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These Surprising Uses of Pine Sap Could Save Your Life

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how to use pine sap

Everyone is familiar with pine trees, but did you know that the sticky sap from a pine tree has some really cool uses? Here we go over how to use pine sap when you’re camping and for survival purposes.

Pine sap is a sticky, viscous substance that is secreted by pine trees. It is composed of water, sugars, and resin acids. When tapped from the tree, it can be used for an amazing variety of purposes.

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How to collect pine sap

There are a few different ways to collect pine sap. The most common method is to tap the tree, which involves drilling a small hole into the tree and collecting the sap that drips out.

Another way to collect pine sap is to simply gather it from the ground beneath the tree. This can be done by using a shovel or trowel to dig around the base of the tree until you find a pocket of sap. Once you’ve found some sap, you can scrape it off of the bark or leaves and into a container.

pine branches

Finally, you can also collect pine sap by cutting into the tree itself. This is generally not recommended, as it can damage the tree, but if you’re careful you can cut a V-shaped notch into the bark and collect the sap that runs out.

What can pine sap be used for?

Pine sap can be used for a variety of useful purposes, including:

  • Making homemade glue
  • Starting a fire
  • Building a shelter
  • Sealing minor cuts and wounds
  • As a natural insecticide
  • To make a nutritious food or candy

Making glue with pine sap

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own glue, here’s a recipe using pine sap. All you need is some pine sap and water.

To start, collect some pine sap from a tree. You can do this by making a small cut in the bark of the tree and collecting the sap that comes out. Once you have about a cup of pine sap, add it to a pot of boiling water.

Let the mixture boil for about 15 minutes, or until it starts to thicken. Once it has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Once it’s cooled, your homemade glue is ready to use!

making pine sap glue

Another option for making homemade pine sap glue is to mix pine sap with an equal amount of flour. This mixture can be used to adhere paper or fabric to other surfaces.

Making a fire with pine sap

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to make a fire but don’t have any matches or lighter fluid, pine sap can be a great alternative. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Gather some pine sap from a tree. You can use your hands or a knife to get the sap out of the tree.
  2. Once you have enough pine sap, find some dry grass or leaves and gather them up
  3. Make a small pile of the dry grass or leaves and place the pine sap on top of it
  4. Use a knife or other sharp object to scrape the pine sap onto the dry grass or leaves until they are coated.
  5. Now all you need is a spark to get the fire going! (Carrying a tool like this could be a lifesaver.)

Building a shelter with pine sap

When it comes to building an emergency wilderness shelter, one of the most valuable materials you can have is pine sap.

building a shelter with pine sap

Pine sap has several benefits that make it ideal for shelter construction.

First, pine sap is an excellent water repellent. This means that it will help keep your shelter dry and comfortable.

Second, pine sap is also very sticky. This can be helpful in keeping your shelter together and preventing leaks.

Finally, pine sap has a strong scent that can potentially help keep predators away from your shelter.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using pine sap for shelter construction. First, you will need to collect a large amount of pine sap. One tree can provide enough sap for a small shelter. Second, you will need to heat the pine sap before using it. This can be done by placing the sap in a container and setting it over a fire.

Now, it’s time to build your shelter. Start by creating a frame out of sticks or branches. Then, use the pine sap to glue large leaves or pieces of bark to the frame. Make sure to cover the entire shelter to keep rain and wind from getting through.

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Using pine sap to seal wounds

Sealing minor cuts and wounds with pine sap can help to prevent infection. The sticky nature of pine sap helps to keep bandages in place and provides a barrier against bacteria and dirt.

If you find yourself in a pinch and need to seal a wound quickly, pine sap can be a helpful tool. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Gather some pine sap from a tree. You can use your fingers or a knife to scrape it off the bark.
  2. Clean the wound as much as possible with clean water and dry it off.
  3. Apply the pine sap directly to the wound.
  4. Cover the wound with a bandage if possible.
  5. Repeat steps 3-4 as necessary until the wound is fully sealed.
  6. Keep an eye on the wound and make sure it is healing properly.
pine sap for wounds

Pine sap contains a compound called terpene, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Pine sap as an insecticide

Pine sap has a long history of being used as a natural insecticide.

The sticky, gooey substance is effective at trapping and killing insects. Pine sap can be used in its natural state or mixed with other ingredients to create a more potent insecticide. Here are some tips for using pine sap as an insecticide:

  1. Collect pine sap from a tree (see instructions above).
  2. Apply pine sap directly to insects or areas where they’re likely to congregate. For example, you can put a glob of pine sap on a flypaper strip to trap flies.
  3. You can also mix pine sap with water to create a sprayable solution. This is especially effective against aphids and other small insects.
off grid food storage

Using pine sap as a nutritious food

Pine sap contains a wealth of nutrients and antioxidants that can be eaten to boost your health in several ways.

Pine sap is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. It also contains important antioxidants like ellagic acid and ferulic acid. These nutrients work together to boost the immune system, fight inflammation, and protect against cellular damage.

When taken internally, pine sap can help treat respiratory infections, bronchitis, and asthma.

pine sap as food

Pine sap can be eaten fresh from the tree. It has a somewhat sweet flavor that is perfect for adding to dishes as a flavoring agent. It can be added to soups, stews, and sauces to give them a unique flavor.

