Plantain to the Rescue

Common Plantain (Plantago major)

This is an amazing species, so many medicinal uses, and nutritious, as well! Yes, I am talking about humble plantain: parallel veined, oval leaves that grow in a basal rosette. It produces elongated stalks, which bear its humble little white flowers. Its seed is used for many purposes, including as a laxative (psyllium, frequently sold as an over-the-counter drug, and commonly used for this, is a closely related species.)

 Depending on how far back you go in the herbal literature, you will find hundreds of uses for the plant. As far back as the ancient Greeks and Romans, plantain (not related to the banana species by the same name) was widely used as an astringent, as a wound healing agent, for respiratory ailments, and to soothe tired eyes.

Native Americans used the plant for many purposes, including snake bites, wounds, cuts, infections, and blisters. Like the Greeks and Romans, they used the juice, or infusion, of the plant, for sore eyes. Internally, the leaf was taken for diarrhea, intestinal disorders, ulcers, bloody urine and other intestinal problems

The root was used as well. Respiratory infections, as well as constipation, were commonly treated with the root of the plant.

Today’s herbalists use the plant in many of the old ways: it is still used as an astringent, and as such is excellent for skin irritations and wounds. It contains mucilage (a carbohydrate fiber) which soothes irritated mucus membranes, so it is very helpful for digestive upsets.

It is particularly useful in treating insect bites, if  you are out in the field without a first aid kit, and find yourself bitten by a stinging insect, simply take a plantain leaf, chew it sufficiently to release its juice, and then place it on the sting, continuing to rub fresh leaves on the wound for 15 minutes or so, until relief is found. Plantain also has the ability to draw out toxins, and as such, is a good remedy for a tick bite. Once bitten, remove the tick promptly with a tick remover (a tool created for this exact purpose – found at CVS, or Rite-Aide) then chew a leaf, enough to release the juice, and then place it on the site. Leave it there for 24 hours. (It can be secured in place with a bandaid.) Also, a salve can be made of the infusion of the plant, and it is used for cuts, stings, burns, and hemorrhoids.

It packs a punch nutritionally as well, providing beta carotene and calcium. Also, its high in fiber, and the fiber, of the seeds, in particular, have been shown to lower LDL ( the “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides, lending a hand toward heart health.

 The plant’s leaves can be eaten when young and tender; the older leaves are too tough to enjoy (but these older leaves can be enjoyed in a stew.)

In order to make a plantain salve try this recipe:

Plantain Salve

Collect enough plantain to fill a small jar (4- 6 oz. is good)

Chop the plantain well

Place in a jar and cover with organic olive oil

Poke around in the jar ( a chopstick works well) to make sure the olive oil is  touching all parts of the plant material.

Cover with a tight lid.

Label the jar with the contents and the date prepared, and another date, 6 weeks later.

Place in a sunny location.

Mark on the calendar when the oil will be ready. Once in a while, over the course of the 6 weeks, gently shake the jar.

When the time is up, strain the oil well and discard the plant material.

Add 1 tbl grated beeswax per ounce of oil. Place in a double boiler ( a coffee can in a pot works well) and gently heat until the beeswax is melted.

Pour into 1 oz containers. Cool. Enjoy!