The One Year Urban Survival Plan - Month 11

“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” – Confucius

This month, you'll practice using your 72-hour kit, learn about alternative sources of food, discover some natural remedies, and start putting together an herbal medicine kit.

Table Of Contents

72-HOUR KIT
- Practice Using Your 72-Hour Kit
FOOD AND WATER
- Other Sources of Food
- Food and Water Checklist for Month 11
SKILLS AND SUPPLIES
- Natural Medicine
- Skills and Supplies Checklist for Month 11

72-HOUR KIT

It has now been 10 months since you built your 72-hour kit. If you haven't already, you should replace the water, and you should check the expiration dates on foods and medications and replace anything that's about to expire.

Practice Using Your 72-Hour Kit

In addition, you should try spending a weekend relying on your 72-hour kit. Turn off the power and water to your house, and see what it's like to rely on your kit for a couple of days. Think of it as an adventure at home.

If you do this, you may find some problems with your 72-hour kit. For example, you might dislike some of the gear you put in the kit and choose to replace it. Or you may think of some important supplies that I forgot to include in the checklist.

The point is to get ahead of any potential problems with your kit and solve them before the day comes when you actually need it.

FOOD AND WATER

Other Sources of Food

In a long-term disaster, all sorts of things can happen. Your food could be destroyed in a flood or fire, or it could be stolen by looters, or you might simply run out. If that happens, you'll need to find alternative sources of food to keep yourself and your family alive.

Now is the time to explore your local area and familiarize yourself with potential food sources.

Wild Edibles

I could provide you with a list of common wild edibles, but it really depends on where you live. There are all sorts of edible plants including grasses, herbs, leaves, roots, flowers, mushrooms, and even tree bark in most climates around the world. But you have to know which ones are edible and which aren't.

You should find a good field guide to edible plants in your part of the world. Be sure to get one with full-color photos (sometimes illustrations are good too as the artist can make each part of the plant easy to see). Here are a couple of examples:

Spend time studying the guide, then go out and start looking for the wild edibles described in the book. If possible, go foraging with an experienced guide. You'll learn a lot faster that way. Try to learn the scientific names of each edible as the common names can vary by region.

Over time, you'll get better at identifying wild edibles (eventually you might not even need the book), and you'll find out where they usually grow. During a long-term crisis, you don't want to be searching your entire neighborhood. It's better if you already know where to look.

Note: Be sure to wear gloves as you search and bring a bag or container for anything you find. Only take what you need and leave the rest.

Common Wild Edibles

Here are some wild edibles that are common in North America:

Acorns
Amaranth (Pigweed)
Blackberry
Burdock
Cattail
Chickweed
Clover
Dandelions
Elderberry
Fireweed

Lamb's Quarters
Miner’s Lettuce
Mulberry (Crabweed)
Nettles (Stinging Nettles)
Persimmon
Plantain
Purslane
Sheep Sorrel
Wild Garlic
Wild Onion

There are also many wild mushrooms that can be eaten such as oyster mushrooms or chicken of the woods, but I don't recommend doing this unless you're 100% positive that the mushroom you're eating is safe to eat.

The Universal Edibility Test

If you're having trouble determining whether something is safe to eat, there's a test you can use to find out. Be sure to follow each step and be very patient (you should also wear gloves). Here's what you do:

Separate: Divide the plant into its basic components—roots, stems, leaves, buds, and flowers. Test one part at a time.
Examine: Check each part for signs of parasites or disease. Throw away anything that looks spoiled or unhealthy.
Smell: Smell the part of the plant. Toss any parts that have a strong or unpleasant odor.
Skin Contact Test: Place a piece of the plant on the inside of your wrist or elbow for a few minutes. If a reaction occurs, such as itching, burning, or redness, the test is over. Throw the plant away.
Lip Test: If no skin reaction occurs, place the plant part on your lip to test for burning or itching. If you experience any discomfort, the test is over. Throw it away.
Tongue Test: If there's no reaction on your lips, place the plant part on your tongue for 15 minutes but don't chew or swallow it. If you feel any burning, itching, or other irritation, spit it out immediately. Throw the plant away.
Chew Test: If there is no reaction on your tongue, chew a small amount but do not swallow for another 15 minutes. Again, watch for any reaction. If you feel any kind of discomfort, spit it out and throw the plant away.
Swallow Test: If no irritation has occurred from chewing, swallow a small piece of the plant part.
Wait: After swallowing, wait several hours. During this time, don't eat or drink anything else. See if you have any negative reactions such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or other signs of poisoning.
Eat: If no ill effects are evident after the waiting period, the plant part is probably edible. Still, you should only eat small amounts in case of delayed reactions.

