In week 5 of our preparation and survival meetings we welcomed back Melissa Reid to discuss medicinal herbs and healing. Melissa got started growing herbs because she enjoyed the smell and the beauty of them. But it wasn’t long after that she decided to open herself up to the benefits of them. She wanted to learn about how these herbs could help to bring healing to the body and the mind. She also started looking into ways that she could treat her own diabetes naturally, as well as her husband’s high blood pressure. Especially after becoming more aware of big pharma and the atrocious acts coming out of this industry. And once she started growing more of them, she then decided to use the herbs for their animals as well.
She had also been working at a school that was caring for children with emotional and behavioral issues. And after learning more about the benefits of herbs, she decided to take this knowledge and bring it to the children as well. She began bringing essential oils to the school with the goal of helping these children with some of the behavioral problems they were dealing with, such as anxiety.
Some of the herbs she has growing in her garden today are peppermint, lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, yarrow, mullein, and echinacea, just to name a few. But even on her land she has found many plants that can be used for medicinal purposes. Plants like dandelion and burdock root. And these two plants combined together are a powerful tool to help treat cancer cells. She also utilizes the pine trees and wild cherry trees that were already growing on her property. Both the leaves and the sap from the pine tree can be used. And Melissa has discovered that people used to harvest the leaves from the wild cherry trees and smoke them for medicinal reasons. And last year she started to notice something growing on one of the tree stumps that her husband has previously tried to remove. When she went over to take a closer look, she realized that the trunk was actually covered in turkey tail mushrooms.
An interesting story that Josh brought up about turkey tail mushrooms is one that came from Paul Stamets when he was on Joe Rogen’s podcast. He said that his 89-year-old mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and that it had metastasized. And she was told by her doctor that she only had 3 months to live. Her doctor told her that there was nothing they could do because of her age and that she was too old for treatments like chemotherapy. But he did tell her about a study that was happening at the University of Oregon that involved turkey tail mushrooms, and he asked her if she had any interest in being in the study. She then informed her doctor that her son was actually the one who was providing the mushrooms for that study. So, she went home and talked to her son, and he provided her with all of the mushrooms that she needed to heal. This was about 8 years ago, and she is still alive today. This is just one of many stories that have been told throughout history that bring credence to just how powerful nature truly is.
Melissa also has an array of dry herbs that she uses for tinctures, salves, teas, and to make soap. In her research she discovered that some herbs work better as a tincture, and some work better for a salve. Some are more oil-soluble, and some will absorb the alcohol better for a tincture.
They way that Melissa makes her tinctures is by taking all of the herbs that she wants to use and placing them into 100 proof vodka. She then stores it in a mason jar and leaves it in a cool, dry place for at least 6 weeks, occasionally turning the jar over to shake up the contents. Once it is finished, she drains it and puts the tincture into an amber glass jar, preferable one with a dropper. For the herbs that have a higher oil content, she recommends crushing them up a bit to help release some of the oils, and then place them into a jar with some oil olive and leave it for 6 to 8 weeks. That oil can then be used for food, soap, or salves. But whether you use your herbs for oil or tincture, be sure not to store them in the heat or in the sun. And if you smell the oil and it smells rancid, throw it out.
One of our members in the meeting, Stuck Patriot, shared some good information with us as well about the storage of oils and tinctures:
“If you have compounds that are water-soluble, they have active hydroxyl groups that can be reactive to other water-soluble things. So, you won’t want to keep them in stuff like metal because the metal can actually catalyze reactions between alcohol, water, and those compounds. And then, if you have oils, you don’t want to keep those in certain plastics because some of the plasticizers can leach into it. So, do your due diligence and research.”
Below is a list of the herbs that were mentioned during the meeting. But as a disclaimer, keep in mind that you should always do your research before using them. There are many herbs that can actually diminish the effects of certain medications and some that may be harmful if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, all of the herbs listed here can be prepared in oil, as a tincture, or dried out and used either as spice for food or as a tea.
Stinging Nettle:
This plant brings on a tingling and stinging feeling when you brush up against it. This is due to its tiny hairs rubbing off the leaf and getting stuck into the skin. But despite its discomfort to the skin, this plant has some wonderful benefits. The leaves may be cooked for consumption, turned into a tincture, or they may be dried out and used as a tea.
Urinary issues such as urinary tract infections and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia as well as just being a natural diuretic
Helps stop the spread of prostate cancer (especially in combination with saw palmetto)
Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and joint pain
Allergies and Hay Fever
Reduced bleeding
Calming insect bites
Aids in the healing of gingivitis
Helps stop diarrhea
Skin ailments such as Eczema and Psoriasis
Here is a great video of Frank Cook going over the benefits of this plant:
Frank Cook on Nettle as Wild Food
Yarrow:
This herb is said to have gotten its name from the Greek god Achilles. Unlike his mother, Achilles was born a mortal. So, she decided to put him into the river Styx, the river that ran through the underworld, to make him immortal. She grasped onto his heel so as not to let him fall in completely. But because his heel did not touch the water, it was the one part of his body that was not immortal. This is said to be where the term “Achilles Heel” came from. The Latin name for yarrow is Achillea millefolium. And it is said that this herb was used many times by Achilles to help heal the wounds of his men.
