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Survival essentials: How to prepare for the unexpected
10/21/2025 // Evangelyn Rodriguez // 830 Views
Tags: Collapse, disaster, emergency, Gear, homesteading, off grid, preparedness, prepper, prepping, SHTF, survival, survival gear, survivalist, tips
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- Stock water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, first aid supplies, survival tools (flashlight, multi-tool, radio), shelter/warmth gear and critical documents.
- Centralized systems (food chains, power grids, emergency services) are unreliable; preparedness ensures survival during disasters, economic collapse or civil unrest.
- Secure your home (fuel, power alternatives), establish communication strategies (encrypted apps, rally points) and prepare financially (cash, gold or silver, barter items).
- Firearms, ammunition and perimeter security (motion sensors, alarms) are crucial for protection in lawless scenarios.
- Governments won't save you; start prepping today, build supplies gradually and develop survival skills to thrive in coming crises.
In an era of increasing uncertainty—from natural disasters to power grid failures and civil unrest—being prepared is no longer optional. Experts warn that emergencies can strike without warning, leaving those who are unprepared vulnerable to severe consequences. Whether facing hurricanes, wildfires, economic collapse or government-mandated lockdowns, having a well-stocked emergency kit and a solid survival plan could mean the difference between life and death.
Families across the U.S. and worldwide are waking up to the reality that reliance on centralized systems, such as food supply chains, electricity or emergency services, is risky. Those who take preparedness seriously are turning to self-sufficiency, stockpiling essentials and learning survival skills to ensure resilience in these chaotic times.
The essential emergency kit: What you need now
Every household should have a 72-hour emergency kit at minimum, though many survivalists recommend stocking up for 30 days or more. A 72-hour emergency kit, according to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, is crucial for survival during disasters or grid-down scenarios, ensuring you have essential supplies like medications, protective gear and tools to deal with any type of emergency that comes your way.
Here are the critical items every kit must include:
1. Water and food
- Water: Store at least one gallon per person per day (minimum three days, ideally 30)
- Non-perishable food: High-calorie, nutrient-dense options like canned goods, freeze-dried meals, nuts and protein bars
- Manual can opener and basic utensils
2. First aid and medical supplies
- First aid: Bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers and prescription medications
- Natural remedies: Herbal antibiotics, activated charcoal (for poisoning) and colloidal silver
- Emergency dental kit
3. Tools and survival Gear
- Flashlight with extra batteries (or solar-powered)
- Multi-tool, duct tape, rope and waterproof matches
- Hand-crank or battery-powered radio (NOAA weather alerts)
- Whistle and dust masks (for signaling and contaminated air)
4. Shelter and warmth
- Emergency blankets, sleeping bags or thermal blanket
- Tarp and paracord for makeshift shelter
- Chemical hand warmers and fire-starting tools
5. Personal documents and cash
- Copies of IDs, passports, insurance policies and medical records (in a waterproof container)
- Cash in small bills (ATMs may fail during crises)
Beyond the kit: Developing a survival plan
Here are important steps to follow to ensure you and your family are fully prepared and equipped when SHTF:
1. Secure your home
- Know how to shut off gas, water and electricity.
- Reinforce doors and windows against intruders.
- Store backup fuel and alternative power sources (solar generators, propane heaters).
2. Communication strategy
- Designate an out-of-town contact (local networks may fail).
- Establish rally points if family members are separated.
- Use encrypted messaging apps if government censorship increases.
3. Financial preparedness
- Keep physical gold and silver (digital currency systems may collapse).
- Store extra fuel and barter items (ammo, seeds, medicine).
4. Self-defense and security
- Make sure you have firearms and ammunition (legally acquired and trained with).
- Secure night vision, motion sensors and perimeter alarms.
History has shown that those who prepare before disaster strikes fare far better than those scrambling last-minute. Governments and corporations cannot be relied upon in a crisis—self-sufficiency is the ultimate insurance policy.
Start small if necessary, but start today. Build your emergency supplies, learn essential survival skills and connect with like-minded communities. The coming years may bring unprecedented challenges, but those who act now will be the ones who thrive, not just survive.
Stay vigilant. Stay prepared. Stay free.
Watch this video about how to prepare for the unexpected.
This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
FoodStorageMoms.com
BrightU.ai
Brighteon.com
Survival essentials: How to prepare for the unexpected – NaturalNews.com
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Growing Mushrooms in Straw Bales & How to Preserve Mushrooms
Amy S. May 30, 2023 No Commentson Growing Mushrooms in Straw Bales & How to Preserve Mushrooms
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I find myself engaging in conversation in various social circles, I often bring up the topic of foraging and eating wild plants and how this survival skill is being forgotten. Oftentimes, the topic of harvesting and eating wild mushrooms is the one that captures the attention of the room.
Those that never experienced more than the store-bought mushrooms show signs of skepticism, and their attitude toward foraging suddenly changes. I often wondered why this general fear of wild mushrooms, and after doing a little bit of research, I found out why.
It turns out that in the United States, there are more than 7.000 annual cases recorded of exposure to toxic mushrooms. This means that people get in contact with various types of mushrooms, intentionally or unintentionally, and due to the toxic nature of these mushrooms, they make the statistics. Luckily, the number of cases that result in major harm or prove to be fatal is quite low, less than 40 people per year.
If you are the type of person willing to give mushroom foraging a try, you will be rewarded with a tasty, nutritional reward. In fact, mushrooms have much more protein than most vegetables, and they hold high levels of vitamins. Also, few people know that mushrooms are the only non-animal food with a vitamin D content.
Besides being a good food source, mushrooms may also have some medicinal properties, and their anticancer, antiallergenic, antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties are being tested by various scientific communities all over the world.
According to the International Journal of Microbiology, there are between 5,000 and 10,000 species of mushrooms in North America alone, so foraging for edible mushrooms can become quite challenging for the novice forager. To put things in perspective, you should know that of these 10,000 species native to North America, about 100 are considered edible and safe for human consumption.
I often like to joke with friends that all mushrooms are edible once, but you should never test this theory, no matter how hungry you are, if you get stranded in the wilderness. There are other less risky alternatives when it comes to wild edibles, and you shouldn’t consume mushrooms unless you are certain you’ve identified an edible variety.
If you want to become a mushroom hunter, I recommend learning just one or two edible mushroom species each year. After you can identify the two varieties beyond a shadow of a doubt, you can expand your knowledge to other fungi.https://www.prepperfortress.com/wp-c...ood-2023-1.jpg
For your foraging trip, you should bring along a sharp knife, a few mesh bags to store and transport the mushrooms, a good camera, and one or two field guides. The mesh bags will allow for the mushroom spores to be dispersed as you walk, so make sure you’re using only those types of bags for carrying the harvest. Regarding the field guides, these are useful not only to help you identify the mushrooms but also associated trees.
The camera (which can be the one from your phone) will help you take pictures and post them on certain apps like iNaturalist or on social media, where multiple people and various experts can offer input on the mushrooms you’ve discovered. There are also various Facebook groups dedicated to foragers, and just posting a picture on such groups of a mushroom you’re not certain about will provide you with useful information from other, more experienced foragers.
