🌿 Compounding Basic Medicines
Emergency preparations from plants, raw honey, and common materials — for scenarios where commercial pharmaceuticals are completely unavailable. Compiled from historical use and documented chemistry.
Medical Disclaimer
This section covers emergency medicine preparation for scenarios where commercial pharmaceuticals are completely unavailable. This is not medical advice. These preparations are based on historical use and documented chemistry. Consult a qualified medical professional whenever possible. Incorrect preparation can cause harm or death. Verify every step multiple times. These are not substitutes for pharmaceutical treatment when pharmaceutical treatment is available.
1. Oral Rehydration Solution — Start Here
Diarrhoeal diseases have killed more humans than almost any other cause in history. They kill through dehydration, not the infection itself. ORS replaces lost fluid and electrolytes. This single formula has saved more lives than any other medical intervention except vaccination.
💧 WHO Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)
1 litre
CLEAN WATER
(boiled & cooled)
(boiled & cooled)
6 tsp
SUGAR
(level teaspoons)
(level teaspoons)
½ tsp
SALT
(non-iodised ideal)
(non-iodised ideal)
Stir until completely dissolved
| Patient | Amount after each loose stool |
|---|---|
| Adults | 200–400ml (1–2 cups) |
| Children 2–10 yr | 100–200ml (½–1 cup) |
| Infants <2 yr | 50–100ml (¼–½ cup) |
Signs of improvement: urination resumes · skin loses tented appearance · mouth becomes moist · alertness returns
Needs IV fluids if: cannot keep ORS down · unconscious or severely altered · rapid weak pulse · sunken eyes, no tears, dry mouth
2. Tinctures — Alcohol-Based Plant Extracts
A tincture is a plant extract preserved in alcohol. Alcohol extracts active compounds more completely than water and preserves them for 2–5 years. Standard ratio: 1 part dried herb to 5 parts alcohol (1:5). Minimum 40% alcohol (vodka); 60–70% ideal.
Essential Tinctures
| Plant | Part Used | Primary Uses | Dose | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echinacea purpurea | Whole plant (aerial + root) | Immune support, anti-inflammatory, early infection | 3–5ml at first sign; up to 10 days | Not for autoimmune conditions |
| Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) | Root | Sleep, anxiety, muscle spasm | 2–4ml before sleep | Sedating — do not drive; not with other sedatives |
| St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) | Flowering tops | Mild-moderate depression, nerve pain | 2–4ml 3× daily; 6 weeks for full effect | INTERACTS with contraceptive pill, anticoagulants, antivirals, many others |
| Calendula (Calendula officinalis) | Flowers | Wound healing, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory | 2–4ml 3× daily; also topical | Avoid in pregnancy (emmenagogue) |
| Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) | Ripe black berries only | Antiviral, immune support during infection | 1–2ml 4× daily during acute illness | TOXIC unripe berries, leaves, bark, roots — ripe berries only |
| Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) | Aerial parts in flower | Fever reduction, wound bleeding, anti-inflammatory | 2–4ml 3× daily | Avoid in pregnancy; may cause skin sensitivity |
| Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) | Leaves | Urinary tract infections (arbutin → antimicrobial in urine) | 3ml 3× daily, max 10 days | Not in pregnancy or kidney disease; not long-term |
3. Salves & Poultices
Basic Salve Formula
- Infuse herbs in olive oil: fill jar with dried herb, cover with olive oil, seal, leave in warm place 4–6 weeks (or heat gently for 4–8 hours at 40°C)
- Strain oil through muslin; discard plant material
- Melt 30g beeswax per 1 cup infused oil (low heat — beeswax burns)
- Mix oil and wax; test consistency by dropping on cold surface — add more wax to harden, more oil to soften
- Pour into tins or small jars while liquid. Shelf life: 1 year in cool, dark storage
| Plant | Primary Use | Method | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfrey leaf/root (Symphytum officinale) | Bruises, sprains, closed fractures, muscle pain | Infused oil → salve | DO NOT use on puncture wounds or infected wounds — seals skin over infection. Not internally. |
| Plantain (Plantago major) | Draws infection, stings, splinters, rashes | Infused oil → salve; or fresh chewed leaf as instant poultice | None known |
| Chickweed (Stellaria media) | Itch relief, eczema, dry skin, nappy rash | Infused oil → salve | Gentle; safe for children and infants |
| Lavender + Calendula | Burns (minor), wounds, dry cracked skin, antiseptic | Combined infused oil → salve; add 10 drops lavender essential oil per 100ml finished salve | Avoid lavender essential oil in pregnancy |
