BASIC LIST / SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR LONG TERM SURVIVAL

**AirborneSapper7** · 09-17-2012, 11:57 PM

List Contest Grand Prize Winner: Create and use an herbal home medicine chest with these 5 lists

Posted in: Featured, Staying Healthy

By Xanadu, winner of the Grand Prize, a Global Sun Oven! Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered this contest.

Knowing how to use herbal alternatives to traditional antibiotics and pharmaceutical treatments can be lifesaving in a survival situation.

image by jo-h

Unfortunately learning about herbal medicine can often be overwhelming. The following is a simplified list of steps to take and items to store that can start anyone on the path to self-sufficiency. 200 years ago every homemaker, and most doctors, used herbs and natural remedies to treat illnesses. Doctors were expensive, so homemakers had a basic knowledge of how to treat their families when illness struck. It is a skill that has been lost in an age of corner drugstores and synthesized medications, but as the cost of modern medicine and the development of resistant superbugs have skyrocketed, it is a skill set that everyone should relearn.

Learning & Education

1. Buy 3 GOOD herb books (1 of each type)
A. Wild Identification (Field Guide to medicinal herbs)
B. Herbal remedies/recipes (How-To with recipes)
C. Herbal Encyclopedia (Reference Book)
It can be hard to stop with just 3 books, but start small, expand your library after you are comfortable with the skills you are learning.
2. Practice the Basic Herbal preparations from the remedies/recipe book
A. Learn to make a salve
B. Learn to make a tincture
C. Learn to make a syrup
D. Learn to make herbal vinegars
E. Learn to make infused oils
3. Create a Self-Sustaining Herb Garden
A. Grow some herbs (start with a few basic and expand as your confidence and experience grows)
B. Learn to harvest/dry herbs
C. Learn to save/store herb seeds from the plants you grow. These are the 12 essential herbs/spices I recommend:

image by suzette

Garlic
Lavender
Chamomile
Yarrow
Rosemary
Oregano
Thyme
Peppermint
Cayenne
Cinnamon
Cloves
Elderberries

D. Start your own Home Herbal Remedies Notebook
Keep track of your preparations, your successes and failures. Document what works and write down your favorite remedies. These notebooks were once passed from generation to generation. Young women often copied their mother’s prior to marriage, continued to add to it, and passed it on to her children.
4. Practice, practice, practice
Start learning to identify wild herbs (wildcrafting) and begin to actually use your remedies to treat your family. Prevention is a key part of this. A clean home is a healthy home. As an added benefit of stocking a herbal home medicinal chest all the items you need to create natural home cleaning supplies and bath/beauty products will be on hand. You can begin saving money immediately, and apply those savings to purchasing your books & supplies.
5. 12 Additional items that are vital individually or in crafting herbal remedies. Stock up on these.

Honey (Manuka Honey is the only known successful treatment for MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant super bugs, it is even being used in combat bandages and wound treatment clinics. It is the best choice, but in a pinch even local raw honey has great anti-bacterial qualities for wound treatment)
Salt (Salt water soaks, disinfection, preservation)
Alcohol (Grain or 90 proof Vodka for making tinctures & disinfection) image by sfslim
Beeswax (Making salves)
Vinegar (Endless uses, from prevention with immune boosting infused vinegar salad dressings, to cleaning with a homemade four thieves* vinegar infused spray)
Baking Soda (Endless uses)
Carrier Oils (Coconut Oil and Olive Oil are great choices here, since they should be part of your food storage anyway)
Essential Oils (These can be expensive and a bit overwhelming, so start small. The three I use the most, and which I think every household should have are Tea Tree, Lavender & Peppermint.)
Sugar (Used to make syrups and used for centuries to treat battlefield wounds, it works like honey to prevent infection and helps halt bleeding)
Activated Charcoal (From Stomach ailments to spider bites, lots of uses)
Soap (Nothing fancy, I prefer a simple homemade soap using rendered animal fat & lye. This basic soap can be used on everything from the floors, to your body, to cleaning clothes. Learning to make soap, in addition to basic herbal knowledge is vital to the prevention and treatment of illnesses. While you can just buy it now, knowing how to make it is a basic skill all interested in self-sufficiency should learn. It may appear daunting, but it is actually quite easy.
Bottles & jars You can buy these from a bottle supplier, or use common mason jars and recycled glass condiment jars.

