Burns should be addressed immediately to prevent infections and to offer relief to the injured individual. But when SHTF and you don’t have access to emergency medical services, you can treat mild or moderate burns using the home remedies detailed below. (h/t to DoomAndBloom.net)

Burn wound treatment basics

When treating burns after a survival scenario, you must first cool the wound with running water for about 10 to 15 minutes for best results. If you don’t have access to clean, running water, submerge the burned area in cool water.

Never use ice on burned skin. The injured skin is traumatized and using ice on the patient’s skin will constrict blood vessels and decrease blood circulation to an area that desperately needs it.

Burns, especially severe ones, should be treated by medical experts. But when you only have access to limited supplies or if the burn is minor, these natural remedies will do in a pinch.

Aloe vera

As a succulent plant, aloe vera has some thick and fleshy parts. These viscous parts allow aloe vera to retain water in its natural habitat. Aloe vera likes warm climates, but it can be grown successfully indoors in pots.

According to studies, aloe vera helps maintain moist conditions in damaged skin. This plant is anti-inflammatory, and it encourages faster healing. Additionally, aloe vera promotes circulation and inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Soothing aloe vera is an important remedy because it’s very simple to use. Just cut a leaf, scoop out the slimy flesh from the leaf, then apply it to a minor burn. Reapply aloe vera several times daily, with or without a bandage covering the burn.

Oatmeal

Use oatmeal to relieve itching that may occur when a burn starts to heal. Prepare a lukewarm bath, then add a cup of uncooked oatmeal to the water.

Help the patient get into the tub, which may be slippery because of the oatmeal. Let the patient soak in the oatmeal bath for about 10 to 20 minutes so that a thin coating of oatmeal remains on their skin.

Raw, unprocessed honey

Honey, a common remedy for various kind of wounds, is also used to treat burns. However, it is best to use raw, unprocessed honey since it retains its antibacterial activity and hydrating properties. (Related: Survival medicine: Are you familiar with the medicinal uses of honey?)

Follow the steps below to use honey as a burn remedy:

1. Cool down the burned area with running water, then apply a generous amount of honey over the burned skin.
2. Spread some honey on a waterproof dressing so it doesn’t stick to the patient’s skin. Cover the entire area.
3. The dressing over the burned skin may start to fill up with fluid oozing out from the wound. This will require regular, frequent dressing changes to keep the wound clean.
4. If you used cling wrap on the burned area, let it stay in place for the first 48 hours, then check and add more honey to the damaged skin. After 48 hours, cover the burned area with new cling wrap or non-stick dressings for another 48 hours. Repeat this step for at least eight to 10 days.
5. Do not remove or wash off the honey from the burned area for the first 20 days, or earlier if the wound has already healed.
6. Reapply the honey regularly and fill up any deeper areas of severe burns as needed. When applying honey, make sure it extends over the edges of the burn to prevent exposure to air until healing is completed. Remember, even air contains bacteria that may infect the wound.

Witch hazel

You can use witch hazel to make a cooling compress for burns. Witch hazel extract contains tannins, and these chemicals can help ease inflammation and soothe first degree burns. Apply witch hazel directly to the skin to reduce swelling, repair damaged skin, and prevent infection.

Soak a compress in full-strength witch hazel, then apply to the burned area. Reapply the witch hazel compress as frequently as desired.

When disaster strikes, use these natural remedies to address mild burns.

Sources include:

DoomAndBloom.net

Healthline.com

Herbs aren’t just used to enhance the flavor of food. When SHTF, preppers know which medicinal herbs can be used to address different health complaints like headaches or a sore throat.

It’s easy to grow various kinds of medicinal herbs in your garden or on your patio. Even if you live in an apartment, you can grow herbs on a windowsill right in your kitchen, all without spending a fortune.

Before you use any of the plants included in the list below, consult a healthcare professional to determine if they will interact with any medication that you are currently taking.