4. Improvised Antiseptics
| Material | Mechanism | Use | Shelf Life | Caution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw honey | Osmotic dehydration of bacteria; hydrogen peroxide production; low pH | Apply directly to wounds; cover with dressing; change daily. Clinically proven against MRSA. | Indefinite (3000-year-old honey found usable) | Pasteurised honey has reduced efficacy. Avoid in infants under 1 yr. |
| Garlic oil | Allicin: broad-spectrum antimicrobial | Crush 5–10 garlic cloves, steep in 100ml olive oil 30 min, strain. Apply topically. 2–3 drops warm (not hot) for ear infections. | 3–7 days refrigerated | Can cause skin irritation; test on small area first |
| Pine resin salve | Antimicrobial terpenes; drawing action | Collect amber sap from pine wounds. Melt with equal volume beeswax + olive oil. Apply to infected wounds. | 1–2 years | Some people allergic to pine resins |
| Saline (wound irrigation) | Mechanical flushing; isotonic so does not damage tissue | 1L boiled cooled water + 9g (1½ tsp) non-iodised salt. Irrigate wounds under pressure with a syringe or squeeze bottle. | 24 hr (make fresh) | Do NOT use tap water directly on wounds. Do NOT use hydrogen peroxide (damages healing tissue). Do NOT use iodine inside wounds. |
| Dilute bleach (surfaces only) | Oxidising; kills bacteria, viruses, fungi | 1 part 5% bleach + 10 parts water. Equipment and surface sterilisation only. | 24 hr (loses strength quickly) | NEVER on wounds or skin — destroys tissue |
5. Pain Management
| Preparation | Active Compound | Use | Dose / Method | Contraindications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willow bark tea (Salix spp.) | Salicin → salicylic acid (aspirin equivalent) | General pain, fever, inflammation | 1–2 tsp dried bark, simmer 10 min, drink 3× daily | Same as aspirin: NOT under 16 (Reye's syndrome), NOT with blood thinners, NOT if aspirin-allergic |
| Clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum) | Eugenol — topical anaesthetic | Dental pain only (topical) | 1 drop on cotton wool, apply directly to tooth or gum | Do NOT swallow undiluted — toxic in quantity. Dilute 1:10 in carrier oil for skin. |
| Valerian root tincture | Valerenic acid | Muscle pain, tension headache, anxiety-related pain | 2–4ml tincture (see tinctures section) | Sedating — avoid if alertness required |
| Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) | Parthenolide | Migraine PREVENTION (daily use only — not for acute attacks) | 2–3 fresh leaves daily or 1–2ml tincture | May cause mouth ulcers; avoid in pregnancy |
| Capsaicin oil (chilli) | Capsaicin → depletes substance P | Chronic nerve pain, arthritis, muscle pain (topical only) | Infuse hot chillies in oil 4 weeks (1:5). Apply to skin. Effect builds over days of use. | Keep from eyes and mucous membranes. Wash hands thoroughly after application. |
| Meadowsweet tea (Filipendula ulmaria) | Salicylates (aspirin precursor) | Pain, fever, stomach/gut pain | 1–2 tsp dried flowers, steep 10 min | Same cautions as aspirin; also soothes stomach unlike aspirin |
6. Fever Management
Physical Cooling Protocol (No Drugs Needed)
- Cool (not cold) damp cloths to forehead, armpits, and groin — these are the major heat exchange points
- Do NOT use cold water or ice: causes shivering which generates heat and raises temperature further
- Remove excess clothing and blankets
- Increase fluid intake — continuous small sips
- Reduce ambient room temperature if possible
Herbal Support
- Yarrow tea: 1 tsp dried herb steeped 10 minutes; causes sweating which cools the body; 3× daily
- Elderflower tea: same action as yarrow; pleasant taste
- Willow bark: for fever reduction (see pain section)
Fever Emergencies
- Fever + stiff neck + rash: meningitis — life-threatening emergency
- Above 40°C in an infant: act immediately; give ORS; apply cool cloths; seek medical care
- Febrile seizure in a child: do not restrain; protect from injury; time the seizure; place on side; cool the child after
- Fever that doesn't respond to cooling above 41°C: immerse in cool (not cold) water bath
7. Antibiotic Alternatives
Critical Limitation
The preparations below are NOT equivalent to pharmaceutical antibiotics for serious infections. Sepsis (blood poisoning), pneumonia, and severe wound infections can kill within hours. These preparations support early-stage infection and mild conditions only. If you have pharmaceutical antibiotics, use them for serious infections. The plants and preparations below may provide benefit for mild infections, surface wounds, and as adjuncts — not replacements for life-threatening scenarios.
