Plantain is a herb of Saturn, the bringer of positive authority, creating boundaries and structure. It protects the mucous membranes which are the tissues located inside the nose, mouth and throat, our own boundary to the world around us. It contains compounds which are healing to the skin and wounds, anti-inflammatory and slightly analgesic too. This herb is the perfect candidate for a bites and stings balm, which doubles up as a wound balm too.
In the Seed SistA’s stings and bites balm the plantain is combined with lavender essential oil for its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects as well as the soothing quality the scent has on the nervous system.
Plantain Oil Recipe:
To make plantain oil chose a bright sunny day to harvest your leaves, after the dew has evaporated. Dry the leaves on newspaper overnight so that much of the water content disappears, otherwise you will get rancid oil. Fill a jar with the leaves and cover with organic almond oil. Leave in the oil for a lunar cycle then strain. Bottle the oil and label.
This oil will now keep well in a cool dark space for at least a year if not more, it is a perfect base oil for ointments and creams it can also be used straight away as a simple oil, particularly if you have an insect bite or sting just rub a little bit onto the affected area a few times daily.
Plantain Balm Recipe:
Soothing and healing for stings and bites
Makes 6, 15g jars
Ingredients
- 54ml plantain-infused oil
- 27g coco/shea butter
- 13.5g bees wax
- 10 drops of lavender oil
- 6 x 15g jars
Method
- melt all ingredients in a bain-marie
- stir well
- add 10 drops of lavender oil
- pour into jars and leave to cool
- Label and store out of direct sunlight
Use as and when it’s needed.
Keep in a cool dark space where it should keep well for at least a year.
