A quick, upward glance at the sunlight filtering through the canopy of trees signals that it’s about time to head back to camp. The crisp, pungent smell of the forest floor reminds you how much you needed this family vacation.

You can almost smell the trout that you and Billy caught early this morning frying in the pan over the open fire. Just as your stomach begins to rumble in anticipation, you hear a scream.

Your head snaps around and you can see Billy just a few yards down the trail, his arms flapping wildly around his head. Back over the log you jump, and running reach him in just seconds.

Billy has upset one very angry wasp. Whipping off your cap, you swat it away and while it’s stunned lying on the ground you send the nasty critter off to meet his insect brothers in the great beyond.

Quick examination shows that Billy has been bitten repeatedly by the wasp and is in some serious pain. No medicine cabinet and no drugstore for miles. Your emergency medical kit is back at camp.

Eyes darting around the ground near the trail, you spot just what you need. Grabbing a handful of leaves from what looks like a weed, you toss a few in your mouth and chew them quickly. You apply the poultice to the red welts appearing on Billy’s arms and face.

Almost as quickly as his screams began, Billy stops crying. Wiping away his tears with the back of his hand, he manages a crooked grin and a sheepish, “thanks Dad.”

Disaster averted.

As you and Billy begin the hike back to camp, you remember that book you purchased online about herbal remedies and acknowledge it was money well spent!