Here are 10 medicinal herbs that preppers need in their garden. (h/t to HomesteadSurvivalSite.com)

Basil

There are several varieties and sizes of basil. However, holy basil is the most popular because of its healing benefits.

Basil functions as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, and it is used to prevent illness and infection. The herb can be used as an antiseptic for scrapes and cuts. Additionally, it can relieve tension headaches since it has muscle-relaxing qualities.

Fresh basil can be used to make a medicinal tea that can address a cough, indigestion, or a sore throat. The herb is also used to relieve congestion due to colds and painful insect bites or stings.

Bergamot

Bergamot, which is also called Oswego tea or bee balm, is an aromatic herb. Add bergamot leaves to salads if you want to make a delicious and nutritious dish.

Bergamot is used to ease digestive issues, lower a fever, and to relieve headaches. You can apply fresh bergamot leaves to your skin to heal pimples and other blemishes.

To make bergamot tea, put a handful of bergamot herb leaves and flowers into a teapot. Pour at least two cups of boiling water over the herbs, then cover the pot. Let the tea steep for five minutes. Add a little honey if you want a sweet tea, then serve while still hot.

Chamomile

Chamomile is often used for its calming properties, but the plant can also help relieve an upset stomach. Additionally, chamomile can help treat skin irritations and acne scars. Chamomile is also used to calm babies with colic.

Cloves

Cloves, the aromatic flower buds of the clove tree, are used as a numbing agent for tooth pain. Use clove if you have a dental emergency while you’re living off the grid. If you have a toothache, apply clove juice or clove oil to the area that hurts for immediate relief.

Cloves are used to address dental problems because of their antibacterial properties.

Additionally, cloves contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fiber can help prevent constipation, vitamin C can boost your immune system, and vitamin K is an important nutrient for blood clotting. Cloves also contain manganese, an essential mineral that can support brain function and help build strong bones.

Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant flower with calming effects. The flower can be used to make a topical antiseptic for the skin. Lavender can relieve digestive problems and headaches, and it can help induce sleep. (Related: Medicinal wildflowers to harvest when hiking.)

Lemon balm

Lemon balm is easy to grow, and this versatile herb can be used to treat digestive problems, insomnia, and wounds. Lip balm made from lemon balm can soothe cold sores.

You can ease digestive problems with lemon balm tea. To make the tea, use two tablespoons of fresh lemon balm leaves or a tablespoon of dried leaves for each cup of boiling water. Let the mixture steep for an hour, then strain and add honey or lemon before drinking the tea.

Oregano

Oregano, often used in Italian cooking, is an aromatic and flavorful herb with many healing properties. The herb can help treat digestive issues, headaches, menstrual cramps, muscle pain, nausea, and toothaches.

Oregano oil can be used to treat insect bites and burns. Finally, inhaling the scent of oregano and oregano oil can help open up nasal passages.

Peppermint

Inhaling the scent of peppermint, sometimes called “the world’s oldest medicine,” can help relieve nausea and vomiting symptoms associated with motion sickness. Peppermint can also promote oral health and prevent bad breath.

Thyme

Thyme is a popular herb used in French cooking and can help ease cold symptoms like congestion, coughing, and indigestion. The herb can also be used to make a poultice that can reduce throat pain. It also supports the heart and circulatory system.

Wooly lamb’s ear

Wooly lamb’s ear is called “Nature’s Band-aid” because the herb’s soft leaves can be applied directly on minor cuts and scrapes to slow down or stop the bleeding. The herb’s leaves also have antibacterial properties that can help prevent infections.

Wooly lamb’s ear can also be used to reduce the pain and swelling caused by bug bites and rashes. If you have an upset stomach or diarrhea, drinking wooly lamb’s ear tea can make you feel better.

Plant these useful herbs in your garden so you always have access to medicinal herbs when SHTF.

