It is always a shock to the system when the weather goes from stormy to hot and muggy within a few days.

Many people take longer to adjust to the weather, but there are a few low-tech options to keep you cool on a hot summer day. These can also work to save energy costs as well.

• This allows air to flow around your skin while keeping you cool. Darker clothes trap heat, which in turn makes you hotter. Moisture wicking clothes, for those sweatier individuals, are great additions to any wardrobe during the summer.

• These things are incredible for those who are outside for long periods of time. You can purchase them at any sporting goods or home goods store. By soaking them in water, they will stay cool throughout the day.

• After the sun has gone down, open the windows to let the cooler air circulate inside your house. When the sun comes up, pull the drapes closed to keep the heat out.

• Place a fan in one window and another one facing out in a separate window. This creates a wind tunnel effect which will displace the hot muggy air inside the house. Another option is placing a bucket of water in front of a fan. It helps circulate cooler air. Essentially, you are creating a swamp cooler.

• When washing clothes, line dry your clothing to avoid creating a hot atmosphere.

• If you have any heat producing appliances (ovens, toasters, etc.), wait until the sun goes down to use them or cook outside. You won’t be heating up the house and can create an impromptu barbecue for everyone.

• When taking a shower or cleaning, let your hair air dry. This keeps you feeling cool.

• If you absolutely must be covered by something, there are cooling sheets you can buy or just keep a simple bedsheet around you.

• If you are thirsty, you are not drinking enough water. Drink Gatorade or a drink that will replenish electrolytes. The more liquid you are drinking, the cooler your body becomes.

• Try to walk them in the cooler parts of the day (earlier morning or after 4 p.m.). This will ensure your pets have cooler sidewalks to walk on and you won’t be exerting too much in the heat.

These are just a few smart options for staying cool in the heat. Over 400 people die from excessive heat each year. Keep track of your loved ones.

Elderly and younger children have trouble regulating their body temperatures. If they are acting lethargic or having trouble talking to you, get them inside or out of the heat and have them drink liquids. If they are sweating, that is a good thing. If someone is not sweating and has rapid shallow breathing, get them to the hospital immediately.

Stay safe this holiday week. Use common sense and watch out for your families. Happy Independence Day to everyone.

Emily Thornton is currently working on her masters in communication at Idaho State University. She enjoys writing, racing after her son and playing games with her husband.

Baking Soda has an unlimited shelf life, which makes it a perfect item for use in the outdoors. It also has hundreds of uses beyond cooking. It can be used for personal hygiene, sanitation, cleaning, medical and scent control.

Cleaning

• Adding two tablespoons to the dishwater will help remove caked-on food. There are some easy dishwashing soaps that can fit in a bug-out bag with no leaking.

• When using stoves that are not electrical, it is very common to see baked-on blackness from firewood and smoke. Sprinkle some baking soda on and spray some water on the soda to make a paste. Let sit overnight and scrub in the morning, rinse and it is good as new.

• Use 1/2 cup baking soda in warm water with natural soap, let soak overnight. Wash as normal. It is gentle on a baby’s skin and will keep them comfortable.

• Oil and grease stains are inevitable if you have been servicing smaller engines and hunting. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

Medical

• 1-2 teaspoons in a full glass of water.

• This actually works incredibly well. Place 1/2 a teaspoon dissolved in a 4-ounce glass of water. Sip slowly to reduce the possibility of gas or diarrhea.

• Yet another hazard of bugging out. Splinters will be common. Place 1 tablespoon in a small glass of water, soak affected area twice a day and it will come out easily.

• A mixture of baking soda and water applied to a cool compress can be applied directly to the burn. Or use 1/2 cup in a lukewarm bath and air-dry.

• Make a paste with water and baking soda. Apply to affected area and let sit.

Personal Hygiene

• Wet your toothbrush, dip into the soda and brush. It’s a simple way to clean your teeth, neutralize odors and freshen your mouth.

• After a long day of hiking, washing one’s face can help relieve some tension. Using three parts baking soda to one part water will help scrub away the dirt and sweat that will accumulate. Rinse clean.

• Adding some baking soda to your shampoo or soap will help clean residue left behind.

• Applying some baking soda to your underarms will help deodorize your arm pits.

Even these simple uses far outweigh any other item in your bug-out bag. Stock up today for about $0.37 a box and experiment with a few of these uses.

Emily Thornton is currently working on her masters in communication at Idaho State University. She enjoys writing, racing after her son and playing games with her husband.

