--------------------------------------------------------------------- Main Web Site http://www.survivalprimer.com/ Survival Files http://www.survivalprimer.com/Index_Survival.htm Christian Files http://www.survivalprimer.com/index_spiritual.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------- MEDICINAL PLANTS LIST 9 Jan 2003 A book you will need: Peterson Field Guides; A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs Of Eastern and Central North America; ISBN 0-395-98814-4 First list and discussion is from John "Lofty" Wiseman; The SAS Survival Handbook; ISBN 0 00 26531407, (unabridged) NATURAL MEDICINE Natural remedies are available for many human illnesses if you know where to look. For thousands of years drugs and treatments have made use of all kinds of herbs, plants and natural substances and many of the drugs still in use today are derived from plant sources. Not all the traditional medicines are endorsed by modern doctors, some were based more on an association of the plant than with its medical properties -- though strangely color and appearance does often seem to be indicative. Plants such as scarlet pimpernel and burdock, used to clear the blood, are mainly red; those that treat jaundice, including agrimony, hawkweed and dandelion, are yellow. Sometimes a name reminds us of the old medical usage -- lungwort for instance, or eyebright. CRUEL TO BE KIND Sick survivors need your care and attention, but they must also be kept interested and optimistic. If a man with pneumonia is left to curl up in a corner of the shelter, he will probably die. Get him on his feet and keep him occupied with minor tasks. Give him plenty of fluids and coax him to eat. Do not let him lie down. The hepatitis case must be forced to eat. You cannot allow either strength or morale to be depleted. It is not only plants that can replace your medical supplies, or to supplement your store. Urine can be used as an antiseptic to wash out wounds. If the patient is fussy, use their own. If sick enough, they won't care whose. Maggots too, have been used to clean wounds. In tropical countries an open wound is soon infested with them -- but they do keep it open and clean until better treatment can be given. Keep watch that they do not devour good tissues. Fire has been used for centuries to clean wounds. Cauterizing with heat requires fortitude in the patient but, if they can stand it, and you have ammunition, placing powder around a wound and lighting it can prevent gangrene. Some people believe that the best way to seal a stump after an amputation is to cauterize (as used to be done to criminals who had their hands chopped off)-- but the shock of this on top of the shock of injury will kill some people. MODERN DRUGS Many modern drugs such as cocaine, morphine and digitalis are derived directly from plants, but extracting them is NOT straightforward. Often poisons are involved which could be VERY DANGEROUS if any attempt was made to use such plants in treatment. What follows is a list of plants and the medical uses to which the survivor can put them in simple preparations. Although many modern drugs are made from tropical plants, and indigenous medicine has many plant ingredients, most of these plants are found in temperate regions for they are they are the ones which have been most documented and which you have a reasonable chance of recognizing. PLANT PREPARATIONS Leave all poisonous plants alone and be sure that you have properly identified the plant. As a general rule plants will be most potent when in flower. Note that different parts of a plant may have different uses. Infusions are usually made from leaves or flowers and decoctions from roots. The methods