm feeling queasy (read: hungover!). I have a bottle of valerian root in the cupboard which helps with mild insomnia, and I often have herbal baths to help relax.

The one that immediately sprung to mind when I read your post farnet was dock leaves for nettle stings

[preppingsu]

I have these book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Herbal-Remedies ... l+remedies

Easy to follow and understand.

Might be worth finding someone in your area who it be doing an intro course to herbal remedies as well, sign on and just get the basics to get you going on this.

[farnet]

I'll look that book up, thanks

It good just the job....

Now to learn about mushroom.... Or maybe not, that's a whole world of scary

[ForgeCorvus]

I'll look that book up, thanks

It good just the job....

Now to learn about mushroom.... Or maybe not, that's a whole world of scary

Try This, its fairly clear and simple to use (simple enough for me to use anyway )

[StashCache]

This is one thing that I'm seriously interested in... and also seriously lacking in knowledge about too. I always admired Ray Mears knowledge about flora and fauna, and his ability to just pick something up and declare that this is great for toothache/mild pain relief/antiseptic property/constipation or whatever it might be.

If you are stuck in the middle of nowhere in a post apocalyptic world then knowing what's what is certainly going to give you a fighting chance.

[farnet]

Have you looked at the bushcraft courses that are held in the UK.

It's something I've always wanted to do, but no one is faintly interested in going with me..

You have to book long in advance and its quite comprehensive

Forgecorvus - going to look at that, have a few books though on it and I don't trust myself

[Mad Scientist]

In summer, I did an eight week evening course in Bristol held through The Urban Fringe Dispensary in Bristol. Met some amazing people and the Instructor ( a member of NIMH) really knew his stuff. You must understand how the organs and nervous system work before taking on herb knowledge. Now I've just finished the intermediate level and have a good understanding of the organ functions in illness and how to make tinctures, salve and oxymels( herbal vinegar and honey mixes). A really great way of uniting my Biology degree, first aid and laboratory experience. With advice from my instructor I am going to treat my endometriosis. My doctor thinks I'm a wuss and that it's ok to live on painkillers and stomach remedy pills for two weeks out of four. Well sod that! I started taking yarrow tincture every day. Will let you know how I get on. If you go for a course make sure the person is a member of National Institute of Medical Herbalists. A list of qualified herbalists is available in the website.

[kizzie]

This really interests me. Today I have dehydrated, Turmeric, Ginger and garlic going to powder it down and put it into capsules for the inflammation in my joints.

I am ( next week) making my own. Liposomal Vitamin C ( its meant to be amazing for your health)

I make apple cider vinegar.

I have bags and bags (vacuum sealed) of powdered veg,fruit,spice and herbs for sprinkling on food if shtf and done have any good food about.

I have already got my health almost back to normal after a very bad year by going onto a Keto diet that is very healing of mind and body.