Plantain: First Aid in Your Backyard

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Plantain

First Aid in Your Backyard

by Corinna Wood

 

Twelve years ago, I was walking barefoot with a friend in the Catskill

Mountains. I was enjoying the flowers and conversation when I suddenly

felt an excruciating pain. I quickly realized I had stepped on a bee.

Immediately, I was flooded with memories of the last time I was stung

on my foot: restless nights and over a week of pain and itching. My

friend, who was studying herbs with me at the time, suggested

plantain, an herb that was growing right at our feet. I I said, " Sure,

plantain may be good for mosquito bites, but this is a BEE STING! I

don't think so! "

 

After a few minutes, as the throbbing pain increased, I decided to

give the plantain a try after all. I picked a leaf, chewed it up, and

put it on the bite. A minute later (to my astonishment), the throbbing

and burning had almost completely disappeared! In ten minutes, when

the pain began to return, I put on a fresh poultice and again

experienced immediate relief. Same thing half an hour later, then

several hours later, and a few more times over the next day. In less

than 24 hours, the sting was completely healed.

 

I no longer dread bee stings. Over the last twelve years, I have

turned to plantain many times - whenever I, my child, or any of our

friends have been stung. I have learned that the sooner we use it, the

better. So when someone cries out that they've been stung, one of us

goes straight for the plantain. And it's always just a few steps away!

 

Plantain, one of the most widespread " weeds " in the world, is a

first-choice remedy for many skin ailments. It is safe and effective,

for not only bee stings, but also for bleeding, cuts, bruises, bug

bites, hemorroids, and itchy skin. Its ability to draw out infection -

as well as spinters and even glass shards - is especially remarkable.

 

The easiest way to make a plantain poultice is to chew up the leaf,

put it on the wound, and cover it with a band-aid to hold it in place.

Saliva actually contains many antibacterial properties (which may be

why animals lick their wounds). If a " spit poultice " is not for you,

you can chop plantain with a knife or in the blender with a little

water.

 

So how do you find plantain? Luckily, it is one of the top three

plants in lawns, along with dandelion and grass. There are actually

two species of plantain that grow in our area: lance-leaved plantain

(Plantago lanceolata) and broad-leaved plantain (Plantago major). They

can be used interchangeably.

 

The easiest way to identify plantain (of either type) is that it has

leaves with parallel veins. Most plants have leaves with veins that

fork outward from a central midrib. Plantain, on the other hand, has

side veins and a midrib which all run parallel to one another down to

the base of the plant. Plantain doesn't have showy flowers, but it

does have a distinctive, compact seed head that turns from green to

brown as the seeds mature. All parts of the plant, including the

seeds, are edible.

 

To enjoy plantain's healing properties year 'round, it's easy to make

your own plantain oil (see box). This oil will last you through the

winter when plantain dies back. It also comes in handy when mosquitoes

make a meal of your arms and legs. A dozen spit poultices is probably

more than anyone wants to make!

 

Plantain is what my family uses instead of an over-the-counter

antibiotic cream. When my two-year-old hurts himself, he knows where

to find plantain. A day later, as he takes off his poultice, my heart

warms as he delights, " Mommy, it's healed! Plantain made it better! "

 

 

 

Making Plantain Oil

 

Choose a dry, sunny day and harvest the plantain in the afternoon

(once the dew has dried). Tightly pack a clean, dry jar full of

plantain leaves. Cover with olive oil to the top. Place the jar out of

direct sunlight and let it sit at room temperature for six weeks.

Every day for the first week, top off the oil so that it completely

covers the leaves. After six weeks, strain out the plant material. You

now have your own green, medicinal plantain oil!

 

--

Diana Gonzalez

 

 

 

 

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is

carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a

life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

-Unknown