Learning to treat ailments naturally, without the use of modern medicine, has been common practice for thousands of years. Thankfully we still have the option to see a doctor if everything we try fails to work. However that option and access to medication may not be available in a survival situation. Having these skills are, in my opinion, just as important as stocking your long-term food storage and defense arsenals. It may appear daunting, but this simple list of skills to learn/practice and items to have on hand will create a basic herbal home medicine chest that can truly be a money-saver now, and a possible lifesaver in the future.

*Four Thieves Vinegar (sometimes referred to as Vinaigre des Quatre Voleurs⁾is a concoction of vinegar (either from red wine, white wine, cider, or distilled white) infused with herbs, spices or garlic that was believed to protect users from the plaque. The recipe for this vinegar has almost as many variations as its legend. The usual story declares that a group of thieves during a European plague outbreak were robbing the dead or the sick. When they were caught, they offered to exchange their secret recipe, which had allowed them to commit the robberies without catching the disease, in exchange for leniency. ~Wikipedia

I use Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, Thyme, Oregano & Peppermint in my Four Thieves Infused Vinegar. It covers all the bases, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic, and doesn’t include any toxic or problematic herbs that some mixes contain. It is safe enough to drink, which is important to me with kids/pets running around. It works better than bleach in my opinion. We are a very active family, tracking in lots of stuff from the outdoors. But in the last 10 years, aside from a few colds, no one has gotten sick enough that a doctor or antibiotics were necessary. To make this herbal vinegar you just mix equal parts herbs, (2 TBS each) add to a jar (quart) of vinegar and let it sit on a shelf for 4-6 weeks, shaking at least 1x a week while it is steeping. To use, strain it, then mix 50/50 with water for basic cleaning, full strength for heavy duty cleaning.

http://thesurvivalmom.com/2012/09/17...these-5-lists/

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**AirborneSapper7** · 09-18-2012, 12:04 AM

Must Have Kitchen Items for Any Survivalist

Posted in: Be Prepared, Featured
by Sheila at SurvivingSurvivalism.com

image by Will Merydith

Regardless of how many #10 cans of “just-add-water-ready-to-eat” stuff you have, at some point you’re going to have to learn to use a kitchen in much the same way as your granny or your great-granny did, so we’ve put together this list of 38 essential kitchen items for any survivalist.