One of the biggest hurdles for people who are trying to store food for emergencies is tackling the questions, “What do I store?” and “How do I know if an expired can is still edible?”

This can be very frustrating. One of the most interesting facts that not many people know is there are items that will never expire and can be used for food. Of course there are extenuating circumstances, but if properly stored, these items will last indefinitely.

• Apple cider vinegar: This has many health benefits, works well with cooking and can last indefinitely as long as it stays sealed.

• Boullion cubes: If kept dry, these cubes will last. Seasoning food in an emergency is tough; these cubes can help with that.

• Corn starch: If corn starch remains dry, it can last indefinitely. However if mites get to it in the box, it can go bad very quickly. It is recommended to reseal in a food-grade plastic. Foodsaver sealers are great.

• Corn syrup: Is a great substitute for sugar. It may crystallize but will still retain its use.

• Ghee: Is an interesting butter substitute that has all moisture taken out. It can last forever.

• Hard liquor: This has numerous uses for disinfecting wounds and taking away pain. It can also be used to bargain with others. It never goes bad.

• Hardtack: This was a popular cracker during the Civil War. It is easy to make with flour and water and can last forever. It will keep you going even if it doesn’t taste great.

• Honey: This can be used to sweeten any dish. It will crystallize over time, but when heated up a little bit and stirred, it will go back to its regular consistency. It is a great thing to have in any kit.

• Maple syrup: Just like corn syrup and honey, it will crystallize but still be useful. Any one of the three would be great in a food storage.

• Salt: Any type of salt whether sea or table salt is extremely useful for food storage. It can cure meats, disinfect wounds and of course season any meal. Regular salt will last indefinitely as long as it doesn’t get wet. Seasoned salt, however, only lasts for one year.

• Sugar: All different types of sugar last indefinitely (again as long as they do not get wet). It will harden over time but can be broken into chunks to use.

• Pure vanilla extract: This will last indefinitely because of the way it is processed. It will not go bad like imitation extract. You can make your own with liquor or buy it from the store. It is a little more expensive, but worth it.

• Rice (except brown): Rice will keep forever if stored properly. Keeping it dry and away from creepy crawlies (preferably a 5-gallon bucket, with a moisture barrier packet) will keep it fresh.

• White vinegar: This is great for deodorizing and cleaning and can be used for cooking. If kept sealed from the elements, it would be a great addition.

• Baking soda: This is an essential item in any bug-out bag. It has so many uses in an emergency (check my next article) and should be stockpiled.

• Dry beans: Any type of dried bean can be stored for decades. It needs to be in a completely dry, airtight bag, in airtight containers, in a cool dark place. Even if they are older in the shelf life, they can still be used if you know how to reconstitute them.

There are a lot of options to add to your food storage and bug-out bag to survive an emergency. These items are relatively inexpensive and when properly cared for, can be used when times are tough. A food storage doesn’t have to be for an emergency. If you lose your job or see reduction in money, you can dip into one’s food storage to ride out the lack. You can have the peace of mind knowing there will always be something for your family to eat.

Emily Thornton is currently working on her masters in communication at Idaho State University. She enjoys writing, racing after her son and playing games with her husband.

The weather has been wreaking havoc on individuals who want to go camping. A lot of wood is wet and the wind isn’t helping individuals who want to have a campfire for warmth or cooking.

Wet wood creates an inhospitable environment for someone who is trying to create a fire. There are a few options that one can purchase, but experience finds that making your own fire starters is a cheaper option and they work even better.

Here are a few of the options that are popular for bug out bags and camping:

Cotton Balls

What you need: Cotton balls, vaseline, carrying case (plastic bags or Altoids tins)

Grab a handful of cotton balls and put them in a bowl. Take a large spoonful (around 1 tablespoon) of Vaseline and drop it in. If you don’t want your hands getting covered in Vaseline, use gloves or a spatula to coat the cotton balls.

When the cotton balls are sufficiently covered in Vaseline (some people like a more gooey cotton ball), place 10-15 into a plastic bag or Altoid tin. Clean off the outside of any excess Vaseline. Place it into a bug out bag or camping equipment for future use. It is recommended to double bag the contents, just in case one bag leaks, the rest of your equipment is safe.

To light: Use a flint or lighter to catch your cotton ball. It lights very quickly, please do not light it in your hand.

Dryer Lint

Dryer lint is extremely flammable. Keep a bag of it in your bug out bag to start a fire. Some people like to coat in Vaseline as well, but it works well on its own.

