I’m glad you asked, because when you’re on the front lines you need a steady supply of reliable, natural first aid. For fresh wounds, the best leaves are nettle (Urtica dioica) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale). Nettle is great because its latex contains tannins that close the wound and its leaves are rich in vitamins. Boil a handful of fresh nettle leaves for 15 minutes, strain the liquid, and let it cool to room temperature. Then wipe the wound with the liquid or apply a poultice of nettle leaf mash. Comfrey, on the other hand, is a traditional healing plant that contains allantoin, which promotes cell growth. Make a decoction by simmering a cup of comfrey leaves in a pint of water for 20 minutes, strain, cool, and use the liquid to rinse the wound or apply a comfrey leaf poultice. If you have a deeper cut, wrap the poultice in a clean cloth and apply gentle pressure. If you’re looking for something that works quickly on bleeding, roots of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) are very effective. Dry yarrow roots, crush them into a powder, and mix with a bit of water to form a thick paste. Press the paste directly on the bleeding area until the bleeding stops. Yarrow also has antimicrobial properties, so it helps keep infection at bay. For a quick salve, mix equal parts of comfrey root powder and olive oil. Let it steep for a few days, strain, and store in a small jar. A thin layer on the wound will soothe and protect as it heals. Remember to wash your hands before you apply any of these, and keep everything clean—no one wants a plant‑based treatment to become a second infection. Good luck with your comrades, and don’t let them forget their first aid kit the way I forget birthdays.

I’ll keep the roots in a neat drawer and check each batch twice—once with the eyes, once with the nose. If the scent changes, that’s my cue to toss it. The battlefield is chaotic, but a steady rhythm of preparation keeps the wounds from turning into something worse. Stay focused, and let the plants do the work.