When taking photos of the mushrooms, make sure you take pictures from above but also from the underneath part of the mushroom’s cap, as well as the stalk. Some species can be distinguished by the presence of pores, gills, or other spore structures.
Another trick you can use to identify mushrooms is to make a spore print and post it online. Take the mushroom cap and put it on a sheet of paper with the spore side down (belly), pour a few drops of water on the cap, and then cover it with a glass for a few hours. You will notice that a spore print of various colors and arrangements will appear on the paper after you remove the mushroom cap.
Another piece of advice I can give you is to join a local mushroom club since no matter how many guides you read or bring along, it fails in comparison to finding and seeing the mushroom in their natural environment along someone who knows how to hunt for mushrooms.
These clubs will often organize and conduct forays where people will learn how to find and identify various types of mushrooms in person. Chances are you will be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with an expert, so make sure you ask questions and bring him/her the mushrooms you find to learn more about them.
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and unlike most garden vegetables, they grow in composted substrate rather than soil. Straw and hay bales are commonly used as the bulk ingredients in mushroom substrate because they are inexpensive and easy to use. With the right preparation, the average gardener can grow his own mushrooms at home using sterilized hay bales.
Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are the most common mushrooms grown at home, though there are many edible and medicinal species that can be cultivated. Plug, sawdust, or grain spawns cultured with a specific mushroom mycelium are available from mushroom suppliers throughout the country. Once the freshly-cut log is inoculated with the mushroom spawn, patience is the next step. Shiitake takes about a year to begin fruiting; the aggressive oyster mushroom can produce in as little as 3-4 months. Oak logs can produce shiitake for 3 or 4 years, with rest periods in between flushes.
Poplar is commonly used for oyster mushroom production, and being a softer wood, is consumed more quickly by the mushroom, but may still last 2 or 3 years. Logs need watering or soaking in the hot summer months, but can produce mushrooms until the wood disintegrates. Log-grown mushrooms can get very large compared to their commercially produced, store-bought cousins. What reward it is to step outside and pick a 6-inch shiitake for dinner!
Mushrooms can grow in a few different substrates from logs and mulch to straw. In this episode of From the Ground Up we discuss starting mushrooms in straw. The benefit of straw (or mulch) is that you get mushrooms in the same season you plant, with logs you have to wait a year.
Mushroom Club members have also been introduced to alternative methods of mushroom production. Species can be grown on hay bales, straw, sterilized grain, shredded paper, egg cartons, phone books, fabric or many other media inoculated with spawn. These methods generally begin production more quickly but don’t last nearly as long as mushrooms grown on logs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhqY6kYa5eo
(5064) Straw Bale Garden - Mushrooms in the Bale | Joel Karsten - YouTube
1 Sterilize the hay bales by placing them in a roasting pan or large stock pot full of boiling water until they are fully saturated. To make this process easier, it is best to use mini hay bales measuring no more than 12 inches in length.
2 Remove the bales from the water using a large pair of tongs and place them on a cooling rack set above a metal sheet pan to drain. You may need to empty the sheet pan several times so it does not overflow. Wait for the hay bales to cool to room temperature before removing them from the cooling rack.
3 Set the mini hay bales in the desired location for growing your mushrooms. Select a location that is out of direct sunlight and, if possible, will retain a stable temperature between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You can place your bales directly on the ground or on top of a bench or table for greater comfort in caring for your mushrooms.
4 Create openings in the tops of the mini hay bales with your fingers.https://www.prepperfortress.com/wp-c...ood-2023-3.jpg
5 Insert the oyster mushroom spawn into the openings you just created in the hay bales. Follow the instructions included with the mushroom spawn to determine the proper application rate.
6 Water the hay bales liberally with de-chlorinated water to keep the bales moist as the mushrooms develop. You can either purchase distilled or filtered water for your mushrooms or treat regular tap water with a de-chlorinating solution.
7 Check your hay bales several times a week and water them as necessary to keep the hay damp but not wet. After six to eight weeks, you should begin to see small mushrooms forming on the bales.
Now comes the fun part. The mushrooms essentially double in size every day, so within a week or so you should have good-sized oyster mushrooms. Mist them with water two or three times a day over this period – again, not so they are dripping, just so they are moist. The mushrooms should be harvested while their rims are still curled over a little and pointing downwards. If their rims seem to be turning upward, it’s probably time to harvest.
8 Harvest your mushrooms in the small “button” stage or let them mature for a while before picking them. Separate the mushrooms from the hay bale by gently twisting rather than pulling on them to avoid breaking the stems.
To harvest the mushrooms give them a twist at the base. This ensures that you leave the very bottom of the mushroom still in the bag. You want to leave that part behind as it is needed for the subsequent flushes of mushrooms. If you keep the mushrooms moist and in suitable conditions, you should get three or four flushes of mushrooms, although I’m told the first and second flushes are the most productive. I’m currently harvesting my second flush. When your bags stop producing, the straw can be used as mulch for the garden.
Preserving mushrooms
Mushrooms are a very valuable food in every kitchen, as they offer endless possibilities when it comes to using them. However, mushrooms are quite delicate and they require special care to preserve them from spoiling. Therefore, if you want to keep mushrooms in top condition for long periods of time, you’ll need to use a food preservation technique like dehydration, freezing, fermenting or vacuum packaging.
There are various different methods for preserving mushrooms. Mushrooms are being preserved in order to extend their shelf life. Fresh mushrooms only keep for about five days after picking. Preserved mushrooms can be kept for a longer period of time (even up to five years!)
Preserving mushrooms – freezing. Both wild and commercial mushrooms can be safely frozen, as long as they are edible. Choose mushrooms free from spots and decay. Sort according to size. Wash thoroughly in cold water. Trim off ends of stems. If mushrooms are larger than 1 inch across, slice them or cut them into quarters. Heating is required to preserve mushrooms ‘at their best.’ Either steam or saute mushrooms prior to freezing. Delicate mushrooms such as morels will benefit from a light saute prior to freezing.
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Preserving mushrooms – drying.
For supreme flavor, try drying mushrooms. Not only is this the easiest way to preserve mushrooms, it also provides you with a real flavor treat. Mushrooms should be dried on a dehydrator, not out-of-doors. Either commercial or edible wild mushrooms can be safely dried. Choose mushrooms free of dirt and decay. Rinse gently and dry. Slice into sections for even drying. Place on a dehydrator tray or rack and dry until brittle or crisp. Mushroom ‘chips’ are a real taste treat. For a flavor boost, dry mushrooms and grind to a fine powder. Spoon the powder into soups and stews, or add to dough when making fresh pasta.
Dehydrating mushrooms in the air: either on a rack or by hanging them on a line, as if you were hanging clothes. You should place them in a place that’s hot or has good air flow but without much humidity.
Drying mushrooms in direct sunlight: the problem with this option are insects, bad weather, etc. Also, if you live in a humid place, it is recommended that you do not leave them outside overnight.
Using an oven to dry mushrooms: at a low temperature and with a lot of patience, as this process requires hours. Electric ovens are preferred and use a fan if you have one.