Wood Shavings

What you need: Wood shavings, empty cardboard egg cartons, wax, a pan you can destroy, sheet tray or wax paper to put under the cartons.

Place the wood shavings (or lint or both) into the sections of the egg cartons. Don’t pack very tight to allow for the wax to get into the crevices.

Melt the wax until it becomes liquid. Once it becomes liquid, turn on low so it doesn’t boil. Pour oil into the egg sections. Depending on how hot your oil becomes, it may make sizzle a little. Put enough wax in to cover the contents. It’s OK if it leaks a little bit (wax paper is there). Let dry completely.

Cut the sections out and place in a bag for future use.

To light: Flint or a lighter will catch the contents. This method is also wind- and water-proof. It helps with wet wood because of the wax melting over the tinder.

Give each of these options a try. Some campers prefer one over the other, it all depends on preference. This is the perfect time to test these out because of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Most people go camping or have cookouts. Practice fire safety by only lighting in the proper area. 

Emily Thornton is currently working on her masters in communication at Idaho State University. She enjoys writing, racing after her son and playing games with her husband.

In the aftermath of an ongoing emergency, there are two viable options that are placed before people. One, you can bug in and hope that you have enough stored in your house to wait out the emergency. Or two, you can bug out. This is where a bug-out bag comes in.

A bug-out bag, also known as a 72-hour kit, is a simple bag that is usually under 25 pounds and can help someone survive for 72 hours or longer with the gear inside. A bug-out bag has four essentials that need to be in the bag, with the possibility of adding more.

Water: Water is the most important thing to have in a bug-out bag. Unfortunately, water is extremely heavy and carrying 3 gallons (which is the recommended allotment for one person in an emergency) would equal 24 pounds. There are options you can add to your bag to help alleviate the weight. Water is most important because a person can only survive 72 hours without water, whereas someone can go three weeks without food.

• Water Bottle:
• Any type of water bottle will do. A collapsible one will help with saving room in your bag, but a Nalgene or other hard plastic bottle is recommended to have on hand.
• Water Purification:

• There are water purification tablets that come in tiny bottles. They are very handy but when you run out, you must start boiling the water before drinking.
• Water Purification method (recommended):

• The Sawyer Mini Water Filter ($20 at any sporting goods store) is the best for size and purification needs. It filters 100,000 gallons of water and doesn’t take up much space at all.

Food/food prep: Even though someone can last three weeks without food, it is not recommended in a crisis. Pack durable foodstuffs that have a high caloric content and are non-perishable.

There are some non-perishables that require water, so take it into consideration when packing your bags.

• MRE (Meals Ready to Eat):
• These are a staple of military personnel and emergency preppers. The reason is because they have high caloric content and are vacuum-packed. They usually have all the necessary items for a meal, though some need water, too.
• Protein Energy Bars:

• Even though some taste nasty, they are great for keeping energy (because you will be hiking away from a stable environment — likely over 5 miles). Recommended protein pack is 10 to 15 grams per bar.
• Portable stove:

• If you are looking for a hot meal a portable stove is recommended. I recommend Solo Stove ($60) because it creates a hot cooking area by using found materials (like leaves and sticks). It cools quickly and takes up little room. It doesn’t require any fuel tabs or gas.
• Utensils/Pots:

• There are durable cooking mess kits ($20 to $80) that are extremely useful. It is not recommended to have plastic utensils because they tend to break easily. Metal is best, even though you do need to clean it.

Warmth/Fire Starting: It doesn’t matter what time of year or where you will be bugging out to, the cold has a way of creeping up on people. Being able to maintain a fire and stay warm with clothes will help you maintain a better mood as well as keep animals away.

• Fire Starter:
• This can be anything from waterproof matches, a magnesium fire starter, a lighter, etc. I highly recommend having more than one method of starting a fire. Sometimes in the hike, there are things that get wet or broken, and if you have more than one option to start a fire, the stress is alleviated.
• Cotton Balls soaked in Petroleum Jelly or a tube of carpet glue:

• This is an odd assortment of items to have in a bag, but both of these items are wind-resistant and can help start a fire even if the materials are wet. Make sure both are sealed in baggies so they don’t leak over everything in your bag.
• Clothing:

• A recommended assortment is more than five pairs of socks, two to three pairs of pants, two to three underwear, a long-sleeved shirt, hat, gloves, bandana, and a medium-weight jacket or fleece. Having an assortment helps keep you dry and comfortable.

