Plantain (Plantago major or Plantago lanceolata) may share a name with the banana-like fruit found in grocery stores but it’s completely different. This plantain is the perennial herb often identified as a “weed” growing in backyards, in lawns, along driveways and hiking paths, and in gardens.
Plantain meets important requirements for inclusion in a herbal first-aid kit because it’s excellent for treating acute conditions (such as cuts, scrapes, and bee stings), is easy to administer, and has little risk of causing side effects.
The Easiest Medicine
My first experience with plantain was during a summer play date when my son was stung by a wasp at our home. He was crying in pain when I suddenly remembered hearing that plantain pulls toxins from the skin and alleviates pain.I quickly searched the ground and found plantain, chewed it until a slurry formed in my mouth (it was disgusting), and then placed the poultice directly on the sting location. Within a few seconds, my son stopped crying. The pain was gone and he felt well enough to rejoin the play date. From that moment, I was hooked on plantain!
Plantain is used in nearly every part of the world. Its use in wound healing dates to at least the ancient Greeks, who prescribed the leaves for the treatment of dog bites. The Vikings also used plantain to heal wounds. Due to its popularity in the 14th century, plantain was revered in Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet” for its ability to heal a broken shin.
In traditional medicine, plantain combined with honey was recommended for wounds, while plantain boiled and eaten with butter was said to heal any organ in the human body.
Science has confirmed that plantain has anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral, pain-blocker, antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immune-modulator properties.
Because of its diverse array of healing properties, plantain can replace several man-made medications commonly found in a modern first-aid kit.
Topical Pain Killer
When experiencing pain and itching from a bee or wasp sting, I reach for plantain instead of an over-the-counter pain killer such as acetaminophen or Benadryl.Plantain has an excellent drawing effect and can remove a stinger or venom. As an antinociceptive, plantain also stops pain. While plantain is a natural remedy for stings, pain, and itching, the man-made alternative is often Benadryl, which contains synthetic ingredients such as D&C Red No. 27, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, and titanium dioxide.
Topical Antibiotic
For minor cuts and scrapes, I reach for plantain instead of Neosporin.Plantain is a versatile “first-aid ointment” that can be used to treat minor cuts and scrapes. It’s referred to as the “band aid” plant because it contains allantoin, which rapidly regenerates skin cells by removing necrotic or sick tissue and forming new epithelial or skin tissue.
Plantain also contains aucubin, which is anti-inflammatory, and aucubigenin, which is antibacterial. Studies have concluded that plantain is effective for tissue repair and skin healing, including closing the wound faster and accelerating wound healing time. The man-made alternative is often Neosporin, which contains petrolatum, a synthetic chemical made from fossil fuels.
You can avoid man-made chemicals and still experience relief from bee stings, insect bites, and minor cuts and scrapes by making or purchasing plantain remedies.
When to Use Plantain
Research supports the use of plantain for the following acute situations:- Bee or wasp stings
- Mosquito bites or other bug bites
- Minor cuts and scrapes
- Poison ivy or poison oak
- Bruises
- Sunburn
- Eczema or Psoriasis
- Cracked skin or lips from dryness
Different Forms to Choose From
When available, I use fresh plantain. Simply pick a plantain leaf, chew it into a slurry, and then apply the poultice directly to the affected skin area.When fresh plantain isn’t available, plantain salve is a great option. It’s portable, effective, and has a long shelf-life. Plantain salve can be either purchased online or made in your kitchen.
A Word on Plantain Quality
No matter which form of plantain you choose, make sure it’s organic or wasn’t sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. When foraging for plantain, make sure not to harvest in areas near freeways or where dogs have gone potty.Plantain Salve
I always carry plantain salve in my purse. I use it regularly for dry or chapped lips and dry skin. My children call it “magic cream” because when they experience bumps, bruises, scrapes, or bites, plantain salve quickly soothes the pain and reduces the redness and swelling.When making plantain salve, in addition to plantain, I add comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and rosemary essential oil.
