Daily Survival

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Concealment vs. Cover: Teaching Kids the Safety Skill That Could Save Their Life

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The post Concealment vs. Cover: Teaching Kids the Safety Skill That Could Save Their Life appeared first on The Survival Mom.

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7 Homemade Healing Salves from a Century Ago

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before using any of the herbs and/or remedies mentioned in this article.

What did our ancestors use when they had wounds and sore muscles? I can tell you what they didn’t do; they didn’t run to Walmart and purchase an antibiotic ointment or a sore muscle rub. Instead, our ancestors understood how to use herbs and other ingredients to create healing salves for what ailed them.

Intrigued? I was, too! Learning how to heal your injuries with herbs and other items is a fundamental skill for any homesteader or prepper. So, let’s dive into what you need to know about healing salves.

What is a Salve?

A salve is simply anything that you apply topically to heal the skin. Balms, ointments, and creams all qualify as salves. Most salves involve the use of waxes and oils to create a semi-solid texture that makes them shelf-stable and thick.

The ingredients used in a salve can be changed to serve many functions. Most are multi-purpose, but you can tailor them to your particular ailment by adding essential oils, infused oils, or tinctures to the mixture. A salve can heal many issues, such as:

Dry Skin
Diaper Rash
Chapped Lips
Sore Muscles
Wound Healing
Minor Burns, Cuts, and Scrapes
Eczema

Ingredients Needed to Create a Salve

To create a salve, you need oils. Each type of oil has its own properties that make it a unique choice! Some popular picks include:

After you pick the oil (or oils), you need beeswax to bind everything together. If you don’t have beeswax, candelilla and carnauba are other suitable picks. Beeswax tends to be the easiest to find and easiest to prepare, but you do have options.

What You Need to Make a Salve

So you picked your oils and beeswax. Now you have to get the rest of the materials necessary to create a salve. I promise it’s not complicated! To make a salve, you need these other materials:

Equal parts dried herbs
Cheesecloth
Jars or containers for storage
Pot
Heat safe bowl
Essential Oils

Steps to Create a Salve

The steps to create a salve are usually the same no matter the recipe you are creating. The only differences will be if you use essential oils or not and which dried herbs you pick to use. So once you make one, you can make a dozen more. They truly are simple! Let’s take a look at each step…

Make an Herbal Infusion

The first thing you want to do is create an herbal infusion, which is best done with the double boiler method. I’ve tried it in a single pot, and I burned the herbs. Learn from my mistake!

Put your herbs and oil in a small pot or container over a large pot of water that is 1/4 full. You want to put all of the herbs used in the recipe into the oil. That might be 1-6 different dried herbs. A glass measuring cup or a glass bowl will work.
Bring that water to a boil, then turn the stove down to a simmer.
Now let the herbs and oil infuse together for 30 to 60 minutes. (Another option is to do the slow method, but that takes weeks.)
Once it’s done, remove it from the heat and set aside.

The other option is called solar infusion. With this method, you put the herbs and oil into a sealed Mason jar and place the jar in a sunny area for 4 to 6 weeks.

Strain the Infused Oil

Now that your oil is ready, you need to strain out the herbs.

Put two to three layers of cheesecloth over a funnel or bowl.
Pour the infused oil over the cheesecloth which will strain the oil and herbs.
Once you've poured everything into the cheesecloth, gather it up and squeeze out the remaining oils.

Prepare the Salve

The next step is to place the beeswax in a pan over low heat.

Add the infused oil and melt together. Let these two ingredients combine well.
Once mixed, remove the pan from the heat. Your salve is almost finished!

Add Essential Oils or Other Ingredients

If you decide to add essential oils, you should add them after you remove the oil and wax mixture from the heat. It is also the best time to add stuff like clay or activated charcoal.

Jar and Store

The last thing you want to do is put the salve into the jars you selected. You can determine the solidification of the salve by placing some into your refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes.

If you use more beeswax, it creates a harder salve. Less beeswax creates a creamy salve. All you have to do is pour the salve into the jar or jars you selected and allow them to cool before lidding and storing! Now let's take a look at five specific recipes…

1. Aches and Pains Salve Recipe

Whether you are lifting weights or lifting bags of garden soil, everyone needs a salve in their medicine cabinet for those sore muscles. The cayenne pepper in this recipe gives the salve the bit of heat required to heat up your muscles and give them the desired relief.

