Natural Remedies & Medicine Plants
By Sawyer Bell
How to prepare remedies
Tea/Infusion - Pour boiling water over herbs, cover, steep 10-15 minutes. Most common method. Strain before drinking.
Decoction - For tough parts like roots and bark. Simmer in water 20-30 minutes. Much stronger than tea.
Poultice - Crush fresh plant, apply directly to skin. For wounds, bites, stings. Change every few hours.
Medicine plants to know
Nature's aspirin
Willow Bark
Near streams and wet areas. Inner bark from young branches contains salicin, same as aspirin. Chew bark or make tea for headaches, fever, joint pain. Don't use if allergic to aspirin.
First aid plant
Plantain
Everywhere humans have walked. Broad or narrow leaves with parallel veins. Chew and apply to bee stings, cuts, bites. Draws out venom and infection. Also called white man's footprint.
Immune booster
Echinacea
Purple coneflower, dry areas and prairies. Use root and leaves. Start taking at first sign of sickness. Make strong tea 3x daily. Tastes awful but shortens colds. Don't use more than 10 days.
Stomach settler
Peppermint
Near water, spreads everywhere. Settles nausea, gas, stomach cramps. Tea after meals helps digestion. Steam for stuffy nose. Grows wild but takes over gardens. Don't give to babies.
Skin healer
Calendula
Orange or yellow flowers, easy to grow. Petals heal wounds, rashes, burns. Make oil or salve for skin problems. Tea as mouth rinse for gum problems. Safe for babies. Grows from seed easily.
Calming herb
Lavender
Dry sunny areas, likes poor soil. Flowers calm nerves, help sleep. Put in pillow or make tea. Oil on temples for headaches. Also antiseptic for minor burns. Smells good, bugs hate it.
Nausea fighter
Ginger Root
Won't grow here but worth growing. Stops all kinds of nausea - morning sickness, motion sickness, chemo. Slice thin, chew raw or make tea. Warms body in winter. Add honey to make it easier.
Throat soother
Slippery Elm
Inner bark from elm trees. Gets slimy when wet, coats throat. Mix powder with water, swallow slowly for sore throat, cough. Also helps stomach ulcers. Safe for pregnancy. Hard to find wild.
Baby safe
Chamomile
Small daisy flowers, smells like apples. Gentle enough for babies. Tea for upset stomach, colic, can't sleep. Cool tea for pink eye. Don't use if allergic to ragweed. Grows from seed.
Bone knitter
Comfrey
Large fuzzy leaves, grows in shade. EXTERNAL USE ONLY - toxic if eaten. Poultice for sprains, broken bones, bruises. Heals so fast don't use on deep wounds - seals infection inside.
Lung helper
Mullein
Tall fuzzy leaves, yellow flowers on spike. Excellent for lungs - cough, asthma, bronchitis. Make tea from leaves, strain well through cloth. Flower oil for earaches. Common in disturbed soil.
Wound stopper
Yarrow
Feathery leaves, white flower clusters. Stops bleeding fast. Crush leaves, pack into wound. Called soldier's woundwort. Also reduces fever as tea. Grows wild in fields. Pick before fully bloomed.
Natural antibiotic
Garlic
Easy to grow anywhere. Nature's antibiotic. Crush cloves, let sit 10 minutes to activate. Eat raw for infections, colds. Warm garlic oil drops for ear infections. Stinks but works.
Toothache cure
Clove
Dried flower buds. This won't be found in the wild here and clove basil won't work as an alternative. Powerful numbing agent. Put whole clove on bad tooth, bite gently. Works in minutes. Oil is stronger. Don't use too much - burns gums.
Flu fighter
Elderberry / Elderflower
Blue elderberry grows along streams and wet areas in Nevada mountains. White flower clusters in spring, dark blue berries in fall. Raw berries are mildly toxic - always cook first. Proven to shorten flu by 3-4 days. Flowers make fever-breaking tea. Best antiviral we have.
