September is National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the CDC, so this month I am going to kick off a year's worth of posts on herbalism for emergency preparedness! Not only will I be presenting a wide range of topics and resources over the coming year, but I will also be blogging about my gardening adventures as I create an herbal garden focused on preparedness.
Why herbs for preparedness? Most guides on putting together emergency kits discuss what pharmaceuticals should be included, but little, if any, attention is given to one big problem: what happens when your supplies run out?
Being able to turn to herbs in such a scenario makes sense. Unlike pharmaceuticals, herbs are a renewable resource. As long as they are being sustainably harvested, then running out shouldn't be an issue. Also, certain herbal preparations have a long shelf life that makes them better suited for long term storage than pharmaceuticals: a properly prepared herbal extract can remain viable for ten years or more. Additionally, herbs are versatile, with a long historical record of use and safety.
Unlike having a selection of point-and-shoot pharmaceuticals at your disposal, however, herbs require more finesse when being applied in any given situation. Thankfully, the basic skillset associated with using herbs is simple and rewarding to master. Over the next several months, we will explore specific herbs and ways to prepare them, first aid topics, and gardening and foraging skills that would be useful in a preparedness setting.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy the upcoming articles for this year!
Stay tuned, the next post will be: Twelve Herbs Every Prepper Should Know
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