Sources include:

HomesteadSurvivalSite.com

Healthline.com

Disasters can happen at any moment. You might not be able to avoid them, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t prepare for them. Having a proper survival plan in place can definitely help you get through even the most difficult situations. Improve your chances of survival by following these essential disaster preparedness tips when SHTF. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)

Learn what potential disasters your area could face

Different geographical locations face different kinds of natural disasters. Read up on your local area’s history to find out what kind of disasters your area is prone to. Does your area frequently experience hurricanes, earthquakes, or other natural calamities? Once you know the past, you can be better prepared for the future. Finding out what you are likely to face can go a long way in helping you formulate your survival plan. (Related: You need to know these 8 essential survival tips to prepare you for the next catastrophe.)

Sign up for emergency alerts

It is important to stay informed and up-to-date on your local news and weather reports. Nowadays, you can easily sign up to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone. That way, you can always know ahead of time when severe weather is on its way.  There are also plenty of emergency apps you can download on your phone that can serve as useful tools when SHTF.

Prepare your family’s emergency kits and bug-out bags

You and your family members should each have a 72-hour emergency kit containing all the essential items that you need to survive for at least that amount of time. If you need to make a sudden evacuation, you should also have bug-out bags ready in easily accessible areas in your home. Some preppers may combine both their emergency kit and bug-out bag in one convenient pack. Depending on your needs and priorities, you can choose to do the same. Some of the important items you should pack include water, food, first aid supplies, flashlights, blankets, a cell phone charger, a multipurpose tool, spare cash, and personal hygiene items. Make sure that you and your family members know how to properly use the items in your emergency kits and bug-out bags.

Learn your local area’s evacuation routes and shelter locations

In dire emergency situations, you might need to bug out somewhere else until it is safe for you and your loved ones to return home. In this case, knowing your local area’s evacuation routes and shelter locations can certainly come in handy, especially if you and your family are separated when the disaster hits. Planning a designated meeting point can let you and your family know where to go, even if the cell phone towers are down and no one has any access to other forms of communication.

Do an indoor and outdoor home assessment

On the other hand, there might also be times when it is simply safer to stay put and bug in. In this case, you will need to do a thorough assessment of the interior and exterior of you home to make sure that it can provide ample protection when SHTF. Get rid of any dead trees or overhanging branches that may pose as hazards during a hurricane. You may also need to upgrade your home’s security and defense systems. Additionally, you should make an inventory of the supplies you will need to wait out a potential disaster and stock up on these items.

Learn more disaster preparedness tips by going to Preparedness.news.

Sources include:

Survivopedia.com

WorkingMother.com

Even in this modern day and age, deadly viruses continue to pose a considerable threat because of how easily they can spread like wildfire. They can come without warning, making them difficult to anticipate and control. Densely populated cities and urban areas are the most vulnerable to these infectious diseases due to how crowded they are. If you want to help prevent the spread of infection, you should become better prepared to handle these deadly diseases by learning how to immediately spot their symptoms. (h/t to DoomAndBloom.net.)

Dengue virus

Commonly found in tropical and subtropical parts of the world, the dengue virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The symptoms begin to appear four to seven days after being bitten. These symptoms include high fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, rashes, and swollen glands. This disease is sometimes referred to as “breakbone fever” due to the intense pain it causes to the muscles and joints. Fortunately, most people affected by dengue typically recover within a week. However, for those unlucky few with compromised circulatory systems, the illness may progress into a hemorrhagic fever that has a 20 percent death rate. Other severe symptoms that may accompany the fever include spontaneous bleeding under the skin, difficulty breathing, heightened abdominal pain, and blood in the urine, stool or vomit. To prevent the spread of dengue, you should practice good hygiene and avoid areas where there are plenty of mosquitoes.