Vitamin C bomb
Wild Rose Hips
Woods' rose common along Nevada streams. Wait until after first frost - hips turn red and sweet. 20x more vitamin C than oranges. Remove seeds before using - they're irritating. Dry whole for tea or cook into syrup. One tablespoon of syrup = daily vitamin C.
Liver cleanser
Dandelion
Every part is medicine. Spring leaves are salad, less bitter. Root is powerful liver detox - dig in fall when energy is stored. Flowers make wine. Latex sap removes warts. Coffee substitute from roasted roots. Most nutritious plant on earth. Grows literally everywhere people live.
Baby calmer
Catnip
Escaped from old gardens, now grows wild near old homesteads and wet areas. Square stems, mint family. Makes cats crazy but calms humans, especially babies. Best colic remedy. Also reduces fever, helps sleep. Tea tastes mild. Grow easily from root divisions.
Nature's valium
Valerian
Sometimes found in mountain meadows above 7000 feet, especially Spring Valley area. Dig roots in fall. Smells terrible (dirty socks) but strongest natural sedative. Works like prescription anxiety meds. Small dose calms, large dose sedates. Don't mix with alcohol. Tincture works better than tea.
Willow Bark
Headache Tea
2 teaspoons dried willow bark
1 cup boiling water
Honey to taste
Simmer bark in water for 10 minutes. Strain. Add honey. Drink up to 3 cups daily for pain or fever. Works like aspirin but gentler on stomach. Takes 30 minutes to kick in.
1 cup boiling water
Honey to taste
Simmer bark in water for 10 minutes. Strain. Add honey. Drink up to 3 cups daily for pain or fever. Works like aspirin but gentler on stomach. Takes 30 minutes to kick in.
Comfrey, Plantain & Calendula
Healing Salve
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup dried calendula
1/4 cup dried plantain
1/4 cup dried comfrey
2 oz beeswax
Heat herbs in oil on low 4 hours. Strain. Add beeswax, melt together. Pour into jars. Use on cuts, scrapes, rashes, chapped skin. Lasts 1 year. This is liquid gold for skin problems.
1/4 cup dried calendula
1/4 cup dried plantain
1/4 cup dried comfrey
2 oz beeswax
Heat herbs in oil on low 4 hours. Strain. Add beeswax, melt together. Pour into jars. Use on cuts, scrapes, rashes, chapped skin. Lasts 1 year. This is liquid gold for skin problems.
Where to find or grow them
Plantain and yarrow - Literally everywhere. Roadsides, yards, trails. Don't pick near roads (exhaust fumes) or where dogs go.
Willow - Along any creek or river. Spring Valley has lots. Only take small amount of bark from each tree.
Garden herbs - Calendula, chamomile, echinacea, lavender all grow easy from seed. Poor soil is fine. Peppermint spreads like crazy but there's a lot growing around Comins lake and the streams and creeks in the area.
Echinacea Root, Elderberries & Fresh Ginger
Cold & Flu Fighter
1 tablespoon dried echinacea root
1 teaspoon dried elderberries
1 slice fresh ginger
2 cups water
Simmer all ingredients 20 minutes. Strain. Drink 3 cups daily at first sign of sickness. Tastes terrible but cuts sick time in half. Add honey and lemon to make it bearable.
1 teaspoon dried elderberries
1 slice fresh ginger
2 cups water
Simmer all ingredients 20 minutes. Strain. Drink 3 cups daily at first sign of sickness. Tastes terrible but cuts sick time in half. Add honey and lemon to make it bearable.
Peppermint & Ginger
Nausea Stopper
1 tablespoon fresh peppermint
3 slices fresh ginger
1 cup boiling water
Honey optional
Steep peppermint and ginger 10 minutes. Strain. Sip slowly for any kind of nausea. Safe for pregnancy. Also helps with gas and bloating. Keep ginger on hand always.
