The signs are unmistakable: we are not just on the brink of disaster—we're racing towards it. The answer to whether the end is near? Without a doubt, YES.
For those of us who have committed to prepping, our entire existence has revolved around preparing for this very moment. Stockpiling food, honing survival skills, forming small, self-sufficient communities, and staying laser-focused on the ever-growing threats—both local and global. But no amount of preparation can mask the cold reality: we are entering an unprecedented era of chaos.
What we’re witnessing is not some gradual decline or temporary crisis. No, this is the unraveling of civilization itself. It’s as if the world’s most powerful elites have thrown in the towel, content to let everything burn. The apocalypse isn’t a future scenario—it’s already knocking on our doors. And what’s most terrifying? Many of the so-called "leaders" are standing idly by, watching it unfold like a spectator sport.
The shock isn’t just that hard times are coming; it’s that so many people are willing to accept it without a fight. The media headlines scream of impending doom, yet instead of resisting, millions are simply surrendering. They’ve resigned themselves to a future where their freedoms and way of life are eradicated.
We are witnessing the end of distraction. The bread and circuses are no longer enough to keep the masses sedated. Since 2020, an awakening has been brewing. People are beginning to see the cracks in the system—the deception, the manipulation, and the orchestrated chaos. The mask is slipping, and as more people realize what’s really going on, an eruption is inevitable. This is a revolutionary time, and revolutions never end peacefully.
We’ve Lost Our Way
For centuries, humanity struggled to build a world free from starvation, slavery, and untimely death. Yet, in our quest for comfort, we’ve become disconnected from the very things that made us human. Our ancestors didn’t just survive—they thrived by mastering the skills that gave them purpose. But today, we are nothing but hollow shells, chasing after fleeting pleasures while the world crumbles beneath us.
The era of cheap convenience is ending. We are entering a time of scarcity, where only the strong and resourceful will endure. But it’s not just physical goods that are disappearing—it’s the human spirit. We’ve become more depressed, more detached, more purposeless than ever. This isn’t just an economic crisis—it’s a crisis of meaning.
A Looming Collapse
We face a convergence of crises that threaten our very existence: economic ruin, food shortages, political instability, and war. Yet, there is something far darker on the horizon—a mental and spiritual breakdown. Our empty, consumer-driven lives have left us unprepared for the reality of what’s to come. People are waking up to the fact that the comforts they once took for granted will soon be gone.
But let’s not sugarcoat this—what lies ahead is far worse than the loss of material comforts. The very real threat of nuclear war looms larger than ever before. The Doomsday Clock has never been this close to midnight, and the geopolitical tensions continue to escalate. Vladimir Putin’s Russia is teetering on the edge, and the world is watching with bated breath.
The recent incursion of Ukrainian forces into Russian territory has raised the stakes to an unthinkable level. With thousands of nuclear weapons at their disposal, the Russians won’t let their enemies march to Moscow without retaliation. The red line has been drawn. The question is, what happens when the first tactical nuke is unleashed on the battlefield? Will the U.S. retaliate? Will the world plunge into an all-out nuclear conflict? The terrifying reality is that we may be closer to this outcome than anyone dares to admit.
And what about Israel? Surrounded by enemies on all sides—Hamas, Hezbollah, and countless others waiting to strike—Israel stands on the brink of a doomsday scenario. If faced with overwhelming odds, there’s no doubt Israel will do the unthinkable: unleash nuclear devastation to ensure its survival. A chain reaction of nuclear strikes across the globe is not just a possibility—it’s a growing likelihood.
The Path to Survival
In the face of such overwhelming threats, one thing is clear: only those who can adapt will survive. The old ways won’t be enough, and neither will our modern conveniences. To thrive in the chaos ahead, you must master both. Growing your own food, securing your own water, learning critical survival skills—these are no longer options; they are necessities.
Self-sufficiency is the key to survival. Owning your food production, taking control of your health, and relying on yourself for protection and security are the only ways to navigate the storm that’s coming. This isn’t just about riding out temporary hardships—it’s about surviving the collapse of modern society itself.
We are entering an age where endings will come in waves. Some of these endings could signal the end of humanity as we know it, whether through global disasters, war, or the terrifying rise of artificial intelligence. The world is changing faster than ever, and those who fail to adapt will be left behind.
The single most important action you can take is to start building a life of self-reliance now. Produce more, consume less. In doing so, you will not only prepare yourself for the coming storm, but you will also become invaluable in a world that desperately needs people who can thrive amid the chaos.
