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For Emergency
Preparedness –
Prepare Your
Medicinal Herb and
Spice Cabinet
Written by: Sarah Natural Health August 9, 2010 7 Comments

High on the emergency

preparedness list of food
stockpile should be an ample
supply of certain culinary
herbs and spices, not
necessarily for the spice
cabinet but, rather, for your
medicine cabinet.  The healing
and regenerative properties of
herbs and spices are well
documented and, for many
people, they already have a
place on the spice rack.  In preparation for the unexpected, when
maintaining optimum health and immunity to disease is paramount,
their amazing health properties should not be taken for granted.

Everyday spices such as cinnamon, pepper, cayenne, and cloves

should be stockpiled to the extent that they can become part of your

http://www.offthegridnews.com/2010/08/09/for-emergency-preparedness-prepare-your-medicinal-herb-and-spice-cabinet/[7/9/2013 10:01:54 PM]

For Emergency Preparedness – Prepare Your Medicinal Herb and Spice Cabinet | Off The Grid News

daily nutritional intake. If they somehow can’t be worked into your

daily prepared meals, it’s recommended that they be doled out in
dosages much like you would do with any supplement.

Herbs such as oregano, basil, sage, fennel, and garlic may also be a
current staple in your kitchen. However, for the astute emergency
preparers, they will occupy a plot in the garden as well. Large
quantities of these highly functional herbs can be grown and
maintained in a relatively small-sized plot. For city dwellers, where
garden plots are impractical, the dried versions of these herbs can be
stored for about a year before they lose some of their magic.

Here’s the definitive list of essential spices that will turn your spice
cabinet into a medicine cabinet:

Cayenne — Possessing both internal and external healing properties,

cayenne is one of the most powerful medicinal spices that are readily
available.  Known for its stimulating effect on the cardiovascular
system, cayenne acts upon the heart and circulation to increase blood
flow.  In this way, it can also be an aid in helping to speed digestion.
Its heat producing properties are helpful during the cold months
(taken internally or used topically) and it also builds immunity against
colds and flus.  Used externally, cayenne can be applied to wounds to
stem bleeding.

Cinnamon — A favorite found in most spice racks, Cinnamon is a

known antioxidant and most dieticians recommend a daily dose. 
Cinnamon also aids in digestion and stimulates circulation

Ginger — Ginger provides several digestive related remedies by

settling nausea and stopping diarrhea. It is also a known decongestant
and can soothe a sore throat.

Black pepper — Storing dried, black pepper, or, alternatively, black

peppercorns, is useful for its ability to boost energy, warm the body
and increase circulation.  Like its cousin, cayenne, it also aids in the
stemming of blood flow from cuts.

Cloves — Clove oil has long been a treatment for tooth and gum
problems. Its analgesic properties help soothe mouth pain, and it is
also a bacteria killer. The antibiotic properties of cloves make it ideal
for topical treatment to burns and skin irritations. Used in teas, cloves
can also be an effective fever reducer.

Plot your garden with these vital herbal medicines:

Oregano — Oregano, as a source of antioxidants, is a proven

immune booster. It can also settle the stomach, fight infection and
even soothe cold symptom flare-ups in the throat and lungs. Taken in
tea, it helps settle the mind for a good night’s sleep.

Basil — is also a known sleep aid, especially in its ability to reduce

tension and anxiety. When life gets you down, basil has been known
to lift spirits.

http://www.offthegridnews.com/2010/08/09/for-emergency-preparedness-prepare-your-medicinal-herb-and-spice-cabinet/[7/9/2013 10:01:54 PM]

For Emergency Preparedness – Prepare Your Medicinal Herb and Spice Cabinet | Off The Grid News

Bay leaves — another effective digestive aid, bay leaves can be

added to your meal preparation and/or teas to keep stomach acids at
bay.

Sage — Sage seems to be the most versatile medicinal herb. It can

remedy winter coughs, stimulate digestion, and is a great source of
antibiotics. You can decide if its famously mythical ability to ward off
evil spirits might be of use.

Garlic – Most would argue that garlic is the mother of all medicinal
herbs. As a potent source of antibiotics, it is a proven cold and flu
fighter, immune booster and can ward off infection. If you’re worried
about walking around with garlic breath, just add a small section of
parsley to your garden plot.

Peppermint, rosemary, thyme and fennel are equally powerful

medicinal herbs rich in healing and regenerative properties, and
should be included in your medicinal garden.

Full preparation for a potential long-term emergency isn’t complete

until your spice and herb medicine cabinet is full. With the range of
healing and health strengthening properties available in these natural
remedies, you might spend a fortune on pills, syrups and ointments
trying to replicate their benefits. It’s time to stop taking them for
granted.

