preparedness
5 Prepper Uses for Pine Sap
Could you live off of the land if you had to? For most people, the answer to this question is a hard no. But it doesn’t have to be a hard no for you.
Living off the land is all about using the numerous resources at your disposal to help yourself stay alive. One such resource that could be of high value to you is pine sap. In fact, pine sap is one of the most versatile natural resources in the world. The Native Americans used it often for a variety of purposes, and you can, too.
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Today, we’ll go over what pine sap is, how you can procure it from a tree, and how to use it for survival.
What Is Pine Sap?
Pine sap is simply a secretion from pine trees. Sap will secrete from broken limbs or by cuts in the tree trunk. Basically, pine trees secrete the sap in order to seal damage done to the tree and help it heal.
When sap has been exposed to the air long enough, it will begin to harden and crystallize, but it can be softened by warming over a fire.
The term ‘pine sap’ is often used interchangeably with other terms such as pitch and resin. In reality, these three are not exactly the same thing.
Sap is the liquid form of a pine tree secretion, with a quality very similar to honey or syrup. It’s the initial form of the secretion.
Resin is the crystallized sap and the most hardened form it can take. It’s basically the direct opposite of the seeping liquid form of the sap.
Pitch is usually used to refer to the intermediate form in between the sap and the resin, where it’s more crystalized like the resin but still runny and viscous.
How Do You Collect Pine Sap?
Pine sap is not very difficult to collect. For example, if the sap has already spilled out of the tree and has hardened into resin or pitch, you can simply remove it physically with a knife or similar object. If you need it to be runny like syrup, you can heat it over a fire or a source of heat.
Specifically, look for broken branches on the pine tree or cuts on the tree. This is where the sap will be oozing out, because again, the pine tree is attempting to heal physical injuries.
Another method that you can use is to ‘tap’ the tree. Tapping the tree will do damage to it, and thus it can expose it to disease. Therefore, only tap the tree if you cannot find any other resin, pitch, or sap spilling out already.
In order to tap the tree, use a knife or hatchet or a machete to cut multiple lines in a twelve-inch line downward in the shape of a V. Place a metal container at the bottom of this V-shape. Sap will now begin to ooze out of the tree and will collect in the container. Leave the tree alone for several hours, and then come back to see the sap that you have collected.
What Are The Best Survival Uses For Pine Sap?
There is an abundance of survival uses for pine sap, including each of the following:
1. Bandage A Wound
Pine sap is already used by pine trees as a makeshift bandaid to keep the broken branches or cuts in the tree cut off to insects, pests, and other foreign infections. Therefore, who says you can’t do the same?
If you sustain a cut or a scrape in the wilderness, it will be vitally important to keep it sealed off from the outside in order to prevent infections. You can use sap as a bandage by applying it over over the site of the wound. Just make sure you have thoroughly cleaned the wound site as best you can before applying the sap.
On top of this, pine sap also has antibacterial properties. In other words, it will inhibit the growth of bacteria on the site of an open wound, regardless of whether you add a physical bandage or gauze pad. And because of its very sticky nature, the pine sap will also help slow down if not outright stop the flow of blood.
In this regard, pine sap will act as a bandage, stitching, and anti-bacterial ointment all at the same time. Pretty cool, right?
Besides cuts and scrapes, you can also use pine sap to help treat blisters and burns. Each of these will require the same level of attention.
2. Improve Breathing
Did you know that pine sap is edible? After all, you do eat syrup on your pancakes and waffles for breakfast, right?
In fact, in the colonial days, pine sap was used as medication. Resin would be mixed with water and then ingested to help prevent ulcers, breathing problems, and excessive coughing.
Take note that pine needles are often used to help make tea in the wilderness. Simply add the pine needles into the water so the water takes on their flavor.
One very critical note: Don’t just eat the sap the moment you collect it from a tree. It may not be safe to ingest right away. Instead, boil it first. This will remove any bacteria and impurities, just like how boiling water works.
Furthermore, boiling the sap will make it even more viscous, so it will be easy to ingest as well. Also, if you notice any negative reactions after ingesting the sap, stop immediately. It is wiser to only ingest a very small amount at first, and then work your way up from there.
3. Waterproof Clothes
Pine sap is completely invulnerable to water. As a result, it can be used to make objects far more resistant to water. If you have a backpack or a tarp with a tear in it, you can seal it shut with sap, and it will also keep water out. You can also use this method for shoes and boots.
Just make sure you always heat the resin to make it as runny as you can before applying it. Be careful here because resin is highly flammable, so don’t bring it too close to the fire. The best method would be to heat the resin over coals to bring it back to the runny form of the pitch.
4. Make Glue
This method would be obvious, but sap is incredibly sticky so it’s essentially nature’s form of glue. In fact, you can carry hardened resin crystals with you, and then when you need it as glue, you simply heat it over hot coals like we just discussed.
