Have you ever been outdoors, even simply in the backyard, and stung by a bee, or wasp? Have you ever gone on a hike and got some sort of itchy bug bite? If so, keep reading because this is the blog and video post for you.
Plantain (Plantaginaceae family) comes in two main and readily found species. Most folks refer to them as common (broadleaf) plantain, and English (lance leaf) plantain.
If you are looking for natural food, you have come to the wrong plant. While it is not harmful to you, it is not real palatable to you either. It leaves an incredibly bitter aftertaste.
However, where plantain leaves off in the food category, it picks up in the easy-to-use medicinal category.
As with all these medicinal plants, I am pretty skeptical, and my guess is that many of you are as well.
I must admit that many of the things that I offer you are based upon lots of reading and interviews other study for reseach.
In the case of plaintain, I have lots and lots of personal experience. Simply think of anything that might cause a skin irritation that makes you want to scratch.
Now pay attention to the video so you can identify plantain.
I have used plantain on woods hornet stings, “sweat” bee stings, mosquito bites, other minor bug bites and just about anything that itches. I have found it to be incredibly useful to calm the irritaion down. The method for doing so is quite easy and comes in two easy steps.
1. Step on crush, chew or otherwise break plantain leaves up until they start making a juice.
2. Put the crushed leaves on the skin irriation.
You are done! Really that is it! You will find that it works best if you continue to hold it on the affected area for 10-15 minutes. So why or how does it work? I do not know, I just know (from lots of experience) that it works. So watch the video so you know how to identify it and where to find it. As you go out for you next adventure, find you some and put it in your pocket. It might just come into use!
Until next time, I hope to see you on, or off, the trail!
