It’s a weed . . it’s a banana . . . no . . . it’s . . . plantain – the most useful “weed” in your backyard!
If you’ve ever secretly wanted to be Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, give this a try: The next time your little one comes to you with an owie – say a wasp sting on her eyebrow for example – kiss it until the stinging stops. Then go on your way, completely forgetting about it until she wakes up from a nap looking like she went three rounds with Rocky Balboa.
Oops. So, in this purely theoretical situation, here’s what you would do next:
Head out into the backyard and begin gathering “medicine” with your little one. Relish the way she takes it in with wide eyes. Now pick a leaf, pop it into your mouth, and chew – then stick the green wad right on the sting.
What, no???
Well, for the record, it works. But if you want something a bit more, uh, not gross, you can use the plantain salve recipe below.
If you only know one plant in the wild, it should really be plantain – the herb, not the banana.
It grows all over the country, and prefers packed dirt. If you have a dirt driveway, or if you hike on a hard-packed trail, you’ve certainly seen it. Good thing it lives just about everywhere, too, because you can use it for absolutely everything!
Plantain is sometimes called the “band aid” plant because – thanks to the presence of iridoids – it has a very soothing, anti-inflammatory effect on skin. (1) It also contains aglycone and aucubigenin – which have documented antibacterial activity – and allantoin, which supports skin healing. (2) (3)
The salve recipe below also makes a lovely all-purpose moisturizer and lip balm.
Years ago, when the theoretical situation above was a little less theoretical, I filmed the video below with my daughter identifying broadleaf plantain (Plantago major).
Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata) can also be used in the recipe below – you can find instructions for identifying it here.
If you don’t have access to an area that has not been sprayed with pesticides, you can buy dried plantain. Or if you prefer not to make your own, you can find plantain salve with goldenseal here.