Database of useful plants, thought I'd share this

[Confuzion]

When I looked into this, I encountered this (http://www.pfaf.org/user/default.aspx) site. Perhaps some of the people in here have a use for it?

[Anarch]

When I looked into this, I encountered this (http://www.pfaf.org/user/default.aspx) site. Perhaps some of the people in here have a use for it?

A quick glance looked interesting!!!

[Lillith]

Having a data base of useful medicinal plants is useful and all well and good. But I dont follow the logic if the premise is that end times catastrophies are underway and due to arrive. If thats the case, and people are going to be destroyed by environmental forces, what makes anyone thing that the medicinal plants are going to survive? Wouldnt one think that they are even more sensitive to environmental inbalances and drastic changes, or are they as a living life force more resillent? Why would they survive over other crops, plants, trees, etc. And what of the hunt to find them?

If one is looking into medicinal plants and their benefits, one should probably look into buying and stocking their essential oils. Once extracted they can be stored indefinately.

[Confuzion]

Storing their seeds might be a good idea, as after the world settles down a bit they might actually grow again. And wouldn't it be nice to have some medicinal and construction plants readily available?

Oh, and I did mean to post this in the gardening subforum. Posted it in the wrong forum. :s

[Luxeon Star]

Speaking of seeds, you can get medicinal and other types of seeds here:

http://www.horizonherbs.com/

I already bought some. The only medicinal plant I am currently growing is Fo Ti (polygonum multiform). I grows like weed but it is a climbing vine. The leaves are edible but contain a lot of oxalic acid but cooking is supposed to take care of that. I bought live fo ti plants from:

http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/

I buy bulk herbs for cheap from here:

http://www.pacificbotanicals.com/

After several years of reading about herbs, viamins, minerals etc (including reading pub med research abstracts: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ ) I now ingest some combination of the following every day:

gynostemma pentaphyllum

Fo Ti

Noni,

Gotu Kola

Astragalus

I also take loads of msm and vitamin c among other things. I work a full time job and a part time job. At my part time job (big retail store) I am a “sales associate” but I am often invited to help the stock guys un load the trucks and pull pallets. I out perform the 20 something guys when I am the guy in the truck. They quite often put two guys in the truck but I perfer to be alone in the truck loading (throwing / shooting) the boxes on to the conveyor and pushing them out. This is because I can and because it is less likely that I will drop a box on the other guy. I can go full speed for 2 or 3 hours and then pull pallets till midnight and enjoy it and I am 51. The point is that for me this is survival right here and now. Not when the emp shuts down the grid. I plan to live to be at least 95 and if I don’t then I will be somewhat disappointed. But until then, I rock, and I like it that way.

Hopefully this answers in some positive way to one of Lilith’s objections, to paraphrase, what’s the point? Herbs…. There not just for the apocalypse any more. So in an emergency situation this guy who is usually a mild mannered book worm / geek should be able to rise to the occasion.

[Lillith]

Hopefully this answers in some positive way to one of Lilith’s objections, to paraphrase, what’s the point? Herbs…. There not just for the apocalypse any more. So in an emergency situation this guy who is usually a mild mannered book worm / geek should be able to rise to the occasion.

I dont have objections to obtaining provisions - they can always be used as a matter of routine and at one time I began a vast collection of essential oils, which I cherish and use to this day. I was speaking more to how and what type than anything else. And dried herbs which would last indefinately, can be just as powerful, if not more potent than fresh. Astragulus as you mention is one of them. All actually come in dried form and ready for use at any time and less likely to "perish".


in other words, they dont require the naturing of a balanced enviorment that might otherwise be missing or elimminated, ie sufficient sun, water, fertilizer, soil, etc.

[juliaroberts]

Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I am inspired!.I don’t think the need for load testing is going away, but it is changing and becoming more complicated.
http://www.dougleschan.com/

[Bob]

Humans are famous for their ability to alter their environment and adapt quickly to rapid changes. An inherantly optimistic society, this site alone is proof of concept. Everyone here believes they will survive the big one, due to their friendship with Jesus, the Spacepeople, Vitamine C, or as in my case, just plain old stupid luck. That's why I come here everyday, the optimism. Even in the politics section, where morons debate dumb asses, the faith is there whether you support Odumbo or Mitt the Twit. When the SHTF lets all meet for coffee some day. I think that would be very nice.

