Herbal remedies are often mentioned as expedient or alternate medication. Are they usefull? Yes, if you know what your doing. Wild herb potency is affected by age and part of plant, time of year and nurient richness. Two seemingly identical plants can produce radically different dosages. Many beneficial plants have an "evil twin sister". Remember, even experienced mushroom collectors have made this deadly mistake. An external poultice or wash is one thing, a diuretic taken internally quite another. The idea that herbs are 'natural' and somehow better is a cultural value, not an empirical given. I much prefer aspirin to gathering it's native source!