Shelter: Even with a simple tarp, there are many options to creating a suitable shelter. Some people swear by having their own tent, sleeping bag and ground mat. This is OK as long as you are capable of carrying the weight over long distances. A tarp and rope is all one really needs.

• First Aid Kit:
• Assortment of pain meds, Band-Aids, muslin or an all-in-one kit. You will be the doctor so be prepared with what tools you may need.
• Hygiene:

• Toilet tissue, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, sanitary pads, wash cloth, soaps and hair cleaning products. These help in a crisis and help elevate mood.
• Tools:

• Shovel (small and durable), weapons, survival tool and machete.
• Lighting:

• Flashlights (with batteries), solar-powered items and candles.
• Radio:

• I have this in my bag because I feel it is essential. There are options of hand crank, solar-powered, charging, etc.

I highly recommend packing up your bag and starting to go on walks with it. You may be surprised at how heavy it can be after a few minutes. Try a few days camping with just your pack to see what items you may need to add or take away. It is a surprisingly simple item that can save your life.

Emily Thornton is currently working on her masters in communication at Idaho State University. She enjoys writing, racing after her son and playing games with her husband.

Threats of war and chemical weapons are a part of the news recently, and there has been a palatable tension in the air. Many people are scared for the future.

Emergency preparedness, though stereotypically looked at as a psychosis by some, has been shown to help people feel a little less stressed over troubles in the real world.

Emergency preparedness is something that everyone should find important. Why do you have health insurance? Why do you buy car insurance? Why do you keep your car in working order? Even simple questions like this are answered by the idea of emergency preparedness. You prepare for the day you need it.

You have health insurance in case you or your family get sick and they need some professional care. You have car insurance in case someone runs into your car and it is your only mode of transportation. You keep your car running in case you want to run to grandma’s house. This is why emergency preparedness is important — in case something happens and you need to protect your family.

Time and time again when there is the threat of a natural disaster, there is a sense of panic in the stores. Shelves are emptied and people are left without. The thought of my family being without food and shelter has always been a big support of my prepping enthusiasm.

Ready.gov and FEMA.com are just a few websites that really support the need for emergency prepping. Even those people who wonder why LDS people can and save food, there has been support for self sufficiency and preparedness in the LDS church.

The easiest place to start is now. Don’t think about how much you have to get, just think of what you can do now. Peruse the sale items and non-perishables. If you go to the grocery store once or twice a month, plan on using an extra $5 to purchase canned goods.

Once you have them at home, put them in a cool, dry place. Each time you go to the store, keep doing this. And in no time you will have a food store for your family. A good rule of thumb is, if you don’t eat the same goods now, why do you think this will change in an emergency? Get food that will be nutritious but something that your family will eat.

To supplement your food stores, start thinking about saving water. If every person in your family were to survive over a week without any amenities, you will need to get 3 gallons of water, per person, per day. This is the standard amount from every emergency preparedness site.

Some people save water by refilling their 2-liter bottles after drinking pop. Some people use milk gallons. However, I wouldn’t recommend this because it needs a little extra care to ensure there won’t be bacteria inside.

The large 50-gallon blue tubs are always a good choice. They are usually $30 a piece or less if you know someone who sells them. I recommend the water blocks ($30 for 10 on Amazon). These blocks are stackable and they hold around 12 gallons a piece. They are safe to store on concrete and carpet and come with a water proof cap and carrying handles. I have used them for years and they are very handy.

Next week there will be an article on bug out bags and why it is important to build yours now. Take a look around at your house. Some of the best preps are ones you may do instinctually. Emergency preparedness is important because of the little “in case” situations that happen in life.

Emily Thornton is currently working on her masters in communication at Idaho State University. She enjoys writing, racing after her son and playing games with her husband.

The plight of those in the wake of Hurricane Harvey has been weighing on my mind recently. Many of those in the hardest hit areas could ride out the major troubles of Harvey by having some basic preparedness procedures in place.

There are four basic needs to be secured during an emergency: food, shelter, water and sleep.

Water: Many people don’t know where to start when it comes to emergency preparedness, but there are a few things that are recommended. Water is by far the most important one out of all of them.

You can only last three days without water, while you can last more than two weeks without food. You will need to have some way to gather the water and purify it. If an emergency happens, the water pumps will only run for about 24 hours on emergency power before they will shut down completely and cleansing will stop. You will need to be able to filter out toxins.

A good rule of thumb is you will need 3 gallons per person per day. If you live in an arid area, water will more than likely need to be stored instead of relying on the filters alone.

