Don’t Mistake Plantain Leaves for Weeds. They’re Healing.

 The plantain weed growing in your garden is a powerful anti-toxin and can become a natural staple healer for your first aid kit. This common plant is rich in vitamin B1 and riboflavin and can be eaten raw or cooked. Additionally it is used as an alternative medicine for diseases such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, hypertension, rheumatism and blood sugar control.

Each part of the plant can be prepared to treat different ailments. The plant extract is antibacterial and is effective for treating bleeding as it quickly stops the blood from flowing and fosters damaged tissue repair. The root can be used as an oral cleanser - chewing it will be as effective as brushing your teeth, and a distilled water made from the plant can be made into an eye lotion. A decoction of the root has many uses including treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, cystitis, sinusitis, coughs, and hay fever.

The seeds, filled with mucilage which swells in the gut, can be used as a laxative or to treat parasitic worms. The heated leaves can also be used to dress wounds, skin inflammations, stings, swelling and can promote scar-free healing. Similarly, a poultice of hot leaves bound on cuts and wounds can draw out thorns, splinters, and inflammation.

Treat bites and stings with plantain weed leaves

If you are stung by a bee or bitten by mosquitos a natural way to heal these is with plantain leaves. The leaves will leave no sign of inflammation, swelling, welt or lingering pain. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Pick a clean plantain leaf
2. Cut or mash it to release the juices
3. Apply the liquid to the affected area

Make your own infused oil

Another effective way to apply this healing plant is with infused oil. Here’s a recipe for making your own essential plantain oil.

1. Pick a wad of plantain weed leaves, enough to fill a mason jar.
2. Wash them to remove any sediment.
3. Run the leaves through a salad spinner.
4. Pat them dry with a towel. This is to prevent mold forming in your infusion.
5. Stack the leaves, roll them up and then dice the rolled part into thin strips.
6. Place the diced leaves in a clean, dry jar and fill this with olive oil, submerging the plant.
7. Stir the mixture with a chopstick to eliminate air pockets.
8. Screw the lid on.
9. Store the infusing oil at room temperature. Make sure the surface cannot be ruined by seeping oil.
10. Mix the jar contents daily by giving it a good shake. (It should start to smell like pepperoni after several days).
11. After 4 to 6 weeks remove the plant material and decant the oil.
12. Allow the decanted oil to settle for several days.
13. Pour the finished oil into a dark jar. Seal the bottle and keep in a cool, dry and dark location.