Rotavirus

The rotavirus is a food-borne illness that is spread through the consumption of contaminated food or water. Every year, this disease kills over half a million children worldwide. While the rotavirus is deadlier in less-developed countries, it is still so prevalent that the World Health Organization believes that every child in the world has been infected with it at least once. After being ingested, the rotavirus attacks the cells of the gut lining, producing a toxin that results in adverse symptoms, such as severe watery diarrhea, fever, cramps, abdominal pain, and vomiting. However, it is the severe watery diarrhea that is the most dangerous symptom of the rotavirus as it may easily lead to severe dehydration in infants and small children. It is important that children afflicted by rotavirus are able to sufficiently replenish their bodily fluids. You can decrease your possibility of contamination by always making sure that your food comes from a clean and reliable source.

Rabies

The word “rabies” is derived from the Latin word for “madness,” and with good reason. As the disease progresses, it quickly deteriorates the mental state of the infected person, leading to symptoms such as confusion, agitation, paranoia, anxiety, terror, hallucinations, hydrophobia, and general delirium. Rabies directly attacks the salivary glands, which makes the saliva the main route of infection. Rabies is frequently associated with dogs, as they are responsible for over 99 percent of cases in most countries. However, bats and some rodents may also be carriers of rabies. A person can then get infected with rabies through bites or scratches from that animal. After being bitten by a rabid animal, the infected person will not experience the first symptoms until after an incubation period of around one to three months. These symptoms include fever, headaches, and paralysis, but as soon as these symptoms appear, it is almost certainly too late to treat the rabies infection. If left untreated, rabies has a death rate of almost 100 percent. The easiest way to avoid being infected in the first place is to keep away from aggressive dogs and other animals. (Related: From rabies to salmonella: 5 diseases you can get from your pet.)

Learn more about deadly viral infections by going to Outbreak.news.

Sources include: 

DoomAndBloom.net

PlanetDeadly.com

In case SHTF, you will need a well-stocked pantry if you plan to wait out whatever disaster will be occurring in the world outside. However, for your long-term survival, you will need to think of your food supply not just as a means of avoiding starvation, but also as a way to get the right amount of nutrients in your body. You will need a variety of high-quality, nutrient-dense foods, since not all survival foods are created equal. Here are some of the best survival foods you should stock up on for your survival pantry. (h/t to Survivopedia.com.)

Meats

Your body needs plenty of protein, especially if you are in a survival situation. Fortunately, animal meat contains all of the eight essential amino acids that are the building blocks of protein. Beef jerky is delicious, nutritious, and easy to make. You can get 12 grams of high-quality protein from an ounce of cured or smoked beef jerky. Another way to stockpile meat is to make pemmican, which is a classic “native” survival food that is made of a combination of fruit and dehydrated meat. If processed and stored properly, it can have a shelf life of at least 50 years. You can also stock up on canned meats. If you have the resources, you might even want to consider raising your own livestock as a viable protein source. (Related: The top sources of protein in a survival homestead.)

Fish

Canned fish are cost-efficient survival foods that you can easily stock up on, even if you have a limited budget. They even conveniently come in pre-cooked and ready-to-eat forms. Tuna, sardines, salmon, herring, and other fatty fish are rich sources of nutrients and healthy fats. You can easily buy sardines in bulk, since they have such incredibly long shelf lives. As much as possible, try to stock up on fish that was caught in the wild. Try to avoid “farmed fish” as the way they are grown often strips away any health benefits your body could gain from eating them.

Dairy products

Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and butter, can help supplement your protein and calcium intake. If you are already raising livestock, you can raise goats to provide milk and even make cheese, butter, and other dairy products from this milk. Alternatively, you can stock up on dried, powdered milk. It might not be as appetizing as fresh milk, but with enough practice, you can even learn to make your own yogurt, cheese, pudding, or bread out of it. Cheese can store for a very long time, especially when frozen.

Fruits and vegetables

You’ll be missing out on plenty of essential vitamins and minerals if you don’t include a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables in your survival pantry. You can even save the seeds to grow your own survival garden. Even if they won’t be fresh, dehydrated fruits are nutrient-dense, lightweight, and easy to store. They are excellent sources of carbohydrates and simple sugars. You can add them to other recipes or eat them on their own. Mix them with some nuts and grains to create a healthy trail mix. Some ideal fruits that you should stock up on include dried prunes, apricots, figs, cranberries, and raisins.

