Plantain: A Readily Available Herb for First Aid
Herbal first aid is an ancient practice that harnesses the healing power of plants to address common ailments and injuries. Whether it’s a sudden fever, a painful muscle spasm, insect bite or a scraped knee, first aid needs can emerge quickly and unexpectedly in our daily lives. It’s comforting to know that nature offers effective solutions for many common ailments.
Let us turn our attention to a plant so common it is often considered a weed, yet is rich in healing virtues: Plantain, Plantago spp.. This unassuming herb, with its quiet strength, offers us simple yet powerful ways to care for ourselves and our loved ones. As we explore its gifts and the techniques for its use, may we cultivate a deeper trust in the wisdom of our bodies and the inherent healing power of the plants.
It is important to know the limits of herbal first aid. There are times when the situation goes beyond the power of herbs, and prompt medical attention is crucial for the best possible outcome. Please do not hesitate to reach out for professional medical care when needed.
Recently, I was in my herb garden, communing with God, the medicinal and culinary plants, my cats and the beauty of the season. It was quiet, with a warm breeze – just enough to rustle the leaves of the plants, which looked like they were waving to me. I waved back. Tranquility reigned, until it was interrupted by the zzzzzzz of a mosquito. It bit my arm before I could swat it and the itch started immediately.
There are certain “weeds” in my garden that I allow to flourish. Dandelions and plantain are two that have carte blanche to grow and thrive. I picked a leaf of plantain that was just within reach, rubbed it until it was juicy and then applied it to the bite. The cooling relief was almost instant and it reminded me; plants are a blessing that whisper a profound truth: nature holds remedies in the most unexpected places.
It’s that time again – the season of stinging mosquitos, spiders, ants, and other biting pests. Sitting outside at a BBQ, camping, and just trying to relax and enjoy the nice weather outside can be a bit frustrating when you become the object of dining for the insects that come around this time of year.
Commercial products that are made to keep bugs off of us can wreak havoc on the immune and endocrine systems and the liver. Here in the Pacific Northwest and Inland West, we have plants that help turn off the body’s natural histamine reaction, relieve the itching and welts that occur, and repel the insects altogether. Happily, these helpful plants are quite widespread across the United States and Europe.
Plantain, particularly Lance Leaf Plantain, Plantago lanceolata and Broadleaf Plantain, Plantago major, are key herbs for addressing insect bites. Adding to its intrigue, in some west coastal native traditions, this plant is known as “frog leaf,” a name that speaks to its emergence often coinciding with the awakening of frogs from hibernation, revealing a deep ecological connection.
Another name for plantain is the Bandaid Plant. It not only relieves the itching of stings and bites, but promotes speedy healing of wounds as well.
Botanical Information:
- Lance Leaf Plantain, Plantago lanceolata, aka Narrow Leaf Plantain, is identified by its narrow, lance-shaped leaves forming a basal rosette, with prominent parallel veins. Its flowers grow in long, thin, cylindrical spikes atop slender, leafless stems.
- Broadleaf Plantain, Plantago major features broad, oval leaves with distinct veins, also in a basal rosette. Its flower spikes are shorter and thicker, and more densely packed than Lance Leaf Plantain, also borne on leafless stalks.
My turkeys love to wander the garden and land, foraging on nutritious plants and bugs. When they see a plantain with a stalk in seed, they turn their heads sideways, and “zip” up the stalk with their beaks, effectively removing the seeds in one fell swoop. It’s fun to watch – the animals just seem to know what’s good for them.
In fact, there is another species of plantain, Plantago ovata, its medicine close to that of the other 2 species in its ability to relieve bug bites and stings. You might recognize its common name – Psyllium. Yes! You can use the seeds of P. lanceolata and P. major as you do psyllium as a bulking agent to help move waste through the colon. Just make sure to drink plenty of water to facilitate the peristalsis.
Native to Western Asia, Southern Asia, and the Mediterranean region, Plantago ovata has been introduced to North America, including California, and can be found in various states like Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Texas.
Practical Use for Insect Bites and Allergic Reactions:
Plantain is my go-to herb for relieving the itching and welting of bug bites. It provides super quick and effective relief. Plantain is best used fresh; it is not very effective dried or as a tincture or medicinal oil, I’ve found. The best way to use plantain when you get a bite is to simply pick a leaf, and roll it between your fingers until the leaf is nice and juicy. Now use that to scratch that bite! You get the aaaaaaaaahhhhh reaction – a satisfying feeling of that initial scratching of the skeeter bite, and then poof!, in a minute or two, the itch is completely gone, and the welt subsides.
