Plantain is one of those all-round best buds to have around. It is a fantastic first aid ally, especially in wound healing and is known for its drawing properties which is especially helpful for infection and venomous stings. It can also help draw splinters to the skin’s surface. Plantain contains allantoin, a component that supports tissue regeneration. Due to its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, it is used to resolve minor wounds while helping to stave off infection as the wound cures.
Plantain Brings Relief
Plantain provides relief for cuts, wounds, stings, bug bites, burns, and itchy rashes. It is high in mucilage and demulcent properties which makes it moistening and soothing. It is also nourishing which multiplies its effectiveness.
Plantain Is Accessible
Plantain grows in the wild and can likely be found in your own backyard. When we found it growing on our property, we transplanted it into our herb garden where we could better access it. Little did we know just how much we would use this amazing herb.
Our Experience
When we get stung by bees and wasps while working outside, we hurry to get a leaf from our plantain patch. To get the most out of it, we chew or bruise the leaf before applying it to the sting. I got multiple stings this summer while working outside, and I found the best results when I applied lavender essential oil to my sting followed by plantain salve and a plantain leaf bandage. On one of these occasions, I got two stings on my finger which hurt a lot. Within 1-2 minutes of applying these three things to my finger, I felt so much better. I was impressed!
A Salve Testimonial
Our Plantain Salve features wildcrafted plantain leaf from our farm! One client gave us this kind testimonial. “I love this salve! I have light rosacea…using it every morning and night has completely controlled it!”
This is one of many ways to use this salve.
Plantain Varieties
There is more than one kind of plantain. Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) is most often used externally while narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is used more internally. We have both kinds growing on our farm but use the broadleaf variety in most cases. The bigger the leaf, the better the bandage because it covers more surface area.
Nutritive Bandage
A plantain bandage is just what it sounds like. Instead of using a gauze bandage, use a clean plantain leaf to not only cover but nourish wounds, stings, burns, etc. To make the most of your bandage, bruise the leaf to allow the juices and moisture of the leaf and come in contact with the affected area. Our favorite way to use this bandage is to apply plantain salve or colloidal silver to the wound, bandage with a plantain leaf and tape a folded paper towel on top to keep everything in place.
Identification
Plantain grows leafy rosettes that are low to the ground. It is easily distinguished by its tall seed stalks that grow from the middle of the plant. The green leaves are shaped like large tear drops and are smooth and slightly shiny but do not have hair on them. A great identification tip is to look for the vertical spines on the back of the leaf. Check out this video to learn more about how to identify this amazing must-have plant.
Harvesting and Drying
Since learning about plantain, we like to always keep it on hand. In the summertime when it is in full production, I like to harvest and dry the leaves for future use. I make salves and tinctures with them and also store the whole dried leaves to use as bandages. When the plant dies for the year and fresh leaves are no longer available, we use the dried leaves. All we have to do is rehydrate the leaf in a bowl of hot water for 1-2 minutes, and it is ready to go. We have done this often in the wintertime.
We love this amazing herb and never want to be without it! Do you have any growing around you?
~Hannah
