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
Desert Southwest
Desert medicine leans on aromatic resins and gums.
Key items
- Creosote leaf tea (topical only)
- Ocotillo bark
- Prickly pear pad poultice (burns)
- Mesquite gum (wound wash)
Regional caution: Creosote is hepatotoxic internally — external use only.