Ingredients:

1 cup oil (coconut oil or olive oil are two popular picks)
1/4 cup beeswax pastilles
1 TBSP cayenne pepper powder
1 TBSP ginger root powder
1 TBSP turmeric powder
1 TBSP arnica flowers

2. Summer Salve Recipe

Summertime might be one of the best seasons, but it brings with it bug bites, stings, and poison ivy. Who likes those? This summer salve solves all of those problems, and you can use it on scrapes and cuts. The recipe makes around 1.5 cups, but it’s worth doubling (or tripling) to have a stockpile!

Ingredients:

2 cups oil (your choice – olive oil, coconut oil, and almond oil work great)
2 TBSP dried plantain leaf
2 TBSP dried comfrey leaf
2 TBSP dried burdock root
1/4 to 1/2 cup beeswax pellets
20 drops lavender oil – optional

3. Boo-Boo Salve

I stopped purchasing neospirin years ago. I prefer not to use anything petroleum based. This “boo-boo” salve helps heal cuts, bruises, stings, skin irritations, and poison ivy. You can use it on diaper rashes as well, but make sure you don’t use it on cloth diapers.

Ingredients:

2 cups olive oil or almond oil
1/4 cup beeswax pastilles
2 TBSP dried comfrey leaf
2 TBSP dried plantain leaf
1 TSP dried calendula flowers
1 TSP dried yarrow flowers
1 TSP dried rosemary leaves

4. Stretch Marks Salve

Pregnant mamas, I got you! As a mother of four kids myself, I know the reality. Our tummies tend to look like Freddy Krueger took a few slashes. The stripes are real! This stretch marks salve is pregnancy safe; nothing here is going to harm your sweet baby.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup shea butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 TBSP apricot kernel oil
1 TBSP calendula flowers
1/4 TSP dried ginger root

You can add any pregnancy safe essential oils that you want, but they aren’t necessary.

5. Black Drawing Salve

My last salve to offer you is a black drawing salve. Never heard of it? You’re missing out. It “draws” out things such as splinters or pieces of glass from your skin and helps to prevent infections. It also can help remove moles and skin tags.

Ingredients:

3 TBSP Infused Olive Oil (infuse with comfrey, calendula, and plantain)
2 TSP Shea Butter
2 TBSP coconut oil
2 TBSP Beeswax
2 TBSP Activated Charcoal Powder
2 TBSP Kaolin Clay
1 TBSP Honey
25+ Drops Lavender or Chamomile Essential oil

6. Respiratory Relief Salve

This salve is great for easing respiratory discomfort from colds, allergies, or sinus issues. Eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils help clear nasal passages and soothe coughs.

Ingredients:

1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup beeswax pastilles
1 TBSP dried eucalyptus leaves
1 TBSP dried peppermint leaves
15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil

7. Anti-Fungal Foot Salve

Perfect for athletes or anyone suffering from fungal infections on their feet, this salve uses the natural antifungal properties of tea tree oil and neem oil to treat and prevent infections.

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup beeswax pastilles
2 TBSP neem oil
15 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil

Bonus Salve: Skin Healing Salve

This is more of an all-purpose salve for any type of skin irritation. If you have any wounds or dry skin, this calendula skin healing salve will solve the problem.

Ingredients:

4 ounces calendula infused oil
2 TBSP packed, grated beeswax
25 to 50 drops essential oils (chamomile, lavender, and frankincense are good options)

Making Healing Salves at Home

I promise, making healing salves at home isn’t difficult. The process is the same for each recipe. You have to create an infused oil with dried herbs. Some people like to have several infused oils brewing at one time on windowsills, while others like to do the faster method.

The best thing about making salves at home is the ability to tailor it to what you want and your ailments. You can change the essential oils (or not add any), or try a new herb you like. The options are endless, so get to cooking.

Originally published on Homestead Survival Site.

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The post 7 Homemade Healing Salves from a Century Ago appeared first on Urban Survival Site.

from Urban Survival Site

When Your Life Does Not Go As Planned

When your life does not go as planned. Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. One day things seem to be running smoothly, and the next, you’re staring down a stack of medical bills, a budget that just won’t balance, and a family that’s stretched thin in every direction. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Millions of families are walking through seasons in life that are exactly like yours, and thank goodness, there’s real hope on the other side. Please stock up on Flashlights, Lanterns, and Batteries. Don’t forget Plug In Lights for power outages.

