So we’ve talked about all of the benefits—and drawbacks and limitations—of using herbal remedies, and we’ve delved into many different herbal preparations you can make: infusions, decoctions, oils, salves, tinctures, liniments, steam inhalants… Now it’s time to talk about plants. But first, I wanted to share a story that perhaps helps illustrate why I’ve been so hesitant to delve into some of my favorite go-to herbs.

The other day, an herbalist I know took to social media to talk about the beneficial health effects of usnea, a fuzzy light-green lichen that grows on trees. She mentioned that it could be used for fungal or staph infections, including MRSA. Although I’ve used usnea myself for other things, my response was that anybody with staph infection should get thee to a hospital. Knowing the risks, that’s what I would do—I’d opt for intravenous antibiotics over usnea, every time. But then a nurse friend of mine (who’s also an herbalist) pointed out that while the death rate of invasive MRSA sepsis is 20 percent, localized infections are almost never fatal. And though she’d never recommend using usnea (or other antimicrobials she prefers) to treat MRSA complications and cellulitis/sepsis, topical treatment for minor skin infections might make sense in some cases.

It’s this type of thing that makes writing a list of go-to herbs that I use for common ailments a lot more complicated than it seems. In addition to the fact that people have different appetites for risk, some people are looking for herbs that have been tested in the lab, while others are content to try out different plants just because they’ve been used historically in their bioregion, or because a friend or blogger tried it and said it was a good idea. Add to that the fact that two people could react completely differently to the same herb for a huge variety of reasons, and making any recommendation at all seems a little dicey.

One option is to recommend only the safest herbs—ones that don’t have known contraindications with pharmaceutical medications, that are safe for pregnant women and children, and so forth. That way they will at least not do any harm. But the problem with that approach is that these gentle medicinal plants are often incredibly subtle. Though there are exceptions, many herbs are already fairly mild compared to over-the-counter drugs (or prescription medication). In some cases, it takes longer to notice any effects at all.

Herbs are also different from pharmaceutical remedies because it’s not exactly possible to just list plants—which are complex—along with the condition they treat. There are dozens of nervines that help people relax, for example, but not all of them will work for all people. And some plants may help in one area and exacerbate another, like that nervine that gets you super relaxed but makes you feel too warm, or too cold. And many plants are often sold in a way that isn’t optimal—vitamins for plants that lose their vitality when dried, or preparations that don’t contain the medicinal components in the plants they’re made of. (Example, echinachea tincture is far more effective than the tea. Another example: hypericum or St. John's Wort oil can be prepared from the fresh plant, and your oil or salve will be red because of the hypericin, or it can be made from the dried plant, and probably won’t do much of anything.) So yeah. It’s a little complicated.

And yet it would be a bit ridiculous to write a three-part series on herbs without at least giving you a list of herbs to research and try yourself. So the second option is to just tell you what I use and let you take it from there. We’re all adults, right? Some of you have probably taken some sketchy supplements someone handed you without knowing what it was, and others of you meticulously research everything you put in your body, plus there’s a huge range in between. So here are a few of my favorites. Once again, this is just a starting point—please research the plants yourself to make an informed decision on whether they make sense for you based on your health issues, any medications, body type, etc. as well as whether you’re satisfied with the research.

First Aid Plants

I’ve had a lot of practice with the topical first aid plants due to more than my fair share of jiu-jitsu injuries, and just normal wear and tear. Externally, my absolute favorite preparation is a datura liniment, but I write “for external use only” in big letters using a Sharpie because it is highly toxic. Using rubbing alcohol instead of Everclear is an option, since you’re not drinking it. Since datura only grows in certain areas, another option is making a liniment out of tobacco leaves, which is also highly effective.

Comfrey tea can be used (in moderation!) for fractures, and making a poultice won’t hurt, either.

For pain in general, I’ve used camphorweed (both as a liniment and in a bath) for acute and painful injuries, and arnica oil for chronic injuries. For nerve pain, St. John’s Wort oil can work wonders when used topically, and cow parsnip is another option.

For bleeding, I like to make a powder out of yarrow (achillea millefolum) leaves. They can also be used fresh as a field poultice. I’ve read about the tincture being used for internal bleeding, but have never used it that way. Be careful when harvesting the plant because it has some poisonous look-alikes. (The fuzzy leaves are a pretty good giveaway). Cayenne pepper is another option, though it can sting a bit and doesn’t seem to work as well for very deep cuts.

For sunburns, fresh aloe is a godsend. Just split the leaf and use it directly on the burn. Lavender can also be used for burns.

Fungal infections sometimes respond well to chaparral/creosote oil or salve (larrea tridentata), which grows all over the desert. Garlic and tea tree oil are other options (also used externally).

I like keeping an all-purpose salve around. Calendula is an incredible plant used for wounds and skin trauma, so it’s a great option.

A good drawing salve for splinters and such is pine pitch salve; just use 1 part beeswax, 3 parts olive oil, and 2 parts pine sap (raw, with the bugs and dirt and pieces of bark and everything), but you’ll want to make it in a pot you don’t need to use for anything else because it’s more than a little gooey.

Pain often accompanies physical injuries, and white willow bark (taken internally) contains salicylic acid, the same stuff in aspirin. I’ve used it as a tea for people who want aspirin but are sensitive to its side effects (or just when I’ve run out). You can also use cottonwood bark in the same way, but it doesn’t have the same mild flavor.

Feeling sick, but not sick enough to go to the doctor?

For sore throats, any mucilaginous plant (like marshmallow, or slippery elm) can be used as a cold infusion.

Echinacea tincture is a go-to herb for when colds and flus are just starting to come on.

Eucalyptus essential oil on a compress (with a carrier oil), or just boiling the leaves and inhaling the steam, is excellent for any type of chest infection.

Nausea or travel sickness can often be alleviated by mint.

I typically run cold, so have experimented with ginger and garlic and prickly ash as warming circulatory stimulants.

Mullein and garlic oil are used pretty regularly for ear issues.

Clove essential oil (just a drop!) has been used for tooth pain. (You know, on the way to the dentist.)

Not Just For First Aid

Plants aren’t just for first aid. You can use ginkgo, rosemary, or sage to stimulate your memory. Any kind of bitter can help stimulate your appetite and improve digestion. And then there are the nervines, which can help ease your stress, improve your mood, and even help you sleep at night. Hops is sedating and anxiety-reducing, but probably best to use at night because it can cause drowsiness. Lemon balm (Melissa officianalis) has been known to calm frayed nerves and lift your spirits. Lavender has been shown to alleviate symptoms of general anxiety disorder, and can be taken during the day. While the evidence for passionflower is mixed, it’s traditionally been used for insomnia, and to alleviate anxiety. Chamomile is a mildly calming tea. And there are so many others: milky oats, skullcap, verbena, pedicularis, California poppy, you name it. Each has slightly different characteristics.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out one or more of the following books:

• Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
• The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody
• Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West by Michael Moore
• Botany in a Day by Thomas Elpel
• Peterson’s Field Guides: Edible Wild Plants
• Peterson’s Field Guides: Medicinal Plants & Herbs (there are Eastern and Western editions)

I could go on and on, but these are a good starting point! There are also a ton of classes, Facebook groups, and listservs (with varying degrees of quality, of course) depending on how deep down the rabbit hole you want to go. If you’d like to buy herbs instead of harvesting them, Mountain Rose Herbs is a good starting point. To buy pre-made formulas, I’d recommend Desert Tortoise Botanicals. And if you are looking for something specific, I am happy to point you in the right direction. Good luck, and happy exploring!