When you think of the desert, you might imagine a barren and desolate landscape. However, the desert is home to a surprising variety of plants, some of which have incredible medicinal properties. In this blog post, we will explore the top five medicinal plants found in the desert and their potential health benefits.

I am fascinated by the trial-and-error journey that successive generations of humans have embarked on to discover the specific plants with healing properties.

Written records were used by cultures like the Greeks and Chinese to preserve knowledge about medicinal plants. Meanwhile, oral histories were relied upon by cultures such as Southwest or Amazonian Indian tribes, which lacked written languages, to transmit information about plants over generations.

Many experts including herbalists, doctors, healers, nutritionists, botanists, and home gardeners have been trained to harness the healing potential of plants.

Plants lack warning labels. Certain varieties, such as sacred datura, contain potent and hazardous mind-altering narcotics. Other plants, such as poison ivy, can result in skin reactions or respiratory issues when their smoke is inhaled. Improper use of dried herbs from a health food store can lead to permanent illness or death.

A multitude of resources such as books, websites, journals, herbalists, and teachers are available to offer insight into the uses and medicinal benefits of specific plants.

 

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that thrives in arid climates. It has been used for centuries for its healing properties. The gel inside the leaves of the aloe vera plant contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can soothe and heal the skin. It is commonly used to treat sunburns, cuts, and other skin irritations. Aloe vera can also be ingested to help with digestive issues and boost the immune system.

To harvest aloe vera for medicinal purposes, it's crucial to follow a careful and respectful process to ensure the plant's health and efficacy of the gel. Start by choosing a mature aloe vera plant that is at least three years old, as older plants tend to have more potent medicinal properties. Locate a healthy, thick leaf near the base of the plant. Use a sharp, clean knife to make a clean cut at the base of the leaf, as close to the stem as possible. Be mindful not to damage the surrounding leaves during the process. Once the leaf is severed, place it upright in a container to allow the yellow latex, which can be irritating, to drain out. Allow the leaf to drain for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse it under running water to remove any remaining latex. Trim the spiky edges of the leaf and carefully fillet it open to reveal the clear, gel-like substance inside. Collect the gel with a spoon or scrape it using a knife, ensuring to avoid the yellow layer, as it can cause irritation. Store the harvested gel in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator for immediate use or future applications. Always prioritize sustainable harvesting practices to ensure the continued health of the aloe vera plant.

 

2. Prickly Pear Cactus

The prickly pear cactus, also known as Opuntia, is a common sight in desert regions. This plant has been used by indigenous cultures for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. The pads of the prickly pear cactus can be used topically to soothe burns, wounds, and insect bites. The fruit of the cactus, known as the prickly pear, is rich in antioxidants and can help lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar.

Harvesting prickly pear cactus for medicinal purposes requires careful attention and preparation due to its spiky nature. Start by selecting a mature prickly pear cactus, usually identifiable by its vibrant color and plump appearance. Wear thick gloves and use tongs or pliers to carefully detach the ripe pads, known as nopales, from the cactus. Avoid touching the glochids, tiny spines that can cause irritation, by handling the pads with caution. Once harvested, place the nopales on a flat, clean surface and use a knife to trim away the outer skin and spines. Rinse the nopales thoroughly to remove any remaining spines or sap. The nopales can be consumed directly or used for medicinal purposes, such as making teas, poultices, or topical treatments. The gel-like substance inside the pads is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory compounds, making it valuable for various health applications. Always ensure sustainable harvesting practices to preserve the health of the prickly pear cactus population and its natural habitat.

 

3. Desert Sage

Desert sage, also known as Salvia dorrii, is a perennial herb that grows in the desert. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Desert sage can be used to make a tea that can help with respiratory issues such as coughs, colds, and sore throats. It is also known to have calming effects and can be used to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.