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The most chilling reality we face today isn’t just the uncertainty of who will claim victory in the upcoming 2024 American election. No. The terrifying truth is that no matter the outcome, chaos will consume the nation. Whether the left or the right seizes control, the other side is poised to reject it with fury. It’s not a matter of if the unrest will come but when it erupts—and this time, the flames will burn hotter than ever before.
We're not talking about small protests or peaceful demonstrations anymore. We’re on the brink of something much bigger, something that threatens to tear the very fabric of America apart. And if you think the riots of 2020 were bad, what’s coming next is guaranteed to make them look like a warm-up act for the main event.
Orchestrated Civil Uprising
The 2020 BLM riots and the chaos that engulfed cities across America didn’t happen by accident. Those protests were fueled by well-organized, well-funded entities lurking in the shadows, pulling the strings. And believe me, 2024 will be no different. As the election draws near, professional agitators will converge on cities, their numbers swelling with radicals, extremists, and anarchists—funded by hidden benefactors who thrive on the country’s division.
The streets will become a battleground, and you can bet the powers that be have already set the wheels in motion. But here’s the kicker—these protests won’t just be met by police anymore. Groups like The Patriot Front or new militia organizations, born out of the nation's political turmoil, could rise up, taking the law into their own hands. And when that happens, it won’t just be protests we’re dealing with—it’ll be open warfare on the streets of America.
Surviving the Coming Storm
Survival in this new reality won’t just be about having enough canned goods and water. No. What you’ll need is a fortress—a stronghold of self-sufficiency that can weather the storm. The time for casual prepping is over. You need a home that can stand against the collapse, a place where you can lock down and ride out the chaos, or bolt if the entire country goes up in flames.
The upcoming election isn't just a political event—it's the spark that could ignite the fire of civil unrest, unlike anything we've seen before. So, while others debate over candidates and policies, you should be focused on securing your independence, fortifying your property, and preparing for a future where survival is everything.
The Revolving Door of Lawlessness
Criminal justice in America is broken, and we’ve all seen the consequences of failed reforms. The upcoming protests? They’ll be violent, just like before. And thanks to zero-bail policies and “catch-and-release” tactics, the same violent agitators will return to the streets again and again. Arrested today, rioting again tomorrow—it’s a vicious cycle, and it’s designed to wear down law-abiding citizens while emboldening the criminals.
During the 2024 election season, expect this chaos to multiply. Protesters and rioters won’t face any real consequences, thanks to the political elites funding their bail and releasing them back into the fray. It’s all part of a grander design to keep America in a perpetual state of unrest, where the rule of law crumbles, and only the strongest survive.
Global Wars, Economic Collapse, and AI's Looming Shadow
And as if the homegrown chaos wasn’t enough, we’ve got bigger threats looming on the horizon. Wars and economic ruin are inching closer with every passing day. NATO’s moves to absorb Ukraine into its fold could escalate the proxy war into a full-scale conflict between the West and Russia—a nightmare scenario that could plunge us into nuclear Armageddon.
On the economic front, the BRICS alliance is shaking up global markets, while America’s debt skyrockets. Inflation is already gutting the middle class, but what’s worse is the devaluation of the dollar—something no one seems to want to talk about. Combine this with the unchecked rise of artificial intelligence, which is already infiltrating every aspect of our lives with no regulation, and we’re staring down the barrel of a dystopian future.
We’re witnessing the slow, inevitable collapse of the system, and our so-called leaders are too busy playing political games to stop it. What’s coming isn’t just an election—it’s the beginning of the end of life as we know it.
What Americans Fear the Most: The Truth
The most terrifying truth of all is that most Americans know something is wrong, but they’re too afraid to face it. We’re watching our nation spiral into chaos, yet most people bury their heads in the sand, pretending everything will be okay. But it won’t. The time for complacency is over.
We need everyday citizens—people like you—to get involved, to take part in the process. Not just as voters but as defenders of our democracy. Election workers, poll watchers, community organizers—we need patriots in every corner, standing guard over our nation as it teeters on the brink.
Conclusion: There Will Be No Winners in 2024
The cold, hard truth is there will be no real winner in the 2024 election. No matter which side claims victory, the aftermath will be a fractured nation on the verge of collapse. The question isn’t who will win, but how long can America survive the coming storm?