Powerful cold and flu herb due to its diaphoretic, aquaretic, and antiviral properties
Antiinflammatory
Diuretic
Antimobrobial
Improves blood circulation and flow
Normalizes hydrochloric secretions which aids in the relief of indigestion and heartburn
Digestive stimulant
Helps with stomach flu and gastrointestinal disorders
Styptic, meaning it aids in wound healing stops bleeding due to its astringent properties
Lessens heavy menstrual flow as well as helping to initiate menstrual flow
Here is an interesting study about the effect of yarrow on Covid:
Investigation on anti-Corona viral potential of Yarrow tea
Peppermint:
Not only does peppermint smell amazing, but it is a very low maintenance plant. Its leaves contain the oils of menthol, menthone, and limonene and it has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its leaves may be used fresh with a meal or in a smoothie, dried out and used as a tea, or turned into a tincture.
Aids in digestive issues such as indigestion, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and Irritable Bowl Syndrome
Headache and migraine relief
Opens up the sinuses
Aids in healing sinus infections
Cold and flu relief
Calms skin conditions
Eases Muscle aches and joint pain
Increases blood flow
Reduces fatigue
Relieves menstrual cramps
Feverfew:
Feverfew is in the Daisy family and is also known as bachelor’s buttons. It is said that ancient Greek physicians used it to reduce inflammation and fever, as well as treat menstrual cramps. And it has the nickname of “medieval aspirin.” The plant contains a lactone compound called Parthenolide, which makes it an incredible anti-inflammatory. The leaves may be eaten raw and all parts of the plant that grow above ground may be dried for tea or turned into a tincture.
Relieves migraines
Helps with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Calms Dermatitis
Prevents blood clots due to antithrombotic properties
Potential anticancer effects
Relieves Colitis
Insect repellent
Relieves menstrual cramps
Relieves toothache pain
Calendula:
This beautiful flower is a wonderful addition to your garden because it attracts pollinators. But aside from that, this plant has many good benefits for you as well. It has high amounts of flavonoids, which help protect cells from free radical damage. And it has anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombogenic, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects. It may be used as a tea, or as a tincture, and it may also be added to oils and salves for the skin.
Helps heal stomach ulcers
Relieves menstrual cramps
Helps wounds heal faster
Calms skin inflammation such as Dermatitis and diaper rash
Improves skin hydration and firmness
Prevents blood clotting
Protects the brain
Aids in fighting cancer
Helps to normalize blood sugar levels
Treats vaginal yeast infections
St. John’s Wort:
St. John’s Wort has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. This herb was used in ancient Greece for a variety of reasons, one of the main uses being to treat nervous disorders. It is said to have gotten its name from St. John the Baptist because of the time of year that it blooms, which is in the month of June, during the feast of St. John the Baptist. It may be used as a tea, a tincture, in capsules, or placed into oils or salves for skin ailments.
Improves OCD symptoms
Improves mood during menopause
Aids in wound healing
Relieves skin inflammation and irritation
Heals hemorrhoids
Relieves menstrual cramps
Beneficial for the kidneys and the lungs
Helps with insomnia
Helps treat mood swings and depression due to its ability to act as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Oregano:
Oregano is part of the mint family. This is one of those classic herbs that most people who are growing their own food will have in their gardens. And it has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments. But despite it being such a common choice, it is a powerful plant and is packed with antioxidants. Not only is a great to add fresh or dried to your food, but it also contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, giving it the ability to knock out illness relatively quickly. It can be used fresh or dried and as with most herbs can be used as a tea, a tincture, an oil, a salve, or in capsules.
Relieves upset stomach
Helps stop diarrhea
Aids in wound healing
Treats viral infections
Treats bacterial infections
Improves chronic inflammatory conditions
Helps to fight cancer
Helps regulate blood sugar levels
Elderberry:
Elderberry, also known as Sambucus nigra, is a dark purple berry that is packed with antioxidants and is incredibly beneficial for the immune system. It is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and is also beneficial to the skin due to these properties as well as its bioflavonoids and vitamin A content. It is said to have been described by Hippocrates as his “medicine chest.” And it is commonly used as a syrup, sometimes combined with other herbs to help boost its benefits.
