My sister helped me learn to identify plantain a few years ago and the kids and I have been finding and using it ever since! Before using plantain, be sure it's harvested from somewhere that isn't sprayed with chemicals!
Some things we've used it for:
When we get bit or stung, you can chew up a bit of a plantain leaf and put it on the sting or bite. You can even secure it down with bandage tape if needed. This helps draw out the poison. You can enhance this DIY poultice by making a paste with activated charcoal or bentonite clay.
We feed it to our bunnies!
I add it to my postpartum sitz bath recipes. Due to its antibacterial properties and wound healing, it's an excellent free herb to use when you forage for it!
Some other uses I haven't tried yet:
Use dried leaves to brew a tea for coughs.
Use fresh leaves in a poultice for sores and blisters.
Add them to soups and stews as you would other dark, leafy greens. They're high in Vitamins A, C, and K.
How to Identify it:
Plantain grows close to the ground with leaves that have prominent parallel veins. There are several varieties so the leaves can be wide or narrow. The leaves grow at the base of the plant to loosely form a rose shape. It also has tall-stemmed flowers coming up from the middle.
Drying the Leaves:
When I want to harvest some to dry, I look for longer leaves and then tie them together with a string or rubber band and hang them upside down for a few days. You can also dehydrate them in a dehydrator.
Postpartum Sitz Bath Recipe
What is a Sitz Bath?
A sitz bath is a common practice after having a vaginal birth. You can take one three days after birth. They help cleanse and soothe the perineum and hemorrhoid's. You can use a sitz bath tub or just the bath tub. If you use a bath tub, make sure someone scrubs the tub squeaky clean to prevent infections, then you only fill it up a few inches with warm, NOT hot, water - enough to cover the vaginal area. Sit for 10 minutes then air dry or gently pat dry. The common ingredients in Sitz Bath recipes are Epsom salts and various herbs that promote healing. You can buy premade Sitz Bath Soaks or make your own!
Here's my DIY recipe I'm preparing for my upcoming October 2023 birth.
Supplies:
Unbleached Cotton Drawstring Bags (Optional)
A variety of herbs
I'm using chamomile and calendula that I had on hand, with dried plantain from my yard!
Other healing herbs to consider adding include:
Arnica flowers
Comfrey leaf
Eucalyptus leaf
Juniper berries
Lavender
Mints
Rosemary leaf
Sage leaf
Directions:
Mix 1/2 cup of herbs and 1/2 cup - 1 cup of Epsom salts into the Unbleached Cotton Drawstring Bags or a mason jar.
If you use the bag, you can have that steep in the tub while it's filling up or steep it in hot water in a pan for 20 minutes before adding it to your sitz bath.
If you use the mason jar, just steep it how you would a loose leaf tea, then add it to the tub.
You can also add 1/2 cup - 1 cup of baking soda as well!
You can find more Postpartum recipes and suggestions for healing in my new ebook:
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