Sources include:

Survivopedia.com

SkilledSurvival.com

Self-reliance means being able to take care of yourself without needing help from anyone else. This might be one of the most important skills you can learn to prepare yourself for when SHTF, but it can also help you to get through any difficult situation in your everyday life. It can give you the chance to become a more independent and well-rounded individual. That way, you can live life on your own terms and better plan for your future. Here are some useful tips you can follow to become a more self-reliant person. (h/t to FoodStorageMoms.com.)

Learn how to cook from scratch

No matter how much money you have, there may come a time when you will be unable to simply buy pre-cooked meals at a store or restaurant. You might find yourself all alone during a survival situation. In this scenario, you will have to make do with whatever you have stocked in your pantry or refrigerator. This is also an excellent reason to always keep your pantry well-stocked. Either way, you will need to make a meal from scratch or end up going to bed hungry. Fortunately, learning how to cook basic meals shouldn’t be too hard if you have access to the internet. There are plenty of tutorial videos you can watch to pick up a few easy recipes that make use of common ingredients. If you want a more hands-on approach, you can enroll in a cooking class and learn directly from experts. You can even exchange tips with like-minded people.

Grow an edible garden

Another step you can take towards total self-reliance is to grow your own food supply. What could possibly be more satisfying by cooking a meal from scratch using the vegetables you grew yourself? Even if you don’t reach the level of complete, self-reliant food production, growing an edible garden can certainly supplement your existing food supply. An edible garden can even help you save on expenses. Why make a trip to your local grocery store when you can easily get your fresh pick of produce right in your backyard? The best part is that you aren’t limited by the availability of your favorite fruits and vegetables on the market. As long as you can grow it, you get to eat it. (Related: Self-reliance in the city: One family proves it’s possible.)

Learn more practical skills

You can gain a sense of accomplishment by learning a variety of new and useful skills. With a wider and more diverse skill set, you will become less likely to feel helpless when faced with a challenging situation. Self-reliance can push you out of your comfort zone and force you to adapt to any scenario. It can move you along the right path to self-improvement and progress. Why stop at cooking and gardening? There are so many practical skills out there just waiting for you to learn them. You can apply these skills during a survival situation or even in your everyday life. What is important is that you never stop learning. With an arsenal of practical skills at your disposal, you can overcome anything.

Make a reasonable budget and commit to it

If you really want to save money, it will require discipline. You will have to let go of the occasional luxuries to focus on what you actually need to get by. Live on less money than you make, so that you can set aside money for the future. Try to save a minimum of at least a dollar a week. This can be a feasible goal and you can use the money as an emergency fund if ever SHTF. Another practical skill you can learn is how to make basic repairs. This can also help you to save money, since you will be able to avoid buying items to replace broken ones.

Sources include:

FoodStorageMoms.com

TheLawOfAttraction.com

If you’re new to prepping, remember that it’s better to stock up on supplies and miscellaneous items that you may need before SHTF. Don’t wait until it’s too late to fill your pantry or stockroom with useful items. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)

Most stockrooms are filled with food and water, but wise preppers know that you also need to keep unconventional materials in your pantry.

Here are some unusual but useful items that you can repurpose when disaster strikes.

