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Herbs: Plantain leaf - cut

Excerpts from Practical Herbalism

Plantain was used by the ancients to heal the bites of “mad dogs, snakes, and venomous creatures.” Interestingly, Native Americans quickly learned to use Plantain in the same way, and the colonial assembly of South Carolina granted a handsome reward and freedom to an African slave who taught them how to use the plant to remedy the bite of rattlesnakes. Maud Grieve quotes Salmon’s Herbal (1710), and gives the following list of other uses for Plantago: “The liquid juice clarified and drunk for several days helps distillation of rheum upon the throat, glands, lungs, etc. Doses, 3 to 8 spoonsful. An especial remedy against ulceration of the lungs and a vehement cough arising from same. It is said to be good against epilepsy, dropsy, jaundice and opens obstructions of the liver, spleen, and veins. It cools inflammations of the eyes and takes away the pin and web (so called) in them. Dropped into the ears, it eases their pains and restores hearing much decayed. Doses, 3 to 6 spoonsful more or less, either alone or with some fit vehicle morning and night. The powdered root mixed with equal parts of powder of Pellitory of Spain and put into a hollow tooth is said to ease the pain thereof. Powdered seeds stop vomiting, epilepsy, lethargy, convulsions, dropsy, jaundice, strangury, obstruction of the liver, etc. The liniment made with the juice and oil of Roses eases headache caused by heat, and is good for lunatics. It gives great ease, being applied in all hot gouts, whether in hands or feet, especially in the beginning, to cool the heat and repress the humors. The distilled water with a little alum and honey dissolved in it is of good use for cleansing and healing a sore ulcerated mouth or throat.”

In more recent times, plantain has been acclaimed for its ability to relieve bee stings, insect and spider bites, and rashes from an unfortunate encounter with Poison Ivy or Stinging Nettles. Dr. Christopher referred to Plantain, along with Jewelweed, and Hound’s Tongue as "Nature’s erasers." "Stand anywhere within sight of Poison Ivy, and look about," he said. "You will always see at least one of these plants, placed by the hand of God to come to your aid, if you should need it." Contemporary research has confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of Plantain, and has discovered elements that protect the body against tumors and help resist damage to the liver from chemotherapy drugs. The fiber and mucilage from the seeds of the Plantago species have gained prominence as the primary fiber supplement of choice for millions of people around the world.

Indicated Usages - Internal:

Indicated Usages - External:

Notes:

Plantain is a first rate “First Aid” plant that is usually close-at-hand, wherever you may be. A few fresh leaves, crushed or chewed, can be used to quickly stop the bleeding of an open wound, stop the pain and inflammation or bites and stings, and relieve the itching from poison ivy. A cup of strong Plantain tea will quell the worst indigestion, and a small wad of chewed leaf placed next to the gum will quiet a painful toothache until it can be attended to.

A simple ointment, made with an olive oil extract of fresh Plantain and a little beeswax is a very good general purpose remedy for many skin ailments, and is especially helpful with diaper rash.

From Our Reading and/or Experience...

• We use Plantain often in tea and tincture combinations for a wide variety of internal and external physical needs. Of course, it can be used in many other types of remedies. For instance, it can easily be made into powder, and used in capsules.
• Plantain is a contact healer. As such, it is essential for emergency situations to stop itching and/or bleeding, reduce inflammation, kill infection, etc. Basically, along with Cayenne, and Comfrey, Plantain is a must in case of physical injuries.
• It can be used to benefit anyone: men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing), children and animals.
• It can be used as often as you would like, and in any way you choose.
• It is very critical to store Plantain in a dark, dry, and cool place. Refrigeration or freezing is highly recommended, but not necessary. Following these suggestions will delay the loss of its highly valued nutritional and medicinal properties.

From our Mailbox

Just a note to say I tried plantain on a boy's wasp sting last week. He was so grateful he told my son I saved his life. A bit of an exaggeration... but I too was very pleased I had read your account of using it! Thank you so much for sharing with us. I am mailing you a check to cover postage on 10 of your catalogs for my friends. May the Lord continue to bless you.

~Linda

The plantain previously ordered works wonders. Within 20 minutes of applying it, the swelling is greatly reduced. Instead of welts, and pustules for 3 to 4 weeks, he has a small mark for 5 days.

Thank you.
~Sarah

Hello! I just wanted to write and thank you for carrying Comfort for the Burned and Wounded. Last week, while we were driving home I was cutting open a package with my husband's SHARP pocket knife. I wasn't thinking and was cutting towards myself. Well, as you might have guessed the knife slipped and ended up in my leg. I applied pressure until we got home and then proceeded to clean it. Well I am not good with wounds so I had to call my dear husband in. He just finished reading Comfort for the Burned and Wounded. He covered my gash, went to the yard picked plantain, scalded it and then applied it like Mr. Keim discusses in the book. The pain went AWAY and within three days all I have is a small scab! Before this book I would have been in the ER for a few stitches and our pocket book lighter! We thank you again!

~The Pauls

So glad you are online now. Just had to share my plantain tincture story. Have used it for many stings, bites and given away lots of tincture and gotten plenty of good feedback and amazed folks. Last year, I was getting wood for the stove and forgetting my gloves, picked up a log, taking it to the stove I felt a prick on my baby finger, so I moved it and as I threw the log into the fire, I got pricked again! this time it dawned on me I had gotten bit by something. Panic hit me, I grabbed the snake bite kit and started suctioning. Told the little ones what might happen and who to call. I called my older son and he asked, "Well, have you used the Plantain Tincture?!" Well, why did I not think of that?! So, I got out the tincture, was not only soaking my now double in size finger in a cup full of it, I was downing the stuff internally, which is a normal remedy for us, but not quite so much. Obviously it made the difference. But I called a friend who came and got me just in case...the whole time I was waiting for the effects of a black widow or who knows what since the evidence was burning away in the stove. Nothing more dramatic occurred, my finger was back to normal in two days, but a small hole was there to remind me something got me. Never could find the culprit even searching online for the cause of the swelling via the insect search. I believe with my all, that the tincture stopped any serious consequences! Thank you for introducing it to me years ago.

~Judith

I found the 4-Thieves vinegar insect repellant good for use on my horse, dogs, and myself in mountainous bee/hornet/yellow jacket/biting fly country. I tried the plantain (white man’s moccasin) poultice yesterday when I got nailed by a yellow jacket. It worked so well I could not even find where I got stung the next day. I also use Nettle / vinegar rinse on my hair. Although it is too late to keep gray color out, people continue to tell me my hair looks very healthy. So, thank you for your information.

PS. Hebrews 6:7 – God makes women ‘meet’ or suitable for their husbands and he makes herbs ‘meet’ for them who live on this earth. This was an enlightening thought to me."

~Tina

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