Herbal first aid
Medicinal Plants
Field-tested plant remedies for common backcountry problems — cuts, bites, GI upset, respiratory issues — with clear limits on when to stop and evacuate.
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General practice
- Herbal medicine is symptomatic support, not a substitute for antibiotics or a hospital.
- Test any topical on a small skin patch before broad application.
- Pregnant and immunocompromised people should default to the medical kit.
- Know what a plant looks like in bloom AND in leaf — miss-picks happen out of season.
Regional focus
Pacific Northwest
Damp forests favor antimicrobial evergreens and demulcents.
Key items
- Yarrow
- Usnea (bark lichen, wound wash)
- Cedar leaf steam (respiratory, brief)
- Devil's club root bark (traditional, use with respect)