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Preserving mushrooms: in their juice
This technique involves preserving mushrooms naturally in their own juice, packaged in vacuum jars. First of all, you should sterilize the jars or bottles that you will to keep the mushrooms in good condition.
Then, wash the mushrooms, chop them, blanch them and do not throw away the resulting water. Put the mushrooms in the jar with their cooking juices, filling it up to the maximum, and put the lid on firmly.
To seal the glass jars, you should boil them in a pot that is large enough so the water covers all the containers. Here you can learn more about how to seal glass jars to preserve food.
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Preserving mushrooms in vinegar, oil or salt
Mushrooms can also be preserved in vinegar or oil. In Eastern Europe they mostly use vinegar, while preserving in oil is common in the Mediterranean. A well-known example are mushrooms eaten as an Italian antipasto or starter. In China, mushrooms are often preserved in salt. The distances to preserving factories in China are too large, which makes it impossible to process fresh mushrooms. A disadvantage of preserving in salt is that the mushrooms have to be rinsed in a large amount of water to prevent them from tasting too salty. This does not have a favourable effect on the flavour. That is one of the reasons why consumers around the world choose Dutch preserved mushrooms. Because the processing industry and the growers are located so close to another, mushrooms can be processed immediately after harvest. Therefore Dutch mushrooms retain their strong fresh mushroom flavour, whether packed in a can, jar, bag or bucket.
A grand encyclopedia of country Self Sufficient Backyard , weather wisdom, country remedies and herbal cures, cleaning solutions, pest purges, firewood essentials, adobe making and bricklaying, leather working, plant dyes, farm foods, natural teas and tonics, granola, bread making, beer brewing and winemaking, jams and jellies, canning and preserving, sausage making and meat smoking, drying foods, down-home toys, papermaking, candle crafting, homemade soaps and shampoos, butter and cheese making, fishing and hunting secrets, and much more. Self Sufficient Backyard: Traditional Skills for Simple Living
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKuQmPP00ww&t=3s(5063) Canning Mushrooms - Start To Finish - YouTube
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Books can be your best pre-collapse investment.
Carnivore’s Bible (is a wellknown meat processor providing custom meat processing services locally andacross the state of Montana and more. Whether your needs are for domestic meator wild game meat processing)
The Lost Book of Remedies PDF ( contains a series of medicinal andherbal recipes to make home made remedies from medicinal plants and herbs.Chromic diseases and maladies can be overcome by taking the remediesoutlined in this book. The writer claims that his grandfather was taughtherbalism and healing whilst in active service during world war twoand that he has treated many soldiers with his home made cures. )
Easy Cellar(Info about building and managing your root cellar, plus printable plans. The book on building and using root cellars – The Complete Root Cellar Book.)
The Lost Ways (Learn the long forgotten secrets that helped our forefathers survive famines,wars,economic crisis and anything else life threw at them)
LOST WAYS 2 ( Wordof the day: Prepare! And do it the old fashion way, like our fore-fathers did it and succeed longbefore us,because what lies ahead of us will require all the help we can get. Watch this video and learn the 3 skills that ensured our ancestors survival in hard times offamine and war.)
Growing Mushrooms in Straw Bales & How to Preserve Mushrooms - PrepperFortress
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28 Medicinal Herbs You Need to Have in Your Garden
Amy S. May 31, 2023 No Commentson 28 Medicinal Herbs You Need to Have in Your Garden
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Herbs are the building blocks for tasty, delicious meals. Without them, food would be bland and unexciting. But have you considered all of the amazing health benefits you can get from consuming them? For centuries, people have turned to medicinal herbs to cure their ailments. Even though we may have chemical alternatives today, many of the most common garden greens have tried-and-true medical benefits.
From plants that cure headaches to ones that can calm nerves, herbs are a ready-made medicine cabinet that you can grow in the smallest space – even if you don’t have an outdoor garden. Check out our list of the most powerful herbs that will help keep you and your family healthy.
1. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
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Culinary Use: Part of the mint family, this medicinal herb is available in multiple varieties. The tasty plant is used frequently in Italian and Greek dishes. It’s the classic addition to pasta or pizza sauce.
Medicinal Use: Oregano has antiseptic properties, and you can also use it to treat a number of stomach issues. Additionally, it’s an anti-inflammatory.
Little known fact: The name is derived from the Greek terms for mountain and joy, an apt description if we’ve ever heard one.
2. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
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Culinary Use: This cheerful little herb is used most commonly for brewing herbal tea, but it also makes a sweet, floral addition to desserts and salads.
Medicinal Use: Like oregano, chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties. You can also take it in pill form or use it directly on the skin to treat a variety of ailments from eczema to stomach issues.
Little known fact: Using chamomile topically may induce skin reactions in some. We recommend doing a skin test before applying it to your skin.
3. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
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Culinary Use: Delicious in sweet and savory dishes, peppermint is a versatile medicinal herb in the mint family. It’s also easy to grow, and it packs a punch of flavor. Peppermint makes a delightful tea.
Medicinal Use: If you have a sore tummy, peppermint is your plant. I personally find peppermint essential oil to be helpful when I have a cold or a mild headache. There’s evidence that peppermint is just as effective as over the counter pain relief medication for treating certain types of headache pain.
Little known fact: Peppermint is a hybrid cross between watermint and spearmint.
4. Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
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Culinary Use: A favorite herb for French cooking, bay leaf lends plenty of flavor to a variety of dishes. You may see this in dry leaf form, but it’s also marvelous fresh.
Medicinal Use: The bay laurel a useful and versatile medicinal herb for treating many ailments from joint pain to skin issues thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Little known fact: Bay has sedative properties, and if you’re heading into surgery, steer clear of it.
5. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
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Culinary Use: Rosemary’s strong aroma and flavor make it a great accompaniment to meat dishes. It pairs well with pork, chicken, lamb or steak.
Medicinal Use: As an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory medicinal herb it’s particularly useful when you apply it directly to the skin.
Little known fact: Some research suggests that rosemary may prevent neurological conditions affecting memory such as Alzheimer’s. Too bad I won’t reap the benefits, because it’s my least favorite herb!
6. Garlic (Allium sativum)
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Culinary Use: The queen of savory dishes, garlic is a staple in most kitchens. There’s nothing quite like the sharp, spicy taste of it.
Medicinal Use: Consume garlic if you want to reap a slew of health benefits, including a boost to the immune system and help to regulate your bodily functions such as blood pressure.
Little known fact: Fermented garlic is what’s known as black garlic, and I believe it’s even more delicious than regular garlic!
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7. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
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Culinary Use: This herb pairs exceptionally well with fish, and who hasn’t had a dill pickle.
Medicinal Use: You can use dill as a treatment for digestive issues.
Little known fact: Did you know that dill is actually related to the carrot family? It’s not surprising if you compare the feathery tops of both plants. They sure do look alike!
8. Savory (Satureja)
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Culinary Use: A lesser known herb, you can use both savory’s winter and summer varieties in cooking. Its flavor is similar to thyme, though the taste differs depending on the variety.
Medicinal Use: You can use it to soothe the throat and treat other ailments concerning the digestive tract.
Little known fact: The winter variety of this herb was once thought to reduce libido.
9. Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
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Culinary Use: You’ll often find this unusual little flower as an ingredient in tea. Bergamot has a faint citrus aroma, and you can eat the leaves and flowers of this perennial.
Medicinal Use: You can use bergamot as a treatment for headaches and upset stomach. Native Americans utilized it as a cure for the common cold.
Little known fact: Bergamot, also known as bee-balm, attracts not just bees but hummingbirds, too.
10. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
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Culinary Use: Milder than other medicinal herbs, thyme still provides a lovely flavor to all sorts of dishes. Pairs easily with many foods and tastes superb fresh or dried.
Medicinal Use: This plant can ward off insects and has anti-bacterial properties.
Little known fact: Thyme was once used in place of modern embalming fluid.
11. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
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Culinary Use: Technically this is a spice rather than an herb, but it’s widely used in cooking worldwide. Ginger fresh or dried is delicious in a variety of cuisines from Indian to Thai.
Medicinal Use: Commonly used in Chinese herbal remedies, ginger can treat digestive ailments. It’s a miracle worker for nausea.
Little known fact: Ginger may interact with blood thinner medication.
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12. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
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Culinary Use: Probably one of the most popular herbs out there. I often have friends asking me for advice on how to keep their basil alive. The Mediterranean herb is delicious made into pesto or as a fresh topping on pizza. There are many varieties of basil each with a unique flavor.
Medicinal Use: Though the evidence is limited, there’s some belief that basil is a helpful option for treating stomach issues.
Little known fact: Basil is nicknamed Saint Joseph’s Wort, not to be confused with Saint John’s Wort.
13. Lavender (Lavandula)
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Culinary Use: Lavender isn’t just a pretty face. You might think it’s only useful for bouquets and adding fragrance to soaps and other bath products. Au contraire. You can also use lavender, of which there are more than 40 species, in the kitchen. Lavender adds a delicious flavor to honey, and you can also use it in flavoring desserts. Lavender tea is also popular.
Medicinal Use: This medicinal herb can be used as an antiseptic, and it’s also helpful in treating sleep problems.
Little known fact: In French, lavender is called lavendre, which is the verb for ‘to wash.’
14. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
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Culinary Use: Pretty much everyone has used curly or flat-leafed varieties of this herb as a garnish. But don’t just use parsley to top dishes. It has an intense, fresh taste that’s wonderful in spring soups.
Medicinal Use: There’s some evidence that this herb a diuretic. In the past, parsley was also used to treat conditions from skin lesions to cancer.
Little known fact: In large quantities, parsley is unsafe for pregnant women.
15. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
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Culinary Use: Often used to flavor poultry dishes and as a garnish, this is a hardy perennial.
Medicinal Use: People use this medicinal herb as a useful remedy for a scratchy, tender throat.
Little known fact: Sage is also known as Salvia, but not all varieties are grown for culinary use. Dalmatian sage, also known as garden sage is the kind most often grown for kitchen harvests.
16. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
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Culinary Use: I first heard about this plant when watching HBO’s drama ‘Six Feet Under.’ Chefs in the culinary world love to use it for its slightly bitter flavor.
Medicinal Use: Fenugreek shows promise in regulating blood sugar.
Little known fact: You can find this medicinal herb in imitation vanilla.
17. Borage (Borago officinalis)
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Culinary Use: It’s pretty flowers don’t just attract bees, they’re edible, too. The plant also makes a tasty tea.
Medicinal Use: There’s evidence that this medicinal herb can regulate cortisol levels in the body. When you apply it topically, it may help treat skin conditions.
Little known fact: Plant borage next to your brassicas to ward off the dreaded cabbage worm (my arch nemesis).
18. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
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Culinary Use: Fennel tastes wonderful paired with fish. If you aren’t crazy about fennel’s anise-like flavor, you can mellow it out by cooking. For those of us who like the licorice punch, it makes a delicious addition to salads.
Medicinal Use: This highly nutritious plant provides myriad health benefits including regulation of blood pressure and improving digestion.
Little known fact: Fennel is an ingredient in some toothpaste.
19. Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
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Culinary Use: The French variety is what you’ll find in the dried herb aisle at the grocery store and the kind you should grow in your kitchen garden. Other types are fine to eat but aren’t particularly tasty. It’s a versatile medicinal herb used in many kinds of dishes including sauces and regional beverages.
Medicinal Use: Tarragon can potentially stimulate appetite and treat problems with digestion, but there’s little evidence to support these claims.
Little known fact: This medicinal herb is a cousin of the majestic sunflower.
20. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
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Culinary Use: None. It tastes sweet at first, but then turns bitter and make your tongue tingle.
Medicinal Use: You can use echinacea to reduce internal infections. An injection can help treat hemorrhoids, and you can also use it heal to clean sores and skin inflammation. Contrary to what you’ve probably heard, there isn’t much evidence to support taking echinacea to help with colds.
Little known fact: The name comes from the Greek term for a hedgehog, a reference to the prickly-looking flowers.
21. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
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Culinary Use: None
Medicinal Use: Given the name, it shouldn’t surprise you that this plant is good for treating fevers. It can also help with migraines, inflammation, menstrual cramps and to relieve gas and bloating.
Little known fact: The oil contains a compound that can paralyze fleas.
22. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
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Culinary Use: Lemon balm can replace lemon peel in recipes or anywhere you want a hint of lemon flavor. It makes a lovely tea. You can add the leaves to a salad for a citrusy punch.
Medicinal Use: Lemon calm contains a calming agent, which can help ease anxiety and put you to sleep. There’s also some evidence that it can help regulate benign heart palpitations. An extract on the skin can help with cold sores.
Little known fact: The Latin name Melissa officinalis comes from the Greek nymph named Melissa who spread the word about the wonders of honey. Since honeybees love this plant, the name is fitting.
23. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
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Culinary Use: None, though people used to drink it to ward off evil spirits.
Medicinal Use: St. John’s Wort has a reputation for helping with depressive disorders including bipolar disorder because it impacts serotonin levels. Be careful, though, because it can interact negatively with other meds and the science isn’t conclusive. It can also help with anemia, congestion and urinary issues.
Little known fact: The tea made from this plant smelled so foul that people assumed evil spirits wouldn’t bother someone who drank it.
24. Nettles ( Urtica dioica)
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Culinary Use: Nettles are delicious in soups, salads, and pasta. It’s also marvelous on pizza or on a warm grain salad.
Medicinal Use: Nettles are a valuable addition to a medicinal herb garden. They help with anemia, gout, skin disorders, urinary issues, arthritis, joint pain, and kidney stones.
Little known fact: Scientists believe that nettles developed those awful stinging hairs to ward off grazing animals. It works on cows, but goats still nibble on the plants.
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25. Burdock (Arctium)
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Culinary Use: While the leaves and flowers are useful in medicine, the culinary power of burdock lies in its roots. People in Japan know this plant as gobo. You’ll frequently see it along with sushi, but you can also eat it dried or pickled, too. You can add it to soups and stews as well.
Medicinal Use: Burdock does wonders for the skin. It helps treat eczema and psoriasis. Internally, it helps with a sore throat, colds, and tonsilitis. It’s also a diuretic.
