Astrology, Spirituality & Alternative Healing

plantain: plantago major or plantago lanceolata

If you are dealing with poison oak, poison ivy, and/or insect bites), there is nothing I know of that does quicker, more complete job. It "neutralizes the toxins." I've posted about it here before, when the subject of insect bites came up.

It grows as a weed nearly around the world. I think it's very pretty. If you can properly identify it for sure, pick some in your yard or garden and dehydrate it either in your oven on the lowest possible setting or a dehydrator at 116 or so. Store in a dark cupboard in an air tight container (e.g., old peanute butter jar, as long as it's glass). Or buy some either in capsules or in bulk from a trusted source to have on hand.

To use, fresh: Chew or rub between your hands to release some of the juice and apply the leaf to the site and hold on or apply a bandaid. For a large area I might try making a tea (infusion) with several leaves with hot water poured over the top and left to sit at least 15 minutes or so, possibly longer.

To use, dried: Mix the powdered herb with anything that will moisten it to make a paste -- water (incl. river or lake water or beer!), aloe juice which will aid healing, anything liquid that's okay for skin. Apply and cover with a bandaid to keep the "paste" on there because when it starts to dry it will flake off and make a mess. Even for fire ant bites, I've only had to reapply a 2nd time for the pain, stinging and godawful itching to be gone. It neutralizes toxins.

It can also be used internally as an internal cleanser, purifier, etc. Wonderful, powerful (meaning highly effective, as opposed to harsh) blessing of an herb. Research in Germany, China, India and Russia show it "helps stop coughing, wheezing and chest pain, even from bronchitis." I'm finding it in formulas for the kidneys (incl. kidney stones).

Plantain also helps stop bleeding (as do yarrow and agrimony). "You can either sprinkle the dried and powdered leaves of these herbs directly onto a bleeding wound" or make a mashed or chewed fresh leaf to apply.

It's also good in a salve with any of these: calendula, chamomile, comfrey, St. Johns' Wort, and/or Lavender for burns and other skin problems, tho I strongly prefer the quick simplicity of a good quality (therapeutic grade) lavender essential oil for burns and some other skin problems. For burns, the pain stops literally within seconds for most minor burns but if the burn requires a 2nd application, it will obviously take a little longer. (I've only had one burn in the last 15 years or so that required more than 1 app.) And then you also don't blister.