When Your Life Does Not Go As Planned

What Is a Life That Didn’t Go As Planned?

Most of us grew up with a picture in our minds of how life would unfold. We would stay healthy, work hard, build a comfortable home, and watch our families thrive. But life rarely follows the script we wrote for it. Health crises, financial setbacks, family struggles, and even broken friendships have a way of arriving all at once, and suddenly the plan we had looks nothing like the reality we’re living.

The good news is that hard seasons don’t have to define you. They can actually sharpen your priorities, deepen your relationships, and teach you skills you never knew you needed.

Health Issues That Change Everything

Few things derail a family’s plans faster than a serious health issue. Whether it’s a chronic illness, an unexpected diagnosis, a mental health struggle, or a physical injury, health problems touch every part of daily life. They affect your ability to work, your energy levels, your mood, and your finances.

If your family’s navigating a health challenge right now, the first and most important step is to permit yourself to adjust your expectations. You don’t have to do everything you did before. Ask your doctor what a realistic recovery or management plan looks like. Look into patient assistance programs for medications, community health clinics that offer sliding-scale fees, and nonprofit organizations that help families cover medical costs.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It’s absolutely necessary. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and your family needs you to prioritize your health so you can be present for the long road ahead.

Money Issues and Daily Expenses Out of Control

When the bills start piling up, and the paycheck just doesn’t stretch far enough, the stress can feel overwhelming. Inflation, job loss, unexpected medical expenses, car repairs, and rising grocery costs can all conspire to put a family in a genuinely difficult financial position.

The first thing to do is get an honest picture of where things stand. Write down every single expense, even the small ones. Many families are surprised to discover that small daily purchases add up to hundreds of dollars a month. Once you see it on paper, you can begin making decisions.

Look at every subscription and recurring charge, and cancel anything that isn’t essential right now. Cook more meals at home and use your pantry as a resource rather than just a storage space. Buy store brands, shop sales, and use coupons. Reach out to your utility companies and ask about hardship programs because many offer them, and they are rarely advertised.

Building even a small emergency fund, even just twenty or thirty dollars a week, can provide a buffer that prevents small crises from becoming large ones. Food storage is another powerful tool. Having a well-stocked pantry means that even in a tight month, you can still feed your family well without relying on expensive last-minute grocery trips.

If debt is part of the picture, consider reaching out to a nonprofit credit counseling agency. These organizations offer free or low-cost help with budgeting and debt management plans. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Family Issues That Leave Everyone Exhausted

Stress has a way of bringing out both the best and the worst in families. When money is tight, health is uncertain, and the future feels unclear, tensions can run high. Marriages feel the strain. Children pick up on worry even when parents try to shield them from it. Siblings argue. Extended family relationships become complicated.

The most important thing you can do for your family during a hard season is to keep the lines of communication open. Children don’t need to know every adult detail, but they do need age-appropriate honesty. When kids understand that the family is going through a tough stretch but that you’re all working through it together, they feel safer than when they sense something is wrong, but no one will talk about it.

Make time for small moments of connection even when life feels chaotic. A shared meal, a walk around the neighborhood, a movie night at home, or a simple game together can do more for a family’s emotional health than most people realize. These moments remind everyone that you’re a team.

If the strain on your marriage or family relationships has become more than you can handle on your own, please don’t hesitate to seek help. Many churches offer free counseling. Community mental health centers provide affordable therapy. Organizations like 211.org can connect you with local resources you may not even know exist.

Friend and Neighbor Issues That Catch You Off Guard

Not every relationship struggle happens inside the four walls of your home. Sometimes the people who disappoint us most during a hard season are the friends and neighbors we counted on most. A friendship that seemed solid for years can quietly fade when life gets messy. A neighbor dispute can add daily tension to an already exhausted household. And the loneliness that comes from feeling misunderstood or abandoned by people in your community can be just as painful as any financial or health challenge.

It helps to remember that some friendships are seasonal. That doesn’t mean they weren’t real or valuable. It simply means that people have different capacities for showing up during difficult times, and not everyone will rise to the occasion. Releasing the expectation that every friend will know what to do or say in a crisis can free you from a lot of added hurt.