Little known fact: Burdock was the inspiration for Velcro. The inventor was hiking with his dog and noticed how the burdock seeds locked onto his dog’s fur, and the rest is history.
26. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
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Culinary Use: Wormwood is most famous as an ingredient in absinthe, but you can find it in other liquors, bitters, wines, and flavorings.
Medicinal Use: You can use wormwood to help with stomach issues like nausea, loss of appetite and gallbladder disease. It can also help lower fevers and ease depression. You can apply it to the skin to heal wounds and insect bites.
Little known fact: Wormwood got its name from the goddess Artemis, who is the goddess of chastity and birth. In the past, people thought the herb could help promote chastity.
27. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
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Culinary Use: Motherwort is a member of the mint family, but we don’t recommend using it in your cooking because it has a bitter taste.
Medicinal Use: You can use motherwort for cardiovascular issues like heart failure and irregular heartbeat. It also helps alleviate menstrual pain, can bring on menstruation, and eases symptoms of menopause. It’s an antioxidant.
Little known fact: Legend has that a town was built in a spot near a spring that bubbled up through motherwort plants. Allegedly, the people who lived in the city drank the spring water, and everyone lived over a century. That’s why we associate this medicinal herb with longevity today.
28. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
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Culinary Use: Catnip is also part of the mint family. Beyond giving it to your cat, it is tasty in salads, soups, and sauces.
Medicinal Use: Catnip is good for relieving nerves and calming the stomach. You can also use it to ease painful menstrual cramps. There’s also evidence that it can help with headaches and fevers.
Little known fact: Not all cats are susceptible to the impacts of catnip, but for those who are, it has an intoxicating effect.
Caution
Remember, of course, that consuming medicinal herbs is not a substitute for visiting a physician. If you’re experiencing repeated, unpleasant symptoms visit a healthcare professional to get a proper diagnosis.
Those on medication should be aware that certain active ingredients may interact with drugs you are taking. Pregnant women should take caution if they decide to supplement with herbs in large quantities.
Do you have a favorite herb that finds its way to your dinner plate often? Were you aware of the health benefits of said herb? We’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments below.
The Home Doctor
Do you know about the gift of nature to save the life of people from various health problems and make them feel secure by curing significant issues? How to live healthy in this world without having chronic diseases or illness or any other health issues which may hurt you physically and mentally? Due to dense population, people are trying to demolish the forest, garden areas to create shelter, so they forced to destroy the nature’s gift such as natural ingredients, secret medicinal herbs and more which are grown in wild forest, mountains and other places. When you read this review entirely, sure you will get chance to know about secrets medicinal ingredients, herbs and more used by our ancestor to get back the lost health without losing your life. Claude Davis was highlighted all the stuff in the form of the e-bookThe Home Doctor filled with a list of natural ingredients and remedies that you can quickly grow in the backyard or at free space to include it in your routine diet or external usage to get well soon.
https://www.prepperfortress.com/wp-c...kit-2023-2.jpg
Books can be your best pre-collapse investment.
Carnivore’s Bible (is a wellknown meat processor providing custom meat processing services locally andacross the state of Montana and more. Whether your needs are for domestic meator wild game meat processing)
The Lost Book of Remedies PDF ( contains a series of medicinal andherbal recipes to make home made remedies from medicinal plants and herbs.Chromic diseases and maladies can be overcome by taking the remediesoutlined in this book. The writer claims that his grandfather was taughtherbalism and healing whilst in active service during world war two and that he has treated many soldiers with his home made cures. )
Easy Cellar(Info about building and managing your root cellar, plus printable plans. The book on building and using root cellars – The Complete Root Cellar Book.)
The Lost Ways (Learn the long forgotten secrets that helped our forefathers survive famines, wars, economic crisis and anything else life threw at them)
LOST WAYS 2 ( Wordof the day: Prepare! And do it the old fashion way, like our fore-fathers did it and succeed longbefore us,because what lies ahead of us will require all the help we can get. Watch this video and learn the 3 skills that ensured our ancestors survival in hard times offamine and war.)
28 Medicinal Herbs You Need to Have in Your Garden - PrepperFortress
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Plants That Keep Mosquitoes and Flies Away
Amy S. June 6, 2023 No Commentson Plants That Keep Mosquitoes and Flies Away
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Many herbaceous plants have the fantastic ability to repel troublesome bugs, fungi, and other vectors of pathogens. They usually contain a complex set of phytochemicals that make them fatally toxic to these pests when ingested or upon physical contact. These compounds may also collectively emit an uninviting and practically offensive scent to them, effectively forcing them to stay as far away from the plant as possible.
Beneficial greens often come in the form of what we perceive as attractive and pleasantly aromatic houseplants. Their natural undesirability to pests is just one of their many appealing features. As they ward off filthy insects like flies and fungus gnats, they add color, texture, structure, and fragrance to the home. Moreover, many of them have a wealth of uses in the kitchen!
During warm or damp periods of the year, when flies are most likely to successfully breed and hatch, it may be necessary to decorate entry points of the home with fly-repellent plants. Though they are not fool-proof solutions to serious infestations, which usually occur when trash is left to fester, they should at least dissuade some curious flies from freely entering your household. For increased effectiveness, grow these species in large quantities.
1) Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...lemongrass.jpgNative to Southeast Asia
A true member of the grass family (Poaceae), lemongrass is a tropical plant with medicinal, culinary, and ornamental uses. It is named for the lemon-like scent emitted by its lengthy leaf blades, which are bluish-green and have parallel veins. The leaves of fully-grown specimens gracefully arch over and emit a fragrance that is strong enough to repel both flies and mosquitoes.
In temperate zones, this tropical plant is best raised in indoor or protected locations as it is not hardy to cool temperatures and frost. Small specimens can be maintained on windowsills receiving at least 6 – 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Healthy plants produce a cocktail of beneficial compounds with pharmacological properties. Their essential oils can be used as a natural antioxidant and insect repellent.
The fly-repellent properties of C. citratus oils have been formally documented. When applied to materials with substances that are known for attracting flies (e.g. blood), lemongrass oil can serve as a repellent barrier against stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and houseflies (Muscidae). The essential oil contains geraniol and citronellol, which are both known for their repellent properties.
2) Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...e-lavender.jpgNative to Europe, East Africa, and Southwest Asia
Lavender oils are known for inducing a state of tranquility in us humans, lulling both adults and children to a restful slumber. The oils are unique culinary ingredients with notably strong flavors. Cultivated in many parts of the world, lavender plants have enormous benefits due to the phytochemicals in these lipids. Apart from having uses in herbalism, they also have natural insecticidal properties.
Great for adding color to sprawling gardens and fields, many Lavandula species can be grown in the home. To use them as a repellent, place healthy specimens close to key entry points and around the kitchen, where the smell of food may attract flies. To release more of their heady fragrance, it may be necessary to regularly snip some leaves or wound the plant. For this reason, some people opt to go the more practical route by using the extracted oils and a diffuser.