Harvesting desert sage, scientifically known as Salvia dorrii or Desert Sagebrush, for medicinal purposes requires a respectful approach to the plant and its environment. Begin by identifying a healthy and mature sagebrush plant in a dry, arid habitat, commonly found in deserts and sagebrush ecosystems. Ensure that you have permission to harvest in the area, as some regions may have regulations to protect native plants. To gather desert sage, use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to snip the leaves or branches, leaving the plant's main structure intact. Harvesting during the plant's growing season, typically late spring to early summer, is optimal. Allow the cuttings to dry in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. Once dried, store the leaves in a cool, dark place in an airtight container. Desert sage is revered for its aromatic and medicinal properties, often used in traditional practices for respiratory health and as a natural remedy for various ailments. Always prioritize sustainable harvesting techniques to preserve the delicate balance of desert ecosystems and promote the longevity of desert sage populations.

 

4. Yucca

Yucca is a versatile plant that is found in many desert regions. The root of the yucca plant has been used by Native Americans for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. It is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be used topically to soothe skin irritations such as eczema and psoriasis. Yucca root can also be ingested to help with digestion and joint pain.

Harvesting the yucca plant for medicinal purposes involves a careful and respectful process to ensure the sustainability of the plant and the effectiveness of its medicinal components. Identify a mature yucca plant with healthy, robust leaves. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp, pointed tips of the yucca leaves. Select a leaf close to the base of the plant, and use a clean, sharp knife to make a clean cut as close to the stem as possible. Be cautious not to damage neighboring leaves during the process. Once the leaf is cut, trim away the thorny edges and any damaged portions. Peel back the outer skin to reveal the inner fibers and collect them. These fibers can be used topically or processed further for medicinal use. Yucca is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties and has been traditionally used by indigenous cultures for various health purposes. Always be mindful of sustainable harvesting practices to promote the long-term health of yucca populations and their ecosystems.

 

5. Desert Marigold

Desert marigold, also known as Baileya multiradiata, is a flowering plant that is native to the desert Southwest. It has been used by Native American tribes for its medicinal properties. Desert marigold has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used topically to treat wounds, burns, and rashes. It is also known to have diuretic properties and can be used to promote urinary tract health.

Harvesting desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) for medicinal purposes involves a thoughtful approach to preserve the plant's health and maximize its therapeutic benefits. First, identify a mature desert marigold plant, typically found in arid regions with well-drained soil. Choose plants that are well-established and have abundant, healthy foliage. Wear gloves to protect your hands, and use pruning shears or scissors to carefully snip the flowering tops or leaves. Harvesting during the plant's peak blooming season, usually in late spring to early summer, ensures the highest concentration of medicinal compounds. After collecting the plant material, allow it to air-dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area to retain its potency. Desert marigold is renowned for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, often used in traditional medicine for treating skin conditions and promoting wound healing. Practicing sustainable harvesting, such as leaving enough plants for natural regeneration, is crucial to maintain the ecological balance and ensure the continued availability of desert marigold for medicinal purposes.

While the desert may seem inhospitable, it is home to a treasure trove of medicinal plants. These plants have been used for centuries by indigenous cultures to treat a variety of ailments. Whether you are looking to soothe a sunburn, boost your immune system, or promote relaxation, the desert has a plant for you. As with any natural remedy, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using these plants for medicinal purposes.

Please leave your comments below. 

Thank you, 
Coach Trina @ dragoyle.com

Tags: 

• Desert,
 
• Emergency,
 
• Medical,
 
• Plants,
 
• Thriving

 In the event of a potentially life-threatening emergency, you'll want well-thought-out and well-rehearsed plan in place, and a fully-stocked bug out bag for each member of your family. In this guide, we'll provide a comprehensive checklist to help you pack and sort your "get out of town" bags.

We aren't suggesting that you try to cram every item on this list into a single bag. The contents of your ideal bug out bag will vary according to your environment, how much weight you can carry, how many other people you expect to have in your party and several other factors.

Spend some time prioritizing and essentializing the items you want to pack, and remember that, in some cases (such as building a fire and hunting), knowledge and skills can mitigate or negate the need for gear. Use our list as a guideline, or print the PDF version for easy use whenever.

 

Shop Tactical Backpacks

The Basics

Let's start with the basics, the following items are more or less essential for any bug out bag.

• Durable bag or backpack: Choosing the perfect bug out bag is a skill all its own. Make sure you get a roomy, water-resistant one with lots of pockets, heavy stitching and durable straps, buckles and zippers.

