When you’re out in the wild, access to clean, safe drinking water can be a matter of life or death. Most of us preppers know that carrying a water filtration system is essential, but sometimes situations call for a bit more knowledge and resourcefulness. Nature provides solutions all around us, and some plants can help purify water when modern tools aren’t available. These plants may not give you sparkling-clean water in every situation, but they can help remove impurities, filter out particles, or even kill harmful microbes. In this list, I’ll walk you through some wild plants that can lend a hand in your survival toolkit. You never know when this info might come in handy!
1. Moringa Oleifera (Drumstick Tree)
Moringa seeds have been used for centuries in traditional water purification. When ground into a powder, the seeds act as a natural coagulant, attracting impurities, bacteria, and other particles, causing them to clump together and settle at the bottom of a container. It’s like a natural filter that’s simple to use.
2. Cattails (Typha)
Cattails, which are often found near water sources, have fibrous roots and stems that can act as a rudimentary filter. You can take the roots and stems, place them over your container, and slowly pour water through them to strain out sediment and some impurities. While it won’t kill bacteria, it’s a start toward clearer water.
3. Banana Peels
While not exactly “wild,” banana peels are surprisingly effective at absorbing heavy metals like lead and copper from contaminated water. Rub the inside of a banana peel along the sides of your container or drop bits into the water to help reduce harmful metals. This method doesn’t filter out biological contaminants, though.
4. Cilantro (Coriandrum Sativum)
Cilantro is more than a tasty herb! Its leaves contain chemicals that can bind to heavy metals like mercury, lead, and arsenic, making it useful for purifying contaminated water. You can crush cilantro leaves and mix them with water, then strain it after a while to help remove toxins.
5. Birch Trees (Betula)
The bark of birch trees is full of natural oils that can help filter water. You can craft a simple filtration system by wrapping birch bark around layers of sand, gravel, and charcoal to create a makeshift water filter. This method can help remove debris and sediments.
6. Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes)
Water hyacinths are notorious for their ability to absorb toxins and heavy metals from water. This floating plant’s roots soak up contaminants and may help with basic filtration, though it’s important to remember that it may not remove pathogens, so boiling afterward is recommended.
7. Pine Trees (Pinus)
Pine needles contain tannins, which have mild antibacterial properties. You can boil pine needles in water to release these tannins, which may help reduce bacterial load. Plus, pine needle tea can provide a good source of vitamin C!
8. Willow Trees (Salix)
Willow bark contains salicylic acid, a compound with antibacterial and antifungal properties. Like with pine, you can boil willow bark in water to help kill off some microbes. This won’t purify water entirely, but it’s better than nothing in a pinch.
9. Charcoal from Burnt Wood
Though not technically a plant, charcoal made from burnt wood (especially from hardwoods like oak or maple) can be used in a makeshift filter. Place it in a cloth or sock, and run your water through it to filter out particles and some toxins. Charcoal is great for absorbing impurities.
10. Duckweed (Lemna Minor)
Duckweed can absorb toxins and nutrients from polluted water. This floating plant thrives on the surface of still water bodies and helps reduce heavy metals and other pollutants. However, it’s essential to still boil the water to ensure it’s safe to drink after filtration.