Other articles in this issue:

Feeding Baby
Hurricane Survivor Tips
Your Fortress Home

If you liked this article you may be interested in this product from our sponsor.

© 2013 Off The Grid News

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7 COMMENTS

sevenstars77
August 10, 2010 at 1:13 pm

In India turmeric is considered a whole body cleansing herb.

Medically, it was used as an aid for digestive disturbances and
as a treatment for fever, infections, dysentery, arthritis,
jaundice and other liver problems. in china its used for liver
and gallbladder problems, stop bleeding, and relieve chest
congestion and menstrual discomforts.

the active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin. (curcumin

has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, stomach-
soothing, and liver-and heart-protecting effects. )

Turmeric reduces inflammation by lowering histamine levels

and it may also stimulate the adrenal glands to increase
production of a hormone that reduces inflammation. It is used
to ease joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
However, its also used to reduce joint pain and in inflammation

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For Emergency Preparedness – Prepare Your Medicinal Herb and Spice Cabinet | Off The Grid News

in other disorders too.

Turmeric (curcumin) has a lots of antioxidants too which

prevent premature aging and diseases such as cancer if left
unchecked. it also has been effective in fighting bacterial
infections and may offer cataracts prevention through its
antioxidant properties.
it has a really strong flavor, so you definitely want to learn how
to cook with it to satisfy your own palate-but its definitely on
that should be in your spice/ remedy kit
Reply

D McP
August 16, 2010 at 9:23 am

I am actively collecting information to learn more

about “Herbal Healing” since I will be the “medicine
doctor” for my group when and if anything goes south
and such self-sufficiencies become necessary.
I think it is important for each person to evaluate your
own strengths and weaknesses and try to work on a
single skills specifically (while continuing others
broadly) so if-and-when things change you are really
prepared to be a contributing soul in the surviving
community.
That being said: Thank you for the continuing
education. Well written and very appreciated. I spend
a lot of “net” time doing research on all survival
requirements. I am a long time believer in “Storage”
for a minimum of 1 year’s supplies. I am switching
over from canning to dehydrating. Cheaper, healthier
and less bulk to manage.
Reply

Ben from Texas

August 13, 2010 at 12:13 pm

I’ve been using Bay leaves in my stored rice and flour to keep
the small insect eggs from hatching ,so far its been 1 tear and
no signs of weavels in the flour or critters in the rice..I put 3
leaves in each quart or pint jar ,top middle and bottom seems
to work good..
Reply

vschey
August 16, 2010 at 7:59 pm

One other very important medicine you would want in your

collection is dandelion. Most people consider it a weed, but it
was actually brought to North America as an herbal medicine.
It is among one of the most useful herbs, and is good for the
whole body, especially cleansing and supporting the liver. Use

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For Emergency Preparedness – Prepare Your Medicinal Herb and Spice Cabinet | Off The Grid News

the leaves, roots, stems, and blossoms – each has a use. New
fresh leaves in the spring are very good in salad, and the older
leaves and roots can be used in tea. I use it every day, mixed
with milk thistle seed, alfafa, green tea, and hibiscus blossoms,
with stevia for sweetening and some cinnamon and cardoman
for extra zing. This is a very good tea for detoxing and
cleansing the body, but also can be used every day for support
of many systems. Just be careful where you harvest, as most
people spray it with poison.
Reply

Diane999
October 5, 2010 at 11:49 am

Let’s not forget Elder (flowers and leaves for lowering blood
sugar and berries for their antiviral properties), Marshmallow
and Mullein for bronchial problems, Boneset or Feverfew for
analgesic and antipyretic properties, Yarrow for stopping
bleeding and its wound healing properties, etc. There are so
many really good herbal remedies. It is not difficult to plan out
and prepare a good all around healing herb garden. But know
your herbs and know what the best cultivation methods are for
medicinal herbs.

Here is some basic information:

Tinctures and essential oil extracts are best made with fresh
herb, but you can use dried herbs in a pinch. (See below.)
Decoctions (boiling water extracts) and tisanes (teas), are best
using dried roots and herbs. Oil extracts for salves and balms
should be made only with dried herbs to prevent spoilage.
When drying herbs, good air flow is important and herbs
should only be stored when fully dry, and they should be kept
in a cool, dark and dry place. Dried herbs should be used
within a year or they will begin losing their potency. As a
general rule it is safer to use dried roots than fresh roots in
herbal preparations.