If your indoor spaces receive minimal sun exposure, it may be wiser to use lavender-scented products instead of growing lavender as a houseplant. Candles, soaps, and dried leaves in pouches are great for emitting a fragrance that wafts through poorly lit rooms. You may also grow lavender as a border plant outdoors, taking care to place its stands close to windows that are regularly opened.
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3) Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...us-flytrap.jpgNative to the eastern US
The venus flytrap doesn’t exactly repel flies in a conventional way; instead, it has a more indirect manner of keeping pesky flies away from key points of the home. It has evolved to attract, instead of deter, these very insects. Perhaps the most popular of all carnivorous plants, it can aid in eliminating indoor fly populations by feeding on them.
Flies often find themselves in the “jaws” of the specialized, hinged leaves, unable to wriggle away and escape to safety. These leaves contain sensitive trichomes that, when touched, cause both lobes to forcefully snap shut. The flies are then digested via the activation of enzymes that can break down their exoskeletons. Depending on the size of the fly and the maturity of the plant, the whole process takes about 3 – 5 days.
Apart from being a functional plant in the home, the venus flytrap makes for a great ornamental because of its unusual features. Endlessly fascinating to watch despite its miniature size, it can serve as an educational plant for both adults and young children. To expose it to as many flies as possible, place it in well-lit entranceways and on windowsills.
4) Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...hate-basil.jpgNative to tropical Asia and Africa
One of the most popularly used culinary herbs due to its citrus-like taste, basil is an incredibly useful annual to have in both indoor locations and outdoor gardens. Mechanical damage to its nutritious leaves releases a strong fragrance. Though the smell may appeal to humans, it is practically repulsive to flies, mosquitoes, fleas, and many more troublesome insects.
This herb’s fragrance and delectable flavor are produced by its essential oil. Packed with aromatic compounds, the oil has insecticidal, fungicidal, and nematocidal properties. To flies, the smell of basil is pungent and unbearable. It also signifies the presence of toxic compounds that could potentially harm them. For this reason, basil is frequently planted as a natural repellent around vegetable beds.
To maximize the functional uses of basil in indoor locations, make sure to grow this herb in a brightly lit area with filtered sun exposure and ample ventilation. As fully intact plants may not be highly effective at warding off flies in their vicinity, you should occasionally prune the leaves to expose the internal oils. Don’t make the flavorful leaves go to waste, of course. Chop them up or add them to your dishes whole for flavor and color!
5) Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...peppermint.jpgNative to the Middle East and Europe
The most popularly cultivated type of mint is Mentha x piperita, a hybrid between two vigorous species. Commonly known as peppermint, this plant naturally occurs in the wild wherever dense stands of both parent species are found. An herbaceous perennial, it can grow to about 35 inches (89 cm) tall. As this hybrid is unable to produce seeds on its own, its vegetative spread is facilitated by rapidly-growing runners.
Peppermint can be cultivated in indoor containers because it thrives best in locations with partial to dappled sun exposure. Regularly moistened soil and the availability of ample nutrients leads to favorable growth rates. Once the plant begins to produce blooms, its leaves are usually ready for harvesting. When these are plucked off the main shoot, they release a distinctly minty aroma.
The fragrance of peppermint oils, like that of basil, is detestable to small flies and many other winged insects. It mainly contains pulegone and menthone, compounds with natural pesticidal properties. These ketone monoterpenes are toxic to insects and can disrupt the normal functions of their neuronal pathways.
6) Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...ate-catnip.jpgNative to Europe and Asia
A fragrant herb that elicits bizarre behavior in some cats, N. cataria is valued by herbalists for the relaxant properties of its essential oil. It is thus often added to tea infusions that are intended for use as natural sedatives. Apart from being a source of valuable oils, it is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. Though this herb’s fragrance tends to repel houseflies and stable flies, its blooms attract pollinators and beneficial insects (e.g. butterflies and lacewings).
The main component of catnip oil is a terpenoid called nepetalactone. As a natural fly repellent, nepetalactone has been shown to be remarkably effective. Its deterrent effects rival or surmount those of DEET, which is a common ingredient in artificially-formulated repellents. Catnip oil has shown potential as a substitute for industrial insecticides in pastures and feedlots where insects often attack livestock.
To grow catnip indoors, make sure its pot is situated in an area that receives bright light for at least 6 hours a day. Light is crucial for its normal growth and the production of its essential oil. Catnip should be rooted in a well-draining substrate and in a porous pot with drainage holes. Regular fertilization and pruning should keep its shoots and roots in good condition.
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7) Sage (Salvia officinalis)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...-hate-sage.jpgNative to the Mediterranean
An ornamental plant, source of fragrant essential oils, and a fantastic culinary ingredient and garnish for European dishes, sage is undoubtedly a valuable herb. Distinguished by its grayish-green, fuzzy leaves, it grows to about 2 feet (61 cm) tall. In late spring to summer, it produces lavender to pink inflorescences. Flower and leaf color may vary as this species comes in dozens of highly-prized cultivars.
The strong aroma of sage, which is released when its leaves and shoot are cut or charred, is traditionally believed to ward off evil. The jury’s out on whether it can truly repel troublesome spirits, but it can, indeed, keep unwanted insects away from the hearth and the home! Freshly cut sprigs of the plant should be placed in various locations to expand the reach of its scent.
Apart from repelling flies, ticks, and mosquitoes, the fragrance of sage can supposedly act as a mood booster! That alone is a compelling argument for growing this attractive herb indoors. Relatively drought-tolerant, sage makes for a low-maintenance houseplant. To keep its leaves in good condition, simply make sure that they are exposed to medium to full sun.
8) Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...lemon-balm.jpgNative to the Mediterranean and Central Asia
Another strongly-scented member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), lemon balm is an herbaceous perennial with many natural and herbal uses. It is deliberately cultivated as a source of ingredients for medicinal teas and as a flowering plant to attract honey bees. Its small, white blooms, which appear in summer, are rich in nectar whereas its leaves are rich in its lemon-scented essential oil.
Lemon balm oil contains many insecticidal and acaricidal compounds. Those which specifically repel flies include citronellal, linalool, neral, and geraniol. The predominance of these components is largely determined by the strain of M. officinalis and the conditions in which it is grown. Thus, the extracted oils of the plant are often mixed with those of citronella and lemon to increase their potency.
Lemon balm is fairly straightforward to grow indoors. All it requires is a pot of pathogen-free, well-draining soil. To prevent the soil from collecting too much water, make sure the pot has drainage holes. Leaf production should be accelerated by exposure to at least 5 – 6 hours of sun per day. Compared to other fragrant herbs, this plant is more likely to thrive in partly shaded conditions.
9) Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...e-marigold.jpgNative to the southwestern US, Central America, and South America
The leaves of most marigold species are known for their somewhat pungent and heavy scent. This fragrance, when emitted by large stands, can keep dozens of insects and nematodes away from the garden.
Among the more common marigolds, the French marigold (T. patula) and African marigold (T. erecta) have shown the most potential when it comes to their insect-repellent properties. This is largely due to their thiophenes, which are sulfur-containing compounds. Thiophenes repel not only flies but also aphids, maggots, and many other destructive insects.