• Chopsticks – Chopsticks aren’t just for Chinese takeout. You can use chopsticks as extra kindling, so stock up on them whenever you can. Alternatively, you can use chopsticks to build efficient fires, for minor supports and building, or for craft projects.
• Egg cartons – Egg cartons can be used as makeshift starter kits for herbs or other plants. To make starter kits, fill each egg section with a small amount of rich soil then plant your seeds. Water the seeds lightly, then place the carton by a window. Use egg carton starter kits to start several small seeds at the same time. Alternatively, you can use egg cartons as fuel for a fire.
• Female hygiene items – These items are crucial, especially if you have women in your family or survival group. Stock up on items like menstrual cups, pads, and tampons. These items can also be used as makeshift firestarters in a pinch.
• Leftover lumber – Lumber is an essential SHTF supply, but it has several cons: they’re usually large and heavy so you need to find a secure place to store them, or you may have problems taking them with you if you need to leave in a hurry. Consider stocking up on leftover lumber only if you have secure storage space for them. When disaster strikes, you can use lumber to make repairs around the house.
• Plastic grocery bags – A single plastic grocery bag is flimsy, but if you save up a hundred or more of them, you can use these bags as insulation materials. When the weather gets cold, stuff grocery bags in cracks, in shed walls, or anywhere else where you need extra warmth. The only downside is, you’ll need lots of plastic grocery bags to fill up spots before you can trap tiny pockets of air for effective insulation. Take note that you can’t use plastic bags near fireplaces, furnaces, and other sources of heat.
• Small wheels – When you’re in a hurry and short on storage space, you may have trouble bringing a cart, scooter, or wheelbarrow with you. But small wheels don’t take up too much space, and you can use them if you need to create a cart or platform for transportation once you find basic scrap materials.
• Socks – Socks are essential supplies to have, especially if you live in an area that is prone to cold weather. When SHTF, you can also use socks as bartering supplies.
• Tin cans – Put some curled cardboard and leftover wax in a tin can to make a mini heater. Alternatively, you can use tin cans to make perimeter alarms or weapons. (Related: Prepping to barter when SHTF: What skills to learn and items to stockpile.)
• Wax materials – This includes anything waxy, such as beeswax, crayons, or melted candles. Once you gather enough leftover wax, you can melt them down again to make a new, recycled candle. All you need is a wick and a heat-resistant glass jar.

Learn useful skills, secure your home, and stock up on these supplies so you’re ready before disaster strikes.

Sources include:

Survivopedia.com

PrimalSurvivor.net

When SHTF, you need to stay calm and collected, so you can keep your family safe even when the people around you are panicking. Try these 10 effective and natural remedies if you want to ease your anxiety. (h/t to TheHomesteadingHippy.com)

What is anxiety?

People experience anxiety in different ways. It can be triggered by certain situations, such as having to talk to strangers.

Others may suffer from chronic anxiety, and this can be difficult, especially when you need to make crucial decisions after disaster strikes. This may also affect quality of life and your personal relationships.

The symptoms of this condition may include:

• An elevated heartbeat
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Feeling that you need to leave a situation
• Nervousness
• Rapid breathing
• Trouble concentrating
• Worrying about things that may or may not happen

Some people consult healthcare professionals who prescribe medication that can help with anxiety, such as benzodiazepines. However, these drugs can be addictive and cause negative side effects.

Instead of risking your health with harmful drugs, use the natural remedies listed below if you need relief from anxiety.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is often used a sleeping aid because it has potent relaxant effects. You can also drink this chamomile tea if you wish to manage your anxiety.

This tea works by reducing the amount of cortisol produced in the body. Cortisol affects how your body responds to stress, which can trigger anxiety. You can buy chamomile tea in grocery stores and some health food stores.

Gotu kola

Gotu kola is a powerful Ayurvedic herb that offers various health benefits. It can help fight illness, heal wounds, and relieve anxiety.

The herb is just as effective as pharmaceutical medication for managing anxiety. Gotu kola is available as a tea or as a supplement that you can buy in pharmacies and health food stores.

Lavender essential oil

Lavender essential oil is often used near bedtime because it has powerful relaxant effects that can promote a good night’s sleep. Use lavender essential oil in a diffuser, or smell the oil right out of the bottle.

Buy lavender oil at natural health food stores, pharmacies, or online. (Related: Essential oils offer a natural, side effect-free way to address anxiety.)