Pine sap can be used as candy by boiling it down into a syrup. Here’s how to make your own pine sap candy:

  1. Collect pine sap from trees using a clean bucket or container.
  2. Boil the pine sap over moderate heat until it becomes syrupy.
  3. Add sugar, if desired and available.
  4. Pour the syrup onto a clean surface to cool and harden.
  5. Enjoy your delicious homemade pine sap candy!

Final thoughts on how to use pine sap

Pine sap has many uses beyond just making a sticky mess on your hands. It can be used for medical purposes, like a salve for wounds or an infection fighter. It can also be used as a natural adhesive, or even to start a fire.

The next time you’re out hiking and come across a pine tree, take a closer look at the sap seeping from its bark and think about all of the different ways it could be put to use.

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How to Make Your own Emergency Water Well

How to Make Your own Emergency Water Well

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In areas where water is scarce or contaminated, an emergency well can mean the difference between life and death. Here are some tips on how to make your own emergency water well.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need water and there is no clean water source nearby, you can make an emergency well. This type of well will probably not be suitable for long-term use, but it will provide you with enough water to get by in a pinch.

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By clicking an affiliate link below, we may receive a commission on purchases at no additional cost to you.

Emergency wells are a vital part of disaster preparedness

When disaster strikes, access to clean water is essential for survival. Emergency wells can provide a much-needed source of water in the event of a natural disaster or man-made crisis.

Emergency wells are typically shallow, hand-dug wells that can be quickly and easily constructed with minimal equipment. They can be used to provide water for drinking, cooking, and basic sanitation needs.

While emergency wells are not intended to be a long-term solution, they can be a lifesaving measure in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Having an emergency well in place can make all the difference in surviving and recovering from a catastrophic event.

How to make an emergency well

If you find yourself without access to clean water, one option is to build an emergency well.

It’s a fairly simple but physically demanding process that anyone can do with the right materials and a little bit of know-how.

Here’s how to make an emergency well:

  1. Find a suitable location for your well where you think there may be underground water. Look for an area that is lower than the surrounding land, as water will tend to collect in these areas. It should also be away from any sources of contamination, such as sewage or chemical runoff.
  2. Dig a hole that is at least 10 feet deep. In some areas you may need to go down 25 feet. The deeper the hole, the cleaner the water will be. Using an auger digging drill will make the job a whole lot easier.
  3. Cover the bottom with gravel or sand to help filter the water as it rises up through the filter medium.
  4. Line the hole with rocks or bricks to help keep the sides from caving in if you plan to use the well on a longer term basis.
  5. Insert PVC tubing into the hole. Make sure the tubing extends up above the ground level so you can attach a pump later on. Use a screen or cloth at the bottom of the pipe to keep dirt and debris from entering your well. This will help keep contaminants from seeping into the water.
  6. Attach a hand pump or other type of small water pump to the tubing and start pumping!
  7. Old timers would dig a deep well wide enough to put a bucket or other container down into the hole to collect the water as it seeps in. For this type of well, you would need to place a lid or cover over the top of the well to keep out debris and animals.

You can also buy ready-made water well drilling kits to make the job even simpler.

Emergency wells can be an essential part of being prepared for a disaster

An emergency water well is a great way to ensure that you have a fresh water supply in case of an emergency where your primary water source is cut off.

An emergency well can give you the peace of mind that you need to know that you and your family will have access to life-sustaining water.

survival biscuits

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How To Find True North Without a Compass

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compass arrow graphic

In today’s technology-driven world, it’s easy to forget the importance of nature. But as any experienced hiker knows, a compass is only one tool for finding your way. By using these tips, you can find true north without a compass.

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By clicking an affiliate link below, we may receive a commission on purchases at no additional cost to you.

Orienting yourself without a compass

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to orient yourself without a compass, there are a few things you can do.

Here are a few simple techniques that can help you find your bearings.

man hiking through wilderness

Using a watch to find north

First, if you have a watch, you can use it to find north. To do this, hold the watch horizontally and point the hour hand at the sun. Then, bisect the angle between the hour hand and 12 o’clock to find north.

The sun: Use the sun to find north

Orienting yourself without a compass may seem difficult, but it can be done relatively easily by using the sun to find north.

using the son to find north

First, find a large open area where there are no trees or buildings blocking your view of the horizon.

Second, place a stick in the ground so that it casts a shadow.

Third, wait until the shadow starts to move and mark the end of the shadow with a rock or piece of turf.

Fourth, draw a line in the sand from the base of the stick to the rock or piece of turf.

Fifth, wait about 15 minutes and repeat steps 2-4.

Sixth, draw a second line on the ground that intersects your first line at right angles.

Seventh, orient your body so that one arm points along Line 1 and the other arm points along Line 2.

Eighth, you are now facing north!

lost survival foods

The stars: Find north using the stars

Another way to find north is by using the stars.

Milky Way at night

The North Star, or Polaris, is located directly above the North Pole. So, if you can find Polaris in the night sky, you will know which way is north.

The moon: Use the moon to find north

Another method is to use the moon. If you know roughly what time it is, you can look at the moon and use its position to find north. For example, if it is early evening and the moon is in the east, then north will be towards your left.

using the moon to find north
survival biscuits
Super Foods You Can Store Without Refrigeration

The landscape: Use your surroundings to find north

Find a tree or bush and look for moss growing on it. In the Northern Hemisphere, moss usually grows on the north side of trees and bushes.

Moss typically grows on the north side of a tree

Conclusion: How to find north without a compass

If you are ever lost, following these steps will help you find true north without a compass. Although it may seem daunting at first, with a little practice it will become second nature. So get out there and give it a try!

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