Interestingly, though marigolds tend to repel unwanted pests, their blooms can attract beneficial insects, including beneficial flies (e.g. hover flies). Of course, they are less likely to attract insects at all if they are kept indoors. To ensure that they are healthy enough to produce stunning blooms and new foliage, keep their substrate regularly moistened yet well-ventilated. Keep marigolds close to a south-facing window that receives about 6 hours of direct sun per day.
10) Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/...e-rosemary.jpgNative to the Mediterranean
Troublesome flies and many other pests generally keep away from areas with dense stands of rosemary. Though this evergreen species is often known as an herb, it can exhibit upright, shrub-like growth as its older stems become increasingly woody. The stiff, needle-like leaves are rarely browsed by herbivorous animals, which may be sensitive to their bitter flavor and strong scent.
Several rosemary cultivars have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit due to their ease of care, attractive features, and general usefulness in the garden. When situated indoors, these plants can be grown as hardy miniatures. To maximize their effectiveness against flies, you may opt to collect some of the leaves and shoots and spread them around the home. The exposed tissues, which emit more of the essential oil, should produce a more concentrated scent.
To retain the healthy condition of rosemary cuttings once they are propagated indoors, make sure to gradually acclimate them to the reduced light intensity. With tough shoots that can persist through winter, rosemary should be watered only when the topsoil has dried out. With consistent ventilation, the leaves are more likely to flourish and produce enough oils to deter hungry flies.
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Books can be your best pre-collapse investment.
Carnivore’s Bible (is a well known meat processor providing custom meat processing services locally and across the state of Montana and more. Whether your needs are for domestic meat or wild game meat processing)
The Lost Book of Remedies PDF ( contains a series of medicinal and herbal recipes to make home made remedies from medicinal plants and herbs. Chromic diseases and maladies can be overcome by taking the remedies outlined in this book. The writer claims that his grandfather was taught herbalism and healing whilst in active service during world war toward that he has treated many soldiers with his home made cures. )
Easy Cellar(Info about building and managing your root cellar, plus printable plans. The book on building and using root cellars – The Complete Root Cellar Book.)
The Lost Ways (Learn the long forgotten secrets that helped our forefathers survive famines, wars, economic crisis and anything else life threw at them)
LOST WAYS 2 ( Word of the day: Prepare! And do it the old fashion way, like our fore-fathers did it and succeed longbefore us, because what lies ahead of us will require all the help we can get. Watch this video and learn the 3 skills that ensured our ancestors survival in hard times off amine and war.)
Plants That Keep Mosquitoes and Flies Away - PrepperFortress
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Want to Avoid Typhus? Do Your Laundry…..
undergraundmedic.com June 7, 2023 No Comments on Want to Avoid Typhus? Do Your Laundry…..
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Pediculus humanus
First of all typhus should not be confused with typhoid, they are two entirely different things. Also, there are quite a few types of typhus in circulation, this article deals with the most serious, epidemic typhus which is spread by the body louse – Pediculus corporis. (Pediculus Humanus)
This little louse is closely related to the head lice- Pediculus capitus but unlike its cousin it lives in clothing and moves onto the human to feed, returning to clothing after feeding. It is also different in that it can spread bacterial infection which the head louse cannot.
The body louse seems to appear out of nowhere in troubled times, wars, economic crises, any situation that causes a return to the unsanitary conditions of yesteryear. Scientists have tried for years to find out how they suddenly appear during hard times, what can cause such a huge surge in these tiny six-legged critters that an epidemic is the result, well now they know. They are here all the time.
History books will tell you all about typhus epidemics, how tens of thousands of soldiers died in 1812, how millions have died across the globe from sporadic outbreaks of this disease. Yet even having said that typhus infections dropped well before the introduction of the only known treatment, antibiotics. This drop correlates exactly with an increase in public health legislation, improvement in housing and the introduction of running water in cities.
There are few cases of typhus recorded each year in the developed world. The United States sees no more than a couple of hundred cases a year, mostly amongst the long-term homeless who have not got the facilities to maintain a high level of cleanliness, in particular regarding their clothes.
As the economic situation worsens and more and more people become homeless it is not unrealistic to assume that we will get to a point where typhus once again starts to make its presence felt. If you extend this line of thinking to those who have no connection to mains water supply due to unpaid bills, the scenario gets worse still. If you move on from that to a societal breakdown, where nobody has water to spare for laundering clothes you have the stage set for a return of typhus at epidemic levels. You must also factor in, that in a full breakdown treatment for the disease will not be available.
The bite of the body louse in itself does not cause typhus. It is the excrement that causes the problem. This is deposited on the skin as the louse feeds. A short while after the louse returns to its home in your clothing you start to itch at the feed site. When you scratch you transfer the droppings that are now on your finger tips and under your nails into the open feed site and thus allow the bacteria entry into your system.
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What is typhus?
It’s an infection caused by the faeces of the body louse, Pediculus corporis.The bacterium that causes the disease is Rickettsiae prowazekii. The bacteria invades the endothelial cells of blood vessels causing multi-system vasculitis.
Where does it strike?
Outbreaks will occur where poverty, homelessness, close human contact and lack of washing and laundry facilities co-exist. Some of the recent outbreaks occurred in Peru, Burundi and Russia.
- ComplicationsSymptoms of typhus
- General malaise
- Abrupt onset severe headache
- Fever
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Blanching rash turning to unblanching rash within 2days. It will not be present on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet,or face.
- Cough/wheeze
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Organ damage
- Hypovolaemia (decrease in circulating blood volume)
- Electrolyte Imbalance
- Gangrene
- Secondary infection such as pneumonia
- Reactivation as the infection stays for life though the patient will be asymptomatic after treatment.
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Treatment
Doxycycline or tetracycline is the current treatment of choice though chloramphenicol has had a good success rate. Penicillin based drugs can be used but there has been issues regarding resistance of the bacterium to these drugs.
SEE NOTE BELOW REGARDING STORAGE OF CYCLINE DRUGS
Many labs tests are required to confirm the diagnosis but antibiotics will be started without waiting for the results of the tests if typhus is suspected.
Prevention
Infested clothing should be exposed to water of 158*F (70*C) for a minimum of an hour. A washing machine cycle is preferable.
Where water and or fuel is in short supply insecticide may be used to kill the lice.0.5% Permethrin is recommended.
Avoid unsanitary and overcrowded places
If you cannot accomplish any of the above preventative measures leave worn clothing in a ‘hard’ environment, such as a bucket for 7 days. The lice can survive no longer that 5 days without food. Infested or possibly infested clothes should be kept away from other clothing.
Rotate worn clothing leaving it 7 days before wearing it again. This will ensure if you have picked up a louse from somewhere it will be dead before you wear the clothes again.
Change your clothes as soon as possible after being in a ‘louse likely’ situation.
Apply bite treatment before you scratch, if you can avoid scratching until you have washed/wiped the whole area around the itch you may avoid transferring the bacterium to the bite site. You cannot distinguish one bite from another so avoiding scratching is a sensible precaution. Wipe the area around the bite carefully, do not go back and forth across the bite until you have cleaned the area around it thoroughly.