3 slices fresh ginger
1 cup boiling water
Honey optional
Steep peppermint and ginger 10 minutes. Strain. Sip slowly for any kind of nausea. Safe for pregnancy. Also helps with gas and bloating. Keep ginger on hand always.
Lavender & Chamomile
Sleep Tea
1 teaspoon dried lavender
1 tablespoon dried chamomile
1 teaspoon lemon balm if you have it
1 cup boiling water
Mix herbs, steep 15 minutes covered. Strain. Drink 30 minutes before bed. Safe for kids over 2. Add honey for taste. Also calms anxiety during the day.
1 tablespoon dried chamomile
1 teaspoon lemon balm if you have it
1 cup boiling water
Mix herbs, steep 15 minutes covered. Strain. Drink 30 minutes before bed. Safe for kids over 2. Add honey for taste. Also calms anxiety during the day.
Garlic
Infection Fighter Oil
10 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
Let crushed garlic sit 10 minutes. Heat gently in oil for 20 minutes - don't boil. Strain.
For ear infections: 2 warm drops in ear.
For wounds: apply to gauze.
For chest infections: rub on chest.
Stinks to high heaven but works.
1/2 cup olive oil
Let crushed garlic sit 10 minutes. Heat gently in oil for 20 minutes - don't boil. Strain.
For ear infections: 2 warm drops in ear.
For wounds: apply to gauze.
For chest infections: rub on chest.
Stinks to high heaven but works.
Mullein
Cough Syrup
1/2 cup dried mullein leaves
2 cups water
1 cup honey or sugar
Simmer mullein in water 30 minutes. Strain through fine cloth - important! Add honey, simmer until thick. Take 1 tablespoon every 3 hours for cough. Coats throat, loosens phlegm.
2 cups water
1 cup honey or sugar
Simmer mullein in water 30 minutes. Strain through fine cloth - important! Add honey, simmer until thick. Take 1 tablespoon every 3 hours for cough. Coats throat, loosens phlegm.
Yarrow, Peppermint & Elderflowers
Fever Breaker Tea
1 tablespoon dried yarrow flowers
1 teaspoon peppermint
1 teaspoon elderflowers if available
2 cups boiling water
Steep covered 10 minutes. Strain. Drink hot, get under blankets, sweat it out. Breaks fever naturally. Don't use if pregnant. Can lower fever 2-3 degrees.
1 teaspoon peppermint
1 teaspoon elderflowers if available
2 cups boiling water
Steep covered 10 minutes. Strain. Drink hot, get under blankets, sweat it out. Breaks fever naturally. Don't use if pregnant. Can lower fever 2-3 degrees.
Comfrey
Sprain Compress
Fresh comfrey leaves
Hot water
Clean cloth
Dip leaves in hot water to soften. Layer leaves on sprained area. Wrap with cloth. Leave 2-4 hours. Reduces swelling fast. Remember - external only, never eat comfrey. Change twice daily.
Hot water
Clean cloth
Dip leaves in hot water to soften. Layer leaves on sprained area. Wrap with cloth. Leave 2-4 hours. Reduces swelling fast. Remember - external only, never eat comfrey. Change twice daily.
Slippery Elm
Throat Gargle
2 tablespoons slippery elm powder
1 cup warm water
Pinch of salt
Mix powder with water until slimy. Add salt. Gargle and swallow slowly. Coats throat, stops cough, heals tissue. Do 3-4 times daily for sore throat. Safe for kids and pregnancy.
1 cup warm water
Pinch of salt
Mix powder with water until slimy. Add salt. Gargle and swallow slowly. Coats throat, stops cough, heals tissue. Do 3-4 times daily for sore throat. Safe for kids and pregnancy.
