Survival plants exist all around us – and many of them can help you stave off water in the midst of an emergency.
Now, it’s important to remember that these plants are not meant to replace water entirely. Nothing can replace pure, clean drinking water. However, these plants can be a very beneficial supplement to aid you when your water supply is running low (or if you can’t access it for the time-being).
Thankfully, these plants aren’t just great for hydration, either. Many of them also contain nutrients and vitamins that can help your body and mind as well. And those are important too, seeing as you’ll be dependent on every last calorie, vitamin and ounce of water in your system when SHTF.
Thirst quenching can become easier than ever once you discover these…
5+ Survival Plants That Stave Off Dehydration
Melon
Most melons have a large, hollow cavity inside the fruit that’s perfect for holding water. And, while most people think of traditional melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.) there are lots of wild options that can help you in a crisis.
For instance, citrons are wild melons found throughout the southern U.S. Although these aren’t as sweet, their distinctive white flesh holds a lot of water.
Not to mention, farms all over the nation grow melons. This can be a godsend in an emergency, since there’s usually lots of them to harvest (so long as the farmer living there is willing to barter for them).
Squash
Centuries ago, Native Americans were dependent on squash as a food staple. This likely because the thick flesh of the squash contains lots of water to quench their thirst. (Not to mention, the seeds are also edible).
Much like most produce nowadays, what you find in the grocery store is much different appearance-wise than what you’ll find growing in nature. However, the ones in nature are still very much edible, and can be found across the globe.
Cacti
The southern part of the nation is full of cacti – and this can be very useful if you find yourself in an emergency. Prickly pears are especially useful, since they harbor lots of water. Not to mention, their leaves and fruit are both edible and great additional sources of hydration. These fruits are great for eating raw, or for making into jellies, syrups, or liquor.
Berries
Wild berries are not only delicious and incredibly plentiful across the U.S. They’re also an excellent source of water.
Of course, you’ll need to make sure it’s safe to eat first before popping one in your mouth. (One of the best ways to check is by doing the edibility test, which you can read about in our blog right here).
You can also watch the videos below for helpful tips on identifying and foraging edible berries.
Other Dehydration Fighters
Of course, if I wrote down every type of plant that contains water, this blog would be extremely long. As such, there are a few trusty standbys to keep in mind when SHTF. These are known for helping fight off dehydration until you can get to a decent water source.
Some of the top hydrating plants are:
- Cucumbers
- Sage
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Aloe Vera
- Mint
Again, these are by no means substitutions for pure, clean drinking water. However, they can be great additions to your meal plan to help keep dehydration at bay.