We’re staring down the barrel of civil war, economic collapse, and global conflict, and the only ones who will survive are those who are prepared. The time for action is now. Fortify your home, prepare for the worst, and most importantly—take control of your future before it’s too late.
The terrifying truth is that this election could be America’s last. What will you do when the dust settles and the world as you know it is gone?
For over 31 years, I've been submerged in the trenches of a war most Americans don’t even know is being waged. A war not fought with guns or tanks, but with lies, deceit, and mind control. I’ve seen so many "theories" dismissed as crazy, only for the cold truth to surface years later. We now live in an era where Soviet-style propaganda floods our lives daily—pumped out by politicians and their lackeys in the Mockingbird media. And behind it all are the secret societies, the shadow rulers of our world.
When I left behind my career and paycheck all those years ago, I didn’t know I was about to enter the battlefield for America's soul. Over time, I’ve met some of the most brilliant minds in America—constitutional attorneys and historians who’ve pulled back the curtain on the vile corruption tearing this country apart. We, the truth-tellers, have labored tirelessly, especially since the Internet became a tool of both freedom and enslavement. And it has revealed an undeniable truth: dark forces are orchestrating the downfall of these United States.
These forces—the puppets of Satan—are all too familiar to us. Barack Hussein Obama, a man who should never have been president according to the Constitution, was allowed to sit in the Oval Office because the Republican Party was filled with cowards. Comrade Obama, as I like to call him, embarked on his Marxist mission to “transform” America by dividing us—turning race into a weapon to tear us apart.
But what they didn’t count on was us. Americans who still have a spine, who woke up and started fighting back. Yet millions—what I call the Unreachables—are too blind, too corrupted, or too damned lazy to care. They’re content as long as the government keeps robbing the treasury to feed them. They’ve sold their souls for wealth, pleasure, and the right to kill unborn babies. They don’t want the truth because the truth terrifies them.
Over a century ago, a British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, warned of secret societies that control the world from the shadows. Those societies have only grown in power. Today, they wear names like the Council on Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission, Skull & Bones, and others. And yet, most Americans are too distracted by drugs, booze, and mindless entertainment to care.
We live in a nation of zombies, glued to their phones, obsessed with celebrity garbage, while the true rulers of this world scheme behind closed doors. Those who doubt the power of secret societies are living in denial—a comforting illusion. The truth is too horrific for most to comprehend. Presidents, business tycoons, Congress—they’ve all betrayed us. For more than a century, we’ve been led like cattle to the slaughterhouse. Only when the stench of death hits do most realize the nightmare they’ve willingly walked into.
And those societies? Some hide behind religion, others worship Satan. But all of them, without exception, lust for power. And we, those who still have our eyes open, are left to fight the demonic forces that seek to transform our once great nation into a hellish dystopia.
Joe Biden, a career criminal, and his Marxist sidekick Kamala Harris—constitutionally ineligible to be vice president—are mere puppets. America has been asking for years, “Who’s really in charge?” Well, it’s not Joe. Just last week, Jill Biden, his wife, sat at the head of a Cabinet meeting. A disturbing show of how far gone this charade has become.
Then, there's “The Council”—the true masters behind the scenes. These elitist scum have controlled this country for 50 years, extracting our wealth and crushing our freedom. They use government agencies as weapons, selecting who will succeed and who will fall. They've infiltrated the courts, the intelligence community, and the very fabric of our political system. And make no mistake, these people don’t care about America. They care about control. They care about power. And they’re willing to destroy everything to get it.
Donald Trump’s rise to power was an accident—a glitch in their Matrix. When he descended that escalator in 2015, the puppet masters believed they had the game rigged. They thought Hillary Clinton, the queen of corruption, was a shoo-in. But they underestimated Trump, and they underestimated the power of the people who still believe in America.
Now, the swamp Trump promised to drain is fighting back harder than ever. The filth in Washington is beyond comprehension. From traitors like Jeff Sessions, who stabbed Trump in the back, to the highest echelons of government, the rot is everywhere. And yet, even in the face of overwhelming corruption, there is hope. Trump’s victory in 2024 could mark the beginning of the end for these globalist, satanic forces.
The battle we are fighting is not just for America’s future. It’s a battle between good and evil, between God and Satan. And it’s a battle we cannot afford to lose. We must expose the names, the networks, and the methods of these traitors. Only then can we dismantle their illegitimate power and restore this nation as a constitutional republic.