What are some instances where glue could come in handy? Several. You may need to harden the ends of spears, bolts, or arrows in order to keep them from splintering up. You may need to repair your clothing or backpacks, close a cut, or you may need to repair a shelter, to name a few different things.
5. Fire, Light, and Heat
As we mentioned, pine sap is incredibly flammable. If it’s raining or damp outside, and if you’re cold and wet and need to get a fire going right away, pine sap will work just like cotton balls and vaseline would. Apply pine sap over your kindling, then bring it into contact with a spark to convert it into a flame. Add more kindling and fuel, and you’ll have a fire going very quickly.
In this regards, you can also use pine sap as a torch. Simply take a stick, then wrap the top with a piece of cloth. Apply pine sap to the cloth, and light it up.
Conclusion
Many people may find tree sap to be annoying more than anything. While hiking or hunting, we’ve all had that experience where we rest our backs against a tree, only to later find the entire back of our shirt or jacket completely covered in sticky sap.
That being said, pine sap is far more of a blessing from nature than it is a curse, as this article has hopefully proven to you.
As one final piece of advice, make sure that you search for pine trees that are already damaged before collecting the resin or sap. This is because otherwise, you will have to tap or cut into the tree yourself, and this will only inflict damage that could leave it vulnerable to things such as disease or pests.
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This article first appeared on urbansurvivalsite.com See it here

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preparedness
4 No Cook Meals For Surviving The Pandemic And Food Supply Shortages

When it comes to your food supply, you just can’t risk not having enough. These no cook meals will be a great addition to your food supply planning. Check out the recipes below!
No Cook Meals to Help You Through the Pandemic
As of the writing of this article, there are 20 meat processing plants that have been shut down due to COVID-19 infections. We have been worrying about these types of effects on our food supply for months now, and this is the first real sign of how infections can affect the food supply.
When you walk into a supermarket, you might not see all the choices you had in the past. An empty meat case is a humbling thing for your eyes to fall upon. It’s the shocking realization that the seemingly infinite supply of chickens, pigs, and cows that are butchered for us has begun to run dry!
To deal with this issue, we are going to present four no cook meals that will help you create dinners at home that will feed your family without worrying so much about what’s available, or unavailable, in the meat case.
1. Smashed White Bean, Avocado and Salted Pork Sandwiches
As preppers we get beans. There are a bunch of ways to use beans and this a great example of how you can pack a sandwich with great nutrition and protein.
Serving: Makes 4 sandwiches
Ingredients:
- Can of White Beans
- Olive Oil
- 1 Avocado
- 8 Slices of Whole Grain Bread
- 8 Slices of Salted Pork (Prosciutto, Ham, Virginia Ham)
Instructions:
- Begin by draining your beans in a colander then smashing them up in a bowl add a few glugs of olive oil, salt, pepper. This little mix is delicious. If you add some minced rosemary, you can even turn this into a delicious dip.
- Pit your avocado and cut it in half and then quarters lengthwise. Leave the skin on.
- Lay the bread out on a clean work surface for assembling the sandwiches.
- Spread your mashed bean mix onto one side of the bread.
- Peel your avocados and slice 1 quarter for each sandwich. Spread slices over the bean spread.
- Add a few slices of your pork to over the top of the avocado.
- You can finish this sandwich with some lettuces, fresh sprouts, or just eat it as is.
2. Delicious Crab Salad
Canned crab is a protein option that will likely be around through much of this meat crisis. It does have to be kept in refrigeration, but it’s delicious and this chipotle mayo salad is great in the spring and summer.
Ingredients:
- 1 Can of Crab Meat
- 1 Bunch of Asparagus
- Chipotle Mayo
- 1 Bunch of Green Onions
- 1 Bunch of Cilantro
Instructions:
- Drain your crab in a colander and set it in the sink.
- Slice your asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Throw them into a bowl.
- Thinly slice your onions and your cilantro and throw that into the bowl, as well.
- Gently toss in the crab meat.
- Squirt on enough Chipotle mayo to coat everything and toss gently not to break up the crab meat.
- Chill in the fridge and serve.
3. Simple Greek Salad
The combination of simple summer ingredients makes for an incredible quick salad that you could add other proteins, too, if you wanted. These could be canned meats.
Ingredients:
- 2 Large Tomatoes
- 1 Cucumber
- 1 Red Onion
- ¼ Cup of Feta Cheese
- A Few Sprigs of Fresh Mint
- ½ Cup of Kalamata Olives
- Balsamic Dressing
Instructions:
- I like to cut the tomatoes in large chunks and have them kind of be the main course in this salad. Peel and slice your cucumber in half. Remove the seeds and either dice or slice in half-moons.
- Peel and slice your red onion in half. Julienne your, or thinly slice, your half onion.