| Preparation | Active Compound | Evidence | Organisms Affected | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw honey + turmeric wound paste | Hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal (honey) + curcumin (turmeric) | Strong laboratory evidence; clinical trials for wound care | Staph, strep, MRSA, E. coli | Mix raw honey + turmeric to paste. Apply directly to infected wound. Cover, change 2× daily. |
| Oregano oil (>70% carvacrol) | Carvacrol, thymol | Good laboratory evidence; limited clinical trials | Staph, strep, E. coli, Candida, H. pylori | Topical: dilute 1:10 in carrier oil. Internal: 3–4 drops under tongue in water, 3× daily, max 14 days. |
| Thyme tea/steam | Thymol | Proven antimicrobial in laboratory studies | Respiratory pathogens; throat and chest | Strong tea for throat; steam inhalation for chest — breathe over bowl of hot thyme tea |
| Activated charcoal | Adsorption (physical) | Well established for poisoning | Toxins, not pathogens (gut treatment) | Gut poisoning/food poisoning only: 1g/kg bodyweight (max 50g), stir in water, drink fast |
8. Medicinal Plant Identification
Plant Identification Safety
Correct identification is critical. Many medicinal plants have toxic lookalikes. If you are not certain of identification, do not use the plant. Learn plants from a qualified teacher or verified field guide before relying on this text alone. When in doubt: do not use.
Wound & Skin
| Plant | ID Features | Habitat | Use | Lookalike Warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plantain Plantago major / lanceolata |
Oval (major) or lance-shaped (lanceolata) ribbed leaves; 5–7 parallel veins; rosette growing flat to ground; inconspicuous flower spike | Paths, lawns, disturbed ground — everywhere | Instant poultice: chew fresh leaf, apply to wound, sting, or splinter. Draws infection. Infused oil → salve. | None dangerous. Easy to identify. |
| Comfrey Symphytum officinale |
Large (30–60cm) rough hairy leaves; thick hairy stems; drooping clusters of tubular purple/cream flowers; very thick fleshy root | Riversides, damp roadsides, ditches | Salve for bruises, sprains, closed fractures, bone pain. Do NOT use on open or infected wounds. | Foxglove has large hairy leaves but no hairy stems; different flower. Foxglove is highly toxic. |
| Calendula Calendula officinalis |
Bright orange/yellow daisy flowers; sticky hairy stems; lance-shaped leaves; flowers all summer | Garden herb; self-seeds widely | Salve/infused oil for wounds, burns, fungal conditions. Tincture for internal anti-inflammatory. | Other orange daisies: check sticky stems and leaves unique to calendula. |
| Chickweed Stellaria media |
Tiny white star-shaped flowers; small oval leaves in pairs; key ID: single line of hairs down one side of stem, switching sides at each pair of leaves | Gardens, disturbed ground, waste places — ubiquitous | Poultice or salve for itch, eczema, rashes, dry skin. Gentle — safe for children. | No dangerous lookalike among common species in UK. |
Fever & Infection
| Plant | ID Features | Habitat | Use | Lookalike Warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yarrow Achillea millefolium |
Feathery grey-green finely divided leaves (like a fern but not); flat-topped clusters of white (rarely pink) flowers; strong aromatic smell | Grassland, roadsides, meadows — extremely common | Tea for fever (induces sweating); poultice or infused oil for wound bleeding (styptic) | Hemlock (Conium maculatum) — also has white flowers but: hollow stem with purple blotches, smells of mice/rank, not aromatic. Hemlock is deadly. Always check for aromatic yarrow smell. |
| Elder Sambucus nigra |
Small tree/large shrub; flat-topped creamy flower clusters (elderflowers, summer); pinnate leaves; glossy black berries in autumn; bark has corky lenticels | Hedgerows, woodland edges, waste ground | Elderflower tea: fever, sweating, anti-inflammatory. Ripe black elderberry: antiviral syrup or tincture. | Ripe black berries only. Unripe berries, all leaves, bark, roots cause severe vomiting/purging. Dwarf elder (S. ebulus) has horizontal growth, smells unpleasant — avoid entirely. |
| Wild Garlic Allium ursinum |
Broad lance-shaped bright green leaves; white star flowers in spring; entire plant smells strongly of garlic; forms carpets in woodland | Damp woodland — often carpets entire woodland floors in spring | Antimicrobial; cardiovascular support; raw in food. | Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) — similar broad leaves but NO garlic smell; highly toxic. Always smell-test first. Also check for 3 veins in leaf base (wild garlic) vs 3 veins throughout (lords and ladies). |
