Essential Oils and Natural Remedies for When There is No Doctor

Prepper's Natural Medicine: Lifesaving herbs, essential oils and natural remedies for when there is no doctor by Cal Ellis, published by Ulysses Press in Berkeley, CA, 2015

Have you ever wondered what you would do if there were no pharmacy or if health care were suddenly cut off? Cat Ellis's book, Prepper's Natural Medicine can help us put a plan in place.

This guidebook teaches the basics of crafting natural medicines, gives detailed information on the therapeutic properties of 50 different herbs, and shares some time-tested remedies for emergencies, first aid, and common complaints. Ellis is rightly concerned about the fact that the CDC reports that one out of every two adults in America has a chronic illness. She is also rightly concerned about the political shenanigans over health coverage and the suppression of natural medicine and nutrient-dense foods by our government's regulatory agencies in favor of corporate food and that we are moving toward a system where access to health care and type of treatment is determined by our government rather than health care professionals.

Ellis is right when she says that as part of a well-rounded survival plan, we need a renewable source of effective medicines that we can produce by ourselves. For those that doubt the effectiveness of natural medicines, they only need to check the numerous studies available at www.PubMed.gov. Many of these studies can be accessed for free and they detail the effectiveness of herbs and alternative therapies. Thank God natural medicine is easy to learn. Most people would not be able to whip up a batch of Tamiflu in their kitchens. But many would be able to make flu-fighting elderberry syrup in their kitchens. Finally natural medicine provides valuable barter items. Medicines and the knowledge of how to make them will always have market value, especially since our current medical system is unprepared for drug-resistant bacteria, viral respiratory illnesses, and post-disaster sustainability.

In chapter two, stocking the home apothecary, Ellis notes that many of the items in our apothecary are renewable DIY projects, such as growing our own herbs and making our own apple cider. Medicinal vinegar is easy to make from leftover wine or from apple cores and peels. Honey, beeswax, and propolis are things that we 'make' if we are raising honey bees. If anything were to happen to these DIY items, we would simply make more. Other items, such as capsules, glycerin, various oils, bentonite clay, kaolin clay, activated charcoal, salts, containers and equipment should be purchased before economic collapse.

In chapter three, basic skills, Ellis defines and explains some of the basic terms related to herbal medicine, such as tisanes, infusions, decoctions, tinctures, aceta, herbal wines, glycerin and glycerites, oxymels, syrups, elixirs, infused honey, electuaries, powders, pastilles, poultice, infused oils, salves, lotions and creams.

In chapter four, materia medica (reference guide), Ellis lists 50 of her favorite herbs and how they can help us. I will include a few notes about some of the more interesting herbs. American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) excels in reducing tension and anxiety, can help with insomnia, and can help people break habits and addictions. But it might cause drowsiness. Berberine helps people maintain healthy blood sugar, improve HDL and LDL cholesterol, lower overall cholesterol, lower triglycerides, strengthen gut wall, reduce obesity, and reduce inflamation due to fatty liver disease. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is helpful for vascular issues like Reynaud's disease, venous insufficiency, but also for hemorrhoids, diarrhea relief, and dyspepsia. Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa, syn. Cimicifuga racemosa) is known as the PMS and menopausal herb because it relieves the uncomfortable cramping and mood swings that often accompany menstruation. It can reduce hot flashes and bone loss in menopause but it can also improve female fertility and encourage ovulation. For men, it has an inhibiting effect on prostate cancer cells. But for both men an women it acts as a wonderful pain reliever for dull aches, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle spasms, and tendonitis. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) provides relief for diaper rash because it can be used in a antifungal cream (p.185). Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) can be used in a salve for massaging away pain from sore muscles and aching joints. It can also reduce nasal inflammation. Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is a potent synergist, intensifying the potency of other herbs. But it is also known to reduce inflammation in the brain and to protect the central nervous system. Elderberry berries and flowers (Sambucus nigra canadensis) are immunostimulants. They can be taken to increase immune response. Elecampane (Inula helenium) can be used daily to expel parasitic worms. Garlic (Allium sativum) is associated with lower cancer risks and can be applied in topical preparations as an antibiotic.

In chapter five, herbal first aid kit, Ellis discusses administering first aid in situations where we might need the following types of relief: allergy and anaphylaxis, anti-infection salve, anti-inflammatory capsules, anti-parasitic/protozoan tincture, anti-scar salve, antibacterial tincture, antiviral tincture, burn care, cold weather injury care, constipation, dental infection and mouthwash, diarrhea and dehydration, ear infection, earache, eye infection, bone fracture, heart attack care, internal bleeding, migrane, nausea/motion sickness, pain relief, poison ivy/poison oak, respiratory infection, snake- and spider-bite care, urinary tract infections, wound, burn, or "SHTF" honey,

Conclusion

What I really liked about Ellis's book were her 26 footnotes that referred the reader to other scientific papers related to herbal medicine, nutrition, or health in general. Ellis did her homework a bit more thoroughly than other writers of herbal medicine books. I also liked the fact that she had a reference guide explaining various aspects of each herb (parts used, actions, preparations, dose, uses, contraindications) and she also had an appendix which was entitled herbs at a glance. In herbs at a glance, she grouped all the herbs into the category relating to what kind of help they provided (general pain relief; soothing infected or injured tissues; stopping muscle spasms; bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections; detoxing through perspiration; expectorants; lowering blood pressure or expanding blood vessels; anti-anxiety or sleep inducing; wound healing). I have not seen any other book on herbal medicine that grouped the herbs both ways. It was great that she had a glossary, a resources section and an index.

The only suggestion that I would make to the author would be to include either full color photos of the herbs or at least black and white sketches of the herbs in a future edition of this book. Also some of the terms used in her book, like atropine (p.85) and EpiPen (p.123) were missing from her glossary and her index.

I like how Cat Ellis keeps this book on the easy side. Her explanations are clear, concise. I like how she begins this book with the various supplies needed for making herbal medicines. She continues on with the delivery of the herbal medicine, describing what each is (tincture, tea, ointment, etc.) I do agree with others in the wish for more herbs/plants to have been covered, but in order to satisfy all customers, the book would become a huge set and unaffordable! Cat did an excellent job in providing advice for basic medical care and needs. It is obvious a tremendous amount of research backs up this book.

When I use a book for a resource/reference, the ease to find information is important to me. With an Index of herbs and their uses in chart form, Glossary of Actions of Herbs, Resources, and a General Index and Ailment Index, this is proving to be an invaluable little book!

Just a heads up, page 191 mentions a caution between identifying wild carrot aka (Queens Anne's lace) and Poison Hemlock.
The caution states: "Queen Anne's Lace has a hairy stem, and wild carrot does not." - Be advised this should say: Queen Anne's Lace/ Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) has a hairy stem, while Poison Hemlock (Conium Maculatum) has a smooth stem.

Do yourself a favor and avoid eating poison hemlock for birth control.

My book came today!! After reading through it I am happy to say it will be my 'go to' for urgent situations and one of my 'go to reference' guides for day to day living.

I love that she has not only given easy to understand, detailed information on what works well, but also the HOWS AND WHENS. She urges people to PREPARE for times of crisis and gives many recipes for doing it now and being ready rather than waiting for the after-crisis chaos.

Well researched. Thank you Cat Ellis!