This test takes time and patience, and you'll normally only use it in extreme scenarios where you haven't eaten in some time. Still, these steps are worth memorizing because you never know what might happen.

Cooking Wild Edibles

Once you've gathered some wild edibles, you'll need to prepare them properly. Wash them thoroughly to get rid of any dirt, insects, or chemicals. Make sure you remove any inedible parts such as stems, seeds, or skins that might not be safe to eat.

While some wild plants can be eaten raw, cooking usually makes them taste better and makes them much easier to digest. Boil, steam, or roast them—whatever works best for you. For more ideas, here's a book on cooking with wild edibles.

Tips and Warnings

When foraging for wild edibles, you need to be careful of lookalikes. These are plants that look very similar to edible plants, but they're actually poisonous. This is why you need a full-color guide to foraging. It's also a good idea to join a foraging class (whether in person or online) so you can learn from experts.

Also, be sure to avoid any plants growing near roadsides, industrial areas, or places that might have been sprayed or exposed to chemicals. Stick to cleaner, more natural environments as much as possible.

Local Animals

Fish

If you already know how to fish, good for you! It's a great skill to have in a scenario where food is hard to find. However, you may find that if the stores are mostly empty, other fishermen have probably caught most of the fish in local lakes and rivers. That's why you might want to do some fishing before you actually run out of food.

If you don't know how to fish, then keep in mind that this isn't a skill you can pick up overnight. If there are any places you can go fishing nearby, I would start practicing this skill now. You'll need a good fishing kit, supplies for cleaning a fish, and you'll need to know how to clean and cook a fish.

Small Game

In urban and suburban areas, you can often find small game such as squirrels, rabbits, and pigeons. Find out which ones live in your area. The ability to fish, hunt, or trap small animals could be life-saving when all other options are gone.

However, before you go out and start fishing or shooting animals (even if you're just using a BB gun), be sure to check local regulations. It might be illegal in your area.

Supplies Needed

To hunt and prepare small game, you'll need some basic supplies. A good air rifle or slingshot will be effective for most small animals. Traps and snares work too, and you don't even have to be there. You'll also need a good knife for cleaning and preparing whatever you catch.

Make sure you know how to process and cook the meat safely. I recommend getting a book that teaches how hunt, butcher, and cook wild game.

Famine Foods

Throughout history, people have had to take take extreme measures to stay alive. Oftentimes, that included eating things you and I might find disgusting, but it was worth it to avoid starving to death.

In this section, we're going to talk about famine foods. I don't recommend eating any of these foods unless you're literally starving and there are no other options. But if that's what it comes to, here's what you can eat.

Insects

Insects are actually a great source of protein, and they're fairly easy to find. Crickets, grasshoppers, and mealworms are all good options. You can catch them with simple traps or by hand. Make sure you cook them thoroughly to kill any parasites or pathogens. Roasting, boiling, or frying are also good methods.

Here are 10 edible insects you could eat in an emergency, and here's a book on how to cook bugs.

Mice and Rats

Mice and rats are another viable food source in extreme scenarios. You can use snap traps, glue traps, or homemade traps to catch them. Be sure to wear gloves when you handle them to avoid any diseases they might be carrying.

Once you've caught one, skin and gut it, then cook the meat thoroughly. Roasting and stewing with plenty of seasonings will make the meat much more palatable. Here's an article on how to catch and cook mice and rats.

Pets or Stray Animals

Apologies if the thought of this upsets you. It's unlikely you'll ever be in a scenario where you have to kill your own dog or cat for food. In fact, many people consider them members of the family and would rather starve than eat them. That's fine.

However, there's no shame in using a pet for food, especially if you're unable to feed it anyway. In fact, finding a humane way to put it down rather than letting it starve might be the kindest thing you can do. I don't know of any specific articles or books on how to cook these types of animals, but I'm sure they're out there.