Mixed Herbs
Fire Cider
1/2 cup grated ginger
1/2 cup grated horseradish
10 garlic cloves
2 hot peppers
Apple cider vinegar to cover
Mix all in jar. Cover with vinegar. Let sit 4 weeks. Strain, add honey. Take 1 tablespoon daily to prevent sickness, every 3 hours if sick. Burns but works.
1/2 cup grated horseradish
10 garlic cloves
2 hot peppers
Apple cider vinegar to cover
Mix all in jar. Cover with vinegar. Let sit 4 weeks. Strain, add honey. Take 1 tablespoon daily to prevent sickness, every 3 hours if sick. Burns but works.
Plantain, Calendula & Honey
Burn & Sunburn Paste
1/4 cup fresh plantain leaves
2 tablespoons calendula petals
2 tablespoons raw honey
1 tablespoon aloe if available
Crush plantain and calendula into paste. Mix with honey. Apply thick layer to burns or sunburn. Cover with gauze. Change 3x daily. Honey prevents infection, plantain draws heat out, calendula speeds healing. Pain stops in minutes.
2 tablespoons calendula petals
2 tablespoons raw honey
1 tablespoon aloe if available
Crush plantain and calendula into paste. Mix with honey. Apply thick layer to burns or sunburn. Cover with gauze. Change 3x daily. Honey prevents infection, plantain draws heat out, calendula speeds healing. Pain stops in minutes.
Mullein, Garlic & Olive Oil
Ear Infection Oil
1/4 cup mullein flowers
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
Warm oil gently (don't boil). Add mullein and garlic. Let sit 2 hours. Strain through coffee filter. Put 2-3 warm drops in infected ear, plug with cotton. Use 3x daily. Mullein numbs pain, garlic kills infection. Works on swimmers ear too. Keep bottle for emergencies.
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
Warm oil gently (don't boil). Add mullein and garlic. Let sit 2 hours. Strain through coffee filter. Put 2-3 warm drops in infected ear, plug with cotton. Use 3x daily. Mullein numbs pain, garlic kills infection. Works on swimmers ear too. Keep bottle for emergencies.
Elderflower, Yarrow & Peppermint
Flu Sweat Tea
2 parts elderflower
1 part yarrow flowers
1 part peppermint
Boiling water
Mix herbs. Use 2 tablespoons per cup water. Steep covered 10 minutes. Drink hot, get in bed, pile on blankets. You'll sweat buckets - this breaks fever and shortens flu by days. Change sheets after. Drink every 3 hours during acute flu.
1 part yarrow flowers
1 part peppermint
Boiling water
Mix herbs. Use 2 tablespoons per cup water. Steep covered 10 minutes. Drink hot, get in bed, pile on blankets. You'll sweat buckets - this breaks fever and shortens flu by days. Change sheets after. Drink every 3 hours during acute flu.
Chamomile, Catnip & Fennel
Baby Colic Drops
1 teaspoon chamomile flowers
1 teaspoon catnip leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 cup boiling water
Steep 15 minutes, strain well. Give baby 1 teaspoon every hour during colic. Can also give to nursing mom - comes through milk. Catnip is the secret - calms baby bellies fast. Safe from birth. Make fresh daily.
1 teaspoon catnip leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 cup boiling water
Steep 15 minutes, strain well. Give baby 1 teaspoon every hour during colic. Can also give to nursing mom - comes through milk. Catnip is the secret - calms baby bellies fast. Safe from birth. Make fresh daily.
Ginger, Turmeric & Black Pepper
Joint Pain Paste
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Enough oil to make paste
Mix into thick paste. Rub on sore joints, cover with cloth. Leave 30 minutes, wash off. Reduces inflammation fast. Black pepper makes turmeric work 20x better. Stains everything yellow so use old clothes. Do daily for arthritis.
1 tablespoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Enough oil to make paste
Mix into thick paste. Rub on sore joints, cover with cloth. Leave 30 minutes, wash off. Reduces inflammation fast. Black pepper makes turmeric work 20x better. Stains everything yellow so use old clothes. Do daily for arthritis.
