A Review of OnPoint Tactical’s Off-Grid Medicine Course, by JR

…the equivalent of prescription strength meds –Checking vitals –Various medical bags, what he carries, what is pointless, how to package and pack supplies for ease of use, etc. –Where to get supplies, especially reusable supplies –Dehydration, and how to hydrate without an IV (because inserting an IV is a perishable skill, and it’s really hard even for trained personnel to put an IV into someone who is seriously dehydrated) Unlike the attached picture suggests, this class is all indoors, other than the brief plant walk we took with the herbal medic Sam Coffman. The herbal portion of the class covered two days. It covered the process of making herbal tinctures, the importance of understanding the herbs you use (do no harm), combining herbs to achieve the best results, herbal antibiotics. Again, this is not first aid. It’s not EMT school. This is stuff most parents would love to know before…




Letter Re: Maggots for Wound Debridement

…not be used. To get information concerning types and uses of herbal medicines in a particular area, talk to the natives. But remember, it is preventive medicine (PM) that must be stressed. Proper hygiene, care in preparation of food and drink, waste disposal, insect and rodent control, and a good immunization program can greatly reduce the causes and number of diseases. b. All of us—patients and doctors alike—-depend upon wonder drugs, fine laboratories, and modern equipment. We have lost sight of the “country Doctor” type of medicine—determination, common sense, and a few primitive treatments that can be lifesaving. Many areas of the world still depend on the practices of the local witch doctor or healer. And many herbs (plants) and treatments that they use are as effective as the most modern medicine available. Herbal medicine has been practiced worldwide since before recorded history, and many modern medications come from refined…




The Pharmacy Around Us – Part 2, by Jen R.

…beets in this country are contaminated with Roundup.) Sugar has been used for millennia to treat wounds, but in the modern era with the advent of modern medicine, we lost that knowledge. It took an African doctor working in a hospital in the UK to restore this knowledge to us. As a resident he was assigned to work with many patients with chronic wounds, some infected, and some infected with MRSA. With all the medicines available, these wounds weren’t healing. After being there awhile, he finally asked why the doctors weren’t using the treatment his tribal doctor grandfather had used on his patients in Africa. Why weren’t they using sugar? Physicians at his hospital naturally found the idea ridiculous, but the young man persisted, and eventually an in vitro study was conducted, followed by clinical trials. The rest is history. All the wounds healed, even wounds that were years old,…




Editors’ Prepping Progress

…it many, many times, yet again, and chucked even more of the rocks that kept coming up, then I covered it with eight inches of manure and rototilled that deeply into the bed. I have yet to plant the herbs. I mowed the Main garden paths. The horses are being ridden now. It’s taken a few weeks to break them in safely. In a few more weeks we’ll probably ride them up in the National Forest. Miss Violet and I, are studying to identify the wild edible plants of North America, together. We are looking at pictures of plants and then I have been quizzing her. We are enjoying this time together. Dandelion leaves and Lamb’s Quarter leaves are making regular appearances in my daily smoothies, this week. Herbal Medicine This week, I developed an inflamed taut lymph line in my arm from the elbow up to my armpit, that…




Editors’ Prepping Progress

…you get ginger naturally from foods? Ginger is a common spice and added flavoring. Many people drink ginger teas or soft drinks. What are the risks? Side effects. In small doses, ginger has few side effects. High doses of ginger — more than 5 grams a day — increases the chances of side effects. Ginger on the skin may cause a rash. Consumption may cause: Gas Heartburn Upset stomach Mouth irritation High doses of ginger — more than 5 grams a day — increase the chances of side effects. Ginger on the skin may cause a rash. Risks. Ginger may raise the risk of bleeding. If you have a bleeding disorder, it may not be safe. Always tell your doctor about herbal medicines you take, including ginger Interactions. If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using ginger supplements. They could interact with blood thinners…




Antibiotic Synergism: More Bang for Your Bug, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

Introductory Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this is not professional medical advice for treating any medical condition. Improperly using antibiotics – too much or too little – could lead to illness, injury or death. Do the research and draw your own conclusions – the information in this article will help you get started. Don’t resort to using privately purchased antibiotics as long as professional medical care is available. — WHAT IS SYNERGY? Synergy is “the interaction or cooperation of two or more …substances… to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.” Why you might want antibiotic synergism: In order to take less antibiotic to minimize effects on intestinal flora (i.e., killing off your beneficial bowel bacteria) and reduce toxicity To treat a difficult/advanced infection or resistant bacteria To stretch and conserve your antibiotic supply by being able to use less antibiotics for the…




Natural Pharmacology: Medicinal Use of Mushrooms/Fungi and More, by M.H.

…to access research material to learn more. I did not go into herbology, as this would take up volumes of space. There is great use in herbs as medicine. My medical library has quite a selection on herbs. One book that I particularly recommend is along the lines of herbal/prescription reactions. Here are a few of what I think are the best: A Modern Herbal, volumes 1 and 2, All Indian ethnobotany books you can get, Chinese Medicinal Herbsby Li Shi- Chen. A Dictionary of Economic Plants by Uphof (This is a fascinating book in which they show which plants produce food, Ford, fibers, dyes, rubbers, spices, timber, and forced three products, perfumes, medicinals, narcotics, insecticides, and more. I mean it goes so far as to have bungee arrow poison recipes to animal hide de-hairing plants.) Along with this I highly recommend one of the modern books on herbal/drug interactions….