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When SHTF, whether due to societal collapse or a large-scale natural disaster, you will realize that going on a quick trip to the nearest store or pharmacy to stock up on supplies won’t always be an option. Visiting a doctor might not be possible either.

But before things go south, you can learn about natural remedies for common aches and pains. Keeping a fully stocked natural medicine kit at home ensures that you can handle situations demanding medical attention.

Knowing how to use a natural medicine kit can also help you get closer to a healthier and toxin-free lifestyle. Incorporating natural remedies like essential oils and herbs can help you minimize your exposure to artificial chemicals and additives often found in conventional over-the-counter drugs. (h/t to TheSurvivalMom.com)

Adding these 10 useful items to your prepper first aidis necessary if you want to treat minor injuries, aches and pains after SHTF: Amber bottles with eyedroppers and small tins

You will need amber bottles with eyedroppers and small tins to store your homemade essential oil mixes, creams and salves. It is best to buy or repurpose clean amber or dark-blue glass bottlesbecause light can degrademany natural substances. Oxygen can quickly turn oils rancid, so keep all bottles and tins tightly capped. Aloe vera plant

Aloe vera can help soothea sunburn. You can use aloe vera gel for wound care and for treating insect bites. Avoid using aloe vera gel on third- or fourth-degree burns or severe sunburns because these injuries require medical attention.

If possible, use pure aloe vera gel from an organically grown plant as commercially available aloe vera gel contains additives.

Growing an aloe vera plant at home ensures you can easily harvest the gel without needing to go to the store. Aloe vera is a hardy plant and it can thrive indoors and outdoors. Coconut oil

While coconut oil is great for cooking, it has other uses outside the kitchen.

Coconut oilcan also be used as a carrier oil for essential oils and as a skin lotion. To save money, buy coconut oil in large quantities and store it properly for later use. Essential oils

With proper usage, essential oils are a versatile ingredient for various remedies.

Here are some essential oils and how to use them for aromatherapy and relaxation: Use bergamot or ylang ylangessential oils for relaxation. Use chamomile or lavender essential oils for better sleep. Use jasmine or lemon essential oils to improve your mood. Use peppermint essential oil to wake up. Use orange essential oils to soothe anxiety. First aid essential supplies

Your first aid kit should also includebasic items like bandages in different sizes, gauze and medical tape.

Keep basic first aid items and a first aid reference book in your survival first aid kit at home and in your bug-out bag. Lamb’s ear plant

The lamb’s ear plant is a functional resource.The plant can be used as a natural bandage andboasts antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. (Related: 8 Ways to deal with chronic pain while prepping.) Midwifery book

If there is any chance that an adult woman living in your house could become pregnant, you will need a midwifery or birthing reference book.

Study the book well and do your research so you can offer help when seeking immediate medical care is not possible. Teas

Like essential oils, herbal teas can address different issues like drowsiness, insomnia and an upset stomach. Teas can also help boost your vitamin intake.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea has calming effects and is frequently used as a natural sleep aid. According to studies, chamomile tea can help improve sleep quality in older adults and postpartum women. Experts also suggest thatchamomile has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and liver-protecting effects.

Echinacea tea

Echinacea tea may help prevent and treat the common cold. Research shows that echinaceacan boost the immune system, which could help your body fight infections.

Ginger tea

Ginger tea contains disease-fighting antioxidants and is a common remedy for nausea.

Studies consistently find that ginger is effective at relieving nausea, especially in early pregnancy. Gingeralso helps relieve nausea caused by cancer treatments and surgery.

According to studies, ginger may help relieve indigestion, prevent stomach ulcers and reduce pain associated with menstruation.

Hibiscus tea

Hibiscus tea is known for its bold color and unique flavor.

Some studies suggest that hibiscus could significantly reduce total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, along with blood pressure. Taking hibiscus tea extractcan also significantly decrease oxidative stress.

If you are not used to drinking hibiscus tea, consult a natural health practitioner for proper usage asit may interact with your medications.

Lemon balm tea

Lemon balm tea has a light, lemony flavor andmay offer some health benefits.

