14 Natural & Powerful Medicinal Plants

When you’re out in the wilderness you know that anything can happen. What makes it even more frightening is that, things can change in an instant. If you’re planning on spending your day in the wilderness, it’s always handy to know the different medicinal plants and their uses.

Even with great planning and preparations, sometimes we tend to forget some of the things that should always be included in our bug out bags ,like medicines.

In an urban environment when you’re not feeling great you can easily take some medicine or go to a doctor for a check-up. However, when you’re in an emergency or survival situation going to a doctor or access to medicine become difficult. Even though you have some medicines with you, it may not be enough to treat yourself if SHTF.

And if it turns out you’re stuck in some sort of disaster scenario – you never know how long you’re going to be stuck for. So how on earth do you prepare for that?

We often think that water and food are the most important things to have when going out on a survival adventure trip. They may be towards the top of your survival list, but one of the most essential items that should never be forgotten or left behind is our first aid kit.

But, life is unpredictable. What if something happens to you and you don’t have the correct treatment in your kit? What will you do if you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere?

All you need to do is to trust mother nature and look for the things you need in your surroundings.

Even without a first aid kit, there are still ways to administer medical first aid treatments. Being knowledgeable about the different medicinal plants can help you in an emergency situation.

Medicinal plants with healing properties are all around us. Some of these medicinal plants are as powerful as those pills you buy in the pharmacy. Also, some were used as highly effective native American medicine.

Below are 14 of the best natural medicinal plants and medicinal herbs that can help you survive when faced with a medical situation and no hospital or pharmacy is near the area.

14 Of The Best Natural Medicinal Plants that You Need to Know 1. Dandelions

These hated garden weeds are actually medicinal in nature. Dandelions are rich in potassium and it is a great cure for eczema, arthritis, and internal disorders when taken internally. So, before you cut all those dandelions away, remember to leave a few behind for emergency purposes.

2. Rosemary

This medicinal plant is sometimes referred to as “remembrance” because the oil that comes from the rosemary can improve brain circulation. Rosemary oil is also antibacterial and anti fungal. Laboratory experiments are also underway to find out whether this medicinal plant can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Lavender

One of the oldest and most effective medicinal plants in the world, lavender can cure migraine, insomnia, and anxiety. Recent studies also suggest that it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera can also be called a miracle plant. With its vast usefulness, Aloe Vera is also a very effective medicinal plant. Kings and Queens in the medieval period used Aloe Vera plant to treat burns as well as cuts and skin infections. Aloe Vera can also relieve constipation, treats heartburn and irregular bowel syndrome.

5. Lemon Thyme

The main ingredient for our mouthwash, lemon thyme is the best cure for kids with upset stomachs. Lemon thyme also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that are great in treating wounds.

6. Celery Seed

Celery seeds are best in treating psoriasis, but be careful in taking celery seeds. Consuming large amount can cause photo dermatitis. So before using celery seeds as medicine, consult your herbalist or your doctor first and do some more research.

7. Peppermint

Peppermints are the kings and queens of the medicinal plant kingdom. It can cure almost anything. Name it and this plant can cure it. Headaches, skin irritations, pain, nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence are just some of the examples that the peppermint plant can cure. The high concentration of antibacterial and antiviral properties of peppermints is also the main reason why this plant is so great.

8. Ginger

Ginger is a natural pain reliever and is one of the oldest medicinal herbs. Because of its anti-inflammatory property, ginger has been used to treat ailments like nausea, headache, muscle soreness, cold and flu symptoms, arthritis pain, and sinus congestion and pain.

The level of effectiveness of this herb decreases once it has taken out of the ground. Ginger will become less effective in relieving pain when it underwent through a lot of processing and preparation. The commercially dried and ground ginger powder is pretty worthless as a natural pain reliever.

Cooking ginger will limit its effectiveness, so it is better to add fresh ginger to your food. Eat a little piece of fresh ginger every day, it might not taste good to you but it can help you keep your health on top especially when you’re in a survival situation.

9. Turmeric

Another natural pain reliever is the turmeric plant. It is an herb which is commonly used in Indian Curry dishes. Although there are still an ongoing research about the values of this plant, scientists have been using turmeric as an ingredient to various medications because of its excellent healing traits. It can help the circulation of blood and prevents clotting. Turmeric can also be used to relieve pain from joint inflammation.