That said, it’s worth being direct with the people you genuinely care about. Sometimes friends pull away not because they don’t care but because they don’t know what to do. A simple, honest conversation, something like letting someone know you’re going through a hard time and just need company or a listening ear, can open a door that awkward silence had quietly closed.

Neighbor Conflicts

Neighbor conflicts deserve their own category because they’re uniquely difficult to avoid. Unlike a friendship you can step back from, a neighbor is simply there every day. If a conflict has developed, try to address it calmly and directly before it escalates. A brief, respectful conversation done without blame and with a genuine willingness to listen goes further than most people expect. If the issue involves noise, property lines, or safety and a direct conversation hasn’t worked, your local community mediation center is a free and surprisingly effective resource that many people never think to use.

It’s also worth investing in building community during calm seasons so that when hard ones arrive, you already have a network around you. Introduce yourself to neighbors you don’t yet know. Bring a meal to someone who is struggling. Participate in a neighborhood group or local organization. Community isn’t something that appears automatically when you need it. It’s something you build quietly over time, and it pays dividends you can’t fully anticipate.

Practical Steps When Life Falls Apart

There are a few things that consistently help families navigate hard seasons. First, simplify wherever you can. Let go of obligations and commitments that are draining your energy without giving much back. Second, lean into community. Neighbors, church families, and local organizations exist precisely for times like this. Accepting help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s wisdom.

Third, make your home a refuge. When the outside world is uncertain, a calm and organized home environment can provide tremendous comfort. Fourth, focus on what you can control. You can’t always fix the big problems immediately, but you can make a good meal tonight, take a walk, read a good book, and get some sleep. Those small acts of self-care matter more than you know.

You’re Not Behind. You’re Right Where You Are.

There’s no universal timeline for how life is supposed to go. Some families hit their hard seasons early; others later. Some are walking through multiple challenges at once. Wherever you find yourself today, know that the people who come out the other side of hard seasons with their families intact and their spirits resilient are usually not the ones who had everything go right. They are the ones who kept showing up, kept adapting, and refused to let the hard things have the final word.

And here is the truth that gets lost in the middle of a hard season. The struggles you’re facing right now, the health battles, the tight budgets, the family tensions, the friendships that disappointed you, and the neighbors who added stress instead of support, none of those things are the final chapter of your story. They are simply the part you’re in right now.

Never Talk About Religion or Politics

One thing that can make a hard season even harder is when politics or religion become points of division instead of sources of comfort. This blog is a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of what you believe politically or spiritually. We aren’t here to debate those topics or tell you what to think. We’re here to talk about real life, real struggles, and real solutions that work for families across the board.

Whether you’re deeply religious, quietly spiritual, or somewhere else entirely, and whether you lean left, right, or nowhere near either, the challenges of tight budgets, health concerns, family stress, and difficult relationships don’t discriminate. Neither do we. This is simply a space for people who want to take care of their families and their homes the best they can, and that’s something we can all agree on.

How To Cut Your Budget When You Think You Can’t

Mental Health Issues After A Disaster

Final Word

Every family that has ever come through something hard will tell you the same thing. It didn’t feel survivable in the middle of it. But they kept going. They made the next meal, had the next hard conversation, made the next small decision, and slowly the season changed. Your story is still being written. The final word belongs to you. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: House With White Picket Fence Depositphotos_69145901_S, Townhouse Complex Depositphotos_546831124_S

The post When Your Life Does Not Go As Planned appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

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Best Propane Stoves for Preppers – Reliable Cooking When It Matters Most

When the grid goes down and the grocery stores are empty, your ability to cook a hot meal becomes one of the most important survival skills you have. A reliable propane stove sits at the heart of any serious emergency kitchen setup. Whether you are sheltering in place after a hurricane, bugging out to a remote location, or simply preparing for the unexpected, knowing which propane stove to buy and how to use it safely can make a real difference for your family.

This guide covers everything you need to know: the types of propane stoves available, what features actually matter for preppers, safety considerations, fuel storage, and top picks across different use cases.