Allergic or histamine reactions can cause hives, itchy runny eyes, body itching, wheezing, rapid breathing and heart rate and more. I’ve found that chewing on fresh plantain leaves can quell the problematic symptoms of pollen allergies. As the throat is bathed with the juices while swallowing, the membranes take in the medicine and spread it systemically. I have a friend who regularly chews on plantain leaves as he weed wacks the grasses. He says that it really helps keep down the sticky itchy eyes and wheezing he gets otherwise.
It’s worth mentioning that I don’t recommend, or care for, spit poultices. The bacteria present in saliva isn’t ideal for promoting healing in wounds or rashes, so other application methods, such as those below are generally preferred.
Simple Methods for Preserving Plantain:
To preserve the fresh medicine of plantain and to keep the medicine on hand, so it is available in months when the fresh plant is not available, gather as many leaves as you can and juice them. You can then continue the process with the following two methods.
- Freezing: Extract fresh plantain juice and freeze it in ice cube trays. Store the frozen cubes in freezer proof containers for easy application to bites for a cooling effect. There is something very gratifying about rubbing one of these little plantain juice ice cubes fresh out of the freezer.
- Succus Preparation: Combine fresh plantain juice with approximately 20% by volume of high-proof alcohol. That means, if you have 10 ounces of fresh plantain juice, add 2 ounces of 151 proof alcohol such as unflavored vodka or rum. Store the succus in the fridge for up to a year. To apply the succus, generously soak a cloth or paper towel and apply as a compress to the affected area and just beyond. The compress with fresh succus may be reapplied several times until relief is 100%. The succus may be taken internally as well.
Both methods are easy to make and convenient to bring with you on camping trips, to sports events, outdoor concerts, wherever you and your family will go to enjoy the season. If you bring a cooler, take a few frozen “herbsicles” or a bottle of plantain succus with you. It will be good to know that relief will be at hand when needed.
Expanding Your Herbal Toolkit: Yarrow and Tansy for Insect Relief
Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, offers insect-repellent and anti-inflammatory actions, making it helpful topically for relieving the itch and pain of bites. When used internally, yarrow has also been traditionally employed for its anti-parasitic properties. Both the leaves and unpollinated flowers of yarrow are utilized for their medicinal benefits.
Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare, is traditionally employed as an insect repellent. When I had my sheep and goats, I hung tansy in the barn to repel fleas, flies, mosquitos and other biting insects that plagued my animals. My llama loved to eat it, so I had to keep it well out of reach of him in order to keep the bugs away. Tansy is very aromatic. In fact, in “olden times,” people would strew this plant onto their floors, and as the tansy was walked on over the course of daily activity, the bruising would release the aromatic oils to ward off pests. The entire above ground plant is employed as the essential oils are present in the leaves, stalks and flowers. This plant is contraindicated for those with liver issues or who are pregnant.
Easy DIY “Quit Buggin’ Me” Insect-Repellent Spray:
Create your own effective insect repellent spray with these simple steps. Not only will it repel the pests, but it will also soothe the itching and welting that happened because you forgot to spray yourself before you got bitten.
Ingredients
- Equal parts of fresh Yarrow leaves and flowers, and Tansy leaves and flowers
- Rubbing alcohol or witch hazel
- 1 teaspoon each: Citronella, Lavender, Peppermint, Sweet Orange, and Lemongrass essential oils per pint of infused tincture.
- 1/2 teaspoon each: Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, and Geranium essential oils per pint of infused tincture.
Directions
- Prepare the Herbs: Gather equal parts of the fresh Yarrow and Tansy. Chop them finely.
- Infuse the Herbs: Fill a wide-mouth jar with the chopped herbs.
- Cover with Menstruum: Pour rubbing alcohol or witch hazel over the herbs until they are completely submerged and the jar is full.
- Label and Steep: Secure a lid on the jar and label it with the names of the herbs and EOs used and the date it was made. Allow the mixture to macerate for two weeks.
- Strain the Liquid: After two weeks, carefully strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or nut bag into a clean container, composting or discarding the plant material.
- Add Essential Oils: For every pint of the strained herbal infusion, add the essential oils in the measurements above.
- Combine Thoroughly: Cover with a lid and shake the mixture to ensure the essential oils are well dispersed. As the Quit Buggin’ Me spray sits, the essential oils will eventually be incorporated throughout.
- Transfer to Spray Bottles: Pour the finished insect-repellent spray into clean spray bottles and label with ingredients and usage.
Application: Shake well before using. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. For small children, spray only their clothing, ensuring no direct skin contact, and observe carefully for any sensitivity. When applying to pets and livestock, spray lightly, avoiding direct skin contact. For general use, spray liberally on clothing and furniture.
Well there you have it, folks! Be well, have a happy, safe, and bug free summer! Until next time, I leave you Wild About Plants!