Thyme, Sage & Salt
Strep Throat Gargle
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
1 tablespoon sage leaves
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup boiling water
Steep herbs 20 minutes for strong tea. Add salt. Gargle every 2 hours, spit out. Both herbs kill strep bacteria on contact. Keep gargling even after throat feels better - kills lingering germs. Way better than just salt water.
1 tablespoon sage leaves
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup boiling water
Steep herbs 20 minutes for strong tea. Add salt. Gargle every 2 hours, spit out. Both herbs kill strep bacteria on contact. Keep gargling even after throat feels better - kills lingering germs. Way better than just salt water.
Valerian Root & Passionflower
Anxiety Stopper Tincture
1/4 cup dried valerian root
1/4 cup passionflower
2 cups vodka or brandy
Fill jar with herbs, cover with alcohol. Shake daily for 4 weeks. Strain. Take 30 drops in water for panic attacks or anxiety. Works in 15 minutes. Don't drive after taking. Valerian smells like dirty socks but works like xanax.
1/4 cup passionflower
2 cups vodka or brandy
Fill jar with herbs, cover with alcohol. Shake daily for 4 weeks. Strain. Take 30 drops in water for panic attacks or anxiety. Works in 15 minutes. Don't drive after taking. Valerian smells like dirty socks but works like xanax.
Cayenne & Goldenseal
Bleeding Stop Powder
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon goldenseal powder
1 tablespoon yarrow powder if available
Mix powders, keep in small container. Pour directly on bleeding cuts - stops bleeding in seconds. Burns like hell for 30 seconds then numbs. Also prevents infection. Military uses straight cayenne. Add to first aid kit.
1 tablespoon goldenseal powder
1 tablespoon yarrow powder if available
Mix powders, keep in small container. Pour directly on bleeding cuts - stops bleeding in seconds. Burns like hell for 30 seconds then numbs. Also prevents infection. Military uses straight cayenne. Add to first aid kit.
Apple Cider Vinegar & Herbs
Four Thieves Vinegar
2 cups apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons each: sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme
4 cloves garlic, crushed
Legend says thieves used this to rob plague victims without getting sick. Steep herbs in vinegar 2 weeks. Strain. Take 1 tablespoon daily during flu season. Also spray on surfaces to kill germs. Smells strong but works.
2 tablespoons each: sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme
4 cloves garlic, crushed
Legend says thieves used this to rob plague victims without getting sick. Steep herbs in vinegar 2 weeks. Strain. Take 1 tablespoon daily during flu season. Also spray on surfaces to kill germs. Smells strong but works.
Marshmallow Root & Licorice
Gut Healing Tea
2 tablespoons marshmallow root
1 tablespoon licorice root
1 tablespoon slippery elm if available
2 cups cold water
Soak overnight in cold water - makes it extra slimy (that's the medicine). Strain, warm gently, drink. Coats and heals stomach ulcers, IBS, leaky gut. Drink before meals. Safe long-term. Heals gut lining in 2-3 weeks.
1 tablespoon licorice root
1 tablespoon slippery elm if available
2 cups cold water
Soak overnight in cold water - makes it extra slimy (that's the medicine). Strain, warm gently, drink. Coats and heals stomach ulcers, IBS, leaky gut. Drink before meals. Safe long-term. Heals gut lining in 2-3 weeks.
Lemon Balm & Skullcap
Kids Calm Down Syrup
1/2 cup lemon balm leaves
1/4 cup skullcap
2 cups water
1 cup honey
Simmer herbs in water 30 minutes. Strain, add honey, simmer until syrupy. Give hyperactive kids 1 teaspoon every few hours. Also helps with nightmares and bed-wetting. Tastes good so kids take it willingly. Safe from age 2 up.
