Plantain click this link to see a short video of me picking the plantains.
I have always thought these were weeds
Then I found out that these "weeds" actually have many medicinal properties. In my video I have picked many leaves to make into a salve for insect bites, but there are many more uses such as:
diaper rash, try bruising some leaves and placing them in the diaper, right on the irritated area.
Internally, plantain tea is used for diarrhea.
The tea is also useful against yeast infections and it can help with a cough as it acts as an expectorant.
Sores, blisters, swellings, and insect stings. Seeds The seeds of any plantain may lower cholesterol when ingested. Once used for malaria and epilepsy.
Plantain's seeds can be used as a bulk laxative, although gathering enough for treatment might prove too tedious.
The leaves can also be used to create a natural yellow-green dye for fabrics and yarn.
This is a very useful weed indeed.
So this is how I am making my salve. I may make a video of it, but not sure, as I am a mess in the kitchen.
Anyway:
Dry the leaves, either by leaving out over night or in a dehydrator or a stove on it's lowest setting ( I did 175 degrees and it took almost 2 hours). You want the leaves dry, but also the stems, dry enough that they snap when you bend them.
Next you need to crush them up, either by hand or in a grinder. Once crushed you need to put them in a heat proof jar, like a canning jar and pour in some oil 1/3 cup crushed plantain and 1/2 cup oil. You can use any carrier or fixed oil like Olive oi or Coconut oil, Almond oil etc.. Then you have two options to infuse the plantain with the oil. 1. is letting it set in the jar covered for 3-4 weeks or 2. put the crushed leaves in a pot with the oil and cook on low for 20 minutes, turn burner off and let set for 40 to 60 minutes. Then strain the plantain through cheese cloth into a jar or container. Now you have your oil.
To make a salve, melt about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of bees wax and stir in the plantain oil and let it harden. Adding more wax or oil depending on have soft or hard you want it.
And that's it!
Use on minor wounds and stings and insect bites.