Dr. Patrick Jones of Idaho is a licensed Vet and holistic herbalist.
Visit his website at http://www.homegrownherbalist.net
I just listened to one of his talks. It is simply amazing what God has given us. Food and herbs can be our medicine.
For example, when and if you are ever bitten by a rattlesnake, more than likely, there is a plant such as the humble plantago /i or echinacea (also known as cone flower) growing nearby, especially in a meadow or river valley. Cone flower root is especially potent.
A local Idaho man was hiking and was four hours away from civilization when he was bitten by a rattler as he reached for a rock high above him. He climbed down the mountain, found a lush green plantain plant near a river, and sat down on the river bank to eat the plant. He continually chewed and ate the leaves, but he also made a poultice of the chewed leaves, which he placed on the bite area (knuckle on his hand). Even though his hand had now swollen to the size of a volleyball, he did not panic. As the poultices turned black with venom, he placed new leaves over the wound. This was no dry bite; it was filled with venom. After 12 hours of continuous treatment, he walked out alive and well. The plantain nourished him not only externally, but also internally. If he had tried to walk out of that wilderness area without first seeking a source of natural healing, he most likely would have been dead.
Have you ever heard of snake oil? Today that phrase has become a very derogatory insult directed against herbalist. It is worth noting that snake oil is the oil of echinacea, a potent herb, which was used for snake bites, and it was highly effective.