The time for denial is over. The time for action is now.
As we stand on the edge of 2025, the world holds its breath. With tensions between superpowers escalating, the once far-off threat of nuclear war looms closer than ever. In five seconds, the world as you know it could be wiped out. And if you're not prepared, survival might be impossible. What follows is not just another survival guide—this is the stark reality of what might come if a nuclear war breaks out in the United States.
If Donald Trump returns to power, the already volatile international relations could take a sharp turn. Global players like Russia, China, and North Korea could respond with unprecedented aggression. The uneasy truce we’ve maintained for decades may crumble, and in that chaos, nuclear weapons could be unleashed. The question is: are you ready?
The First Strike: What to Expect in a Nuclear War
A nuclear war won’t begin with announcements. You’ll likely hear the sirens blare as the missile approaches or perhaps not even that. The blast could come from enemy missiles targeting key U.S. cities or from bombs smuggled into the heart of the nation. Either way, the devastation would be unimaginable.
Within seconds of a blast, entire cities would be flattened, vaporizing anything in their path. Those within a quarter-mile of the detonation would disappear instantly, while the shockwave would spread miles beyond, leaving behind firestorms and destruction.
2025: The Year of Chaos
In 2025, the political climate is fragile. Trump’s potential return to the presidency could lead to swift, dramatic changes in foreign policy. A retaliatory strike, a show of power, or even an escalated conflict with adversarial nations could trigger the unthinkable. Russia and China have already invested in more advanced nuclear arsenals, and North Korea continues to test ballistic missiles with the range to reach U.S. soil. It’s not a matter of if but when.
With growing civil unrest and political division at home, America would find itself fighting two wars—one on the battlefield and another within its own borders.
Surviving the First Few Minutes: What You Must Do
When that flash comes, brighter than a thousand suns, you have seconds to react. If you’re close enough to see it, turn away immediately. Close your eyes, drop to the ground, and cover your head. The heat wave, known as the thermal pulse, will arrive before the shockwave, burning everything in its path. Anything combustible will catch fire, and the air will sizzle at millions of degrees.
Then, brace for the shockwave. It’ll feel like a freight train crashing into you, but if you’re low enough, you might survive. Shield your ears and keep your mouth open to avoid the pressure blowing out your eardrums and lungs.
The Fallout: The Silent Killer
Once the immediate blast subsides, you have about 20 minutes before the fallout begins. Fallout isn’t just dust—it’s radioactive debris from the bomb mixed with particles from buildings, vehicles, and even people. It rains down, contaminating everything it touches. And if you’re caught in it, the radiation can be lethal.
By 2025, America’s response systems will be more advanced, but don’t expect immediate rescue. The country would likely be thrown into Def-Con 1, the highest state of military alert, but for those on the ground, it could be days—if not longer—before help arrives. In those critical hours, you're on your own.
Trump’s America: A New Cold War or Something Worse?
A Trump presidency would shake the geopolitical world. With strained relations already at a tipping point, a single misstep could provoke nuclear retaliation from foreign powers. Russia’s renewed aggressions in Eastern Europe and China’s territorial expansion in the South China Sea are just the beginning. North Korea’s continued nuclear ambition poses another wildcard. And in a fractured America, divided over politics and ideology, civil unrest could make survival even more uncertain.
Finding Shelter: Where to Hide
After the blast, your next priority is shelter. A typical wooden house won’t protect you from fallout—only blocking 30-60% of the radiation. Your best bet is a dense concrete or metal structure, ideally with a basement. A well-sealed basement can block 90% of the fallout. If you’re in a high-rise building, head to the middle floors to get as far as possible from radioactive dust that will settle on the ground and the roof.
Seal off any rooms where you plan to shelter using plastic, newspapers, or tape to keep radioactive particles out. If you have water, rinse off any exposed skin. Every second counts. Fallout emits alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, with gamma being the deadliest. Only dense materials like concrete can block gamma rays.
You Have 72 Hours: Then What?
After the initial fallout, you’ll need to shelter in place for at least three days. Why? Fallout loses 90% of its lethality within 72 hours. But you’ll need enough food and water to survive that long without venturing outside. Ideally, you should have an emergency radio to listen for updates on rescue operations and when it’s safe to evacuate.
Even after the fallout danger passes, you’ll still face the long-term effects of radiation exposure. Symptoms of radiation sickness include nausea, vomiting, burns, and swelling due to damaged blood vessels. Prolonged exposure could lead to cancers, and for many, survival might mean facing a future full of uncertainty.