Personally, I have a few different types of filters. The Sawyer water filter ($20 at any sporting goods store) can filter 100,000 gallons. You can’t beat that with any personal water filters on the market. I like LifeStraw as well, but it doesn’t have the gallon capacity of the Sawyer.

Food: Even though you can survive for three weeks without food, it will be a better time for all concerned if you have some sort of food on hand. People tend to be in better moods when they are full.

There are foods that you can store indefinitely in a cool dry place. Beans, rice, flour (in plastic canisters…properly stored), honey and seasonings can all be stored indefinitely when they are packaged correctly.

Any canned food can be stored if rotated properly. Do not buy foods that you don’t eat on a regular basis. If you don’t eat split peas now, you will not eat them during an emergency. Augason Farms have some delicious emergency food storage items that are really easy to cook.

Experimenting with these can help you find food that you enjoy and will help you feel less stressed during an emergency.

Shelter: Even though it may be hot in your area, the temperatures at night can drop below freezing. If you are out in the elements, it will lessen your chance of survival if you do not have a way to stay out of the elements. There are things like debris huts or natural items you can use to build your own shelter, but it is recommended to have a lightweight tent that is easy to set up in your emergency kit.

Sleep/Heat: Exhaustion is inevitable during an emergency. Though it is very important to sleep during an emergency, you will want to be comfortable. I feel heat and sleep go hand in hand. Most people hate sleeping when cold. Learning to light a fire with found materials can be a boon to your emergency toolbox. A lighter or flint is very lightweight and can light materials quickly, though there are other ways to light fires.

There are some very lightweight sleeping bags on the market right now (ranging from $50 to $1,000). Depending on the area in which you are located, it would be recommended to get a sleeping bag that can withstand freezing temperatures, though there are those that withstand below freezing. Use your judgement when purchasing.

If you have these in a backpack, you are one step closer to survival than many in the world today. It is better to be prepared for an emergency than not prepared and being forced to rely on help, which could be days away.

Emily Thornton is working on her master’s degree at Idaho State University.

Did you know that you can make your own homemade extracts? Just like making your own medical tinctures, you can make extracts to spice up your life.

For those of you who have made tinctures before, this will be a piece of cake. There are a few different steps to using them but overall you could make tinctures and extracts at the same time.

For those science types out there wondering why vodka or alcohol is only used in tinctures and extracts, the answer is this — ethanol (or distilled substances) are able to dissolves substances that are less soluble in water. Alcohol content acts as a preservative, antiseptic and antimicrobial.

Materials needed:

• 16-ounce canning jars
• 2-ounce glass bottles
• Chalk labels
• Filament tape
• Bottle seal wax beads (or any type of sealing wax that can be used in food)
• Vodka (preferably a higher alcohol proof)
• Acidic fruits
• Mint (stems removed)
• Vanilla beans

Vanilla: Add vanilla beans and vodka into a large sterilized jar. Tightly close the lid and keep in a cool dark place. Shake the bottle every few days. Let sit for a few weeks until the extract turns a dark brown. Once it has attained the perfect color needed, you can pour into smaller bottles for gifts or into a darker glass bottle for future use.

Acidic fruit: Clean off the fruit you are going to be working with and then peel off its skin. Add the skin and vodka into a sterilized jar. Close the lid and shake a few times. Keep in a cool dark place. Let sit for four weeks before using. The peels will eventually turn brown but the extract will still be viable.

Mint extract: Lightly crush the mint leaves while in the jar to release the oils. Add vodka to the jar and seal tightly. Shake every few days. Let sit for about four weeks. Remove the mint leaves when you are ready to use the extract.

Some people like to use wax seals to make sure that their bottles are completely closed during the curing process. After putting the vodka and material into the bottle, make sure it is completely sealed. Then wrap a layer a filament tape around the top of the bottle.

Melt the wax beads down using equipment you will not use later for food (or buy a secondhand pan from the dollar store and use it for your wax purposes later). Once the wax is completely melted and your bottle top has been wrapped in filament tape, dip the bottle top upside down into the wax to seal it. Tilt the bottle to the side to create a drip so you can take it off easier later. Let the wax cool. Now you don’t have to worry about nasty dirt or critters getting into your extract.

Emily Thornton is an English Teacher at Pocatello High School and is working on her Master’s Degree at Idaho State University.

With the weather getting warmer, it is now time to dust off the preparedness skills that have been getting stale during this winter.