[Lillith]

Humans are famous for their ability to alter their environment and adapt quickly to rapid changes. An inherantly optimistic society, this site alone is proof of concept. Everyone here believes they will survive the big one, due to their friendship with Jesus, the Spacepeople, Vitamine C, or as in my case, just plain old stupid luck. That's why I come here everyday, the optimism. Even in the politics section, where morons debate dumb asses, the faith is there whether you support Odumbo or Mitt the Twit. When the SHTF lets all meet for coffee some day. I think that would be very nice.

EW..ew. Could I help with the seating arrangements? :grin

Table 1. Traveler, Lillith, Tahn, Lucy Smith, Adstar, Palerider

Table 2. Raptor Witness, Dedennoe, Nephilim, Brad, Jake, Coldjoint,

Table 3. Jenna, Reef, Freddy, GG, Calieope, DBA, Maximum, Superdig, Cherisa, Realist

Table 4. Cart, Laz, Ning, MetalM, Pico, TC, Kiehlroy, Confusion,

Table 5. Blue, Lynanox, Anarch,

Table 6. Old Dragon, PoorRobert; Sweetvalocity,


The Bobs could take turns being Maitre D's and Bouncers. :D

Now ya all can feel free to move around or add to the seating, esp if I left anyone out or uninvited I apologize !

[bestsurvivalkit]

For survival preparedness and techniques, just visit this site (http://www.bunkerproductions.org/)...a lot of video tutorial on how to deal with it in times of natural disaster.

[Rockytrawn]

Note sure this will post - but I found new info about a common western plant that you might find on hillsides in wild areas, and it can also be grown in simple gardens:

Eriogonum fasciculatum
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Eriogonum fasciculatum


Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Eudicots

(unranked): Core eudicots

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Polygonaceae

Genus: Eriogonum

Species: E. fasciculatum
Binomial name

Eriogonum fasciculatum
Benth.

Eriogonum fasciculatum is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common names California buckwheat and Eastern Mojave buckwheat. This common shrub is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it grows on scrubby slopes and in chaparral and dry washes in a number of habitats.
There are a number of distinct varieties. (note faster growing forms can now be purchased as cultivars for desert gardens and have been used erosion control. These require more water, but can become invasive.). It is variable in appearance, forming a patchy, compact bramble or a spreading bush approaching two meters in height and three across. The leaves grow in clusters at nodes along the branches and are leathery, woolly on the undersides, and rolled under along the edges. Flowers appear in dense, frilly clusters which may be anywhere from a few millimeters to 15 centimeters wide. Each individual flower is pink and white and only a few millimeters across.[1] Many Native American groups utilized parts of this plant for a number of medicinal uses, including the treatment of headache, diarrhea, and wounds. This variety is particularly attractive to honey bees (Apis mellifera) and is a good source of nectar over many months in dryer areas. The flowers also attract butterflies, especially Blue butterflies (Subfamily Polyommatinae) in the early spring. Conservation: Several populations, some unnamed, are highly local, and are of conservation concern.
Use Wildlife: Valued honey plant.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
VALUE TO BENEFICIAL INSECTS
Special Value to Native Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF NORTH AMERICA (BAMONA)
Eriogonum fasciculatum is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Lupine Blue
(Plebejus lupini)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA
Electra buckmoth
(Hemileuca electra)

Larval Host

Wilakal is a very beneficial plant for the Tongva. As a medicinal plant, its leaves and roots help to relieve headaches and stomach problems. The leaves are collected before flowering and brewed into a strong thick tea. The roots are dried and ground.
Wilakal is also useful for treating intestinal problems. For constipation, the Tongva chew small wilakal twigs. They also make a tea from the roots, which they take to clean out the intestines.
For bronchial ailments, they drink a mild tea made from flowers. To relieve sore throats, they make a mild tea from leaves and stems, which they use as a gargle. The same tea is used for bladder problems.
The Tongva make a poultice from flowers and leaves to soothe sores and wounds. Newborn babies are bathed in a mild tea made from flowers as a purifier. The flowers also make a good eyewash.
In addition, Wilakal has a few non-medicinal uses. The shoots and the seeds are edible. The leaves are used to line granaries to keep the acorns dry. Also, the seeds are ground and scattered during ceremonies. Finally, the stems are used to pierce ears.

Drought Tolerence High
After Harvest Regrowth Rate Slow
Growth Rate Slow
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (feet) 2
Height, Mature (feet) 2.0