Iodine Pills: What You Should Know
One of the biggest concerns post-blast is radioactive iodine, which can be absorbed through contaminated air, water, or food. Iodine pills (potassium iodide) can help by saturating your thyroid gland with safe iodine, preventing the absorption of the radioactive variety. This is one of the few measures you can take to mitigate radiation poisoning.
Is This Really Our Future?
The question we face now is whether this apocalyptic scenario is a likely outcome in 2025. With the political climate becoming more volatile, the threat feels closer than ever before. If Trump re-enters the White House, the world may once again sit on the knife’s edge, waiting for one wrong move to push us all over the brink.
The clock is ticking—11:59:50. Will we make it to 2026, or will the next five seconds decide our fate?
Of all of the herbal remediesthat have been touted over the years, aspirin from willow bark may be the oldest and most reliable. It’s also the easiest, although there are variations that require a bit of time.
One of the reasons aspirin from willow bark is so dependable is due to the fact that aspirin itself is made from willow bark. Why? Because willow bark contains a compound known as salicin, which is the active ingredient in everyday aspirin. Extracting the salicin into a tea, tincture, or even chewing the raw bark can relieve both pain and inflammation.
A Bit of History
Records of ancient people using willow bark for pain relief go back 3,500 years. The first written record was found in an ancient Egyptian papyrus call the “Ebers Papyrus” and used the leaves and bark of the white willow to treat wounds.
The Sumerians also left records of using the bark from willow trees as a painkiller and antipyretic (a drug used to lower or prevent fever). Not to be outdone, Socrates himself recommended chewing on willow bark to reduce fever and inflammation.
Willow bark pain treatment is a standard part of ancient Chinese medicine and countries across Europe have used it for centuries. And the Roman physician Celsius recommended willow leaves to treat inflammation, pain and swelling.
And a Bit of Science
The salicin in willow trees falls within the category of salicylates. Salicin is derived from Salix alba vulgaris, the Latin name for willow trees. It was a small group of scientists starting with Edward Stone in 1763 in England who first distilled salicin to acetylsalicylic acid and created the first form of aspirin. It worked.
Willow bark moved from obscure laboratories to the mainstream in1853 when a German chemist by the name of Charles Frederic Gerhardt synthesized acetylsalicylic acid for the first time. He worked for a German Pharmaceutical company named Bayer and they decided to call their new wonder drug aspirin.
For the record, aspirin falls in the category of NSAID’s. That stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. Other pain relievers identified as NSAID include ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Possible Treatments
Unlike other herbal supplements and cures, there have been highly credible clinical studies done on herbal pain relief derived from willow bark, although the studies were mostly focused on lower back pain, fever, and inflammation.
Here are highlights of many of the conditions that willow bark can treat based on either clinical studies or a long history of usage:
Headache
Willow bark has not only been shown to relieve headaches but there is some evidence that is causes less gastrointestinal distress that other NSAID pain relievers can lead to. Then again, people prone to stomach upset should probably avoid the use of willow bark and its extracts in addition to traditional over the counter NSAID’s.
Lower Back Pain
This seems to be the home run for willow bark as clinical studies continue to verify its effectiveness for muscle strain and aching in the lower back.
Osteoarthritis
Several studies have shown that willow bark is effective at treating pain due to osteoarthritis particularly in the neck and lower back. Another study showed significant pain relief of osteoarthritis in the knee and hip.
Other Conditions
Studies are ongoing but there have been small studies and anecdotal evidence from a long history of usage for the treatment of:
Fever
Menstrual Cramps
Flu
Tendonitis
Bursitis
About Willows
To date more than 300 species of willow have been identified. Most are trees but some are shrubs. All of them contain salicin to varying degrees but the white willow (salix alba), the black willow also known as the pussy willow (salix negra), and weeping willow (salix babylonica) tend to present the highest concentrations of salicin.
In many commercially manufactured herbal pain relievers derived from willow bark, all three of the willow trees mentioned are used to make the remedy. That’s not necessary, and one willow source works, but combining willow varieties may yield a higher percentage of salicin.
The white willow is most often used as a source for pain relief due to its size and range. In fact, white willows are found in every country on Earth except Antarctica and Australia. In a pinch, any willow will present some level of natural salicin in its bark and leaves, but higher concentrations are found in the white, black and weeping willow.