Why Propane Is a Prepper’s Best Friend

Among all the fuel options available to preppers, propane earns its place at the top of the list for several reasons. Propane has a virtually unlimited shelf life when stored in a sealed container. Unlike gasoline, which degrades within months, or wood, which requires space and dry storage, propane stays ready for years or even decades without treatment.

Propane also burns cleanly, which matters when you are cooking indoors in a ventilated space or near children and elderly family members with respiratory concerns. It ignites reliably in cold weather, unlike some liquid fuels that struggle below freezing. And the infrastructure for propane refills is extensive across most of the United States, making resupply realistic even in regional disruptions.

For grid-down cooking specifically, propane stoves deliver controlled heat, full-size burners, and the familiar cooking experience your family is used to. There is no learning curve, no intimidating equipment, and no need to babysit an open fire. You simply turn the knob and cook.

The U.S. Department of Energy provides fuel comparison data showing propane’s energy density and stability advantages for extended off-grid use.

Types of Propane Stoves for Emergency Preparedness

Not all propane stoves are built for the same situation. Understanding the categories helps you match the right equipment to your specific preparedness needs.

Single-Burner Backpacking Stoves

Compact and ultralight, these screw onto small 1-pound canisters and fold up to fit in a shirt pocket. They are ideal for bug-out bags and solo preppers who may need to move quickly. Output is limited, usually 8,000 to 12,000 BTUs, and the small canisters do not last long under heavy cooking use. Still, for boiling water, heating soups, and basic meal prep, a good single-burner backpacking stove is nearly indispensable.

Two-Burner Camp Stoves

The workhorse of emergency preparedness cooking. These fold-out stoves connect to 1-pound canisters via a hose or accept larger bulk tanks through an adapter. Most produce between 10,000 and 30,000 BTUs per burner, enough to cook full meals for a family. The two-burner format lets you run a pot and a skillet simultaneously, which becomes important when you are feeding multiple people under stressful conditions. This category offers the best balance of portability, performance, and value for most preppers.

Freestanding Propane Ranges

These full-size or apartment-style propane ranges look and function like conventional kitchen stoves. They require a 20-pound or larger propane tank connection and are best suited for homesteads or sheltering-in-place scenarios where you expect to be stationary for an extended period. Many off-grid homesteaders use these as their primary stoves, running them from a 100-pound bulk tank that can last months for a family of four.

High-Output Single Burners and Wok Burners

These heavy-duty cast-iron burners produce 50,000 BTUs or more and are designed for canning, brewing, deep frying, and cooking for large groups. They sit low to the ground, connect via hose to a standard bulk tank, and are not portable in any meaningful sense. For homesteaders who regularly preserve food or prep for larger gatherings, these are a valuable addition to an emergency cooking setup.

Key Features to Evaluate Before You Buy

Walk through any outdoor retailer’s propane stove section and you will find dozens of options at wildly different price points. Here is what actually matters for emergency preparedness use:

BTU Output

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and measures the heat output of a burner. Higher BTUs mean faster boiling times and more cooking power. For emergency cooking, you want at least 10,000 BTUs per burner for practical family meals. High-output models at 20,000 to 30,000 BTUs per burner give you the flexibility to use heavier cookware and cook larger volumes of food faster, which conserves fuel over time.

Burner Count and Configuration

A single burner handles emergencies adequately for individuals or couples, but families benefit greatly from two or more burners. The configuration matters too. Widely spaced burners accommodate large pots and Dutch ovens without interference. Grate quality determines stability for heavy cast iron cookware, which many preppers use for its versatility and durability.

Wind Resistance

Wind is the enemy of propane stoves and can reduce effective output by 50 percent or more. Models with windscreen panels built into the design or separate windscreen accessories dramatically improve real-world performance. If you plan to cook outdoors in any kind of weather, this feature is not optional.

Ignition System

Piezoelectric igniters are convenient but fail in wet conditions and over time. Always verify that your stove can be lit with a match or lighter. Stoves that require electronic ignition and have no manual backup are a liability in emergencies. Every prepper’s cooking kit should include waterproof matches and a ferro rod regardless of the ignition system on their stove.

Fuel Compatibility and Connections

Most camp stoves connect to standard 1-pound green Coleman-style canisters. A quality hose adapter allows you to run these same stoves from 20-pound bulk tanks, dramatically extending your cooking capacity and reducing per-BTU fuel cost. Verify that any hose adapter you buy is rated for your stove’s BTU output and includes a pressure regulator.