| Thyme Thymus serpyllum / vulgaris |
Very small leaves, low creeping growth, square stem; tiny pink/purple flowers; very strongly aromatic (thyme smell) | Wild on chalk downland; widely cultivated in gardens | Strong tea for throat infections; steam for chest; topical antimicrobial. Contains thymol. | No dangerous lookalike — distinctive smell makes identification safe. |
Nervous System & Pain
| Plant | ID Features | Use | Key Warning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St John's Wort Hypericum perforatum |
Yellow 5-petalled flowers with black dots on petal edges; narrow oval leaves; key: hold leaf up to light — see tiny translucent oil glands (dots) | Grassland, hedgerows, woodland edges | Tincture/tea for mild-moderate depression, nerve pain. Takes 4–6 weeks for full effect. | Multiple serious drug interactions: contraceptive pill, antiretrovirals, cyclosporine, anticoagulants. Can cause photosensitivity. |
| Valerian Valeriana officinalis |
Pinnate (feathered) leaves; clusters of tiny pink/white flowers at stem top; distinctive earthy/musty smell when root crushed | Damp ground, riversides, hedgerows | Root tincture for sleep, anxiety, muscle spasm, tension headache. Sedating. | Sedating — do not combine with alcohol or other sedatives. |
| Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria |
Creamy frothy fragrant flowers (almond smell when crushed); pinnate leaves with large terminal leaflet; dark green above, white-downy below | Riversides, wet meadows, damp woodland edges | Tea for pain, fever, stomach/ulcer conditions; contains salicylates. Historically the plant that inspired aspirin synthesis. | Same precautions as aspirin/willow bark; but soothing to stomach (opposite of aspirin irritation). |
Nutrition & General Wellness
| Plant | ID | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) | Serrated oval leaves, stinging hairs, square stem, grows in rich soil near habitation | Nutrition (iron, calcium, vitamin C, protein); anti-inflammatory; cook or blanch to remove sting | Best harvested young spring growth; use gloves |
| Rosehip (Rosa canina) | Wild rose; scratchy arching canes; red/orange oval fruits after flowering; 5 petals on flowers | Vitamin C (20× oranges), immune support; syrup or tea from hips | Remove seeds before consumption — hairs cause irritation |
| Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) | Toothed leaves in rosette; hollow stems; single yellow flower; white seed clock; unmistakeable | Whole plant edible; liver support (roots); diuretic; leaves in salad or tea | Leaves bitter when mature — harvest young or blanch |
| Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) | Thorny; deeply lobed leaves; white blossom (May); red berries (haws) in autumn | Berries and flowers for cardiovascular support, blood pressure; tea or tincture from berries | Long-term use for cardiovascular conditions; take 3+ months consistently |
Urinary & Lymphatic
| Plant | ID | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Cleavers / Goosegrass (Galium aparine) | Sticky velcro-like sprawling plant; whorled narrow leaves; tiny white flowers; clings to clothing and animal fur | Lymphatic support, urinary tract health; spring tonic; infuse in cold water overnight — best remedy made cold, not hot |
| Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) | Segmented hollow green stems, no true leaves; prehistoric-looking; does not flower | High silica content — wound healing, bone/connective tissue support; tea from fresh or dried stems |
9. Quick Reference Card
🌿 Medicine Making Quick Reference
ORS (most important): 1L clean water + 6 level tsp sugar + ½ tsp salt. Give continuously during diarrhoea.
Tincture base ratio: 1 part dried herb : 5 parts 60% alcohol. Macerate 4–6 weeks, strain, bottle.
Basic salve: Infuse herb in olive oil 4–6 wks. Strain. Melt in 30g beeswax per cup oil. Pour into tins.
Wound care priority:
- Irrigate with saline (1L boiled water + 9g salt) under pressure
- Remove all debris and foreign matter
- Apply raw honey dressing
- Change dressing daily; watch for spreading redness (cellulitis)
- If spreading redness or fever develops: consider antibiotic alternatives above
Fever action: Below 39°C — monitor. 39–40°C — yarrow tea, cool cloths. Above 40.5°C — physical cooling immediately. Above 41.5°C — cold water immersion, life-threatening.
This card is not medical advice. Use pharmaceutical treatment when available. ⚡ Last Light Survival Guide