Willow Tree Identification
Willow trees are short-lived trees maturing and dying in about 30 to 40 years. They reach heights up to 50 feet on average. They tend to grow in wet, swampy areas and along the banks of rivers, ponds and lakes.
Willow leaves have a unique pointed shape with points forming on both ends of the leaf. The leaves are narrow and vary in length.
Most willow leaves have a small saw-tooth edge and the underside of the leaf is usually lighter in color.
The leaves grow in long rows on thin branches, some of which droop down like you would see on a weeping willow.
The bark of smaller branches is smooth while the bark on the trunk can develop deep furrows and a thick outer bark.
Harvesting the Bark
The best time to harvest willow bark is in the spring. That’s when the sap is running and the salicin concentrations are higher. As the season moves into July and on into summer and fall, the concentrations of salicin falls off. This can affect total dosage levels and we’ll cover more about that later.
One solution is to harvest lots of willow bark in the spring and dry the bark and store it. Over time the salicin will degrade but if packaged and stored properly it should get you through the winter. You could also make an extract and store it the same way.
The best bark to harvest is from the smaller branches.
The bark on the trunk can be very thick and harvesting the bark from the trunk can damage and even kill the tree.
The smaller branches are easy to reach and the bark usually peels easily. What’s important to know is that you’re looking to use the soft, inner bark—not the hard outer bark—when making your willow bark tea, extract, tincture, or most any other treatment using willow bark. This soft inner bark is referred to as the cambium and xylem layers and are the circulatory system for any tree. That’s where the salicin is concentrated.
The easiest approach is to cut various branches from the trees. Approach it the way you approach pruning a tree and cut off the suckers emerging from the base of the trunk; a sampling of branches from one of the limbs, or any branches approaching the ground. If you take a pruning approach to harvesting the willow bark, you can actually help the tree rather than hurting it.
Preparing the Bark
There are varying steps for preparing the bark depending on how you plan to turn it into medicine. As we mentioned, the medicinal options include teas, tinctures, extracts and powder as pills in caplets. Here are the basics:
1. Prune Some Branches
The first step is to cut and collect some branches from your willow tree. How many you prune depends on how much willow bark you plan to use but a few dozen branches should get you off to a good start.
2. Strip the Leaves
You need to strip the leaves from the branches. You can do this by holding your fingers tightly on the branch and stripping them down. You can also save the leaves to process or grind later into a pulp for a poultice or herbal bandage for topical treatments of bruises and other injuries.
3. Sort the Branches
Sort your branches into 3 piles isolating the thin, smaller branches the thicker branches measuring about ¼ inch and finally the thicker branches up to ½ inch thick. The very thin branches can be ground up or mashed for drying with no further work. The ¼ inch and ½ inch branches need to be stripped of their outer bark.
4. Strip the Bark
There are a couple of ways to do this. In early spring you may be able to peel the bark directly off the branch in long strips. As the season progresses into later spring and summer, you may need to use the edge of a knife to scrape off the bark.
Remember to make sure you harvest the thin film of inner bark for your willow bark medicine.
You can strip away this thin “cambium and xylem” layer using your knife again to rub along the inner heartwood after peeling to scrape it off.
Collect your strips of cambium. You can chew it raw if you are in a survival situation but be prepared for a bitter burst as you chew. Swallow the saliva and spit out the remaining bark the way you would spit a chaw of tobacco. You’ll probably need a drink of water to relieve the bitter taste in your mouth.
NOTE:You can also chop and crush the very small branches (1/8 inch thick or less) rather than trying to strip them.
Cut them into 1-inch piece and pulse in a food processor until chopped up, or smash with a mortar and pestle, or in a survival situation, crush them between two rocks. They can then be used as is to make a tea, extract, or dried in the next step. The small bits of heartwood and outer bark won’t affect the salicin levels extracted or steeped.
5. Dry the Bark
Processing the bark into various forms starts with drying the strips of bark. There are a few ways to do this.
A food dehydrator works and the thin bark strips will dry quickly. Put it on a medium setting and check it often until it is dry and brittle.
You could also dry your bark in the sun. Put it on a plate and place it in the sun out of the wind.
Check it from time to time and maybe turn it over once or twice until it is dry and brittle. Just remember that as it dries it will become susceptible to blowing away in the slightest breeze so drying it in the sun indoors may be a wise move.
