01/29/2018 / By Zoey Sky
Weeds are the bane of every homeowner’s existence, but a certain plant called plantain is anything but a nuisance. Also called Plantago major, plantain is a versatile plant that every prepper needs to know about. (h/t to BioPrepper.com.)
Plantain, which is different from the green bananas that are also called plantains, can be found almost anywhere. Plantain has oval-shaped leaves with vertical veins and flower spikes.
Plantain also has various medical uses. Its leaves have several bio-active compounds such as:
These compounds in plantain make it a useful plant with many medicinal purposes, especially when you don’t have access to modern medicine. (Related: Plantain, a common driveway weed, is one of nature’s most powerful medicines.)
You can use plantain to make an effective ointment for diaper rash or other sores. This recipe utilizes the “cell re-growth and anti-inflammatory properties” of plantain. This ointment can be used on babies with nappy rash, or you can use it if you’ve had a run-in with poison ivy.
The ointment can be used as is, but you can mix some molten beeswax or another organic wax. Just let it cool down before you use it.
Plantain can also be used to ease toothaches. Chew on plantain leaves to relieve pain, and if you can’t chew, mash the plantain leaves with a mortar and pestle then apply the mash on the affected tooth. Let it sit for 30 minutes. The mash will soothe the pain and it will also prevent infection thanks to the plant’s microbial properties.
Additionally, plantain leaves can be used to make a poultice for “cuts, sores and insect bites” like the bite of the brown recluse spider. The recipe below utilizes the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of plantain:
Plantain leaves can also be used to make some tea for an infusion to ease many digestive problems like diarrhea.
Plantain tea can also be used to address dandruff and other scalp problems. Apply plantain tea or an oil infusion to the scalp and wash off the mixture after 60 minutes.
Aside from its medicinal uses, plantain is also an edible and nutritious plant. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin A, B6, and C. These vitamins can boost your immune system and make it easier to fight infections.
Like spinach, plantain can be eaten raw. However, raw plantain is rather stringy and tough. Blanch it lightly so it doesn’t lose minerals and vitamins. Here’s a simple recipe for a plantain rabbit bake:
You can read more articles about herbs and other natural cures at Healing.news.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: botanicals, herb tea, herbal remedies, Herbs, medicinal herbs, medicinal plants, natural medicine, P. major, Plantago major, plantain, prepper, prepping, survival, survival plants, weeds
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