According toa small study, drinking lemon balm tea can help witharterial stiffness (a risk factor for heart disease), stroke and mental decline.

Research alsosuggests that drinking lemon balm tea could increase the bodys natural antioxidant enzymes, which helpprotect against oxidative damage.

Another review showed that lemon balm could help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety without serious side effects.

Peppermint tea

While peppermint tea is often used to support digestive health, it also has antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Researchhas found that peppermint oil can help relieve nausea, indigestion, stomach pain and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Vitamin E ointment

A vitamin E ointment can helptreat skin rashes. Vodka

You can check guides and recipes online to learn how to infuse vodka with different medicinal herbs or plants to make tonics. A hot pepper tonic canhasten recovery from colds and congestion. How to do a skin patch test and why you need to test for skin irritation

If it is your first time usingnatural remedies, perform a skin patch test to check for skin irritation. Always test a small amount of diluted essential oils or salves on a small area of skin before using it on a larger area.

If you notice any redness, discomfort or itching, stop using it and thoroughly wash the area with soap and water. If the skin irritation persists, consult a healthcare professional. When to see a doctor

While a natural medicine kit can be useful for treating common aches, pains and minor ailments, it’s important to know when to seek medical attention from a doctor.

If you or someone you’re treating experiences severe or worsening symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. A doctor’s expertise is essential for diagnosing and treating more serious conditions, ensuring that proper medical care is provided when necessary.

Your natural medicine kit will be a valuable complement to conventional healthcare, especially during a long-term survival scenario when it is impossible to buy or access medicinal supplies.

However, knowing the limits of self-care and recognizing when expert medical guidance is needed is important for your well-being, particularly when dealing with severe injuries and health conditions.

Watch this video outlining four reasons to start using lavender essential oil for aromatherapy.

This video is from theHealth Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories:

Survival first aid: How to handle different trauma scenarios.

Homesteading 101: How to start your own medicinal herb garden.

Feeling the sniffles? Check out these herbs for allergy relief.

Sources include:

TheSurvivalMom.com

WomensHealthMag.com

Healthline.com

Brighteon.com
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‘At least 59 killed’ in Gaza after Israeli military opens fire near aid centre and carries out strikes

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'At least 59 killed' in Gaza after Israeli military opens fire near aid centre and carries out strikes

At least 59 Palestinians have reportedly been killed after the Israeli military opened fire near an aid centre in Gaza and carried out strikes across the territory.

The Red Cross, which operates a field hospital in Rafah, said 25 people were “declared dead upon arrival” and “six more died after admittance” following gunfire near an aid distribution centre in the southern Gazan city.

The humanitarian organisation added that it also received 132 patients “suffering from weapon-related injuries” after the incident.

The Red Cross said: “The overwhelming majority of these patients sustained gunshot wounds, and all responsive individuals reported they were attempting to access food distribution sites.”

The organisation said the number of deaths marks the hospital’s “largest influx of fatalities” since it began operations in May last year.

The IDF has said it fired “warning shots” near the aid distribution site but it was “not aware of injured individuals” as a result.

It said in a statement: “Earlier today, several suspects were identified approaching IDF troops operating in the Rafah area, posing a threat to the troops, hundreds of metres from the aid distribution site.

“IDF troops operated in order to prevent the suspects from approaching them and fired warning shots.”

Palestinians mourn a loved one following the incident near the aid centre. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Palestinians mourn a loved one following the incident near the aid centre. Pic: Reuters

Mother’s despair over shooting

Somia Alshaar told Sky News her 17-year-old son Nasir was shot dead while visiting the aid centre after she told him not to go.

She said: “He went to get us tahini so we could eat.

“He went to get flour. He told me ‘mama, we don’t have tahini. Today I’ll bring you flour. Even if it kills me, I will get you flour’.

“He left the house and didn’t return. They told me at the hospital: your son…’Oh God, oh Lord’.”

Asked where her son was shot, she replied: “In the chest. Yes, in the chest.”

