How to Make Plantain Salve for Cuts, Bites & Skin Healing (Easy DIY Recipe)

Spring is officially here!

Now is the perfect time to prepare for the warmer days ahead with a Plantain salve. This is a very common 'weed' that is often called the 'backyard healer'. It has anti-inflammatory (reduce swelling), antimicrobial (prevents infection), anti-itch (removes the sting), and analgesic (relieves pain) properties.

Why should you create this salve? That's an excellent question! This salve is beneficial for treating bug bites from mosquitoes, spiders, ants, and bee stings. It's commonly located near stinging nettle because it also helps neutralize the sting and contains a compound that extracts insect venom.

If you didn't catch how to initially prevent the bites, find out how to make the Bug Off Spray here!

How to identify Plantain:

• Stem is red or even purple at the base

• Simple spine pattern

• Flower stocks are leafless

• When leaf steam is broken, it has thin, strong, stringy veins that remain attached (similar to celery)

  

  
  

How to Prepare/Make the Plantain Salve:

This salve takes time.

What you will need:

• Dried Plantain Leaves (harvest away from cities)

• Olive oil (or sweet almond oil)

• Jar

• Cheesecloth

• Beeswax

• Pot or saucepan

• Storing Containers

• Optional: Herb drying rack - great for all herbs

• Optional: Crock Pot

First you need to gather the plantain leaves, throughly wash them and then dehydrate them. If you do not have a dehydrator (like myself) you can dehydrate them different ways:

• Oven Method: Using the lowest possible temperature. single layer on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Prop the oven door to allow moisture to escape and check regularly. This can take several hours.

• Air Drying (Hanging): Bundle 10–20 leaves together by their stems and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, and dark area with good airflow. Keeping them out of direct sunlight prevents them from turning brown. This process can take 1–3 weeks.

• Air Drying (Screens): Spread cleaned leaves in a single layer on screens, drying racks, or paper towels, allowing air to circulate around them.

• Sun Drying: Place leaves on a tray in a hot, sunny location (like a greenhouse or a sunny windowsill).

Once the leaves are fully dry, add them to a jar (about 1/3 to 1/2 full) and cover with high quality olive oil, cold-pressed and organic is best. You can also use sweet almond oil which is great for sensitive skin.

This will need to sit in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks to allow enough time to fully infuse or you can do it faster using the crock pot method on low heat for 2-8 hours. Add water to the bottom so that the oil does not burn. If the leaves end up getting fried due to it being too hot, you will destroy beneficial properties.

The Crock pot method may be faster than the traditional cold-infusion method but it can also go wrong.

When you have the oil finished, regardless of the method you chose, take a cheesecloth and strain the mixture.

If you wish to keep it as an oil, simply store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight, best in a cool, dark place. If you will be turning it into a salve, add it to a pot or saucepan and add in beeswax (1:4 ratio for a standard salve).

Typically lasts 6 months to 1 year but can last longer if properly stored.

Store in a Tin container for easy travel.

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Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements regarding any remedies I share have not been evaluated by the FDA. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before beginning any herbal or dietary program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information found here.