Frontier Chemistry Project

Long before the creation of Western medicine and today's prescriptions, native people and settlers used local flora to treat and cure their diseases. 
Identifying a plant can be difficult and challenging, yet if done correctly, it can be the difference between life and death. Flora identification can determine its uses and help anyone in need of medical attention. In the same way, they can be very harmful and dangerous, so it is important that you are able to correctly identify flora. Also, to better your chances of survival, you should familiarize yourself with a variety of plants from different regions. If stuck in an unfamiliar area, it would be very helpful to know the abilities and properties of the local flora in case of emergency. Additionally, traveling in different seasons can effect the types of plants that are alive and in bloom. For example, if traveling in the winter where it is quite chilly, you must find species that survive the cold and do not go dormant. Knowing your species is an important asset you can have while traveling. Furthermore, as a scientist, it would be an additional asset to associate with the local people. They will have valuable knowledge of their surroundings that you don't have because they have lived and grown around that environment. And if no local society is available, I would trust my knowledge and reference texts information concerning medicinal flora. However, I would be very cautious and thorough when handling or using the plants because of the numerous poisonous and irritable plants that exist.


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