🌿 Wild Plantain: Nature’s Bandaid
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Harvesting, Salve Recipe & Everyday Uses
Dried Plantain & Plantain Infused Oil
🌸 Foraging & Harvesting Tips
There’s a quiet little plant growing underfoot that many folks pass by without a second glance. It’s not flashy. I’ve heard it called an ugly weed many times. It doesn’t smell sweet. But it’s one of the most powerful, soothing herbs you can keep in your natural medicine cabinet—and it grows abundantly just outside your door.
I’m talking about wild plantain.
Not the banana-shaped fruit, but the humble green herb often called Nature’s Bandaid. Once you get to know it, you’ll start spotting it everywhere—and you’ll never want to be without it. This spring I’m focusing posts on foraging for plants that almost everyone with a yard has access to.
What Is Plantain?
There are two varieties commonly found in yards and meadows:
Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) – wide, smooth leaves
Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata) – slender, lance-shaped leaves
Both types have distinctive parallel veins and tall seed stalks in summer. They’re easy to identify, especially once you’ve handled them a time or two. Best of all? They’re packed with healing power.
Plantain in my yard
How to Harvest Wild Plantain
Plantain thrives in compacted soil—think footpaths, driveways, or the edges of your garden. It loves to be walked on and still comes back strong.
When to harvest:
Early spring through midsummer is ideal, though you can gather it anytime the leaves are green and healthy.
Where to harvest:
Look in untreated, chemical-free areas like:
Yard corners
Field edges
Forest paths
Old homesteads
How to harvest & dry:
Pinch or snip the leaves near the base.
Rinse lightly and pat dry if needed.
Lay flat on a screen or hang in small bundles in a warm, dry place out of direct sun. I use my dehydrator to speed things up.
Once crisp, store in a glass jar with a label.
Ready to be rinsed and trimmed up
Homemade Plantain Salve
This simple herbal salve is a favorite around our home. We use it for:
Bug bites & bee stings
Minor burns
Cuts & scrapes
Dry or cracked hands
Rashes and chapped lips
✨ Ingredients:
1 cup dried plantain leaves (loosely packed)
1 cup olive oil (or sweet almond oil)
1 oz beeswax (approx. 2 tablespoons grated or pellet form)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Infuse the oil
Place your dried plantain in a clean, dry jar. Pour in oil until the leaves are fully submerged. Cover and let it steep in a sunny windowsill for 2–4 weeks, shaking gently every few days. (For a faster method, use a double boiler on low heat for 2–3 hours.)
2. Strain the herbs
Line a strainer or funnel with cheesecloth and pour the oil through to remove the plant matter. I use my jelly strainer.
3. Make the salve
In a double boiler, combine your infused oil with the beeswax. Stir gently until the wax melts. Add essential oil if using.
4. Pour into tins or jars
While warm, pour into clean, dry containers. Let cool completely before sealing. Label and store in a cool, dark place. Shelf life is about 6–12 months.
Rinsed and placed on dehydrator rack
The Finished product. It should be a beautiful dark green color after heating.
It should be a deep green color when infused. Ready to use in salve recipe.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of wild plantain lies in its simplicity. It asks for nothing but a quiet moment to gather and a bit of care to turn it into something healing and useful. This is the heart of simple living—taking what the land offers and putting it to work for the good of our families.
If you try making your own salve, I’d love to hear how it goes. You can also share your own plantain remedies or favorite ways to use it in the comments below. I’ve also included a label for your salve!
Until next time—
Stay rooted,
Roxanne
Rustic Roots & Simple Living
Copy & size for your salve container.
