Plantain Herb Salve Make Your Own
Fresh cleaned plantain leaves
Olive oil and/or safflower oil
bees wax
large jar (pint or your choice) with lid
small baby food jars or other wide mouthed jars
There are different methods of creating salve but we are going to use a slow process from the folk tradition. The first thing to do is locate your plantain and gather your leaves when they are dry. You will need enough leaves to fill the large jar. Next clean the dirt from the leaves and allow them to air dry for a few hours to reduce the moisture content. Then when you are ready to begin you will chop the plantain leaves to release the essence inside the leaf and place them into your large jar until full. Gently warm enough oil in a pan on your stove top to cover the leaves completely plus some. The oil should not be boiling hot but warm. Then carefully pour the oil into the jar completely covering the plant plus an inch or so more. You can use a wooden spoon to push the plant down if needed. Cover with some waxed paper and the lid and allow to sit for up to a few weeks or so. WATCH FOR MOLD so you do not lose your oil. It is good to give it a gentle nudge daily by taking the jar in your hands and swirling the contents around.
When you are ready to make your salve pour the oil through a strainer or cheesecloth. Squeeze all the oil out of the plant material and save the leaves for compost. Now you will heat the oil slowly and keep stirring gently with a wooden spoon while adding your bees wax until it reaches the consistency that you like. This can be tested by dipping a spoon or stick in and placing it in the freezer until it hardens. Normally you will use about one and a half ounces of bees wax for a pint of oil, but can use more if you desire a firmer salve. When it is the desired texture the mixture is ready to pour into the small jars. Allow it to cool and voila you have a few wonderful jars of plantain herb salve.
This salve is great for insect bites, stings, shallow scrapes, baby bums, dry skin and much more. Oh, and if you are ever outdoors and do not have access to your salve just reach for a plantain leaf, macerate it, mix it with some saliva (or chew it like I do, just make sure it IS plantain) and you have a handy poultice for a bite, sting or?!
Enjoy your journey with plantain.
Related Tags: plants, natural, remedy, recipe, outdoors, baby, nature, yard, craft, herb, salve, plantain, wildcrafting, weeds
Lisa R. Marshall is the facilitator of Path to Nature...honoring life through whole health, natural living, herbal healing, sacred celebrations & journeys. She is also a mother & doula. Lisa is a facilitator to those who want to make changes in their lives.
Please visit http://www.Pathtonature.org for further information or to contact the author.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Genital Warts Cure, Treatment for Genital Warts
Concerned about a cure for genital warts? There are few issues more embarrassing to talk to your doc - How to Get Rid of Moles, Moles Removal
Moles are growth that can develop on many areas of the body. Some people have had moles all their l - Drink More Water to Get Healthy Skin
Maybe you've heard how important is water for your health, figure and well-being many times, but ev - Anti Aging Skin Care - How to Get Younger Looking Skin
Anti aging skin care products should give you younger looking skin. Choosing an anti aging skin cre - Body Creams Linked to Cancer
Is This A Healthcare Issue?...YesWhat if I told you body lotions and creams were an important healt - Nature Presents Autumn Lotions
Lotions, containing natural juices, infusions and decoctions, clean, whiten and nourish skin like a - Knowing What Scars You Have
Scarring generally signifies the end of the healing process. However, the scar will serve as a con - Use Natural Ingredients to Firm Up Sagging Facial Skin
If you use the right products, you can slow the aging process and reduce sagging facial skin. Howe - How Men's Body Lotion Transforms Rough, Dry Skin to Smooth and Soothed
I am about to tell you about a men's body lotion that will soften the roughest patches on your - How Men's Eye Gel Safely Reduces Bags Under Eyes
There is a new men's eye gel that can only be described as unique. With a single picture, you can
Most viewed articles in this category:
- How To Get Rid Of Warts - 4 Myths Exposed
Anyone seeking information on how to get rid of warts and other skin blemishes such as moles and ski - FAQs About Dermacia
I've got so many emails asking about Dermacia ever since I posted the article "Dermacia" and "Let's - Health Tips-Buying Wart Removal Treatments
The internet has proven to be an effective source for learning more about wart removal. However, you - Hand Wart - Tips on Wart Remedy and What Cause Wart Problems
What causes wart to be a hand wart versus another type of wart? A wart is a small benign but harmle - Tips On Cold Sore Home Remedies
Finding the right cold sore home remedies that actually give you some relief is not an easy task it - Successfull Methods Used for Treating Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin disease which left untreated may get worse and lead to complications such as telan - 8 Factors Cause Acne
8 FACTORS CAUSE ACNEAcne, also known as pimples, whitehead or blackhead, is a kind of skin disease t - Skin Lightening with Lasers to Get Rid of Skin Discolorations and Tattoos
Doubtless, preparing for a laser treatment involves many steps. These include finding a trained medi - Acne Scar Treatments
For very mild acne, a chemical peel might be all that you need. Different types of acid are used in - How Cellulite Remedies Can Have You Looking Better Quickly
Are there any cellulite remedies that can get rid of those awful looking dimples? Do you avoid looki