The Master Medical Shopping List posted a few years back remains one of the most frequently read articles on the blog. It’s a huge list, probably to the point of overwhelming, but with all those supplies a person will be well set to meet medical challenges in the future. The Master Medicinal Herb Supply List is much smaller and simpler. For one, it doesn’t include any of the herbs. Each family will have to research which herbs to stock and grow on their own. Fortunately, there is a nice blog out there the covers over 100 herbs and other natural substances. This list also doesn’t include any of the equipment and expendable supplies found in the Master Medical list. The start of a new year and winter weather that keeps most of us inside right now is a great time to review our medical inventory and see if there are any holes that need to be filled.
SOLVENTS FOR TINCTURES, LINIMENTS, GLYCERITES, AND VINEGARITES
- Grain alcohol, 190-proof, brand names like Everclear and Mohawk. The active constituents of some herbs are best extracted with high-proof alcohol. Unfortunately, its sale is illegal in some states. (See link below to determine if your state is one of them.) If you cannot obtain grain alcohol, use the highest proof you can get.
- Vodka (or similar proof). Many tinctures are made with vodka. As it is less expensive than Everclear, make sure you have a good supply of it.
- Rubbing alcohol. Liniments, for external use only, can be made with rubbing alcohol instead of Everclear or vodka, for a lot less money.
- Glycerin. Glycerin is used to make glycerites, which are not as strong as tinctures but useful for those who absolutely cannot have any alcohol and for making syrups and using with children.
- Vinegar. A few herbal remedies are made with vinegar, usually apple cider vinegar.
BASES FOR SALVES AND OINTMENTS
- Coconut and olive oil are both used to make salves and creams, and both are healing in and of themselves.
- Beeswax is added to oil to make a salve. Make sure to get the pastilles rather than a solid block. They are so much easier to use and generally do not cost any more.
TEAS
- Tea balls are convenient to use. However, a fine mesh strainer works just as well.
- Tea bags are another option
- Coffee filters are ideal for straining larger quantities of herbs and for powders.
- Honey, sugar or other sweetener. Remember, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down… And some of those tinctures taste really nasty.
CONTAINERS
- Dark amber or cobalt bottles (or a dark cabinet)
- Canning jars of all sizes for storing the dry herb for teas and smaller ones for holding tinctures and vinegarites.
- Small tins or jars for salves and ointments. Even retired contact lens cases can be used, especially for trips away from home.
- Lip balm tubes for carrying convenience away from home as well as spot application of herbal medicine, like for bug bites and stings.
OTHER SUPPLIES
- Double boiler. This doesn’t need to be an “official” double boiler. You can simply rest a metal bowl on top of a pan or place a canning jar inside.
- Gauze and tape for poultices and plasters
- Medicine droppers for adding drops of tincture to a cup of water. Most tinctures are measured in drops per cup, rather than teaspoons.
- Gelatin capsules for making pills
Fortunately, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, coconut and olive oil, honey, and sugar have medicinal uses before even being combined with herbs, and you’ve probably already got all of them on hand.
Links to related posts:
Introduction to Tinctures (includes a list of states that prohibit the sale of Everclear)
Rubbing Alcohol: What You Want and How to Use It
Alternative Medicinal Uses of Coconut Oil
Olive Oil in the Prepared Pantry
Jennifer as the eggplant vinegar tincture we discussed about Basel Cell Cancer of my nose. It's been several months since we chatted, and my report thus far is it works pretty well.
ReplyDeleteI replaced it with the Curaderm BCE5 that uses extract from dark purple eggplant to cause Basal Cell cancers to stop multiplying and die off.
Healing is ongoing but in two weeks of the Vinegar Eggplant tincture I went from waking up with blood on my pillow to none. Visible reduction in the classic Basal Cell appearance, some healing when before no healing noted. Photos and notes every week were kept for comparison as memory is not a good way to track progress.
2 months ago, I bought the Curaderm BCE5 cream. Much faster results. No doubt a higher level of the active ingredients. Approved in England for Basal Cell cure.
My Dermatologist is NOT in favor of anything aside from his surgical MOHS Procedure for Basal Cell. Would not even acknowledge with the photo progression that it was "Helpful".
In March I have a 2nd opinion for the nose, hopefully If I do not mention (and bias) the alternative medicine, I'll get a report about it.
My research about eggplants effects on cancer shows great promise for intestinal cancer issues. I am adding pickled eggplant to my salads as a preventive. As normally when you detect bowel cancers it's pretty advanced.
You asked about new seeds for my garden, Black Beauty Eggplant.