Helps relieve allergies
Fights respiratory infections such as the cold and flu
Reduces inflammation
Alleviates constipation
Natural diuretic
Lowers blood sugar
Relieves headaches
Helps with joint and muscle pain
Helps to calm the nervous system
Rosemarie also shared a recipe with us for preparing elderberry syrup:
Ingredients:
3/4 cup dried elderberries
3 cups water
1 teaspoon dried cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon dried cloves or 4 whole cloves or 1 drop clove essential oil
1 tablespoon fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon dried ginger or 1 drop ginger essential oil
1 cup raw honey (organic & local to you is a must! If the honey doesn't crystalize then it isn't honey)
*optional* I always add Star anise
Instructions:
In a large pot, bring the elderberries, water, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to a boil.
Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about 40-45 minutes.
Cool, and drain the liquid using a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth.
Press all liquid out of the berries using the back of a wooden spoon.
Then add the raw honey and mix well.
Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to two months.
(I always make batches fresh when possible.)
Dosage:
1 tablespoon daily for adults, and 1 teaspoon daily for children over one to help boost the immune system year-round.
Use 2 to 3 times a day when unwell.
Goldenrod:
The genus of goldenrod is solidago canadensis or solidago virgaurea. And the word solidago means “to make whole.” This is typically a wild herb but it is one that you could also grow at home. But If you are ever out searching for this plant, be aware that it is usually found with ragweed growing nearby. So, if you are someone who has allergies, make sure you exercise caution. Goldenrod is antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and a natural diuretic. It also contains flavonoids to help fight free radicals.
Beneficial for conditions such as arthritis, gout, kidney stones, tuberculosis, and diabetes
Helps alleviate allergy symptoms
Helps heal bladder infections and UTIs
Heals wounds
Eases skin inflammation
Helps with the cold and flu
Heals hemorrhoids
Helps with overactive bladder
Lavender:
Lavender is most well-known for its calming effects and lovely floral scent. It is commonly found today in many products like soap, shampoo, and bath salts. But it can also be a wonderful addition to your food, especially when combined with lemon peel. This would be a good choice for your garden just for the beauty and aroma alone, but the health benefits of this herb are another good reason to have it around. Lavender is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. And it has been used throughout the ages for a variety of reasons. Here is an article that will give you more information about this herb, as well as some of its interesting history.
Lavender: History, Taxonomy, and Production
Improves sleep quality and helps with insomnia
Calms the nervous system and helps with stress and anxiety
Helps heal fungal infections
Calms skin irritation and inflammation
Assists in wound healing
Helps with muscle and joint pain
Eases headaches
Lemon Balm:
Lemon Balm is also in the mint family and has an energizing minty and lemony scent. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties and contains powerful antioxidants. It is said that during the Middle Ages, this herb was added not only to tea, but also to wine to help improve mood and brain function as well as rid the body of illness.
Improves sleep quality
Heals cold sores
Improves cognitive function
Eases bloating and indigestion
Relieves stress and lowers anxiety
Eases menstrual cramps
Helps with wound healing
Improves mood
Lowers high triglycerides and improves cholesterol
Helps to get rid of candida
Helps to regulate blood sugar levels
Rosemary:
This wonderful culinary herb is loaded with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. And it has a long history that dates back to at least 500 B.C. Rosemary is also currently being studied for its ability to slow brain aging as well as possible anticancer effects.
Eases indigestion
Stimulates hair growth
Improves blood circulation
Improves mood and concentration
Lowers anxiety
Eases inflammation
Promotes eye health
Eases muscle pain
Wormwood:
This plant is commonly known for being the main ingredient in the herbal spirit of absinthe. But it also has many other benefits, including being a powerful antiparasitic. And it is for this reason that you will find it in most natural parasite cleanses. It is anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial and it contains compounds such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and tannins. It also contains an extract called Artemisinin, which helps to treat Malaria. There is also research out there that is showing this herb to have the ability to kill cancer cells.
Stimulates appetite
Helps with insomnia
Rids the body of intestinal worms
Helps relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion
Helps with constipation due to its ability to increase secretion of bile
Helps with diseases such as Crohn’s Disease SIBO
Helps relieve pain and inflammation and is good for joint and muscle pain as well as swelling
Helps heal skin infections
Helps treat yeast infections
Dandelion:
Many people today hold the belief that this plant is nothing more than an obnoxious weed. But that could not be further from the truth. Not only is it a good source of many vitamins and minerals, it also has many health benefits. And the entire plant, from the roots to the flowers, may be used. Some common ways to use this plant for food is to eat the raw leaves in a salad or use the flowers to make dandelion jam. This is also a wonderful companion plant to have, as Melissa pointed out, because it helps to pull moisture down to the roots of other neighboring plants. This plant has also been widely used among Native American tribes. They would chew on the root to relieve pain, steam the leaves to help with a sore throat, as well as boil the flowers to help with issues like swelling and an upset stomach.
