Herbal Medicine Foraging Guide

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Herbal Medicine Foraging Guide

Why worry about this?

First aid is one of the most important skills to learn before a disaster. It can and probably

will save your life or the life of someone you love. While we cannot plan for every

medical emergency we can at least prepare for the most common ones. Basic first aid

training is a great way to learn how to treat many basic injuries.

Pain and Illnesses however are nearly impossible to treat without medicine. What will

you do when you can’t get to a hospital and the pharmacies have long stopped

functioning?

Arming yourself with the knowledge of how to find, use, and grow basic medicinal plants

is the way to ensure you and your family are taken care of for as long as it takes.

Our Medicinal Herbs Cheat Sheet We have compiled the below cheat sheet as a quick reference guide that you can print out and take with you on your next camping trip or even stick in your bug out bag to refer to once you have safely evacuated. Good luck!


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Name: Echinacea

Uses

Good for fighting colds and strengthening the immune system.

Where to find it

Grows in Eastern and central North America, in moist to dry prairies and open wooded areas.


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Name: Astragalus

● Astragalus – When it comes to the Echinacea’s best partner in boosting the immune system, the Astragalus is on top of the list. Also, the herb also comes with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties essential in getting back to good health. For conditions related to colds and flu, diabetes, heart diseases and even side effects of chemotherapy, the root of the Astragalus can be used. It grows in thewild along the edges of woodlands, in thickets, openwoods and grasslands and is hardy enough to survive a North American Winter, should you decide to plant it in your garden.

Uses

The roots of the Astragalus can be used for conditions related to colds and flu, diabetes,

heart diseases and even side effects of chemotherapy. Great for boosting the immune

system.


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Where to find it

Typically grows in the wild along the edges of woodlands, in thickets, open woods and grasslands and is hardy enough to survive a North American Winter, should you decide to plant it in your garden.


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Name: Licorice

● Although it is super sweet, chewing on licorice root is the best remedy for a sore throat. You can create a tincture or decoction for this, or you can keep licorice ‘sticks’ handy in your herbal medicine chest. Licorice grows best warm climates in deep, rich sandy soil near a stream in full sun.

Uses

Good remedy for a sore throat. Can chew of the roots or make into a tincture or

decoction.

Where to find it

Typically grows in warm climates in deep, rich sandy soil near a stream in full sun.


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Name: Chamomile

Uses

Helps treat a stomach ache and nausea. Typically made into a tea and drank to soothe

symptoms.

Where to find it

Usually grows along fence lines, roadsides, and in sunny fields from Southern Canada to

Northern U.S., the plant does not tolerate hot, dry climates.


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Name: Wood Betony

Uses

Used to treat headaches and reduce stress. Can be applied external wounds to relieve

soreness and inflammation.

Where to find it

This delicate plant typically grows in woodlands and in copses of trees, although it can

occasionally be found in more open areas.


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Name: Calendula

Uses

Applied to skin to calm rashes and inflammation.

Where to find it

Calendula can be found growing in the wild in open fields and prairies.


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Name: Feverfew

Uses

Great for treating headaches and also helps dilate blood vessels. Usually brewed into a

tea or made into a tincture.

Where to find it

Feverfew is commonly found along roadsides and along the borders of wooded areas.


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Name: Elecampane

Uses

Aids digestion and relieves congestion.

Where to find it

This grows abundantly in pastures and along roadsides, preferring wet, rocky ground.


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Name: Horehound

Uses

Provides relief to coughs. Is usually made into a tea and served with honey or sugar due

to horehound’s bitterness.

Where to find it

Horehound thrives in full sun and needs little moisture, it usually grows along roadsides, in

disturbed areas, and in fields.


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Name: Valerian

Uses

Use as a sedative or to relieve minor pain.

Where to find it

Valerian prefers moist soil and its native habitat is marshes and river banks.


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Name: Marshmallow

Uses

Has anti-inflammatory properties and also works as a mucilage to coat both the throat and

stomach.

Where to find it

These plants grow in sunny but cool climates on the edges of marshland and on grassy

banks along lakes and rivers.


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Name: Comfrey

Uses

Applied externally to wounds to aid healing. Should NEVER be ingested as Comfrey can

be toxic to the liver. Mash the leaves and soak them in hot water for a few minutes, then

wrap around the wound.

Where to find it

Most commonly grows in in damp, grassy places. Although it likes damp soil it’s root is hardy enough to survive a minor drought.

Be Aware, Be Prepared Running out of supplies for your first aid kit while trying to survive makes a bad situation much worse. Learn these plants now, BEFORE you NEED this knowledge and you will be grateful if you ever need to rely on it. Good luck prepping!


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You can see the original article this Herbal Medicine Foraging Guide is based on right here:

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Health & Medicine

Herbal Medicine Foraging Guide