Somia Alshaar, pictured with her daughter, says her son was shot dead. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Somia Alshaar, pictured with her daughter, says her son was shot dead. Pic: Reuters

‘A policy of mass murder’

Hassan Omran, a paramedic with Gaza’s ministry of health, told Sky News after the incident that humanitarian aid centres in Gaza are now “centres of mass death”.

Speaking in Khan Younis, he said: “Today, there were more than 150 injuries and more than 20 martyrs at the aid distribution centres… the Israeli occupation deliberately kills and commits genocide. The Israeli occupation is carrying out a policy of mass murder.

“They call people to come get their daily food, and then, when citizens arrive at these centres, they are killed in cold blood.

“All the victims have gunshot wounds to the head and chest, meaning the enemy is committing these crimes deliberately.”

Israel has rejected genocide accusations and denies targeting civilians.

Boys cry following the incident near the Rafah aid centre. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Two boys mourn their brother at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Pic: Reuters

‘Lies being peddled’

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the controversial US and Israeli-backed group which operates the distribution centre near Rafah, said: “Hamas is claiming there was violence at our aid distribution sites today. False.

“Once again, there were no incidents at or in the immediate vicinity of our sites.

“But that’s not stopping some from spreading the lies being peddled by ‘officials’ at the Hamas-controlled Nasser Hospital.”

The Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah has recorded more than 250 fatalities and treated more than 3,400 “weapon-wounded patients” since new food distribution sites were set up in Gaza on 27 May.

Read more:
‘At least 798 killed’ at Gaza aid points
’10 children killed’ waiting for Gaza health clinic to open
Israel says permanent ceasefire ‘questionable’

Palestinians inspect the wreckage of a gas station destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Image:
Palestinians inspect the wreckage after an Israeli airstrike in Deir al Balah. Pic: AP

It comes after four children and two women were among at least 13 people who died in Deir al Balah, in central Gaza, after Israeli strikes pounded the area starting late on Friday, officials in Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital in the territory said.

Fifteen others died in Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, according to Nasser Hospital.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has not responded to a request for comment on the reported deaths.

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Israeli has been carrying out attacks in Gaza since Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people and took 251 hostages on 7 October 2023.

Hamas still holds 50 hostages, with fewer than half of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

US President Donald Trump has said he is closing in on another ceasefire agreement that would see more hostages released and potentially wind down the war.

But after two days of talks this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, there were no signs of a breakthrough.

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The latest fatalities in Gaza comes as a 20-year-old Palestinian-American man was beaten to death by settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday, the Palestinian Health ministry said.

Sayafollah Musallet, also known as Saif, was killed during a confrontation between Palestinians and settlers in Sinjil, north of Ramallah, the ministry said.

A second man, Hussein Al-Shalabi, 23, died after being shot in the chest.

Mr Musallet’s family, from Tampa Florida, has called on the US State Department to lead an “immediate investigation”.

A State Department spokesperson said it was aware of the incident but it had no further comment “out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones” of the reported victim.

The Israeli military said the confrontation broke out after Palestinians threw rocks at Israelis, lightly injuring them.

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Environment

This new wireless e-bike charger wants to be the future of electric bikes

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This new wireless e-bike charger wants to be the future of electric bikes

Forget fumbling with cables or hunting for batteries – TILER is making electric bike charging as seamless as parking your ride. The Dutch startup recently introduced its much-anticipated TILER Compact system, a plug-and-play wireless charger engineered to transform the user experience for e-bike riders.

At the heart of the new system is a clever combo: a charging kickstand that mounts directly to almost any e‑bike, and a thin charging mat that you simply park over. Once you drop the kickstand and it lands on the mat, the bike begins charging automatically via inductive transfer – no cable required. According to TILER, a 500 Wh battery will fully charge in about 3.5 hours, delivering comparable performance to traditional wired chargers.

It’s an elegantly simple concept (albeit a bit chunky) with a convenient upside: less clutter, fewer broken cables, and no more need to bend over while feeling around for a dark little hole.

TILER claims its system works with about 75% of existing e‑bike platforms, including those from Bosch, Yamaha, Bafang, and other big bames. The kit uses a modest 150 W wireless power output, which means charging speeds remain practical while keeping the system lightweight (the tile weighs just 2 kg, and it’s also stationary).

