A Veterinarian's Perspective on Prepper Medicine

RustBeltCowgirl

Found this and thought it was a good article to put out here.

https://survivalblog.com/2012/11/06/a-veterinarians-perspective-on-prepper-medicine-by-da-dvm/

This has a lot of information in it.

LaurieLovesLearning

I found this bit interesting:

"Viral infections, such as flu, are not affected by antibiotics. But my opinion always has been that if a virus is causing damage, there are secondary bacterial “opportunists” that are also present, and an antibiotic can’t hurt. It may reduce the overall recovery time."

Up here, we have been told about the overuse of antibiotics and the increasing ineffectiveness from the overuse. This may be a good time to insert antibiotic herbals.

monica197

I guess I never thought of having medicine on hand because I don't typically use it. Hmmm.

Torey

This is a good list of antibiotics and what they are used for. Always handy to have information like this available so I have copied and pasted this list.

However, on that note, I will leave a link to a previous post on Alternative Antibiotics, that has a list of herbal (and other) choices to have on hand. Tinctures last a very long time, despite any expiry date they may have on the label. As Doc Jones said to Marjory in an interview (with that wonderful laugh he has), "You and I will be long dead before these tinctures lose their effectiveness". I personally have some very old tinctures in my cupboard and they are still very potent medicines.

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/846278/additional-alternative-antibiotics

Torey

@LaurieLovesLearning The article is quite right about using antibiotics to treat secondary infections that can occur with virus'. So often we get a cold and then it develops into some sort of bacterial throat or lung infection because the tissues are vulnerable.

In cases of viral respiratory infections, in addition to treating the viral symptoms, I would also suggest a throat spray with a) echinacea to boost the immune response, b) a antibacterial herb of some kind (berberine-based, myrrh, osha, cottonwood bud, etc.), c) an agent to help bring warmth and pain relief (ginger, sage) and d) propolis or honey both for their antibacterial properties and stickiness to keep the preparation in the throat. There are many combinations to use.

Other types of viral infections that might need antibacterial back-up are things like chicken pox or measles where the scratching can introduce bacteria. So an antibacterial, anti-itch salve would be a suggestion for that.

LaurieLovesLearning

@torey How would you prepare cottonwood buds for that purpose?

Torey

@LaurieLovesLearning I tincture it. Its pretty strong as it requires 95% alcohol to dissolve the resin but it is a great antibacterial agent for respiratory conditions as well as for topical infections.

I should have had it on the list of Alternative Antibacterials as well. Don't know how I missed it as it is something I always have.

I tincture Cottonwood buds in rubbing alcohol, too, to add to liniments. Its good in a 50/50 with wormwood (also tinctured in rubbing alcohol). A bit of Arnica could be added as well.

vickeym

Great information to have on hand. Especially for those who will not accept or believe in herbal treatments.

torey Now I have another reason to find some cottonwood buds. We have cottonwood on the property and around us. Just need to be able to get to them while they are budding. Might have to do some shoveling in the early spring to get to the trees.

Torey

@vickeym Ha-ha. I have worn snow shoes for picking in a couple of heavy snowfall years. :) Its really great after a windstorm. Then you can pick every bud on the downed branches. I came across a downed tree a few years ago and was able to pick every bud. What a score that was!

vickeym

Will have to take a closer look. Not sure ours retain the buds after summer. Or maybe I just don't know what I'm looking for. But my husband does have a set of snowshoes. 😁