are described below. Divide the amount made into three doses to take in one day Always prepare infusions, decoctions and poultices freshly, just before using. Never keep for more than 12 hours. Plants vary in potency depending on season when picked. Do not think you will do more good by taking or administering larger doses -- you won't and you may do harm. Don't expect miracles overnight. Give the treatment a fair chance to work. TO MAKE AN INFUSION Cut and crush the herb so that juices and oils are more readily available. You need a slack handful of herb to a 1/2 liter (1pt) of water (30g to 50cc/1oz to 20fl.oz). Pour boiling water over it. Stir. Leave to cool. There is no need to strain -- the herb will sink to the bottom. If you cannot boil water use half the amount of cold water and stand the vessel in the sun. If there is no sun or no water try sucking or chewing the leaves, extracting as much of the juices as possible, then spit out the pulp. TO MAKE A DECOCTION Usually a preparation from roots. Cut, scrape and mash root. Soak in water (handful to 85cc/l 1/2 pt) for at least half an hour. Bring to boil, simmer until liquid reduces by one-third. TO MAKE A POULTICE Mash up root, leaves or all of the herb and make into a flat pad. If too dry add water. Apply to affected part and cover with a large leaf, bind in position. Poultices can be applied to stiff joints, sprains and pus-filled sores. EXPRESSED JUICE Reduce stem and leaves of the plant to a juicy mush by crushing with hands, rocks or sticks. Squeeze juice only into a wound and spread pulp around infected area. Keep in place with a large leaf and bind. SPLINTING AGENTS The roots of Comfrey and, to a lesser extent, Solomon's seal, are so rich in starch that they will set hard when they have been well boiled and reduced. Allow to cool slightly and pack around an injured limb or joint. Good for holding poultices. REMEDIES STOPPING BLEEDING DOVE'S-FOOT CRANE'S-BILL: Expressed juice GIANT PUFFBALL: Packed as poultice PERIWINKLE: Expressed juice of leaves PLANTAINS: Pounded leaves as poultice SELF-HEAL: Expressed juice STORK'S-BILL: Expressed juice of leaves WOUNDWORT: Expressed juice CLEANSING RASHES / SORES / WOUNDS NOTE: Use these plants externally to bathe the skin or, where indicated, as a poultice. Apply two or three times a day. BURDOCK: Decoction of root; crushed raw root and salt for animal bites CAMOMILE: Infusion of flowers as poultice CHICKWEED: Expressed juice of leaves CLEAVERS: Infusion of whole plant, except roots COMFREY: Decoction of root as poultice DEAD-NETTLE: Infusion of flowers and shoots DOCKS: Crushed leaves ELDER: Expressed juice of leaves ELM: Infusion of bark HOREHOUND: Infusion of whole plant, except roots. MALLOW: Decoction of leaves and flowers as poultice MARSH MALLOW: Decoction of root; infusion of leaves and flowers; as poultice OAK: Decoction of bark SANICLE: Infusion of whole plant, except roots SCURVY GRASS: Crushed leaves SHEPHERD'S PURSE: Infusion of whole plant, except roots; as poultice SILVERWEED: Infusion of whole plant, except roots SOLOMON'S SEAL: Decoction of roots; as poultice ST JOHN'S WORT: Infusion of flowers and shoots SORREL: Crushed leaves TANSY: Crushed leaves WATERCRESS: Expressed juice WOUNDWORT: Infusion of whole plant, except roots YARROW: Infusion of whole plant, except roots ANTISEPTIC NOTE: These plants can be used externally or internally. They are particularly useful for wounds that become infected. GARLIC: Expressed juice MALLOW: Infusion of leaves and flowers MARSH MALLOW: Decoction of root; infusion of flowers and leaves HORSERADISH: Decoction of root THYME: Infusion of leaves and flowers ACHES / PAINS / BRUISES / STIFFNESS Note: Where indicated, use externally. BALM: Infusion of leaves BIRCH: Infusion of leaves BORAGE: . Infusion of whole plant, except roots BURDOCK: Decoction of root CAMOMILE: Expressed juice of flowers applied to swellings CHICKWEED: Infusion of whole plant, except roots COMFREY: Decoction of root applied to swellings COWBERRY: Infusion of leaves and fruits DOCK: Crushed leaves applied to bruises DOVE'S-FOOT CRANE'S-BILL: Infusion of whole plant, except roots, applied to swellings ELM: Infusion of bark FIGWORT: Decoction of whole plant, except roots; use externally to draw bruises and blood clots GARLIC: Expressed juice applied to swellings HOREHOUND: Expressed juice or leaves to earache POPLAR: Infusion of leaf buds SOLOMON'S SEAL: Decoction of root; we externally SORREL: Crushed leaves applied to bruises ST JOHN'S WORT: Infusion of flowers and shoots applied to bruises TANSY: Crushed leaves applied to bruises WILLOW: Decoction of bark FEVERS NOTE: These plants will induce perspiration to break a fever. CAMOMILE: Infusion of leaves and flowers ELDER: Infusion of flowers and fruit ELM: Decoction of bark FEVERFEW: Infusion of whole plant, except roots LIME: Infusion of flowers COLDS / SORE THROATS/ RESPIRATORY AGRIMONY: Infusion of whole plant, except roots ANGELICA: Decoction of root BILBERRY: Infusion of leaves and fruits BISTORT: Infusion of whole plant, except roots BORAGE: Infusion of whole plant, except roots BURDOCK: Decoction of root CAMOMILE: Infusion of flower; use a gargle COLT'S-FOOT: Infusion of leaves and flowers COMFREY: Infusion of whole plant GREAT MULLEIN: INFUSION. of whole plant, except roots; decoction of root as gargle HOREHOUND: Infusion of whole plant, except roots HORSERADISH: Raw root LIME: Infusion of flowers LUNGWORT: Infusion of whole plant, except root MALLOW: Infusion of flowers and leaves MARSH MALLOW: Decoction of root; infusion of leaves and flowers MINT: Infusion of whole plant, except roots MOUNTAIN AVENS: Infusion of whole plant; use as gargle NETTLE: Infusion of leaves OAK: Decoction of bark; use as gargle PLANTAIN: Infusion of leaves and stems POPLARS: Infusion of leaf buds ROSES: Decoction of hips SANICLE: Infusion of whole plant, except roots SELF-HEAL: Infusion of whole plant, except roots; use as a gargle ST JOHN'S WORT: Infusion of flowers and shoots THYME: Infusion of leaves and flowers WILLOW: Decoction of bark YARROW: Infusion of whole plant, except roots; use as inhalant SETTLING STOMACH BALM: Infusion of leaves BILBERRY: Decoction of fruit BRACKEN: Infusion of leaves BRAMBLE: Infusion of leaves DANDELION: Decoction of whole plant HORSERADISH: Infusion of root MINT: Infusion of whole plant, except roots, with crushed charcoal SOLOMON'S SEAL: Decoction of root SANICLE: Infusion of root YARROW: Infusion of leaves and flowers DIARRHOEA NOTE: Take two or three times daily until symptoms subside. BILBERRY: Decoction of fruit BISTORT: Infusion of whole plant, except roots BRAMBLE: Infusion of leaves or decoction of fruit COWBERRY: Decoction of fruit ELM: Infusion of bark GREAT BURNET: Infusion. of leaves and shoots HAZEL: Infusion of leaves MARSH MALLOW: Infusion of leaves and flowers; decoction. of root MINT: Infusion of whole plant, except roots MOUNTAIN AVENS: Infusion of whole plant, except roots OAK: Decoction, of bark PLANTAIN: Infusion of leaves and stems PERIWINKLE: Infusion of leaves; NOT to be used for long periods SILVERWEED: Infusion of whole plant, except roots CONSTIPATION AGRIMONY: Infusion of whole plant, except roots BARBERRY: Expressed juice of fruit COMMON CLEAVERS: Infusion of whole plant, except roots COUCH GRASS (Elymus): Decoction of root DANDELION: Decoction of whole plant ELDER: Expressed