The National Fire Protection Association publishes guidance on LP-gas equipment standards that inform safe connector and hose selection.

Propane Safety for Preppers

Propane is an extremely safe fuel when handled correctly, but it carries real risks when misused. Take these safety principles seriously before you need your stove under pressure.

Never Use Propane Stoves Indoors Without Proper Ventilation

This is the rule that saves lives. Propane combustion consumes oxygen and produces carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that is lethal in enclosed spaces. Camp stoves and portable burners are rated for outdoor use. If you must cook indoors during an emergency, open windows and doors on opposite sides of the room to create cross-ventilation, and never cook in a sealed basement or interior room. A battery-operated carbon monoxide detector should be part of every prepper’s home kit.

Inspect Connections Before Every Use

Before lighting your stove, perform a quick sniff test at all connection points. If you smell the distinctive skunk-like odorant added to propane, stop and check every connection. Apply a small amount of soapy water to hose connections and the tank valve. Bubbles indicate a leak. Never use a flame to detect a gas leak.

Store Propane Tanks Upright and Outside

Propane tanks should always be stored vertically in a well-ventilated outdoor location away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Never store propane tanks inside a vehicle, enclosed garage, or basement. Even a slow leak in an enclosed space can create an explosive atmosphere.

Know Your Tank Capacity

A 1-pound canister contains approximately 21,600 BTUs of usable energy. A 20-pound tank contains roughly 432,000 BTUs. If your two-burner stove runs at 20,000 BTUs combined and you cook for one hour per day, a single 20-pound tank lasts approximately 21 days. Calculating your fuel needs against your emergency scenario length is fundamental prepper math.

Fuel Storage and Rotation for Long-Term Preparedness

Propane’s indefinite shelf life makes it the ideal fuel to stockpile, but there are practical considerations around storage quantity and safety compliance.

Residential storage of propane is limited by local codes in many jurisdictions. In general, 20-pound tanks (the standard backyard grill size) are widely accepted for residential storage without permits. Quantities above 100 pounds may require notification of your local fire department or compliance with zoning regulations. Check your local codes before building a large propane reserve.

From a practical preparedness standpoint, maintaining a minimum of two full 20-pound tanks alongside several 1-pound canisters gives most families a strong baseline. The 20-pound tanks cover extended stationary cooking needs. The 1-pound canisters support bug-out bags and portable emergency kits. Rotate your stock by using and refilling tanks before they age beyond manufacturer inspection dates, which are typically stamped on the collar of the tank.

Store your tanks in a shaded, ventilated outdoor area away from propane appliances, electrical panels, and any open flames. A locked metal storage box designed for propane tanks provides both security and protection from accidental damage.

The Propane Education and Research Council provides updated safe storage guidelines that are worth bookmarking for reference.

Recommended Propane Stove Picks by Use Case

Rather than naming specific models that may change in availability and pricing, the following framework guides your selection based on your primary use case:

For Bug-Out Bags

Prioritize weight under 14 ounces, compact folded dimensions, and wind resistance. Look for stoves with integrated wind protection and a stable base that fits your standard cookpot. Simmer control matters less than reliability and ignition consistency. A hard-sided carry case is worth the extra few ounces for protecting the stove in a packed bag.

For Shelter-in-Place Family Cooking

A two-burner stove with 20,000 or more BTUs per burner, a steel construction body, and compatibility with bulk tank hose adapters is your best option. Models with removable grates and a full-length windscreen panel handle real-world outdoor cooking conditions reliably. Budget around 80 to 150 dollars for a quality unit that will last many years with proper care.

For Homestead and Group Cooking

A high-output single-burner wok or canning burner rated at 50,000 BTUs or more, combined with a standard two-burner camp stove for everyday cooking, gives you the flexibility to handle large batch cooking and food preservation alongside daily meal prep. This combination handles canning tomatoes, rendering lard, brewing, and cooking for a large extended family or mutual aid group.

