Natural Alternatives for Common Meds after SHTF

We’ve discussed natural remedies for a number of ailments in other articles but we haven’t really touched on substitutions for specific medications. Today, we’re going to talk about some natural alternatives for common meds that you can use in a post-SHTF survival situation.

Just remember that “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean “safe.” Use these remedies with just as much care for dosage as you would standard chemical meds.

Aspirin, NSAIDs and Anti-Inflammatories

There are a few different reasons why you may take these meds; you may take it to relieve pain or as a blood thinner to reduce your odds of having a heart attack or stroke.

The problem is that aspirin and many NSAIDs damage the stomach lining, liver and kidneys. As a matter of fact, aspirin causes gastrointestinal bleeding and new research indicates that it may actually increase some people’s risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin taken long-term may also increase your risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts by as much as 44%.

In any event, it may not be available in a survivalist situation so you need a natural alternative to aspirin if SHTF. Here are some alternatives:

Blood thinners:ginkgo-biloba-bsp

  • Natural vitamin E – 100 IUs of natural (not synthetic!) vitamin E is at least as effective as aspirin, according to some research.
  • Ginkobiloba – ginko has been used for centuries to inhibit clotting and improve circulation
  • Water – yes, it sounds like a cop-out but water is the best natural blood thinner there is.

Pain killers and anti-inflammatories:

  • Devil’s claw – this has been used as an anti-inflammatory and pain killer for successful treatment of arthritis, tendonitis and muscle pain.
  • Turmeric – used for pain and inflammation.
  • Ginger – pain and inflammation

Statins

Statins, including Lipitor and Zocor, are used to lower cholesterol in order to avoid heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. There are many natural alternatives to these medications that you can use now and in the case of a survivalist, SHTF scenario.

  • Red wine – the resveratrol and other antioxidants in red wine work well to keep cholesterol down.
  • Garlic
  • Olive oil (those omega-3’s again!)
  • Fiber-rich foods such asRed Wine oats and vegetables
  • Dark chocolate
  • Coconut oil and other medium-chain triglycerides instead of regular fats that can raise bad (LDL) cholesterol

Blood Pressure

Though high blood pressure can be genetic, it’s mostly a dietary issue.

However, once you develop it, it’s a life-threatening condition that requires daily treatment.

In addition to losing weight, there are some natural remedies that will work as natural blood pressure medications in a survivalist SHTF scenario.

  • Increase potassium! Bananas, potatoes, tomato juice and coconut water are all high in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure.
  • Coenzyme Q10 works well to lower blood pressure
  • Garlic
  • Hawthorn
  • Foods containing magnesium and calcium
  • REDUCE sodium intake. This directly affects your blood pressure!

Antacids

Heart burn, acid reflux and stomach upset don’t have to plague you, even in a SHTF situation. When you’re making your survivalist list, include these natural alternatives to antacids.cinnamon

  • Almonds – they naturally reduce stomach acid. Take a handful of 15-20 and your heartburn will disappear in a half-hour or so.
  • Aloe vera juice – long used to heal ulcers and soothe upset stomachs. Make sure that if you’re making your own, you follow proper procedure. Aloe is super-easy to grow.
  • Apple cider vinegar – though it may sound counterproductive to throw acid on heartburn, ACV has been used forever to cure stomach ailments. Stir 2 tablespoons into a few ounces of water and drink it immediately following a meal.
  • Apples – a slice of apple can reduce stomach acid and have you feeling better in 5 minutes or so.
  • Baking soda – mix a teaspoon in a few ounce of water and drink. Don’t use it regularly though because it can increase sodium levels.
  • Bananas
  • Basil leaves – 2-3 will do the trick.
  • Buttermilk
  • Chamomile
  • Cinnamon
  • Fennel
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Grapes
  • Peppermint

The list for natural antacids goes on and on but these are some of the best.

Type-2 Diabetes

Though there is no real approved alternative treatment for type-2 diabetes, there are some interesting research studies taking place that suggest that the following may be effective in helping to control it in the future.

In a SHTF situation, an alternative treatment for diabetes may be necessary, though, so having these on hand certainly can’t hurt. Also, it should go without saying that any food that raises glucose levels should be eaten with extreme care.

  • North American ginseng – may help with blood sugar control and glycosylated hemoglobin levels.
  • Chromium – this essential trace mineral plays an important role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism and helps cells respond correctly to insulin.
  • Magnesium – found naturally in green leafy veggies, nuts, seeds and grains. It’s an essential mineral for everything from blood sugar metabolism to sodium uptake.
  • Cinnamon – studies are showing that as little as 1 gram or as much as 6 grams of cinnamon may improve blood glucose control in people with type-2 diabetes.

Many of these illnesses can be avoided by proper exercise and eating a healthy diet. In this case, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure because in a SHTF situation, it’s probably not going to be easy to find medications to keep you alive.

These herbs can help but the best way to prepare yourself to survive in a survivalist scenario is to be in the best shape that you can be!

SMD2

This article has been written by Theresa Crouse for Survivopedia.

Photo sources: 1. 2, 3, 4.

