OldTimerJohn said:

Community Question of the Day
October 26, 2025​



What's the most underrated survival skill and how has it proved useful in your personal prepping experience?​



I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this! Share your experiences, tips, and perspectives.

This question came from today's newsletter. What do you think? Let's get a good discussion going!

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Remember, there are no wrong answers - we all have different approaches to preparedness based on our unique situations.

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Being able to identify local edible and medicinal plants is so overlooked, but it’s saved me more than once. Folks often focus on gear, but nature’s pharmacy is right under our noses if we know what to look for. Making a simple poultice or tea from the right plant can really make a difference, especially when you can’t get to a store. John, have you ever used plants in your prepping routines? I’d love to hear which ones have come in handy for others!

OldTimerJohn said:

What do you think?

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Using plants for both food and medicine really is an underrated skill, John. I've relied on plant knowledge plenty—like yarrow for minor cuts or dandelion in salads when the pantry’s getting low. It always amazes me how many people overlook what’s right there, especially when they’re all focused on gadgets and gear. Knowing which wild greens or roots are safe to eat can get you through a tough spot, and it doesn’t cost a dime. I’ve even used willow bark for headaches when I was out of pain medicine, and it worked well enough to get me by.

What I find tricky, though, is that some plants look a lot alike—mistaking one for another could do more harm than good. Do you forage mainly in your backyard or do you wander a bit further? I stick close to my own land since I know what’s been sprayed or not, but I’m always curious how others handle that. Have you ever taught anyone else about plant ID? It’d be interesting to hear how you pass down that knowledge.