You want the bark as dry as possible for storage and especially if you plan to pulverize it into a powder and scoop it into capsules.
The Dosage Dilemma
A common challenge with any foraged herbal remedy is determining the proper dosage when making your herbal treatments. Commercially prepared herbal remedies have general dosages and instructions usually printed on the package, but when you’re making your own you’re on your own.
A lot of factors affect dosage with willow bark. One is the time of year with the highest concentrations of salicin present in the spring and lower as the season goes on. Another factor is the species. Some willows like white willow have more salicin than others.
Preparation methods can also cause variations with alcohol-based extracts typically distilling the most salicin while water-based teas may extract less. Finally, weather conditions and other environmental factors can affect salicin levels in all species of willow.
The result is you just can’t accurately gauge salicin percentages and levels when making it yourself. We’ll recommend general quantities and dosages as we go through each preparation, but there may be a little trial and error as you go.
The common sense approach is to try a little and see how you feel. Take more as needed until you feel some improvement or notice any side-effect like stomach upset.
Over time you’ll understand not only how to manage dosage but how to adjust it for your own use and family use. A little later we’ll cover some side-effects and cautions and one of them is that children under the age of 16 should not use willow bark for pain treatment except in a survival emergency.
Making Medicine from Willow Bark
As we mentioned, there are a few ways to do this. Listed below are some of the traditional treatments and uses for willow bark that have been developed over the centuries.
Willow Bark Tea
The fastest and easiest way to use willow bark for pain treatment is to make a tea. The dried bark is cut into small chips for making the tea but in a survival situation the raw strips of cambium can be steeped in hot water as well. It will always have a bitter taste. A little honey, maple syrup or even sugar can help.
Here’s the recipe for willow bark tea (makes one cup of willow bark tea).
Ingredients:
2 tablespoon of dried willow bark chips
16 ounces of boiling water
Directions:
Bring the water to a boil and add the 2 tablespoons of willow bark chips.
Boil the chips for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes on the pot.
Strain the tea through a coffee filter, rag or cheesecloth to remove the bark chips.
Add a sweetener if you like and drink the tea. The 16 ounces of water will boil down to about 8 ounces or one cup during the process.
DOSAGE: After drinking one cup, assess the effects and consider another cup of tea if needed. Don’t exceed more than 4 cups a day and assess any side-effects you may notice.
Willow Bark Tincture (using alcohol)
This is a concentrated form of willow bark aspirin as an extract using alcohol (vodka) to strip away the salicin from the bark. We’ll cover an alternative way to do this using apple cider vinegar if you don’t want to use vodka, although alcohol is a standard ingredient in many other extracts.
The extract can be added to water or a fruit juice because the concentrated extract is extremely bitter. If you’ve ever let an aspirin dissolve in your mouth, you’re familiar with this definition of bitterness.
Extracts take time (3 months), so if you’re looking for immediate relief, you may want to consider the tea or other uses we’re about to cover. The good news is that the alcohol helps preserve the effectiveness of the salicin over time. Here’s the recipe.
Ingredients:
2/3 cup of dried willow bark chips (or 2/3 cup of chopped bits of small, thin willow bark branches 1/8-inch or less).
Enough vodka to cover the chips or chopped branches. (Don’t use rubbing alcohol or any other type of alcohol that cannot be safely consumed).
Directions:
In a 16-ounce mason jar with a lid, add the chips or chopped branches.
Pour the vodka over the chips or chopped branches and tighten the lid.
Shake the jar vigorously and store in a cool dark place for 3 months.
Shake the jar from time to time while stored.
After 3 months strain the extract through a coffee filter or piece of cheese cloth.
Store in an amber dropper bottle. The extract is concentrated and you’ll only be using a few drops at a time.
DOSAGE: 2,000 mgs is the standard recommendation. Start with 4 drops of your homemade cider vinegar extract and assess results and side-effects if any.
Willow Bark Extract (using apple cider vinegar)
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar serves the same function as alcohol when making an extract, so it's a great alternative if you'd rather not use alcohol. Plus, apple cider vinegar has probiotic properties.
However, apple cider vinegar is not as effective at removing salicin as alcohol, so don’t use dried strips of bark.
Use fresh bark and shaved inner xylem instead.
One common recommendation with this method is to add honey to offset the astringent bitterness that result from a combination of vinegar and willow bark.
The process is the same as an extract made from alcohol except you add a tablespoon of honey to filtered extract before storing in amber dropper bottles.