One skill that is always good to continually work on is fire building. Staying warm is very important when you are faced with an emergency situation. It is better to have the skill and not need it, than need it and not be able to use it.

Building a fire hole: This method is quite simple and is easy to cook with and also stay warm. It basically consists of two holes. The “main” fire hole needs to be dug one foot deep and one foot in diameter. At the base of the hole, there needs to be a “chamber,” which will hold the pieces of wood. The second hole is the “airflow” hole which will connect with the fire hole and provide air to continually feed the fire. It only needs to be around a 1/2 foot in diameter. It should be angled toward the fire hole and upwind from it. This fire is great because it has little smoke, burns efficiently, cooks food quicker and lasts longer than the conventional fires.

Materials Needed: Tinder, Kindling and Fuel.

• Tinder is the smallest of the materials, which takes the initial spark to get the rest of the fire going. This could be anything from leaves, pine needles, dry grass, newspaper or basically anything that can catch a spark.
• Kindling is the inch-sized wood that is added to tinder to make the fire grow bigger and stay lit.
• Fuel wood is the largest of the three. You’ll want all of your materials to be dry and in sizes that can burn for a while.

There are a few different shapes that you can put the wood into to have an efficient fire. The best choices to make a fire are the teepee or the log cabin. I have used both and they seem to work as well as the others.

Teepee: Place a handful of tinder, or dryer lint, in the middle of your ring (fire safe area). Arrange the kindling over the tinder in a teepee type structure. Light the tinder and as the tinder burns larger, the kindling will catch and then fall into the pile. Start adding the larger fuel into the pile and it will continue to burn.

Log Cabin: Create your tinder pile like you do with a teepee fire. Then, around the tinder pile, lay down your larger fuel into a square structure, alternating two by two. This funnels air into the fire and helps it burn better. When you are done with your fire, you can choke the fire out by smothering it with dirt. Always make sure you are leaving the fire pit area cold. People have left warm campfires, and unfortunately the wind picked up and it caused a major fire in the area. Do not leave unless you know it is out and cold.

Practice these skills often and you will have one less thing to worry about in emergency situations. You will keep your family warm, cook your food and feel a little more peaceful if you know you can create a fire effectively.

Emily Thornton is an English Teacher at Pocatello High School and is working on her Master’s Degree at Idaho State University.

If you are like me, allergies come out to play when the weather gets warmer. They can be a real pain.

Over-the-counter treatments are good in their own ways, but many people swear by their own home remedies.

When there is no chance of getting to the pharmacy, there are some natural remedies you can use to help keep you lucid and relatively allergy-free. Some of these won’t work for everyone, but give it a try and see if any of these work for you.

Honey: Local honey is actually a very interesting idea. There aren’t a lot of studies to back this up, but many people swear that eating a teaspoon of raw local honey every day helps stave off allergy symptoms. Many of the local honey sources have antibodies to the plants in the area. Eating local honey is a good choice for reducing allergens.

Vitamin C: This is one remedy that everyone swears by. When you are sick, get more vitamin C. When you are worn down, get more vitamin C. When you are exercising, more vitamin C will help your recovery. Vitamin C can actually be found in numerous places and can be quite delicious to get your extra daily dose. Citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit, orange), peppers (cayenne, chili), greens (spinach, broccoli), potatoes and strawberries. It couldn’t hurt to boost your intake of these items when winter turns into spring.

Peppermint: This herb can be dried and brewed into a tea to help with allergies.

From personal experience, peppermint grows very well in Idaho. Peppermint can help soothe your scratchy throat and mucus membranes when ingested in a tea. Some people love adding it to their water and drink it throughout the day as a refreshing wake up. No matter how you use it, peppermint would be a great thing to keep the allergies (and other ailments) at bay during a survival situation.

Elderflower: This is one remedy that I heard about from a little old lady who lived next door. She would dry the elderberries and flowers and then put them into a tea. Sometimes she would even turn it into a tincture to help with stomach aches. The flowers and berries are the only parts of this bush that have been known to help with immune support. The stems, roots and leaves have been known to cause a toxicity in the blood. If you decide to plant this in your vicinity, make sure you know how to take care of it and use it to your healthful advantage.

As you can see, there are some great natural remedies to help stave off allergies this spring. I am not claiming that they will cure your allergies, but the research I have come across has proven hopeful to those allergy sufferers in the world.

Don’t take my word for it, give any or all of these remedies a try. It is always good to keep on track with local remedies.

Emily Thornton is an English Teacher at Pocatello High School and is working on her Master’s Degree at Idaho State University.