Lemon balm

Lemon balm can be used to fight anxiety, address insomnia, and manage stress. However, some people report that taking excessive doses of lemon balm can make you more anxious. This is why it’s important to test your sensitivity to this natural remedy before you take an increased dosage.

Buy loose lemon balm from a health store to make your own tea.

Passion flower

Passion flower is another effective remedy that can help relieve anxiety. Purchase passion flower in loose-leaf form and turn it into tea, or try different types of tinctures from health food stores or pharmacies.

Rosemary

Rosemary and its essential oils are effective remedies for anxiety. The herb has a compound that can potentially function as an anxiolytic. Add rosemary essential oil to a diffuser, or drink tea made from organic rosemary.

Saffron

Saffron is an herb that fights fighting anxiety by agonizing the GABA system, the main inhibitory system in your brains that blocks nerve impulses. The herb can help limit anxiety caused by overstimulation.

Saffron is available in capsule and tincture form in health food stores, some grocery stores, and certain pharmacies.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is another popular plant that’s used as a remedy for anxiety and depression. The plant functions as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), the same mechanism by which many popular antidepressants work.

You can purchase the capsule form of the herb at health food stores and pharmacies. Don’t take more than 450 milligrams (mg) twice a day when you first start to use it.

Valerian root

Valerian root has a pungent odor similar to dirty socks. But if you can stomach valerian root’s off-putting odor, it is an effective relaxant that can also address other problems caused by an overactive mind. Purchase valerian root from health food stores in loose-leaf form, supplements, or tinctures.

Yerba mate

Even though yerba mate contains caffeine, the plant can help minimize your anxiety levels. Yerba mate is considered one of the healthiest sources of caffeine, and it also gives your body various essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can boost your health.

When SHTF, you don’t need to suffer in silence because of anxiety. Try some of the natural remedies listed above to avoid the negative side effects of pharmaceutical remedies for this condition.

Sources include:

TheHomesteadingHippy.com

Healthline.com

In all of human history, axes are among one of the oldest, most versatile, and most important ever created. In our modern age, an axe can still be one of the most useful tools that you can bring with you when you camp out in the wilderness. Not only is it an excellent chopping tool, but it can also make a great weapon in case you need to defend yourself. Of course, not all axes are created equal. Some axes are strictly meant to be used for battle, while others were designed for felling trees or splitting firewood. Follow this useful guide to learn which kind of axe will be best suited for your survival needs. (h/t to PreppersWill.com).

Types of axes

Axes often fall under one of two main categories: single-bitted axes and double-bitted axes. A single bit axe is the most common felling axe and it is designed to put all the torque behind the one bit attached to it. As such, these axes tend to have curved handles to fully swing the axe in a single direction. The bit is used for cutting, while the poll or butt on the other end is used for balance. In the hands of a skilled user, even a small single bit axe can be used to split an entire hardwood tree. However, while it can be used for felling, bucking, and limbing trees, it is not very effective when used for splitting logs. Double bit axes have two cutting edges and are generally designed to be symmetrical around a center line. Unlike the curved handles found on single bit axes, double bit axes require straight handles. This allows you to swing the axe in either direction. It also comes with other advantages, such as greater accuracy, better balance, and more allowance for speed and power. While both bits are meant to be symmetrical, a closer inspection of the edges will reveal that they are not identical. One edge is incredibly sharp, while the other edge is slightly duller. The sharp edge is useful for quickly and effectively chopping logs. The dull edge can be used for limbing or removing branches from trunks of fallen trees.