Building Your Complete Emergency Cooking Kit

A propane stove is only one component of a complete emergency cooking system. Pair your stove with the following to be genuinely prepared:

Pair your stove with a quality cast iron skillet and Dutch oven for fuel-efficient one-pot meals. Stock waterproof matches, a butane lighter, and a ferro rod as backup ignition sources. Keep a carbon monoxide detector with fresh batteries in your home at all times. Maintain a minimum 30-day supply of propane based on your household’s cooking BTU needs. Practice cooking full meals on your propane stove before an emergency, so your family knows how to operate it calmly under stress.

The households that come through grid-down events best are those that have practiced their systems in advance. A propane stove sitting unused in a garage is far less valuable than one your family has cooked on dozens of times.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s emergency preparedness guidelines include specific recommendations for emergency food preparation and safe cooking fuel handling that complement any propane setup.

What If Your Propane Runs Out?

Most preppers focus on fuel storage. Smart preppers also have a backup plan when every fuel source eventually runs dry.

Imagine a long-term grid-down event where propane deliveries stop, hardware stores are emptied, and replacement fuel simply isn’t available.

Would your family still be able to cook meals, heat water, preserve food, and maintain basic comforts?

That’s exactly why thousands of Americans are turning to No Grid Survival Projects.

Inside, you’ll discover dozens of practical DIY projects designed to help you stay self-sufficient when modern systems fail, including off-grid cooking solutions, emergency heating methods, water collection systems, backup power ideas, and other survival projects you can build yourself using affordable materials.

Whether you’re preparing for natural disasters, extended blackouts, economic instability, or simply want greater independence, these projects can help reduce your reliance on fragile infrastructure.

Check out No Grid Survival Projects today and learn how to build real-world backup systems before you actually need them.

Final Thoughts

A reliable propane stove is one of the highest-value investments any prepper can make. The technology is mature, the fuel is widely available, and the cooking experience requires no adaptation from what your family already knows. When you combine a quality two-burner stove with adequate fuel storage, proper safety practices, and a few cooking sessions before an emergency hits, you are building genuine resilience rather than just checking a box.

Start with a solid two-burner unit for the household, add a compact single-burner stove for each bug-out bag, accumulate a 30-day propane reserve, and practice. That combination puts you well ahead of the vast majority of households when a crisis arrives.

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The post Best Propane Stoves for Preppers – Reliable Cooking When It Matters Most appeared first on Ask a Prepper.

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Wednesday, June 10, 2026

How to Make an Herbal Band-Aid

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

^{Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before using any of the herbs and/or remedies mentioned in this article.}

While some may scoff at the idea of healing an injury, settling a stomach, or treating an illness with plants and herbs, others are greatly benefiting from doing just that. For thousands of years, people from a wide variety of cultures and countries have turned to gardens and forest floors to treat injuries and sicknesses the way we now turn to the medicine cabinet.

Manufactured medicine is a critical part of taking care of a variety of ailments, but it is comforting to know that there are other options as close as our backyards.

Though herbs and plants can be a great option for improving your health, be sure to consider how a plant may interact with any other medication you might be using. Many herbs and natural remedies have not been adequately tested to ensure safety for those most vulnerable.

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Herbal remedies are a wonderful first line of care for minor injuries, but it's important to know their limits. An herbal band-aid is good for:

Small cuts and scrapes
Minor burns and sunburn
Skin irritation, rashes, and mild inflammation
Insect stings and bites

However, you should seek professional medical care for:

Deep wounds that won't stop bleeding after 10–15 minutes of firm pressure
Puncture wounds, especially from rusty objects
Animal bites
Signs of infection like increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or red streaking around a wound
Burns larger than 3 inches or burns on the face, hands, feet, or joints
Any injury in a young child, elderly person, or someone with a compromised immune system

When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Herbal remedies work beautifully as a complement to modern medicine but aren't always as a replacement for it.

One other thing: Always test your reaction to a plant before using it widely. Now here's what you'll need to make an herbal Band-Aid.

Aloe Vera

For centuries, aloe vera has been used for medicinal and healing properties dating back at least 6,000 years. Aloe vera gel is something many people use to soothe sunburned skin or minor scrapes.

Typically, the green gel is what most people think of when they hear the name aloe. In fact, aloe vera is one of the most used botanical medicines in Western society today.

Owning the aloe vera plant offers you more medicinal benefits than just the gel, and it is easy to care for. As a part of the succulent family, you will want to keep your plant inside unless you live in a regularly warm climate.