If you have water to wash clothes, but cannot maintain the high temperature, leave the clothes unworn for 7 days and then wash them, bashing them as you do so. The reason you see women bashing clothes off rocks is not always to keep their whites dazzling. Bashing the clothes dislodges the lice.
The lice prefer nooks and crannies and like seams, hems and pocket linings to hide in so turning clothes inside out makes them easier to dislodge.
NOTE ABOUT DEOXYCYCLINE AND TETRACYCLINE
These antibiotics should NOT be stored for long term use. Be guided by the expiry date on the box. These drugs become toxic as you move past the expiry date. They become more toxic the further past the expiry date you go. Taking these drugs when they are out of date is highly dangerous and depending on the age of the drug can lead to death.
Typhus is not a disease to take lightly.It is only sanitation, our understanding of the importance of hygiene and prompt action by doctors that prevent typhus epidemics claiming the hundreds of thousands of victims a year that we read about in the history books. If for reasons beyond our control we are no longer able to launder clothes effectively, and those people who are currently treated for typhus are no longer able to access medical help it is highly likely that epidemic typhus will once again claim lives on the scale it has thoughout history.
Take care
https://www.prepperfortress.com/wp-c...29746617_n.jpg
Books can be your best pre-collapse investment.
Carnivore’s Bible (is a well known meat processor providing custom meat processing services locally and across the state of Montana and more. Whether your needs are for domestic meat or wild game meat processing)
The Lost Book of Remedies PDF ( contains a series of medicinal and herbal recipes to make home made remedies from medicinal plants and herbs. Chromic diseases and maladies can be overcome by taking the remedies outlined in this book. The writer claims that his grandfather was taught herbalism and healing whilst in active service during world war two and that he has treated many soldiers with his home made cures. )
Easy Cellar(Info about building and managing your root cellar, plus printable plans. The book on building and using root cellars – The Complete Root Cellar Book.)
The Lost Ways (Learn the long forgotten secrets that helped our forefathers survive famines, wars, economic crisis and anything else life threw at them)
LOST WAYS 2 ( Word of the day: Prepare! And do it the old fashion way, like our fore-fathers did it and succeed longbefore us, because what lies ahead of us will require all the help we can get. Watch this video and learn the 3 skills that ensured our ancestors survival in hard times off amine and war.)
Want to Avoid Typhus? Do Your Laundry….. - PrepperFortress
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Wilderness survival foods: Edible wild plants every prepper should know about
10/21/2025 // Evangelyn Rodriguez // 820 Views
Tags: bug out, emergency food, food freedom, food supply, foraging, goodfood, green living, Herbs, off grid, preparedness, prepper, prepping, self-reliance, survival, survival food, tips, weeds
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- Plants like burdock, garlic mustard and dandelion provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, often surpassing cultivated greens in nutritional value.
- Burdock root (gobo) is a starchy, sweet staple that's great for stews and pickles. immature stems mimic artichokes when cooked, though raw roots may cause gas unless soaked prior to cooking.
- Garlic mustard—an invasive species—has garlicky leaves that are excellent for pesto, peppery seeds for seasoning, and horseradish-like roots, making it a versatile, foraged ingredient.
- Black locust blossoms are delicately sweet, ideal for cold infusions, salads or honey-drizzled fritters.
- Dandelions and Japanese knotweed—both resilient and nutritious—can serve as detoxifying greens, coffee substitutes (roasted roots) or tart rhubarb alternatives (knotweed shoots).
Across North America, a bounty of edible wild plants thrives unnoticed, often dismissed as weeds or invasive nuisances. Yet, these resilient species offer surprising culinary potential, turning ecological challenges into sustainable food sources. From the earthy sweetness of burdock root to the peppery bite of garlic mustard, these plants have long been staples in traditional diets but remain overlooked in modern kitchens. Foragers, chefs and environmentally conscious eaters are rediscovering their value, proving that some of the most abundant "weeds" are also some of the most nutritious.
Greater burdock: The earthy staple
Commonly found throughout Canada and the U.S., burdock (Arctium lappa) thrives in open fields and gardens. Its taproot, known as gobo in Japanese cuisine, is prized for its starchy, slightly sweet flavor—ideal for hearty stews and pickles. The best roots are harvested in early spring or late fall, before they become too fibrous.
Foraging burdock requires patience. Digging up a 2-to-3-foot taproot isn't easy, but the reward is worth it. The immature stems, harvested before lateral shoots appear, offer a crisp texture reminiscent of artichokes when sautéed. However, raw burdock can cause gas due to its inulin content—soaking or parboiling helps mitigate this.
Garlic mustard: A spicy invader
Originally introduced from Europe, garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has spread aggressively, crowding out native plants. But its garlicky leaves, peppery seeds and horseradish-like roots make it a versatile ingredient.
The young leaves are perfect for pesto or salads. As they mature, they get bitter, but cooking mellows them. The roots, grated fresh, add a spicy kick to sauces, while the seeds can serve as a peppery seasoning. Harvesting garlic mustard not only provides free food but also helps control its invasive spread.
Black locust blossoms: A sweet spring delight
In late spring, black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia) burst into fragrant white blooms. These delicate flowers, with their sweet, pea-like crunch, are best enjoyed fresh—tossed in salads or infused into syrups and cordials.
Heat destroys the delicate flavor of black locust blossoms, so cold infusion is key. The blossoms also make exquisite fritters when dipped in batter and fried, then drizzled with honey infused with fresh petals overnight.
Dandelion: The ultimate resilient green
Often dismissed as a lawn pest, the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a nutritional powerhouse. Its young leaves, rich in vitamins A, C and K, add a pleasantly bitter note to salads. BrightU.AI's Enoch also notes that dandelion's nutrient-rich greens and roots are good for detoxification and for supporting digestion and immunity, while its medicinal properties aid liver health, reduce inflammation and promote wound healing—perfect for off-grid resilience.
The trick when using older dandelion leaves is to blanch them or add apple cider vinegar to cut the bitterness. Bright yellow dandelion flowers can be fermented into wine or fried into fritters, while roasted dandelion roots offer a caffeine-free coffee alternative.
Japanese knotweed: The tart rhubarb substitute
Notorious for its destructive growth, Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) nonetheless provides tender, tart shoots in spring. High in resveratrol—the same antioxidant found in red wine—these stalks mimic rhubarb in pies and sauces.
When foraging Japanese knotweed, look for the thickest, juiciest shoots. Thinner ones can be fibrous, while the young leaf tips remain edible even as the stems toughen, adding a sour crunch to stir-fries and omelets.
Many invasive plants, often targeted for eradication, hold untapped culinary potential. By harvesting them responsibly, preppers can not only diversify their diets but also help restore ecological balance. As more people rediscover these wild edibles, they'll transform from nuisances into valuable, sustainable food sources—proving that sometimes, the most overlooked plants are the most rewarding.
So next time you pass by a patch of "weeds," take a closer look—you might be standing in a hidden grocery store, ripe for the picking.
Learn about the top 20 edible and medicinal plants of the Southeastern U.S. by watching this video.
This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
PreppersWill.com
BrightU.ai
Brighteon.com
Wilderness survival foods: Edible wild plants every prepper should know about – NaturalNews.com
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