Main purposes of axes

There are three main purposes that axes can serve. They are cutting, splitting, and shaping. You will know what kind of purpose your axe is best suited for by looking at their profile. You can see an axe’s profile by looking down at the very top of the axe with the sharp edge/s facing away from you. An axe meant for cutting will have a thin profile that is suited for penetrating across wood grains. Since it is so thin, it can apply the maximum amount of force on a low surface area to “sever” anything it cuts across. However, if it is used to split a log, it will have the tendency to slide in between the wood fibers instead of splitting the log in half. If you look at the profile of an axe designed for splitting, it should have a wide angle that only gets wider as the area moves further away from the edge. When this kind of axe is slammed onto a wooden log, it should create a wedge in the wood that only gets deeper the more force is applied. That wedge should force the log to split apart. For a shaping axe, the cutting profile doesn’t matter as much as the shape of the bit does. Cutting and splitting axes often have a pronounced curve in their bit to minimize the amount of contact it makes with the wood at any moment. Shaping axes have straight and flat bits designed to create even cuts.

An axe can make an excellent survival tool. If you are skilled enough to handle one, you can use it to cut, split, or shape wood. You can even wield it as a self-defense weapon if you are attacked. In case you lack the skill to handle an axe, you might be able to barter axe heads when SHTF. (Related: Prepping to barter when SHTF: What skills to learn and items to stockpile.)

Sources include:

PreppersWill.com

Orionn49.com

Imagine being in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps you were hiking in the woods, or you might be alone in your remote homestead, far away from civilization. Imagine that for some reason or another, you are injured and your wound won’t stop bleeding. What are you going to do now? Learn how to stop a bleeding wound when SHTF by following this simple first aid guide. (h/t to BeansBulletsBandagesAndYou.com).

Apply direct pressure

Even if you don’t have any medical supplies with you at the moment, you can use your bare hands to directly apply pressure on the open wound. However, it is ideal that you have a clean cloth with you at all times that you can use to cover the wound. Applying direct pressure is the first thing you should do instinctively, as using enough force can cause the bleeding to stop. Blood will naturally coagulate, so your main goal is to hold the wound closed to keep the blood inside your body long enough for the natural coagulation process to do its job. Over time, the bleeding will slow down and eventually stop. Until then, you should keep applying the pressure constantly over the wound. When you think that the wound has stopped bleeding, you can gradually and very carefully remove the pressure, but be quick to apply it again if the wound starts bleeding again.

Use cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper is a natural remedy that can be used to stop bleeding in seconds. You might expect such a powerful spice to cause intense stinging or burning sensations when applied to an open wound, but it surprisingly causes none of these effects. Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of vitamin K. This vitamin can help coagulate your blood. Cayenne pepper also possesses potent antifungal and antibacterial properties that can immediately disinfect the wound and protect it from further infection. If you have some ground cayenne pepper powder, all you have to do is pour some of the powder directly on to the open wound. It can be used to help reduce excessive bleeding instantly.

Elevate the wound

Elevation is a method of controlling bleeding, but it must be done carefully. You don’t have to elevate the wound to its maximum height. The point is to simply raise the wounded body part above the heart. As long as the injured area is above heart level, gravity will help to reduce the bleeding. Slowly raise the wound and try to avoid any unnecessary movements.(Related: Survival first aid: How to stop excessive bleeding when you’re off-grid.)

Use pressure points

Arteries are the major pathways of your blood and are vital to circulation. If you are familiar with your body’s main arteries, you can apply pressure to specific points where these arteries are located to help reduce the flow of bleed and slow down the bleeding. Even before SHTF, you should already be learning about your body’s main arteries and pressure points. You can find them in the parts of your body that you normally use to feel a pulse. This way, if you do get injured, you can pinch the arteries that are feeding the bleeding vessel. These pressure points should be located between your heart and your open wound.

Bandage the wound

Don’t forget to wrap your wound in a nice clean, bandage when you are done. Even with your body’s natural coagulation process, this will help prevent further bleeding and possible infection. This will also avoid accidentally reopening the wound. If you can, you should also try to have your wound checked by a medical professional. It is better to be safe than to underestimate the severity of your wound.

Learn other first aid techniques to help you survive by going to Survival.news.

Sources include:

BeansBulletsBandagesAndYou.com

AskAPrepper.com