Six life-saving plants you should know — they can save your life in critical moments!
Nowadays, there are many posts discussing gear in communities where outdoor enthusiasts gather. Many people believe that carrying high-end equipment is a mark of an outdoor enthusiast. But actually, on the Outdoor ExplorerAdventureNetwork, when facing special situations, if you know the following types of plants, your chances of survival are much more effective than relying on advanced gear alone.
1. Kudzu: Kudzu is widely distributed in North China and can be easily found in the mountains. It serves two purposes: first, it can be made into ropes, and second — more importantly — it can help solve food problems. Kudzu has thick, large tuberous roots with a high starch content. Each root can weigh up to one kilogram. Just digging up one kudzu root per day can keep you from starving for many days. Moreover, these roots are still available in winter. So if you're considering surviving in the outdoors, finding kudzu means staying far away from death.
2. Oak tree: There are many oak trees in northern forests. Where there are oaks, there are acorns. Although acorns don't taste great, they are rich in starch. Finding oak trees in autumn or winter means finding food. Additionally, oak trees are often surrounded by squirrels, and in winter, they might be the easiest animals to catch — and if you find a squirrel’s burrow, you can usually dig up a lot of food. As far as I know, squirrels in North China are different from those in the northeast; most of their burrows aren’t in tree holes but on the ground.
3. Linden tree: Linden trees are abundant in northern forests, and their leaves are excellent wild vegetables that can be eaten in spring, summer, and autumn. Although they don't provide as much energy as acorns or kudzu roots, they can certainly keep you from starving. Also, linden trees are very widespread, and collecting their leaves is simple. If you end up starving in the northern forests during summer or autumn, I’d say you must be pretty clueless.
4. Kiwi vine: In the dense forests of North China, kiwi vines are also everywhere and quite easy to recognize. Their fruits are delicious, and the leaves can also serve as food. And if you run out of water, just cut a kiwi vine branch, and you’ll see sap flow out. The taste isn’t great, but it will keep you alive.
5. Birch: This is the easiest to identify. Like the kiwi vine, it can definitely help you solve your water problem. Natural young birch is quite famous as a drink. If you can’t even find a birch tree in the wild, I suggest you stay in the city.
6. Wild lily: There are many wild lilies in the wilderness, and they are easy to identify. Their roots, leaves, and flowers are all nutritious and taste good. However, they are not as easy to find as the five plants listed above.
There are many plants in the wild that can save your life, but the ones above are the easiest to identify and most widely distributed. Generally speaking, as long as you know these plants, you can ensure you won’t starve for ten or even fifteen days. Unless you’re being hunted, that amount of time is usually enough for rescuers to find you.
There are many plants in the wild that can save your life, but the ones above are the easiest to identify and most widely distributed. Generally speaking, as long as you know these plants, you can ensure you won’t starve for ten or even fifteen days. Unless you’re being hunted, that amount of time is usually enough for rescuers to find you.
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