Plantain

Plantago Major

For most people, plantain is a weed to be pulled from the yard. It's stringy leaves and strong roots make it a substantial adversary on this front. And though this plant is relatively new to my life, I now wonder how I lived without it. I learned of its amazing ability to heal the damage caused by brown recluse spiders and was intrigued to get to know it better. Shortly after that I spent a summer back in northern Minnesota where I grew up. I discovered that it grows in wild profusion throughout the forests of my home county. I wonder if it was always there. Now that I know of the increased incidence of lyme disease and other tick and mosquito-borne illness in that area, and of Plantain's great power to heal those problems, perhaps its abundance is linked more to the increased need for it. In any case, now I keep it near me as salve and as a tea. I have seen it clear the frightening red rings of the deer tick bite and I have seen it heal all manner of infected cuts and scrapes.

www.botanical.com has a very good description of plantago major at /www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/placom43.html. Read this description best by giving significant credence to what is presented as folklore or historical uses. The Alternative Nature Online Herbal at www.altnature.com/gallery/plantain.htm also has a more detailed description of medicinal uses.

Sherry's Plantain Salve

	8 ounces dried Plantain leaf (you can use fresh leaves as well, but take care to cook and decant thoroughly to ensure the removal of all water from oil)
	14 ounces coconut oil
	8 ounces almond oil
	3 ounces bees wax
	1 tablespoon glycerin
	2 ounces cocoa butter
	1/2 tsp each of rosemary essential oil and lavender essential oil

Grind herb material thoroughly. Melt bees wax in double boiler (use only glass or ceramic pots). Add oils to double boiler. Add herb to double boiler. Add glycerin. Simmer for 4 to 6 hours. Add essential oils for last hour of simmering. Wear gloves and strain oil mixture through 4 layers of cheese cloth to remove plant material. Pour small amount of oil mixture on spoon and put in freezer to test consistency. If too thick, add more oil. If too thin, add more beeswax. When consistency is to your liking, pour hot oil into containers with lids. Add labels and dates. Store in dark place.