Written by

Theresa Crouse is a full-time writer currently living in central Florida. She was born and raised in the hills of West Virginia, where she learned to farm, hunt, fish, and live off the land from an early age. She prefers to live off the grid as much as possible and does her best to follow the “leave nothing behind but footprints” philosophy. For fun, she enjoys shooting, kayaking, tinkering on her car and motorcycle, and just about anything else that involves water, going fast, or the outdoors.

Latest comments
  • I cured my high colesterol with a bowl of old time rolled oat oatmeal every morning. I also put banana, cinnamon, and honey to make it more interesting. Also I stopped eating a lot of microwave popcorn and ice cream. It worked

  • Whenever I am out of the country, especially points South, I stock up on my Metformin (Type II Diabetes) and anti-biotics. You don’t need a prescription. Just make sure that you go to a reputable pharmacy.

  • Oil of Melaleuca (tea tree oil) is a natural antiseptic 10 times more powerful than carbolic acid yet mostly benign. I have used a drop with my toothpaste for mouth ulcers, and a drop for bites and cuts. It has many uses, and there is a lot of information about it online. Before antibiotics it was used to treat diabetic gangrene. It also repels most biting insects.

  • As far as type 2 diabetes, I have been controlling mine for 3 years now by drinking organic apple cider vinegar, 3 to 4 oz a day. My A1C was pushing 9 and since taking vinegar, it is holding steady at under 6.5. Also use white vinegar to keep my psoriasis under control, wash my face with vinegar once a day. A diluted solution is also good for eye infections. Supposedly vinegar is very good for your internal organs and there is speculation that the acidity helps prevent cancer cells from forming.

  • Great information ! I appreciate everyones comments and try to pass on the information whenever I have the oportunity. Thanks to each one who reaches out to help others.

  • You may have missed the announcement a few months ago about salt and diet. It is no longer believed that salt [sodium] has any effect on blood pressure. Do the research.

    • This is true for some. I had high bp but was dangerously low in sodium according to lab work. I used onions and mushrooms to bring the bp down to normal and it also helped lower the LDL. These are 2 which may be available for foraging so get to know what they look like each season. BTW: onions also have 2 components which fight dental caries and 2 other components which help prevent dental gum disease. Both important in a grid down situation.

  • Check out watercure.com. It states that drinking half your weight in ounces, ie. I weight @ 180 lbs /2 = 90 lbs, so I need at least 90 oz of water a day which translates to 11.25 8 oz cups a day, and for every 10 8 oz cups you need 1/2 tsp or 2.5 grams of SEA SALT – unrefined and intact to get the trace minerals in salt (about 80-85 depending on the salt). I prefer Himalayan Pink Salt as it has the most minerals and trace elements available. After that comes exercise I think, just 10 – 15 min a day or something, and then good food – which means whole food, unprocessed. Apparently eating this way will cure most people of most ailments of our modern age. I am working on it myself. Oh, he also says caffeine actually makes us stupid, and to stay away from coffee, tea and sodas.

    • I have been drinking coffee and tea my whole life, as did my parents and grandparents before me. My mother once told me she put coffee in my bottle starting when I was 9 months old. I am now in my mid-60s and have an IQ above 160 and multiple degrees. I have a great family and my chosen fields of service have earned me respect, a good living and now a good retirement.

      The fact that you put so much trust in the stupid ideas of people you’ve never met says a lot about how gullible you are … have you ever considered where you, or anyone else, would get Himalayan Pink Salt, or, even half your body weight (in ounces) in potable water every day for every member of your family to drink once the SHTF? You’ve bought into lies … it’s smoke and mirrors, the Fountain of Youth is merely BS … even if you wash it down with water and Himalayan Pink Salts.

      I drink close to 2 gallons of tea a week, 2-3 cups of coffee a day and have done so for well over 65 years. I have no health issues to worry me. I suggest that you consider tossing your Iranian doctor’s pie-in-the-sky, theory-driven watercure.com website along with your Himalayan Pink Salt.

      Surely you’re smarter than the average person. Slow down. Start drinking some coffee and tea … and learn to enjoy what life you have left.

  • Survivalism is not a new theme. All over the world there are now so many community running concerned this.

  • Diabetics know what to do to quickly raise their low blood sugar [eat sugar], but I was challenged about what to do to quickly lower it. In a SHTF situation you may not have insulin to make this happen. It took me a long time to find the answer, and having done this it works! Flush your system with water – as much as you can manage. You can get it under control in about 15-30 minutes.

    • Beware of this practice. It doesn’t work for everyone. This is one practice that needs to be done in grid up situation. For some to do this, it might lead to water toxicity, which means hospitalization. Sugar too high, get out there and move…exercise which doesn’t hurt most people, will bring it down too.

  • It has lasted so many years before it was officially out of
    air. There are many combination of plants that you can plant next to each other
    for this purpose. There are several videos which for teaching the gardener how to look after various types
    of plants.

  • I use tumiric and bromalain (pinapple) to cure crowhens disease both together stop inflamation and any cranping in 15 min by the next day no bleeding or mucus is visable the doctors are cratchng there heads

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