Matches – If you don’t smoke, why on earth would you need matches? But if we’re going to learn to cook like granny, for most of you that would include cooking on top of a wood heat stove, or on a wood cook stove with an oven. I know there are ways to start a fire with a magnifying glass, some straw and some kindling, but believe me, matches are easier. If you’re really good at starting and keeping a fire throughout the 3 daily meals, you could use as little as 1 match a day. If you’re not, 20 may not be enough. We have found that the most economical matches are book matches, like you get with a pack of cigarettes. They come in a box of 50 books, 20 matches per book, for about $1.50 in many stores. That’s a lot of lights for cheap. Wooden kitchen matches go for about $3.50 for 250 matches. See the difference?
Can-Opener – we’re not talking about the kind that plugs into a wall. Have at least 2 good, sturdy hand operated can-openers . The newer ones from China do wear out. We’ve worn out a few. We also have an Army C-Ration P-38 can-opener. It takes a little practice, but once you get the groove going on it, you can open a #10 can in a few seconds.
Hand Grain Mill – We have said this before, but we personally like the Wondermill Junior Deluxe Hand Grain Mill. (This is not a compensated endorsement, it’s just what we use and like.) For the money, it’s the best we have found. What can you do with it? Grind wheat, rice, barley, oats, rye, lentils into flour. It can also be used to make nut-butters, like pinion butter, walnut butter, chestnut butter. It will also make cornmeal. The uses are virtually endless, especially if you eat a lot of whole, natural foods.
Cast Iron/Stainless Steel Cookware – If you are going to be cooking over a wood stove of any kind, you need durable stainless steel or cast iron cookware. Aluminum (besides not being good for your health) tends to warp on wood cook stoves. Black, cast iron pans heat evenly, hold the heat for a long time and do not warp – not to mention giving you a little dose of iron in your food.
Roasting Pans – Enamelware is best, and so is stainless steel. Make sure the roasting pan will fit into your oven! Wood cook stoves don’t have the same huge ovens as gas or electric stoves.
Tea Kettle – Stainless Steel or Copper. In the winter, a steaming tea kettle on the wood stove not only serves as as-the-ready for tea or coffee, the steam warms and moisturizes the air. Just don’t let it boil down all the way before refilling it.
Colanders – Metal (stainless steel) is best. If you have or want some plastic colanders, understand that they will break over time, and most of them are made with BPA in the plastic.
Cookie Sheets – for breads, biscuits, cookies, for drying fruits or veggies… Avoid Teflon coatings or aluminum cookie sheets – get stainless steel.
Cooking Utensils – Again, metal (stainless steel) is much better than plastic, and with stainless steel and cast iron cookware, you don’t have to worry about scratches:
Spatulas
Ladles
Serving Spoons
Serving Forks
Slotted Spoons
Pastry Cutter
Rolling Pin
Sharpening Steel
Cheese Grater/Slicer
Whisk
Potato Peeler
Meat Tenderizing Hammer
Measuring Cups and Spoons – Once again, stainless steel is the best choice for these. A 4-cup glass measuring cup with a pour-spout would be a nice addition, too.
Good Knives – Good Knives are ones that will keep a sharp edge for a reasonable amount of time, not go dull instantly upon use. If you can find old, carbon-steel knives in yard sales or flea markets, they are best – Old Hickory, Old Timers, Imperial are some brands to look for.

Dan and Sheila are the authors of Surviving Survivalism – How to Avoid Survivalism Culture Shock and hosts of the free podcast, “Still Surviving with Dan and Sheila”, both available here. For information about their survival community, or for other questions, they can be reached at surviving@lavabit.com

23 Must Have Kitchen Items for Any Survivalist | The Survival Mom

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**AirborneSapper7** · 09-18-2012, 12:08 AM

Sep12 2012
11 Comments

Get ready for the cold & flu season with these all-natural recipes

Posted in: Featured, Staying Healthy

image by theGsayeth

Before we know it, the season of colds and sniffles and coughs will be upon us. One of my readers shared with me these three recipes, and I wanted to pass them along to you before you’re faced with a sick family and have no choice but to make a mad dash to the drugstore.

These recipes require natural ingredients such as essential oils, coconut oil, and herbs. They’re very simple to make and will provide an all-natural alternative to whatever the drugstore sells, and I’m a big fan of Nyquil! Another reason to make these is just to learn how to make your own salves and oil mixtures — a great skill for any Survival Mom.

By the way, I tried to track down the original source of the first two recipes but couldn’t find them online. If you know of the source, please let me know so I can give proper credit.

Homemade Liquid Vapor Rub

1 oz. coconut oil
1 oz. olive oil
6 drops tea tree essential oil
4 drops eucalyptus essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil

Warm the coconut oil until liquid. Combine all ingredients. Let sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator until solidified.

Essential Oil Vapor Rub

10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
3 drops thyme essential oil
1/8 c. olive oil

Combine all the oils and mix well. To use, rub oil mixture over the throat and chest, then cover up to help increase the warming effect. This is very effective when done right at bedtime as it helps relieve congestion and helps you fall asleep more easily.

