Bourbon is far more than an alcoholic beverage. It can also save your life! Here are nine ways that bourbon can really come in handy when you’re out there in the wilderness.
1) It Doubles as Disinfectant
If you’re out in the wilderness or for some reason can’t get to the clinic – and you don’t have a first aid kit – you can use bourbon as a disinfectant. Its alcohol content makes it a great germ killer. Just keep in mind that it’ll sting a little when you dab it on. Also, you don’t want to just pour it onto the wound. Instead, pour a little on a clean cloth and pat it over the injury.
2) Use It to Sanitize Your Knives and Other Items
Bourbon is such an effective disinfectant that it works on all of your survivalist gear, including your knives. All that you need to do is pour some bourbon into a glass or a pan and place your knives (or other items) in it.
3) Create a Molotov Cocktail
Hopefully, this isn’t something that you need to do while out and about, but just in case – it’s a good emergency use for your bourbon.
4) An Ingredient in Homemade Medicine
Did you know that you can create homemade, all-natural medicine from a mix of herbs and bourbon? Before you start this practice, take the time necessary to learn about the herbs to ensure that you do this safely. Then, just follow the instructions for each recipe that you find and include a little bourbon in the mixture instead of water.
Related: Try these Remedies our Grandparents used>>>
5) Relieve Your Pain
There’s a reason why Civil War surgeons gave alcohol to their patient before they performed a procedure – it worked as a fairly reliable pain reliever. If you’re hurting and have nothing else handy, then, by all means, drink some bourbon. With that said, you never mix pain medications with alcohol or use it to treat head injuries or uncontrollable bleeding.
6) You Can Start a Fire with It
Bourbon is typically 80 proof. This means that it contains quite a bit of alcohol per bottle (the higher the proof, the more alcohol) and that it’s great for starting fires. Just make sure to do this the right way. If you pour the bourbon over your pile of branches and light a match, the fire will burn out once the alcohol has burned off. Instead, you need to soak your tinder in the bourbon.
7) Trade It for Items That You Need
You never know what you’ll need while out there trying to survive. For example, if you need food and come across someone with a large stash, then you can always offer them some bourbon in exchange for provisions or a single meal. There are plenty of people who will take you up on this offer.
8) It Can Put You to Sleep
If you’re having a hard time sleeping while out in the wilderness, just drink some bourbon. It’s not safe to go on very little sleep, as you can end up making poor choices that can have catastrophic results. Too little sleep can also make you more susceptible to illness.
9) As Mosquito Repellant
Although you’ll have to keep applying the bourbon as the alcohol wears off, it does work as an effective mosquito repellant. The alcohol in the liquid will keep those mosquitoes at bay just as well as any chemical-laden store bought DEET. You’ll have to pour some bourbon on a piece of cloth and wipe it on your exposed skin, or place it in a spray bottle and apply it that way.