Aloe vera is a hardy plant that will do well if it has sunlight and you don't over-water. If you have a young plant or have not purchased one yet, some grocery stores carry aloe leaves in their produce department for a few dollars.

To use your aloe plant medicinally, take one of the aloe leaves and slice it down the middle. The inside is gelatinous, and this is the material that is in the gel previously discussed. It is easy to remove from the skin of the leaf, and there is a yellow liquid below the gel that you will not use topically. This liquid will usually seep out after you have removed the gel.

The aloe gel can be used on minor skin abrasions, inflammation, minor burns, or even dry skin. Aloe has been proven to help cells rebuild for minor healings of wounds, and it acts as a natural moisturizer.

You can rub the gel directly on the affected area, or you can also place the removed gel piece directly on your skin and gently wrap it with gauze for a couple of hours. Replace the application a couple of times per day for direct healing of a minor injury or burn.

Herbal Poultices for Wound Care

Many plants and herbs can be made into a poultice. A poultice is a wet ground paste concoction of herbs that is directly applied to the skin and wrapped in gauze or bandage.

When warmed, the poultice can feel good simply in the application and add to the healing process by promoting blood flow to the injured site. In other instances, a cold poultice can likewise soothe inflammation and offer cooling relief.

A poultice is perfect to apply and wrap well before bed to allow the herbs to be in place for several hours; though like most herbal remedies, fresh application a couple of times per day yields the most benefits.

Great herb options for a poultice:

Plantain leaves – One of the best all-around wound herbs. Draws out splinters, stingers, and toxins, and helps reduce swelling and stop minor bleeding.
Calendula flowers – Excellent for slow-healing wounds, rashes, and inflammation. Known for its gentle antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Dandelion leaves and root – Good for skin irritations and eczema-like conditions. The root has mild antibacterial properties, while the leaves can soothe inflamed skin.
Burdock root – Traditionally used for boils, abscesses, and skin infections. Helps draw out impurities and reduce swelling in deeper tissue.
Chickweed leaves and stem – Best for itching, rashes, and minor burns. Very cooling and soothing on irritated or inflamed skin.
Yarrow flowers – One of the oldest wound herbs known. Helps stop bleeding, fight infection, and speed up the healing of cuts and scrapes.
Mullein leaves – Softer and more fibrous than most herbs, mullein leaves can act as a natural bandage material on their own while also reducing inflammation.

Depending on what type of injury you are treating, research the specific herb you are interested in using before you create your poultice to ensure you have aligned your ailment with the appropriate plant.

Specific issues like skin healing, gout, mastitis, boils, and abscesses can all be successfully treated with herbs through treatments like poultices with a variety of plants.

What you will need:

Herbs of your choice.
Gauze or bandage to wrap the area.
It is helpful to have a food processor, blender, or mortar and pestle.

Instructions

Simply crush the herbs in the blender or with a mortar and pestle until the plant breaks down and is releasing its natural liquids.

If you need to add a little water to the blender to have it adequately break down (or if you're using dry herbs), that's okay, but make sure to maintain a pasty consistency.

Apply the crushed herbs to the affected skin and wrap with gauze or cloth. For best results, replace the poultice a couple of times a day and leave on for extended periods of time.

Storing Your Poultice Materials

If you've made more poultice than you need for one application, you don't have to throw it out. Fresh poultice can be stored in a small covered container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Beyond that, the plant material begins to break down and lose potency.

For longer-term storage, consider drying your herbs and keeping them on hand in labeled glass jars. Dried herbs can be rehydrated with a small amount of warm water when you're ready to use them. Most dried herbs stay potent for one to two years when stored in a cool, dark place away from moisture.

If you grow your own medicinal plants, late summer and early fall are typically the best times to harvest and dry a supply to carry you through the colder months when fresh material isn't available.

Final Thoughts

In an urgent situation, picking a couple of leaves from a plant like the plantain and crushing it in your hands is enough to begin the breakdown process, and layering them over a wound is all you’ll need to reap some of the healing benefits from these plants.

Many of our modern luxuries can potentially lure us into a place of comfortable complacency, but the first line of defense is always being equipped with knowledge. Understanding the natural world around us and the intrinsic value of plants and herbs lessens the chances of a small incident, like a cut or a burn, turning into something more substantial. You can always be prepared, even when you’re not.

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