Congestion Rub from Mexican Wildflowers blog

1/2 c. dried lavender (antiseptic healing, topically healing, pain relieving)
1/4 c. dried mullein leaves (helps break up congestion)
1/4 c. dried peppermint (cooling and provides pain relief)
1/4 c. fresh grated ginger (breaks up congestion)
3/4 c. coconut oil
3/4 c. olive oil
3 T. beeswax pellets

Using a small crockpot, add the oils and herbs and cook on, “warm” for 2 days. Be sure to keep the crockpot covered with a lid. On the third day, drain the oil in a mesh colander lined with cheesecloth to separate the oil from the herbs. With a cloth or paper towel, wipe out the crockpot and reheat the oil. Add the beeswax pellets one tablespoon at a time and stir until the wax melts and the mixture is smooth. Pour the rub into small glass or metal containers with lids. Allow to cool before using. You can rub this under the nose to alleviate congestion, on the chest or even feet!

Get ready for the cold & flu season with these all-natural recipes | The Survival Mom

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**AirborneSapper7** · 10-01-2012, 11:53 PM

Always Be Learning

October 1, 2012 by Tim Young

UPI FILE

When an earthquake hit Washington, D.C., last year, the National Cathedral sustained damage.

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a crisis is to always be learning. I knew that sounds like a tough thing to do, but in reality, you can learn new tricks and tips every day.

This sounds like something very elementary, but in reality, it isn’t.

You need to keep in mind that when crisis strikes, you won’t know what exactly is going to happen or, even worse, how it’s going to happen.

Crisis can come at you from any angle and in many different ways.

What if the food ran out? What if there was a plague or disease that spread quickly? How about a violent government takeover or war?

The point is that you just never know what will happen or when, so it’s important that you keep up to date on technology and even the lack thereof.

Think about earthquakes, for instance. Are you prepared for one?

I know from experience that I wasn’t when I was living in Washington, D.C.; neither was anyone else that I had been working with at the time.
I was taking a break in a coffee shop down the street from my office when the quake hit.

I can tell you the first thing that happens is a moment of shock. You don’t know quite what is going on when it strikes. Not many people had experienced an earthquake before. I was one of them, but I knew exactly what was going on.

The building shook — and it was an old building. The first thing that I did was look around to see if someone was shaking my chair; because for all I know, it could have been a friend messing with me. When I realized it wasn’t, I looked around the room and noticed that everyone else who was there was frozen. That isn’t any kind of exaggeration; they were actually frozen in place.

They knew something was happening, but they weren’t doing anything about it. Without thinking, I grabbed my bag and ran out of the building to my car.

Once in my car, I took off and got out of the city. On my way out, the traffic around me was no different than any other day.

As I tried to call friends and family to see where they were, I realized that phones were down. The cellphone system had been shut down because of an overuse. This would remain this way for almost three hours.

I was able to get out, because I had studied what to do in a crisis. The other people were standing around waiting for the building to collapse on them.

Luckily, it didn’t. But at the end of the day, I was more comfortable knowing that I was prepared to get out before the gridlock.

I had studied a lot of potential scenarios and was ready for a lot of different things to happen. This time, it was a simple earthquake. There were jokes later about how little damage actually occurred because of it. But think about what could have happened.

Knowing the different things that can happen in an emergency and the different types of things you can face are just the tip of the iceberg of knowledge that one can have.

You also need to pay attention to the climate changes — not only in temperature, but in social and governmental attitudes.

And you need to learn tips and tricks necessary to keep you going when the world stops.

As I mentioned above, we also regained cell signal after a few hours. That was a lucky strike. The next time, cellphones or communications may not return. I was prepared for that to happen.

Always look for new information on the Internet (while you have it) and at the library (while you have it).

Take notes and make physical copies of things for yourself. I can’t stress that enough. Don’t rely on the Internet and cellphones when you’re going to be in a jam. I know a lot of you are prepared to work without them, but you haven’t actually experienced it yet.

Make sure you take time to study and learn a couple of times a week, if not every day. You may even want to take time to practice how to get out of cities in case something bad were to happen. I knew multiple routes out of where I was just in case, but how many do normal people know?

I want you and your family to be as safe as possible in case crisis hits. So study, learn, practice and, as always, be smarter than they think you are.

–Tim Young

Always Be Learning : Personal Liberty Digest™