- Add all these ingredients to a bowl. Finely slice your mint.
- Add your olives, crumbled feta, and mint to the bowl and add enough dressing to coat everything.
- Stir it up and allow this to chill for at least an hour for the flavors to really blend.
4. Mediterranean Tuna Lettuce Wraps
Using some similar ingredients and adding a protein like tuna, you can create some delicious lettuce wraps. The key to a good lettuce wrap is to have most of the items around the same size. So, consider that when you are preparing this dish.
Ingredients:
- Iceberg or Butter Lettuce
- Canned Artichokes
- Canned roasted Red peppers
- Fresh Cucumber
- Feta Cheese
- Minced Olives ¼ Cup
- 2 Cans of Tuna
- Green Onions
- Basil
Instructions:
- Start by peeling all the full leaves from your lettuce. Set them on a plate either cover them with a wet paper towel or put them back into the fridge.
- Dice the peppers, artichokes, and cucumbers into cubes. Go no larger than ½ an inch.
- Thinly slice your green onions and basil and add them to a bowl with your diced vegetables. Add your loves to this bowl and mix them thoroughly.
- Crumble your feta cheese over the mixture.
- Drain your tuna thoroughly and then add that to the bowl, as well.
- Gently toss this mixture. Try not to break up the tuna and the cheese too much but incorporate it thoroughly.
- If you want, you can add some olive oil to the mix or a few glugs of balsamic vinegar. It’s also delicious just how it is.
- Scoop a few tablespoons into a lettuce leaf, wrap it up and eat up!
These no cook meals should help lessen the stress you feel when thinking of what to feed your family. If you don’t have the specific ingredients, use your creativity, and use what you have. You might discover a new recipe while you’re at it!
What’s your favorite no cook meal recipe? Please share it with us in the comments section!
Up Next:
- Essential Survival Fuel: No-Cook Overnight Oats
- Dehydrated Foods to Try This Weekend
- 13 Dried And Canned Foods With The Longest Shelf Lives
This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here
preparedness
Billionaire Whistle Blower: Wuhan Coronavirus Death Toll Is Over 50,000

- Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000.
A Chinese billionaire and whistleblower who lives in U.S. exile says Wuhan crematoriums have burned 50,000 coronavirus victims. | Credit: Chinatopix via AP
- The official coronavirus death toll in China is a little over 800. But an exiled Chinese businessman says crematoriums are leaking the real figure.
- A billionaire whistleblower alleges Wuhan has crematoriums working 24/7. He claims they’ve cremated some 50,000 coronavirus victims.
- Guo Wengui is a Chinese billionaire living in exile in the United States.
The official coronavirus death toll is some 800 people in China. The current official death toll worldwide, outside of China, is 774. But a Chinese billionaire with a history of blowing the whistle on his former government says the real figure is much higher.
Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000. Wengui made the bombshell allegations in an interview with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.
Whistleblower: 1.5 Million Coronavirus Cases In China, 50,000 Coronavirus Deaths In Wuhan
He also claims to have inside information that there are 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases in China. Wengui is emphatic that these are not merely quarantined or “under observation” but confirmed cases of coronavirus infection:
China has struggled to contain the coronavirus. But it has also struggled to contain public outcry against censorship and tight control of information. Dr. Li Wenliang, who sounded the alarm about the disease, succumbed to an infection and died this week. The Chinese government arrested him for blowing the whistle.
Then officials tried to suppress news of his death. Afterwards, millions of Chinese citizens saw the hashtag #IWantFreedomOfSpeech on Mandarin language social media. But the Chinese government censored that too.
Are Wengui’s Crematorium Claims Credible?
Watch VICE’s 2017 profile on Guo Wengui. At the time, he published bombshell documents alleging corruption in the Chinese government. He got the attention of the media and reportedly the U.S. State Department.
preparedness
5 Types Of Ammunition To Stockpile For A Collapse

Every prepper knows it’s a great idea to stockpile ammunition when preparing for a major disaster.
You can use it for hunting, self-defense, or barter.
But which types of ammo should you stockpile?
If you plan on bartering, then you don’t want a bunch of calibers that nobody wants. And that’s just one consideration.
In this video, Reality Survival & Prepping talks about what he thinks are the 5 best types of ammunition to stockpile for a collapse.
Here are his picks:
- .22 LR – Very common, good for hunting small game, very light and small.
- 9mm Luger – Great for self-defense, fits in a wide variety of handguns.
- 5.56×45mm or .223 Remington – Also very common, cheap and effective.
- .308 Winchester – Widely used, works in AR10 and bolt-action platforms.
- 12 Gauge – You can do a lot with it — hunt, defend yourself, etc.
In the video below he makes a much more detailed case for each caliber. What do you think of this list?
This article first appeared on urbansurvivalsite.com See it here
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