DOSAGE: 2,000 mgs is the standard recommendation. Start with 4 drops of your homemade cider vinegar extract and assess results and side-effects if any.
Willow Bark Capsules
You can grind your dried willow bark into a powder and scoop it into capsules to mimic the way you take aspirin from a bottle. Here’s the recipe.
Ingredients:
2 dozen empty pill capsules
¼ powdered willow bark
Directions:
Grind the dry willow bark using a food processor, coffee mill or mortar and pestle. Try to get a fine powder as much as possible.
Use the empty capsules to scoop up the powder and push the two ends of the capsules together.
Store in a pill bottle in a cool, dark place.
DOSAGE: Take one capsule with water and assess results after one hour. Do not take more than 4 capsules a day.
Chewing Willow Bark (the field dose)
In a pure survival mode you can strip off a piece or two of willow bark and just chew it to relieve pain. It will be very bitter and an occasional swig of water will help. The key is to grab a few branches and chew as you go until you feel some relief.
About Those Leaves
Willow leaves are an inevitable by-product of willow bark harvesting and based on past history can also be used as a topical treatment for injuries. You can use either fresh green leaves or dried leaves if you want to store them for later use.
The typical application is with a poultice made from either cheesecloth or thin fabric. The poultice is applied to the skin and taped in place over a bruise or other injury to provide topical pain relief. It can also be used to treat sunburn or other minor burns of the first-degree and even the blisters from a second degree burn.
They should not be used with third degree burns where cracks in the skin could allow any bacteria from the leaves to enter the bloodstream. Even then, we recommend soaking and rinsing the leaves in vinegar as a first step.
Ingredients:
4 cups of fresh or dried willow leaves
Vinegar
Directions:
Place the willow leaves in a bowl and pour in enough vinegar to cover the leaves.
Stir the leaves around with your hand to rinse them in the vinegar.
Drain the vinegar from the bowl and give the leaves a quick rinse in water.
Place the leaves in a food processor or cut with a knife and mash with your hands.
Wrap gauze, cheesecloth or a thin cloth around the leafy pulp and fold over to contain the leaf pulp.
Place the poultice over the injure area and wrap with gauze of an elastic wrap.
Possible Side-Effects and Drug Interactions
All medicines have side effects. It’s of particular concern with a DIY pain reliever made from willow bark because the dosage is often a bit of a mystery. Just so we’re clear, willow bark has traditionally been identified as safe and free of most side-effects. However, high doses or unique sensitivity in some individuals can present side-effects and/or drug interactions.
Here are the things to watch for when taking willow bark as medicine in addition to some drugs and pharmaceuticals that could have negative interactions.
Side effects tend to be mild but could include:
Stomach upset
Ulcers
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach bleeding
These are common side-effects of any medicine containing salicylates. Of greater concern are the side-effects associated with overdoses of willow bark. This is why you should consume it in moderation and small amounts until you know how you are reacting to it. Overdose side-effects could include:
Skin rash
Stomach inflammation and irritation
Nausea
Vomiting
Kidney inflammation
And tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
There are also standard warnings about who should not take willow bark in any form for the treatment of pain or any other condition. They include:
Woman who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Children under the age of 16
There are also cautions about drug interactions. If someone is taking any of the following medications they should not ingest willow bark in any form. Drug interactions have been noted with:
Beta blockers including Atenolol, Metoprolol, and Propranolol.
Diuretics across all prescriptions
Other NSAID’s including ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen.
Anticoagulant blood-thinners particularly Warfarin (Coumadin). It should be noted that some studies indicate that willow bark actually has minimal blood thinning properties but high dosage could interact negatively with blood-thinners.
Methotrexate and Phenytoin can be boosted to toxic levels if willow bark is ingested while taking these medications.
Willow Bark is Still a Good Alternative to Aspirin
It’s always a bit alarming when you start reading about side-effects and interactions with any medication and willow bark is no different. What’s encouraging is that for 3500 years cultures around the world have turned to willow bark as an herbal treatment for pain and the other conditions we mentioned.
It should also be noted that willow bark was found to have less of an effect on stomach and gastrointestinal upset as conventional OTC aspirin. What’s important is to take it in moderation until you understand how you or someone else reacts to a dosage and prepare and store it properly.
In an emergency or survival situation, it’s a proven and effective pain reliever that can at least take the edge off injury or illness.
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