juice of fruit FEVERFEW: Infusion of leaves and flowers ROWAN: Expressed juice of fruit ROSE: Decoction of hips WALNUT. Decoction of bark HEMORRHOIDS NOTE: Apply externally, two or three times a day. BILBERRY: Expressed juice of fruit CAMOMILE: Infusion of leaves and flowers ELM: Decoction of bark LESSER CELANDINE: Expressed juice of leaves OAK: Decoction of bark PLANTAIN: Expressed juice POPLAR: Decoction of leaf buds SILVERWEED: Infusion of whole plant, except roots SOLOMON'S SEAL: Decoction of root EXPELLING WORMS BRACKEN: Infusion of roots FEVERFEW: Decoction of leaves and flowers FIGWORT: Infusion of whole plant, except roots TANSY: Infusion of leaves and flowers; use sparingly in small amounts REMEMBER ESPECIALLY: For HEADACHES: Willow Leaves And Bark make a decoction containing Salicin, a constituent of Aspirin. For HEALING: Express the juice from Comfrey leaves to aid tissue regrowth. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN EXCERPTED FROM THE GREEN PHARMACY BY JAMES A. DUKE, PH. D, (RODALE PRESS, INC, 1997. ) 50 Proven Herbal Cures AILMENT - Herbal Option ACNE - Tea Tree, (external), Calendula ALLERGIES - Garlic, Stinging Nettle, Ginkgo ANXIETY - Hops, Kava Kava, Valerian ARTHRITIC PAIN - Cayenne (external), Celery Seed, Ginger, Tumeric ATHLETES FOOT - Tea Tree,(external), Garlic BOILS - Tea Tree, Slippery Elm (both external) BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) - Saw Palmetto, Evening Primrose BODY ODOR, PERSPIRATION -Coriander, Sage BRONCHITIS -Echinacea, Garlic BRUISES -Arnica, St. John's Wort, Yarrow, Plantain (all external) BURNS -Aloe (external) COLDS -Echinacea, Ginger, Lemon Balm, Garlic CONSTIPATION - Flaxseed, Psyllium CUTS, SCRAPES, ABSCESSES - Tea Tree, Calendula, Plantain (all external) MILD DEPRESSION -St. John's Wort DIARRHEA -Bilberry, Raspberry DYSMENORRHEA (painful menstruation) - Kava kava, Raspberry EARACHE - Echinacea, Garlic, Mullein ECZEMA (itchy rash) - Chamomile ATOPIC ECZEMA (allergy-related rash) - Evening Primrose FLU - Echinacea, Elderberry GAS - Dill, Fennel, Peppermint GINGIVITIS (gum inflammation) - Chamomile, Echinacea, Sage HALITOSIS (bad breath) - Cardamom, Parsley, Peppermint HAY FEVER - Stinging Nettle HEADACHE - Peppermint (external), Feverfew, Willow HEARTBURN - Angelica, Chamomile, Peppermint HEMORRHOIDS - Plantain, Witch Hazel (both external) HEPATITIS - Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Tumeric HERPES - Lemon Balm HIGH CHOLESTEROL - Garlic HIVES - Stinging Nettle INDIGESTION - Chamomile, Ginger, Peppermint INSOMNIA - Chamomile, Hops, Lemon Balm, Valerian, Kava Kava, Evening Primrose IRREGULARITY - Flaxseed, Plantain, Senna LOW BACK PAIN - Cayenne (external), Thyme MALE PATTERN BALDNESS - Saw Palmetto MIGRAINE - Feverfew MOTION SICKNESS - Ginger NAIL FUNGUS - Tea Tree (external) NIGHT BLINDNESS - Bilberry PMS - Chaste Tree, Evening Primrose RHINITIS (nasal inflammation) - Echinacea SHINGLES - Cayenne (external), Lemon Balm SPRAIN - Arnica, Calendula STRESS - Kava Kava, Valerian TINNITUS (ringing in the ears) - Ginkgo TOOTHACHE - Cloves, Willow URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS - Cranberry, Stinging Nettle VAGINITIS - Garlic, Goldenseal Some herbs should be avoided by people with certain conditions. For at least this reason, you are encouraged to seek more information about using the herbs listed on this chart. Consult articles appearing in Herbs For Health, and other credible sources, and ask your health-care provider for guidance. This chart is for educational purposes only and not intended to be used as a self-medication guide. It has been excerpted from THE GREEN PHARMACY by James A. Duke, Ph. D, (Rodale Press, Inc, 1997. )