Comfrey has been reported to be effective for topical treatment of pain, swelling, and inflammation, as well as blunt trauma and skin wounds.
Rosemary essential oil increases the shelf life of the salve. It also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties and reportedly can accelerate wound healing.
Herbal First Aid Kit
Part 1
Turmeric: Natural First Aid Treatment for Inflammation, Pain, Fever and More
Part 2
Plantain: A First Aid Weed With Antibiotic, Antiviral, and Pain-Blocking Effects
Part 3
Peppermint: First Aid for Nausea, Headache, Constipation, and More
Part 4
Frankincense: A First Aid Essential Oil With Anti-Arthritic, Analgesic, Anti-Microbial Effect and More
Part 5
People’s Paste: Herbal First Aid for Minor Cuts, Burns, Insect Bites, and Rashes
Part 6
Aloe Vera: First Aid for Hemorrhoids, Dry Skin, Burns, Wounds and More
More from this series
My Plantain Salve Recipe
Makes 3/4 cup salveIngredients:
- 2 cups fresh plantain leaves (foraged from an area that wasn’t sprayed with chemicals) or 8 tablespoons dried plantain leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried comfrey root powder or 1/2 cup fresh comfrey leaves or root
- 1 1/4 cup carrier oil such as organic olive oil or organic avocado oil
- Roughly 3 tablespoons beeswax pearls
- 40 drops of organic rosemary essential oil
Directions:
If using fresh leaves, start with step one. If using dried leaves, begin with step two.- Harvest plantain leaves on a dry, sunny day. Pull off any parts that look sick or diseased. Brush off dirt with a dry cloth, if needed. Arrange leaves in a single layer on a clean, dry towel. Allow to air dry for 2–3 days.
- Once dry, coarsely chop leaves, then place in clean, dry pint glass jar. Add comfrey, then cover with oil; the leaves should be completely covered with oil. If not, add more oil. Place lid on jar.
- Place a kitchen towel on the bottom of the crockpot and place your jars on top of the towel. Add enough water to the pot to come halfway up the jar. Set on the lowest possible setting, which is usually “keep warm.” Leave lid off the slow cooker and allow the oil to infuse for 4–6 hours, adding water if needed to prevent the basin from drying out. Periodically, shake the jars. You can infuse for 12–24 hours for a more potent salve, but will need to keep checking the water level.
- Remove jars from crockpot. Strain the oil through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve. Let oil sit for several hours to cool. If there’s any water in the oil, it will collect in the bottom of the jar. Remove the water using a turkey baster by siphoning the infused oil off the top, leaving the water behind. Alternatively, slowly pour the oil off the top, leaving the water behind.
- Heat beeswax in a double boiler over low heat. Once melted, add plantain oil and stir thoroughly until mixed. For a firmer salve, add more beeswax. Once the mixture has cooled, stir in rosemary essential oil.
- Pour salve into clean, dry containers. Allow to cool. Plantain salve has a shelf life of several years if there’s no water in the salve and it’s stored in a cool place.
Dosage
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Apply salve directly to skin. Cover with bandage. Re-apply to skin as needed (just as you would if using Neosporin). While not common, skin reactions have occurred. Therefore, when using for the first time, apply a small amount to the skin. If no irritation or negative reaction occurs, apply liberally as needed.Precautions and Possible Interactions
Consult with a health care provider before consuming plantain if you are pregnant or nursing. Plantain is a known laxative. Avoid plantain if taking lithium or carbamazepine. While plantain applied topically is generally well tolerated, skin reactions have been reported. Additionally, oral consumption has been known to cause the following adverse reactions: anaphylaxis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, chest congestion, sneezing, and watery eyes.Mint is a group of perennial herbs including 18 species and 11 hybrids, it is widely used for its culinary, medicinal, and aromatherapeutic properties.