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TILER has already deployed over 200 charging points across Western Europe, primarily serving bike-share, delivery, hospitality, and hotel fleets. A recent case study in Munich showed how a cargo-bike operator saved approximately €1,250 per month in labor costs, avoided thousands in spare batteries, and cut battery damage by 20%. The takeaway? Less maintenance, more uptime.

Now shifting to prosumer markets, TILER says the Compact system will hit pre-orders soon, with a €250 price tag (roughly US $290) for the kickstand plus tile bundle. To get in line, a €29 refundable deposit is currently required, though they say it is refundable at any point until you receive your charger. Don’t get too excited just yet though, there’s a bit of a wait. Deliveries are expected in summer 2026, and for now are covering mostly European markets.

The concept isn’t entirely new. We’ve seen the idea pop up before, including in a patent from BMW for charging electric motorcycles. And the efficacy is there. Skeptics may wonder if wireless charging is slower or less efficient, but TILER says no. Its system retains over 85% efficiency, nearly matching wired charging speeds, and even pauses at 80% to protect battery health, then resumes as needed. The tile is even IP67-rated, safe for outdoor use, and about as bulky as a thick magazine.

Electrek’s Take

I love the concept. It makes perfect sense for shared e-bikes, especially since they’re often returning to a dock anyway. As long as people can be trained to park with the kickstand on the tile, it seems like a no-brainer.

And to be honest, I even like the idea for consumers. I know it sounds like a first-world problem, but bending over to plug something in at floor height is pretty annoying, not to mention a great way to throw out your back if you’re not exactly a spring chicken anymore. Having your e-bike start charging simply by parking it in the right place is a really cool feature! I don’t know if it’s $300 cool, but it’s pretty cool!

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Politics

‘Shameful’ that black boys in London more likely to die than white boys, says Met Police chief

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'Shameful' that black boys in London more likely to die than white boys, says Met Police chief

It is “shameful” that black boys growing up in London are “far more likely” to die than white boys, Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has told Sky News.

The commissioner told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that relations with minority communities “is difficult for us”.

Sir Mark, who came out of retirement to become head of the UK’s largest police force in 2022, said: “We can’t pretend otherwise that we’ve got a history between policing and black communities where policing has got a lot wrong.

“And we get a lot more right today, but we do still make mistakes. That’s not in doubt. I’m being as relentless in that as it can be.”

He said the “vast majority” of the force are “good people”.

However, he added: “But that legacy, combined with the tragedy that some of this crime falls most heavily in black communities, that creates a real problem because the legacy creates concern.”

Sir Mark, who also leads the UK’s counter-terrorism policing, said it is “not right” that black boys growing up in London “are far more likely to be dead by the time they’re 18” than white boys.

“That’s, I think, shameful for the city,” he admitted.

The Met Police chief’s admission comes two years after an official report found the force is institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic.

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Police chase suspected phone thief

Baroness Casey was commissioned in 2021 to look into the Met Police after serving police officer Wayne Couzens abducted, raped and murdered Sarah Everard.

She pinned the primary blame for the Met’s culture on its past leadership and found that stop and search and the use of force against black people was excessive.

At the time, Sir Mark, who had been commissioner for six months when the report was published, said he would not use the labels of institutionally racist, institutionally misogynistic and institutionally homophobic, which Casey insisted the Met deserved.

However, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who helped hire Sir Mark – and could fire him – made it clear the commissioner agreed with Baroness Casey’s verdict.

After the report was released, Sir Mark said “institutional” was political language so he was not going to use it, but he accepted “we have racists, misogynists…systematic failings, management failings, cultural failings”.

A few months after the report, Sir Mark launched a two-year £366m plan to overhaul the Met, including increased emphasis on neighbourhood policing to rebuild public trust and plans to recruit 500 more community support officers and an extra 565 people to work with teams investigating domestic violence, sexual offences and child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Watch the full interview on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips from 8.30am on Sunday.

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