Appetite stimulant
Helps with liver and kidney diseases
Eases skin ailments such as rashes, wounds, and boils
Helps relieve diarrhea as well as constipation
Eases heartburn
Helps to lower fever
Natural diuretic
Helps regulate blood sugar
Calms upset stomach
Reduces inflammation
Lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels
Helps to reduce blood pressure
Eases pain
Burdock:
Burdock is a powerful plant that has been used in herbal remedies for centuries, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and it also has antibacterial properties. The root may be eaten like a vegetable and is high in a dietary fiber called inulin. It is also a good source of vitamin B6, manganese, potassium, and magnesium.
Purifies the blood
Clears the lymphatic system
Natural diuretic
Helps with skin irritation and inflammation such as eczema and acne
Aids in wound healing
Helps regulate blood sugar
Alleviates sore throat
Helps treat the cold and flu
Improves digestion
Helps with arthritis pain
Mullein:
Mullein is well known for its effects on the lungs. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. And it has expectorant and astringent properties. It is rich in saponins and also contains a compound called verbascoside, which is effective at combating pain as well as reducing oxidative stress.
Eases ear ache pain
Heals ear infections
Fights bacterial infections
Helps to heal conditions like Bronchitis, Whooping Cough, Sinusitis, and Influenza
Relieves cough
Expels mucus
Eases joint and muscle pain
Relieves sore throat
Aids in wound healing
Helps with gastrointestinal issues
After discussing several different herbs and some of their benefits, the conversation then turned towards the topic of cannabis. Melissa told us her story with this plant and revealed how beneficial cannabis has been for her. This can be an uneasy topic for some people because of its years of governmental barring and regulation. But Josh had some really good points to make about how good this plant truly is.
“This is a good, all-around plant that has medicinal properties, psychoactive properties, massive health benefits, is good for the soil, and is nutrient dense. And if you grow it the way it is meant to be grown, with no excess fertilizer or anything really added into it; you just plant the seeds and let it grow, it will grow like a weed, but it is incredibly good for you. And if you’re like me and you have a hard time smoking cannabis because the stuff is either way too potent or it gives you anxiety and these types of things, know that when I just grew it naturally, I didn’t experience any of that.”
This is a great plant to be used for barter and trade. And not only can it be smoked, but it can also be added into food, or made into a tincture. And it does not just have TCH, it also has CBD properties that are incredibly beneficial for things like anxiety and pain management. It’s roots and stalks can also be used, and depending on the type of cannabis you get, it can also be used for things such as paper and clothing. Here is a list of other conditions this herb is good for:
Chronic pain
Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Epilepsy
Cancer
Blood pressure
Gastrointestinal issues
Inflammation
The final topic of discussion was regarding the importance of gut health and some of the ways in which we can maintain that health. Your gut microbiome not only helps to destroy pathogens, but it also helps to keep your brain in a healthy and functional state. The gut microbiome produces neurotransmitters, regulates the immune system, and aids in proper digestion and absorption of food.
Having a thriving microbiome is absolutely crucial. If you are filling your body with unhealthy foods like processed foods and sugar, you could not only find yourself developing a various number of diseases, but you could also end up with an overgrowth of Candida. And this internal fungus will continue to send nootropic signals to your brain to make you crave more sugar, throwing you into a vicious cycle.
If you are also someone who has taken a lot of antibiotics throughout life, understand that these medications not only kill the bad bacteria, but they also kill the good bacteria. So how could you build your beneficial bacteria back up to help combat things like this? You may want to opt to buy a probiotic supplement, but there are also several foods and beverages that can be consumed that will help to build up those beneficial microbes. Some good choices to aid in building a healthy gut flora are Greek yogurt, Kefir, Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Pickles, Miso, Kombucha, and Natto.
Slippery elm bark is also a good herb to use when you are trying to heal your gut, especially if you are dealing with something like leaky gut. Slippery elm is not only good for healing wounds, but it can also be consumed in capsules or in a tea, and it helps to soothe the lining of the urinary tract as well as coats the stomach by causing increased mucus secretion. This is also a good herb to help heal ulcers and acid reflux because of the excess mucus secretion.
Another good thing that can be done for digestive health is to make sure you are getting plenty of fiber in your diet. Of course, the best way to do this is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. But if you are someone who is on a keto or carnivore diet, or if you just feel like you need more fiber in general, one of the things you could use is psyllium husk. One of our members shared a recipe that uses psyllium husk and said that all you need to do is take a few tablespoons and add it to some liquid like water, milk, or almond milk to make a pudding. And from there you could add in any other extras that you wanted like honey, cocoa powder, fruit, nuts, etc.
We need to remember that preparation and survival is not just about what could happen in the future. It is also about what we can be doing now. We need to do what we can to care for our bodies and get back to nature as much as possible so that if something ever did happen, we would be in a healthy state and better able to handle difficult and stressful conditions.