This natural pain reliever contains Curcumin, an ingredient that can help decrease enzyme levels that can cause inflammation.

Add turmeric to your meals every day to reap its benefits. You can also take a concentrated supplement in tincture or pill.

10.Valerian Root

Use Valerian Root to soothe minor aches and pains. Taking a Valerian Root supplement every day will help some people with their insomnia and anxiety. This herb might not be effective to other people so make sure that you try it as a supplement first so that you will know if it is effective for you.

You can easily grow Valerian Root in the garden, and you can use them for daily use and in emergency situations.

For preppers who have not yet used these herbs or any herbs for medicinal purposes, it is better to speak with a trusted specialist first before stocking or including them in your preps.  Researching the possible allergic reactions of these natural pain relievers is also advisable.

11. Oak

Oak trees grow in many places throughout North America, Central America, and in some parts of Europe and Asia.

This tree has alternate leaves and acorn fruits. There are two types of oak tree – the red and white. The differences between a red oak tree and a white oak tree are:

Red Oak tree:

• its leaves have bristles
• the bark of the red oak tree on its upper part is smooth
• red oak acorns mature in 2 years

White Oak Tree

• the leaves of the white oak tree have no bristles
• its bark on its upper part is rough
• the acorns of the white oak tree mature in 1 year

All parts of this tree is edible however, there are parts that contain bitter substances. The acorn of a white oak tree tastes better than that of a red oak tree. For red oak acorns, you have to soak them in the water for 2 days. Soaking them in the water will remove their bitter taste. Add wood ashes in the water to speed up the process. Boil the acorns, or you can also grind the acorns to make flour and use it for baking, or cook the ground acorns until very dark to make coffee.

The bark of the oak tree is the part which is mainly used for medicinal purposes today. This part is used as tea for cough, bronchitis, colds, fever and diarrhea. It is also known to stimulate the appetite and improve digestion. Some people apply the bark directly to the skin in a compress for pain and swelling of the anal region, genitals, mouth, throat and skin.

The bark of the oak tree contains tannins which help ease inflammation and diarrhea.

12. Broad and Narrow Leaf Plantain

This wild medicinal plant is used as pain reliever for wounds and sores. Wash the whole plant for a few seconds and apply it to your wounds. This plant can also be used in treating diarrhea, all you have to do is boil 28 grams of Plantain leaves in 0.5 liter of water and then drink it. You can eat the young leaf of the plantain plant raw, but you have to cook the older leaves.

Plantains grow in lawns or along the roads, and its leaves can grow up to 2.5 cm and its flowers are on a spike which rises in the middle of the leaves. This wild medicinal plant can be seen throughout the world.

13. Burdock

This medicinal plant has wavy-edged and arrow-shaped leaves, it has pink and purple flowers and it has fleshy roots. This plant can grow up to 2 meters tall. Burdock can be found around the world in the North Temperate Zone. They can be found in open waste areas during the spring and summer.

Burdock contains insulin which is used to improve digestion and recent studies have also confirmed that this plant has a pre-biotic property that is good for the health.

Traditionally, burdock has been used as:

• “blood purifier” to clear the bloodstream of toxins
• Diuretic to rid the body of excess water
• topical remedy for skin problems like psoriasis, acne and eczema
• as cure for sore throat and colds (traditional Chinese medicine)

You can peel the leaf stalks and cook them, or you can eat them raw, and you may boil or bake the roots.

14. Nettle

Nettle plants are often found in moist areas along the stream or at the border of forests. You can find them throughout North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Northern Europe. This plant can grow to a few feet high. It has inconspicuous and small flowers; its stems, leafstalks and the underside of the leaves are covered with fine and hair like bristles. Be careful not to touch the bristles because they can cause a stinging feeling.

Its leaves are edible and also the young shoots. Boil the plant for up to 15 minutes to eliminate the stinging element.

For hundreds of years, stinging nettle has been used to treat anemia, painful muscles and joints, arthritis, eczema and gout.

Today, this plant is used for treating urinary problems, urinary tract infections, hay fever and during the early stages of enlarged prostate. It is also used in compresses or added to creams to treat tendonitis, sprains and strains, joint pain and to ease bug bites.

I hope that was helpful.

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