• Tactical vest or plate carrier: Odds are that you won't be able to fit as much as you'd like in your bug out bag. Tactical vests and plate carriers allow you to efficiently carry more stuff; just don't overload yourself to the point of risking injury or excessive fatigue.

• Critical documents: Obtain certified copies of your passport, birth certificate and any other crucial documents you might need during or after the emergency. Be sure to pack them in tightly sealed, waterproof bags.

• Cash: Unless it's truly the end of the country or the world, cash will always have some value.

• E-tool: A collapsible military shovel is relatively lightweight and will come in handy when you need to dig a latrine, drainage ditch, solar still or trap.

• Hatchet: You'll almost certainly need to use an axe or a hatchet to cut firewood, strip plant fibers or build a shelter.

• Multi-tool: Everyone needs a good multi-tool — one that can enable you to perform any number of basic repairs or adjustments to your other gear while taking up a fraction of the space and weight of an entire toolkit.

• Rope and cordage: Your bug out bag should have nylon rope, paracord and fishing line so that you'll be prepared to climb, drag, bundle and organize as needed.

• Sewing kit: Clothing takes up a ton of space, so you should generally limit your bug out bag to one spare set. Being able to use a sewing kit to repair and modify your clothing, mitigates the need to lug around five extra shirts.

• Knife: An excellent tactical knife is truly the cornerstone of an essential survival kit. With it, you can hunt, cook, craft useful items, make repairs, defend yourself and much more.

• Whetstone with oil or ceramic sharpener: Of course, a knife is a lot less useful if you can't keep it in top shape. Whetstones will generally keep your knife sharper and are less likely to scratch the blade, whereas ceramic knife sharpeners are smaller and lighter.

• Primary and secondary weapons: Whether you pair a recurve bow with a semiautomatic pistol or a shotgun with a revolver, choose weapons that complement one another tactically and that you can use comfortably and safely.

• Spare ammunition: It's always tempting to pack hundreds of extra rounds, but ammo weighs a ton. Don't bring so much that your bag feels like it's full of bricks.

• Pepper spray or taser: Sometimes, less-lethal weapons can de-escalate a conflict more effectively than intimidating blades or firearms. If you choose to carry a taser or stun gun, be sure to pack extra darts and/or batteries.

• Flashlight and extra batteries: A flashlight is an essential bug out bag tool. Their batteries always seem to drain quickly when you're living and working outdoors though, so bring plenty. Pack rechargeable batteries for your universal charger (see below), or on the off chance that you run across a working battery charger.

• Hand-crank power bank: These manual devices are horribly inefficient, but nonetheless, having the ability to charge your electronic devices with muscle power can be a life-saving backup option.

• Glowsticks: Sometimes, flashlights and flares are just too bright. Glowsticks are an excellent, low-intensity light source for situations in which you don't want to be visible from miles away. Small ones are also great for marking your path in dark, confusing areas.

Environmental Protection

By the very nature of the word "emergency," it can be hard to predict what sort of environmental protection you'll need when things get out of hand. You can cover your bases though, especially with the following items.

• Gas mask or rebreather: If you expect to encounter airborne toxins or contaminants, a gas mask or rebreather may be worth the space it takes up in your bag.

• Waterproof survival tent: Any tent small and light enough to fit easily into your bug out bag won't be especially comfortable, but it'll be a lot better than nothing.

• Sleeping bag: A sleeping bag is much more important in cold climates that in temperate or hot zones. If you'll need warmth at night, try attaching your sleeping bag to the outside of your bug out bag to save tons of precious interior space.

• Emergency blanket: These crinkly, foil-lined emergency blankets look goofy and aren't very comfortable, but they'll help you retain body heat and can be folded to about the size and thickness of a few paper towels.

• Environment-appropriate clothing: Pack one change of clothes appropriate to the temperatures and weather conditions you're most likely to encounter. Resist the temptation to bring multiple outfits or you'll be out of bag space before you know it.

Food

Food may be scarce once you've packed up and left the comfort of home. In case you need to resort to hunting or fishing, the following gear will give you a leg up.

• Fishing kit: Compact fishing kits are about the size of a wallet and contain line, lures, hooks and a few small deboning and fileting knives. If you're anywhere near water, a fishing kit is an indispensable part of your survival gear.

• Snares: Steel cable wire snares are affordable, space-efficient and reusable, making them excellent tools for catching small game.

