The Country Wisdom Thread

[Roger Brough]

-One of best solutions for chapped lips - ear wax.
-Black walnut husks left on the ground overnight will bring nightcrawlers to the surface.
-The ECR for a frag grenade is 49.5 meters but you should use greater distance.

[grennels]

I thought this use for vinegar was funny:
7. Remove stains from stainless steel and chrome with a vinegar-dampened cloth. It probably works but shouldn't stainless steel be just that!?
...

One such weakness is a nifty thing if you are fond of Parkerized blades- sink a stainless blade into a cucumber, and leave it there for a few days. The natural acids in the cucumber will darken the blade, the longer you leave it, the darker it gets, and is often referred to as a "poor man's Parkerizing". I've used this trick to re-blacken deep scratches in Parkerized blades, and it works a treat! You do NOT want to keep the cuke afterward, btw. I'm not sure it would be hazardous to eat, but why ask for trouble? Other vegetables can be used, with varying results, the cuke is just naturally shaped well for a knife, and readily available. This darkening actually goes INTO the stainless steel, it's not a coating on the outside, so it resists scratches nicely.

I had that happen to a cheap bowie that my brother used to stir his fire engine chili.

[grennels]

-
-Black walnut husks left on the ground overnight will bring nightcrawlers to the surface.

Works better to soak the walnuts (nice black rotten ones) in a bucket of water for several days then pour the water over the ground.

[ineffableone]

Just watched this nice video about the uses of wood ash.



Some good info for people to utilize the waste from burning in their fireplaces, wood stoves, etc

[justme]

dont eat yellow snow

[RogerK]

Dock leaves sooth nettle stings.

Yarrow is a fairly effective insect repellent, if you don't mind getting a few green streaks (got the idea from Ray Mears, tested it on a family outing).

Wool is fireproof and will keep you warm even if soaked through.

Dogs have a higher then human body tempreture, making them highly effective 'hot water bottles".

Surgical spirit can be used to prevent blisters.

Never underestimate the uses of duct tape and its relatives.

Fruit growing next to busy roads is best avoided.

The first rule of keeping warm is keeping dry.

Nettle can help arthritis and rhuematism

Yarrow will help coagulate blood (it's scientific name contains Achilles)

and most importantly, never fry bacon naked

[RogerK]

I remembered this thread as I sit here throwing my orange peels into my boots:fresh orange peels in your boots overnight will help them smell better and keep your feet healthier. Citrus oils, I believe do the trick. I never leave one peel in for longer than 24 hours. I try to use 1 orange per boot, if possible.

I guess I am going to buy some oranges! (my 'bootfoot' can repel zombies )

[RogerK]

-One of best solutions for chapped lips - ear wax.

I prefer to use mine to grow 'taters

[Anianna]

If you have kids who enjoy climbing sticky, sap-dripping trees, stock up on vegetable oil or olive oil. Simple bathing is futile no matter how hard you scrub, but the vegetable oil takes the sap right off and will wash off just fine in the shower. Works in hair, too.

[Lycosa]

Usnea or 'Old Man's Beard' is not just a good tinder extender, it is also a great topical antibiotic for minor cuts and scrapes. Usnea has been used by native americans in a decoction to treat chronic lung infections like pheumonia, colds, flu, and even TB. There are many clinical trials that support it's use.



A lot of people in the south have a problem with Water Hyacinth choking their natural waterways. What most people do not know is that it's edible. The flowers, leaves, and the bulbs on the stem can all be eaten. The bulbs on the stem can be fried up like veggie 'pork rinds'. Make sure to gather from clean waterways of course as hyacinth can collect heavy metals. Also, some people can be sensitive to the plant if it's not cooked and get a little itchy after eating. However, the plant shouldn't be eaten raw anyway as there is a risk of water borne pathogens... so make sure and boil it first. Hyacinth is quite nutricious and contains around 17% fiber, 36% carbohydrates, 18% protien, and has vitamins A, B1, and B2. Not only is it nutricious for human consumption, but it makes a great livestock feed as well. It can be used to make good compost or generate methane.. and there's definitely no shortage of it anywhere.



HOWEVER , in many states, because it is such a nuisance and an invasive species, it's illegal to possess hyacinth even if you are going to eat it so check your local laws first!