If there are a lot of stray dogs and cats in your area, those might also be a source of food. In fact, when countries experience a major economic collapse, locals often notice that the number of stray animals on the streets drops dramatically.

There are other famine foods I could talk about, but I think that's enough for now. It all depends on how far you're willing to go to survive.

More Info On Other Sources Of Food:

Food and Water Checklist for Month 11

Find out what wild edibles grow in your area; learn to identify them.
Find out what small animals or fish live in your area; learn how to catch them.
Practice cooking some wild edibles and/or small game or fish.
Store at least 2 days of water.
Try some new off-grid recipes.
Choose one recipe and get enough ingredients to make it 8 times.
Stockpile 8 days worth of breakfasts.
Stockpile 8 days worth of lunches.

SKILLS AND SUPPLIES

Natural Medicine

This month, we're going to talk about the importance of herbal medicine and home remedies. There could come a day when you run out of medications and the drug stores are all closed or mostly empty. Or maybe you just don't like dealing with the side effects of modern medicine.

Whatever the reason, learning about natural medicine is a great idea. However, you can't just grab an herb and simply eat it or rub it on a wound. There are steps you have to take and tools you need to have before you can turn your herbs into something useful.

Types of Natural Remedies

There are a variety of ways to use herbs and foods with healing properties. It depends on what type of herb or plant you have, what type of wound or sickness you're treating, and your personal preferences. Here are the main types of natural remedies.

Teas (Infusions) – Typically, you add 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (or 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs) to a cup of boiling water, let it steep for 10 minutes, then strain out the herbs. Of course, this varies depending on which type of herb you're using.
Decotions – For roots, bark, or seeds, a decoction might be needed instead of an infusion. Decoctions are where you simmer the herbs for 20-30 minutes to extract their benefits.
Tinctures – These are made by soaking herbs in high-proof alcohol or another solvent such as vinegar or glycerin. You fill a jar with herbs, cover it with alcohol, and let it sit for 4-6 weeks, shaking it occasionally. After that, you take 1-2 dropperfuls and dilute it in water or tea.
Salves – To make these, first you heat dried herbs in a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. Then you strain out the herbs and mix it with melted beeswax and also essential oils if you like. Once it cools, you can apply it directly to the skin.
Poultices – For these, you simply crush or mash fresh herbs (or rehydrate dried herbs with hot water) to create a paste. Then you apply the paste to the affected area and cover it with a cloth or bandage.
Oils – These are similar to tinctures, except you use carrier oils instead of solvents. Fill a jar with herbs and cover them with a carrier oil like olive oil. Let the jar sit in a warm spot for 2-4 weeks, shaking it occasionally. When it's ready, apply the oil directly to the skin.
Capsules – If you don't like the taste of certain herbs, you can use capsules to consume them. Just dry out the herbs, grind them into powder, then pour the powder into the capsules using a capsule filling machine.
Syrups – To make these, you simmer the herbs in water, strain out the herbs, then mix it with honey or sugar (1:1 ratio) to make a thick syrup. Then, you just take a spoonful as needed. Store in the refrigerator.

Natural Medicine Tools and Supplies

In order to make the types of remedies listed above, there's a variety of tools and supplies you'll need to have on hand. Here are some herbal medicine supplies to consider getting:

Alcohol – To create tinctures and extracts, you'll need high-proof alcohol such as vodka or everclear.
Beeswax – This stuff is perfect for thickening and setting salves and balms.
Blender or Food Processor – Useful for chopping up and blending herbs, especially when creating pastes or finely ground powder.
Carrier Oils – For herbal oils and salves, you'll need some kind of carrier oil. You could use olive oil, jojoba oil, or another oil.
Cheesecloth or Fine Mesh Strainer – These are for straining herbs out of oils and tinctures so the final product is pure liquid.
Double Boiler – This kitchen tool is ideal for gently heating herbs in oils or making salves and lip balms.
Capsule Filling Machine – For quickly filling empty capsules.
Capsules – Fill these with oils, tinctures, or powdered herbs.
Funnel – Makes it easier to transfer liquids without making a mess.
Gloves – Nice to have for protecting your hands while making remedies.
Jars and Bottles – For liquid remedies, you'll need glass containers such as mason jars. For light-sensitive materials, you want amber bottles. And for tinctures and extracts, you'll want some dropper bottles.
Labeling Materials – Use sticky labels and a permanent marker to clearly label containers with the contents and the date they were made.
Measuring Spoons and Cups – For accurately measuring both dry and liquid ingredients.
Metal Tins – These are perfect for homemade salves. They keep the salve moist and protect it from the light.
Mortar and Pestle – An ancient tool for crushing and grinding herbs to release their compounds. It's essential for making teas, powders, and other types of remedies.
Scales – Precision digital scales for measuring herbs and other ingredients are very helpful, especially when following specific recipes.
Tea Infuser – To make tea with an herb, you'll need an infuser so you don't end up swallowing pieces of the herb.
Thermometer – It's important to monitor the temperature when heating preparations so you don't get them too hot and destroy the active compounds.

