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Survival Doc Says
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Immune System Pointers for Preppers
Don't Forget to Stockpile Sunshine!
Herbs
In lesson 10, I discussed a few herbs that are beneficial for the immune system. A lot of these herbs can be grown at home. Certainly garlic is the King of the Survivalist Herbs. Garlic is easy to grow and propagate. It boosts your immune system, has a powerful antibiotic effect, and it is an important heart and circulation system herb as well—helping lower abnormally high blood pressure and serum cholesterol; and thinning the blood. (Be aware that too much thinning of the blood is not always good, especially if someone has a bleeding problem. Although there is rarely a problem with normal intakes, I have seen very high dosages of garlic (e.g., six cloves or more a day) produce problems like bleeding gums. Thinning the blood too much is also not a good thing for people who are already taking blood thinning medicines, (most of which would probably be unnecessary if garlic is used instead.)
In addition to its many health benefits, garlic is a good condiment and is useful in food preservation, particularly in preserving and prolonging the shelf life of dried meat.
In lesson 10, I also included a video on echinacea. This important herb can be grown just about anywhere. It self propagates and serves as an attractive ornamental flower as well. The two-year or older root is the most beneficial part of the plant, harvested in the Fall. (See video for more about echinacea.)
Echinacea purpurea or Purple coneflower, pictured above, was widely used by the Plains Indians of North America, and was adopted by American settlers. It is one of the most useful herbs because it does more than nourish the immune system. And being native to North America, it is easy to grow here. No survivalist's garden should be without it!Golden Seal (Hydrastis canadensis), also native to North America growing in the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding areas, was used by the Cherokee Indians. Like echinacea, the root is the most beneficial part. Golden Seal was once widely available in the wild, but because it is so useful it has been overharvested and is now mostly available through commercial cultivation. Because demand for the herb is high and supplies are low, golden seal is one of the most expensive herbs on the market, and also one of the most counterfeited. (Unless you buy from a reputable company like Nature's Sunshine, you are not guaranteed of getting the real thing.) I recommend you grow your own!
Start using these herbs, buying them commercially, to find out which will be your favorites, and then begin growing your own. At the same time you can discover which herbs grow wild in your area and learn how to identify, harvest and use these. This is a common theme throughout all the lessons of Natural Health School. As you can imagine, you have a huge learning curve ahead of you, so you must get to work now, before the collapse!
Note: Herb powders, capsules and tablets have a 5 year recommended shelf life while liquids have a 2 year recommended shelf life. In practicality, these herbs will be safe and effective far beyond their recommended shelf life, so don't hesitate to use them past these dates. It will not hurt you to take them, although their potentcy will gradually decrease the older they are.(Note: The "Survival Doc Says" supplements are under construction and are not yet available for all lessons. I will add them as they are completed.)
Where to Next?
Complete the Self Evaluation for Lesson 10, or
Go to the Home Page and Click on Lesson 11.
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