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!

Horsetail

Horsetail ((Equisetum arvense) is up and abundant! It is such an exciting plant to see in the wild. It is exceptionally nutritious, being rich in potassium, magnesium, and iron, and has many medicinal qualities, as well. It is an ancient plant, dating back to the Paleozoic era (600-375 million years ago) and is a descendent of huge trees that lived during that time! In fact, during early spring, when it first appears, it resembles baby pine trees, and for years, I thought it was that. It is a perennial from a creeping rhizome, so it often appears in large colonies.

Resembling baby pine trees makes for a very pretty plant, but on closer examination, it is prettier, still. Just below each set of whorled leaves that climb a green, sterile stalk, are dark etchings on the joints of the plant. When viewed with a hand lens, the dark markings are the shape of arrows, and each one is split in the middle, as though it was burst from within.

Its high levels of silica makes it an excellent abrasive, and one of its common names, ‘bottlebrush’, reveals one of its earlier uses. In addition, the sprigs of the plant were tied to the tails of horses, to help them ward off flies, hence the name, ‘horsetail’.

As stated, it is very rich in silicic acid and silicates; it is also abundant in flavinoids and phenolic acid. But most of the medicinal benefits are due to the high level of silica. It is used for a number of ailments, including cystitis; menopausal complaints such as hot flashes; bloating; and it is even a styptic, commonly used to stop nosebleeds. But for my money, its most exciting quality is that it helps to build strong bones, and according to widely respected herbalist, Susun Weed, the plant can even reverse osteoporosis. Horsetail also speeds the repair of damaged connective tissue, all the while improving its strength and elasticity.

In addition, when added to a bath, horsetail can help speed up the repair of broken bones, and sprains, or skin conditions such as eczema.

The parts of the plants that are used are the aerial parts, and it should be harvested in the first 4-6 weeks of its growth, as too much silica can cause urinary tract irritation.It likes damp ground, so it is commonly found near water. It should be carefully dried, and then the herb can be made into a tea (generally 1 tsp plant material to 1 cup of boiling water.) Steep covered for 20 minutes. Drink 1-2 cups per day.