Best Healing Herbs

There are hundreds of plants with healing properties, so I'm going to focus on the ones that I think are the most useful. Below is a list of plants you should consider growing on your property.

Nearly all of them are perennials, so if you live in the right growing zone, you could continue harvesting the leaves and flowers year after year. If it gets too cold where you live, grow them in pots and bring then indoors in the winter.

If you don't have the space to grow them, you could still stock up on the dried herbs. To store them long-term, use the same principles you learned about food storage. Seal them up in airtight containers with oxygen absorbers, and keep them in a cool, dark location.

Here's my list of the top 20 herbs and flowers for natural medicine.

Note: The links lead to articles where you can learn how to use it as a natural remedy.

Aloe Vera – Soothes burns, wounds, and skin irritations, and it can also be used for digestive health.
Ashwagandha – Helps the body manage stress, boosts energy levels, and strengthens the immune system. Typically used in teas, tinctures, or capsules.
Calendula – Has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and it's great for healing wounds, cuts, and rashes. Commonly used in salves and creams.
Chamomile – Very calming and anti-inflammatory. Often used for digestive issues, stress relief, and skin conditions. Usually made into teas or salves.
Cloves – Has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Also very effective at treating toothaches. Often made into tea or an essential oil.
Dandelions – Can detoxify the liver and support digestion. The roots are used in teas and tinctures, while the leaves can be eaten or used in salads.
Echinacea – Great immune system booster. It helps fight colds, flu, and infections. Typically used in teas and tinctures.
Elderberry – A powerful antiviral. Used to treat colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. Often made into syrups and gummies.
Eucalyptus – An antimicrobial and decongestant, effective for respiratory issues, colds, and coughs. Used in teas, inhalations, and topical applications.
Garlic – A natural antibiotic and antifungal. Supports cardiovascular health and boosts the immune system. Often used in tinctures, oils, and poultices.
Ginger – An anti-inflammatory that aids digestion and relieves nausea. Commonly used in teas and syrups.
Lavender – Has a calming effect that helps with anxiety and insomnia. It's also an antiseptic that can treat skin irritations. Used in teas, oils, and salves.
Lemon Balm – An antiviral that can treat digestive issues. Also good for anxiety and stress. Often used in teas, tinctures, and salves.
Oregano – Has potent antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Supports respiratory health and digestion. Commonly used in teas, tinctures, and as an essential oil.
Peppermint – A digestive aid and headache reliever that is also used for respiratory issues. Commonly made into teas and oils.
Plantain – Soothes insect bites, rashes, and wounds. Also has drawing properties to remove splinters or toxins. Often used in poultices and salves.
Rosemary – An antimicrobial and antioxidant. It supports memory and concentration, and it can relieve muscle pain. Used in teas, salves, and oils.
Thyme – Has antiseptic and antifungal properties. Supports respiratory health and treats infections. Used in teas, tinctures, and syrups.
Turmeric – A powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Supports joint health, digestion, and can treat some skin conditions. Often made into teas, tinctures, and used in cooking.
Yarrow – Can help stop bleeding, reduce inflammation, and treat colds and fevers. Commonly used in poultices, salves, and teas.

If you can only grow a few of these, I would choose chamomile, echinacea, lavender, peppermint, and thyme as they all treat a variety of ailments.

Best Healing Foods

If I listed every food that's good for your health in one way or another, I'd come up with hundreds. For now, I'm just going to focus on foods that can be used in specific home remedies. Here are some foods you should stockpile to use for natural healing.