[Cherokee John]

I don't know if this is the right thread but here goes. I learned a lot about the outdoors and survival from my granddad who took me out hunting, fishing and trapping when I was young ( poaching really). I learned how to listen, walk, stay still for a long time, track, read the weather, hunt animals, dress them, track them, forage, find direction, evade people, shoot, care for guns and tools, find water, cook, stay safe in the wilderness, fish, frog spearing, trap with lines, care for dogs and hunt with them, build a shelter, stay warm, walk all day without tiring, throw a stick, cover my tracks, make simple tools and cordage, sleep in a tree and a million other things I won't list.

I left all these things behind and went away to live in big cities for 20 years and have recently returned to the country. I always thought that "Grandpa's Day Care" was worthless up until recent times. I never learned to use a computer, speak a foreign language or handle money and always felt regret over my 'lost youth". He also taught me how to lie, steal things and cheat when necessary but had a strong moral backing with my parents who taught me that "Grandpa wasn't always right" which allowed me not to grow into a total sociopath. It all makes sense now. I'm going to retire soon, to a rural place and I've got these skills to rediscover.

This is a great forum and I've learned a lot here but I feel sad that young people won't learn these things. I've tried to teach the things I know but how does learning how to move with the wind when hiding or how to de-scent your clothes or stay awake all night watching a trap-line or do bird and animal calls could ever compete with knowing how to use the latest i-phone app or programming a computer.

I guess this is a rant. Cherish the country wisdom, it may not be passed on.

[Cherokee John]

I thought this use for vinegar was funny:
7. Remove stains from stainless steel and chrome with a vinegar-dampened cloth. It probably works but shouldn't stainless steel be just that!?
Along with vinegar and peeing on a jelly fish sting, I've also heard about vodka working as well when poured onto the affected area. Plus if I got stung by a jelly fish i'd rather drink vodka than the other two alternatives.

Never drive faster than your gaurdian angel can fly.
Laughter is the best medicine.
Never Piss in to the wind.

I'd like to say from hard earned experience that peeing on a jelly fish sting won't help. I spend a lot of time in the ocean surfing, spearing and paddle boarding and have gotten stung a lot. Here's what you should do:
1. Don't pull the jelly off-probably hard if it's on your face-but splash it off with water.
2. Rub sand on the burn/sting for a while.
3. Add white vinegar (I have a bottle in my first aid kit) and rub it on.
4. Flush with luke warm water.
5, the scar will go away after a year or so, use aloe and it will help.

[ineffableone]

Ok this is a bit gross to most people but...

Slug slime is a local anaesthetic. One that will make your tongue go numb if you try to eat a slug, which is the natural defence of a slug. This slime can be used to help numb tooth aches or possibly a wound that needs stitches etc.

Yes I have tried this, I licked a slug back when I was a kid in a wilderness training class I took. I was the only one brave/crazy enough to try it after we were told it would numb your tongue. It definitely worked, I felt like I had just been to the dentist and had my mouth shot up with Novocaine with one lick. Pretty effective local anaesthetic.

[Anianna]

Ok this is a bit gross to most people but...

Slug slime is a local anaesthetic. One that will make your tongue go numb if you try to eat a slug, which is the natural defence of a slug. This slime can be used to help numb tooth aches or possibly a wound that needs stitches etc.

Yes I have tried this, I licked a slug back when I was a kid in a wilderness training class I took. I was the only one brave/crazy enough to try it after we were told it would numb your tongue. It definitely worked, I felt like I had just been to the dentist and had my mouth shot up with Novocaine with one lick. Pretty effective local anaesthetic.

That's good to know even if I have to be really desperate to try it. I figure the slug would be good protein, too, and if your tongue is numb, maybe the flavor won't be so bad.

[Czechnology]

Ok this is a bit gross to most people but...

Slug slime is a local anaesthetic. One that will make your tongue go numb if you try to eat a slug, which is the natural defence of a slug. This slime can be used to help numb tooth aches or possibly a wound that needs stitches etc.

Yes I have tried this, I licked a slug back when I was a kid in a wilderness training class I took. I was the only one brave/crazy enough to try it after we were told it would numb your tongue. It definitely worked, I felt like I had just been to the dentist and had my mouth shot up with Novocaine with one lick. Pretty effective local anaesthetic.

That's good to know even if I have to be really desperate to try it. I figure the slug would be good protein, too, and if your tongue is numb, maybe the flavor won't be so bad.

I don't know that it's all slugs, but Banana slugs for sure. And I know that many slugs carry a parasitic nematode in their GI tract that can give you meningitis, so if you do go eating slugs, make sure they're really well cooked.