• Rations: For any emergency that lasts longer than a few days, you'll never be able to carry all the food you need, but it's always a good idea to have some on hand for those inevitable bad days when you can't catch fish or game. Prioritize lightweight, nutrient and calorie-dense foods such as peanut butter, nuts, jerky, and protein bars.

• Collapsible/stackable cookware: If you can spare the room in your bag, a basic set of cooking and eating pans and utensils can make both activities more pleasant, which has significant psychological benefits during an emergency.

Water

You won't last very long out there without water. These items can be invaluable when it comes to keeping yourself hydrated.

• Water bottle or canteen: A durable canteen or water bottle will keep you going for a little while if you have trouble finding water in the wild.

• Water filtration system: A personal water filtration system can filter hundreds of gallons of water and deserves a high-priority spot in your bug out bag.

• Water purification tablets: A single, tiny bottle of these tablets can purify several months' worth of drinking water. They'll make it taste a little funny, but that's a lot better than contracting a nasty disease.

Fire

Building a fire is an essential survival skill made easier with a fire making kit. With the right tools in your bag, the task becomes that much easier.

• Tinder (in waterproof bag): Always keep enough Paraffin Swabs or dry bark shavings, in a waterproof bag, on hand to start a few fires in case you can't forage any tinder in a time of critical need.

• Waterproof matches: It's always best to start your fire with foraged materials when possible, but you'll definitely want some easy-to-use fire-starting wind and waterproof matches in your bag just in case.

• Magnesium striker: The modern equivalent of flint and steel, magnesium strikers are among the most space-efficient, all-weather firestarters. A single block of magnesium is good for hundreds of fires.

• Focusing lens: Another space-efficient firestarter, a focusing lens will last forever (provided it doesn't get lost or damaged), but it's useless unless the sun is out.

• Lighter: Standard butane lighters are about as user-friendly as firestarters come, although it's probably best to save them as a backup option in case other methods fail.

• Road flares: Only in the most dire circumstances should you use flares to start a fire. However, they make great emergency light sources and they're good for fending off hungry predators, so pack two or three in your bag.

Navigation

Getting from point A to point B can be a lot easier with the right navigation tools in your bug out bag.

• Compass and maps: Unless you're an expert outdoor navigator, you'll need a few basic tools to keep track of where you are and where you're going. Overland navigation can be tricky even with a map and compass, though, so be sure to study and practice it regularly.

Communication

In the event that you become separated from your party or need to get the attention of rescue crews, communication devices are literal life-savers. Here's what you should pack.

• Radio and extra batteries: A good emergency radio is one that can receive AM, FM and shortwave transmissions. Be sure to bring extra batteries or, alternatively, purchase a hand-crank model.

• Walkie talkies and extra batteries: If you'll be traveling with others during a bug out situation, you'll need a walkie talkie to stay in touch if you get separated (but do everything in your power to avoid getting separated).

• Waterproof notebook and pencils: Being able to take notes, sketch maps and draw diagrams is handy, especially during a crisis.

• Signal mirror: Small, shatter-resistant SOS signal mirrors are a reliable, low-tech way to signal for help during an emergency.

Medical

Proficiency in basic survival medicine is a must, and so is packing the right medical supplies in your bag. The following items will help tremendously if an injury occurs.

• IFAK: Given how much other stuff you'll be carrying, it's critical to pack a first aid kit that contains only the most essential items. An excellent trauma kit can weigh under three pounds and take up less than a cubic foot of space. Just be sure to pack the right items in your IFAK.

• Prescription drugs: If you need any medications to treat chronic or potentially life-threatening conditions, stock several months' worth in your bug out bag in a safe container. Most doctors will happily prescribe extra refills of non-narcotic medications if you tell them it's for your emergency supply. Be sure to rotate your stock every few months and keep your newest meds in your bug out bag.

• Hygiene supplies: Staying clean during an emergency isn't a luxury — it's a necessity for both your physical and mental health. Pack at least a few weeks' worth of baby wipes, talcum powder, and soap.

Now that you know more about packing the best bug-out-bag for your survival in an emergency situation, get out there and get prepared!

Presented by:  Coach Trina @ Dragoyle.com