Apple Cider Vinegar – A natural antiseptic that can also relieve a sore throat. Usually diluted in water before gargled or applied to the skin.
Baking Soda – An exfoliant that can relieve irritated skin and clean your teeth. Usually applied as a paste, added to a bath, or used as a toothpaste.
Coconut Oil – A moisturizer that can treat irritated skin. Often applied directly to the skin or used as a carrier oil.
Cinnamon – An anti-inflammatory that aids digestion and regulates blood sugar. Consumed orally.
Honey – An antiseptic that can also relieve cough and sore throat. Usually consumed orally but can also be applied to the skin to prevent infection and encourage healing.
Oatmeal – Soothes itchy skin, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing. Apply as a paste or add to a bath.

Natural Remedies for Common Ailments

There are literally thousands of natural remedies, and I can only cover so many of them in this guide. So, I'm going to focus on the most common ailments and for each one, I'll explain one simple method for treating it.

If you want to dig deeper, I highly recommend getting a copy of The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. It will teach you multiple ways to treat all types of ailments, and it will be a great thing to have on hand if the Internet becomes unavailable.

Also don't forget to check out the links at the end of this section for more ideas. Here are 20 common ailments and how to treat them naturally.

Allergies – Drink a tea made from nettle or echinacea to treat allergy symptoms and boost the immune system.
Anxiety and Stress – Make a tea with chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm to ease anxiety and reduce stress.
Bug Bites and Stings – Apply a plantain poultice to draw out toxins, reduce swelling, and soothe the skin.
Colds and Flu – Make a tea with echinacea, elderberry, and thyme to boost the immune system and soothe symptoms.
Congestion – Inhale steam infused with eucalyptus and thyme to relieve nasal and chest congestion.
Cough – Use a tea or syrup made from thyme and eucalyptus to relieve coughing and clear up congestion.
Cuts and Wounds – Use a poultice or salve made from yarrow or calendula to prevent infection and promote healing of minor cuts and wounds.
Digestive Issues – Drink ginger or peppermint tea to relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion.
Depression – Take ashwagandha in capsule form or as a tea to help balance mood and manage mild depression.
Fever – Make a tea with yarrow and peppermint to help reduce fever.
Headaches – Drink peppermint tea or apply diluted peppermint oil to the temples and forehead to relieve headaches.
Insomnia – Drink a tea made from chamomile or lavender before bed to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
Joint Pain – Apply a salve made from turmeric or comfrey to reduce inflammation and relieve joint pain.
Menstrual Cramps – Drink a tea made from chamomile or lavender to soothe menstrual cramps and relax muscles.
Minor Burns – Apply aloe vera gel directly to a minor burn or sunburn to soothe the skin and promote healing.
Muscle Pain – Apply a salve made from comfrey or rosemary to soothe muscle pain and reduce inflammation.
Nausea – Sip ginger tea to relieve nausea.
Skin Irritations – Apply aloe vera gel directly to the skin to soothe and heal rashes and other irritations.
Sore Throat – Gargle with a tea made from sage or echinacea to soothe and heal a sore throat.
Toothache – Apply clove oil directly to the tooth or gum. You should feel relief almost instantly.

A Few Warnings

Dosage – Keep in mind that dosages can vary a lot depending on factors like age and weight. For some people, you should start with very small doses and go from there.
Contraindications – Remember that some herbs may interact with medications or have negative effects on certain people. Research any medications you're taking or any allergies you have to make sure these natural remedies don't make things worse.
Check With Your Doctor – Most of these remedies should not be used to treat infants or pregnant women. If you're not sure about something, ask your doctor about it.

More Info On Natural Remedies:

Skills and Supplies Checklist for Month 11

Practice relying on your 72-hour kit for one weekend.
Find out what wild edibles are available in your area.
Practice finding and identifying local wild edibles.
Memorize the universal edibility test.
Practice cooking with wild edibles.
Find out what local animals are available in your area.
Practice fishing and hunting small game (where allowed).
Learn about famine foods and how to prepare them for consumption.
Learn about the various types of natural remedies.
Gather any natural medicine tools and supplies you need.
Learn about healing herbs and decide which ones to grow.
Plant some healing herbs and take care of them.
Stock up on healing foods like oats and honey.
Learn how to treat common ailments using natural remedies.
Set aside $40 cash.

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