1/4 cup skullcap
2 cups water
1 cup honey
Simmer herbs in water 30 minutes. Strain, add honey, simmer until syrupy. Give hyperactive kids 1 teaspoon every few hours. Also helps with nightmares and bed-wetting. Tastes good so kids take it willingly. Safe from age 2 up.
Dandelion Root & Burdock
Liver Detox Decoction
2 tablespoons dandelion root
2 tablespoons burdock root
1 tablespoon milk thistle seeds
3 cups water
Simmer roots 45 minutes (decoction for tough roots). Strain. Drink 1 cup 3x daily for 2 weeks. Cleans liver, helps with skin problems, reduces allergies. Might get headaches first 2 days - that's toxins leaving. Pee will smell weird.
2 tablespoons burdock root
1 tablespoon milk thistle seeds
3 cups water
Simmer roots 45 minutes (decoction for tough roots). Strain. Drink 1 cup 3x daily for 2 weeks. Cleans liver, helps with skin problems, reduces allergies. Might get headaches first 2 days - that's toxins leaving. Pee will smell weird.
Multiple Herbs
Master Wound Powder
Equal parts dried & powdered:
Comfrey leaf, Plantain, Calendula
Yarrow, Goldenseal
Half part: Cayenne, Myrrh
Mix all powders. Sprinkle on any wound after cleaning. Stops bleeding, prevents infection, speeds healing by 50%. Can pack deep wounds. Store in airtight container. This one recipe could save your life.
Comfrey leaf, Plantain, Calendula
Yarrow, Goldenseal
Half part: Cayenne, Myrrh
Mix all powders. Sprinkle on any wound after cleaning. Stops bleeding, prevents infection, speeds healing by 50%. Can pack deep wounds. Store in airtight container. This one recipe could save your life.
Kitchen Spices
Food Poisoning Formula
1 tablespoon activated charcoal
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Cup of strong black tea
Mix charcoal and spices in tea, drink immediately. Follow with lots of water. Charcoal absorbs toxins, ginger stops nausea, cinnamon kills bacteria, tea has tannins that help. Works within an hour. Keep charcoal in medicine cabinet always.
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Cup of strong black tea
Mix charcoal and spices in tea, drink immediately. Follow with lots of water. Charcoal absorbs toxins, ginger stops nausea, cinnamon kills bacteria, tea has tannins that help. Works within an hour. Keep charcoal in medicine cabinet always.
Dandelion Flowers - Wine counts as a remedy these days
Wild Dandelion Wine
1 gallon dandelion flower petals (no green parts)
1 gallon boiling water
3-4 cups honey
2 oranges, sliced (optional)
2 lemons, sliced (optional)
Wild yeast starter (see below)
For wild yeast: 3 days before, mix 1 cup flour with 1 cup water and handful of unwashed organic grapes or berries. Let sit covered with cloth until bubbly.
Pour boiling water over petals, steep 3 days. Strain, add honey (heat to dissolve). Cool to room temp, add wild yeast starter. Ferment 4-6 weeks in covered crock - will take longer than commercial yeast. Strain into bottles, age 6+ months. Tastes more complex than with store yeast.
1 gallon boiling water
3-4 cups honey
2 oranges, sliced (optional)
2 lemons, sliced (optional)
Wild yeast starter (see below)
For wild yeast: 3 days before, mix 1 cup flour with 1 cup water and handful of unwashed organic grapes or berries. Let sit covered with cloth until bubbly.
Pour boiling water over petals, steep 3 days. Strain, add honey (heat to dissolve). Cool to room temp, add wild yeast starter. Ferment 4-6 weeks in covered crock - will take longer than commercial yeast. Strain into bottles, age 6+ months. Tastes more complex than with store yeast.
Rules to follow
Only harvest what you need. Take bark from different trees, not all from one. Leave the first plant you find, take the second. Dry herbs in dark, ventilated spots. Store in glass jars away from light. Label everything with date and plant name.