Making a tincture (herbal alcohol extract)

There are two methods to do this. One is used by most
herbalists today. The other is the way that apothecaries used
to make tinctures for compounding medicines.
1. Dried herbs are usually made into tinctures with a 1:4 herb
(oz.) to alcohol (oz.) ratio using a 50-60% (100-120 proof)
alcohol. The herbs are placed in a jar of sufficient volume to
accommodate the herb and alcohol is poured on top. The herb
is then stirred or the jar covered and shaken to release any
trapped air. This is shaken daily for a week or so and then left
to extract for 6 weeks in a cool, dark place. The herb is then
strained off, the tincture bottled and labeled. This method is
fairly easy to do, but each herb needs to be understood to
know how much tincture to use. Some herbs require a slightly
different method. For example lotus embryos are a terrific
source of anti-asthmatic alkaloids. These extract the best in
150 proof alcohol (75%).

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For Emergency Preparedness – Prepare Your Medicinal Herb and Spice Cabinet | Off The Grid News

2. Apothecaries usually used a method called percolation. For

dried herb, the herb was crushed into a fine to coarse powder
which was macerated (soaked) in 100-120 proof alcohol (or
distilled water depending on the herb) for 12-48 hours. The
wet mass was then transferred to a specially shaped funnel
which had either a filter or a bit of sterilized cotton in its end,
and gently tapped down. This would then be saturated with
the alcohol or distilled water with a portion of the liquid
constantly over the level of the mass so that the mass stayed
wet at all times. The end of the funnel was fitted with a bit of
tubing that could be positioned to control the speed of flow of
the liquid through the herb. Above the funnel was suspended a
bottle of the alcohol or distilled water, also fitted with a short
tube that would feed the liquid into the funnel at the same rate
the liquid passed through the herb. After all this was set up the
liquid was allowed to drain through the mass with the herb
always remaining wet until the herb was completely exhausted.
Exhaustion was usually determined by sight or taste of the
liquid draining from it. Apothecaries then would concentrate
the liquid by evaporation over a water bath to a certain volume
and do assays to determine the actual concentration of the
active components, and then dilute the tincture/extract to a
standardized concentration. These were usually done to form
concentrated tinctures that would then be used as components
in formulating medicines. This is much harder to do, and the
assays often required harsh and hazardous chemicals,
concentrated sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide,
calcium hydroxide, ammonium carbonate, diethyl ether, etc.,
sensitive scales, volumetric flasks, and other specialized
equipment, and a great deal of knowledge of lab safety.

These assays are vitally important when making concentrated

medicinal tinctures because many medicinal herbs will vary in
the concentration of their medicinal components depending on
their growing conditions. For example, many of the medicinal
components are only produced in high concentrations when the
plant is stressed environmentally. This is why many of our
most valuable medicinal herbs are “survivor” weeds found
naturally in harsh environments.

So, 1:5 herbalist tinctures are easier to make and generally

safer to use. Apothecary percolation was usually used as the
first step in refining the herbal extract to isolate out only
certain components. So, although the percolation method
resulted eventually in more finely targeted therapeutics, it also
results in the need for a fine hand in the use of the product.
With a more coarse herbal tincture, often the herbs provides
balancing agents that make the use of the tincture safer, which
are lost in the refining practice of selective extraction begun
through percolation.

So, I guess I’ll leave this with this bit of advice: Plan your
medicinal herb garden carefully. Decide what you want your
herbal garden to contain and then learn all you can about how
best to cultivate it, how best to use your herbs when you
harvest it, and learn how to use what you make. And do it
now, while the information is so easily gotten, because the time
may come when that information is locked down, too.

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For Emergency Preparedness – Prepare Your Medicinal Herb and Spice Cabinet | Off The Grid News

Here is a list of possibilities:

Angelica, Green Anise, Star Anise, Astragalus, Basil (Tulsi-
Rama), Bitter Melon, Black Cohosh, Burdock, Calamus,
Calendula, Camelia Sinensis, Catnip, Chamomile, Coltsfoot,
Comfrey, Cayenne, Coriander, Echinacea, Elder, Elecampane,
Ephedra, Epemedium, Evening Primrose, Fennel, Feverfew,
Flax, Ginko Biloba, Goat’s Rue, Horehound, Hyssop, Jasmine,
Lamb’s Quarters, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Licorice, Pink Lotus,
Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Mint, Motherwort, Mugwort,
Mucuna Puriens, Mullein, Myrtle, Nettles, Passion Flower, Piper
Longum, Pleurisy Root, Poppy (illegal to grow for medicinal
purposes), Quinine,
Rhodiola, Roses, Sage, Self Heal, Shepard’s Purse, Skullcap,
Spikenard, St. John’s Wort, Stevia, Thyme, Tribulus, Valerian,
Witch Hazel, Wood Betony, Wormwood, Yarrow.

Diane
Reply

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