This plantain oil makes an excellent soothing, emollient, and nourishing oil that can be used for stings, bites, bruises, wounds, eczema, or other skin inflammations.
Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and Greater plantain (Plantago major) are wild plants growing abundantly. Many people have them in their gardens but don’t know they are edible botanicals that make valuable plant material. They are great healing agents used in herbal medicine for centuries.
If you love plantain but haven’t made this easy and potent herbal oil, you should give it a go. It’s a versatile oil that, once you master the process, you’ll want to make another batch every year.
In this article you will learn:
- Incredible benefits of plantain for skin
- How to use plantain leaves
- Easy 3 steps on how to make plantain oil and video
- Uses of plantain oil
Plantain oil benefits
Due to substances called aucubin and tannins, plantain possesses astringent and skin healing properties. These emollient and soothing mucilages create a protective layer on a wound or bruise, reducing pain and discomfort (1).
In addition, these substances have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus plantain oil also treats skin inflammations such as impetigo or eczema (2).
Similar action for inflamed skin also has nettle oil.
Powerful antioxidant allantoin present in the plantain and responsible for cell growth also regenerates tissues. Ribwort plantain is thus effective in easing burns (3) insect bites and stings like this burn gel with calendula and aloe vera.
Herbalists have successfully used plantain oil to treat insect bites and stings. Similarly works this calendula bug bite cream.
Fresh Plantain leaves to make Plantain Poultice.
During spring and summertime, you can enjoy the healing effect of plantain leaves and apply them directly to wounds or bruises.
Herbalists recommend first applying the wrinkled leaf of greater plantain to clean the wound and remove pus (discharge). Only after the wrinkled leaf of ribwort plantain heals the wound.
Another widespread method to benefit from fresh plantain leaves is the spit poultice, where one chews a few leaves then applies this ‘spit poultice’ to the affected area.
During drying, the spit poultice creates a drawing action and relieves blisters, stings, or bug bites. You can re-apply again once the plantain poultice dries completely.
Use plantain poultice for tooth infection.
Similarly, you can use plantain poultice for tooth infections. Place the spit poultice directly on your sore tooth, providing relief. Together with an ice pack, you will feel immediate pain relief.
This works great if you can access fresh leaves, but what do you do when they aren’t in season?
The oil is an excellent way of transferring valuable fresh herbal material into an apothecary formula that one can use later
plantain leaves.
HOW TO MAKE PLANTAIN OIL
There are three easy to follow steps in the whole plantain-infused oil process.
Foraging for plantain
So ensure you are confident that you collect the right ribwort or greater plantain. They are easy to identify; you will see them in every meadow, around your house, or along the pathways. Make sure that the place is free of pesticides or other chemicals. Don’t forget to watch for dogs or other animals whose excrements could spoil your desired plantain oil. You can collect leaves from early spring to fall.
SELECT THE CARRIER OIL
This seems easy, but select the right one for your skin. It would help if you looked out for certain aspects of your oil. I usually look at its absorption rate and the type of skin I will be using it on.
Since I want to use this plantain oil to make this moisturizing body butter, I decided to use coconut oil for its moisturizing properties, making it healthy, smooth, and even tone.
Here is an exhaustive list of oils to choose from as per your skin type. I also like to choose them organically, locally, and preferably fair trade, like this organic olive oil.
Select the infusion method
There are several ways to make plantain infused oil. I plan to use my oil in the winter when fresh ribwort plantain is out of reach. Since I have enough time, I infused this Plantain herbal Oil through solar infusion on my windowsill for four weeks, leaving it to macerate. If you are in a hurry and want your oil ready as soon as possible, it’s better to choose the double boiler method. Place your jar filled with oil and herbs in a double boiler. Slowly heat the mixture to a maximum of 60 degrees Celsius. Simmer for at least 5 hours. After this, you can fill the jar with a second batch of plantain leaves and repeat the process to make a double or triple-infused oil. Strain the mixture with a soft cloth, and you will get a rich oil full of medicinal properties.
Use Fresh plantain leaves or dry ones?
If it’s flowers you want to infuse – dry them first. When it comes to thin leaves of plantain, you can decide whether to use fresh or dried ones. They are not too juicy to spoil your oil. Just ensure you don’t use freshly washed herbs in the oil, as it will result in mold development and contaminate your oil. So pick and dry your fresh plantain leaves until crispy dry, and then infuse them. If you go for dry herbs, dry them quickly at 50 degrees or use a dehydrator to ensure they are wrinkle-free; otherwise, they tend to turn dark in color. You want them to be green when dried. Infused oils made of dry herbs last longer than fresh ones.
Store the plantain-infused oil in a cool, dark place. It should stay fresh for up to a year, although its potency may diminish over time.
12 USES OF PLANTAIN OIL
- From soothing minor skin irritations to alleviating bee stings and bites, plantain oil has a whole host of unique and useful applications to your everyday life:
- Create this body cream by using Plantain Oil as a base. Combine it with shea butter and your preferred essential oils for a luxurious and tailored skincare experience.
- Transform Plantain Oil into a plantain salve by blending it with beeswax and vitamin E oil. This herbal product not only soothes but also forms a protective shield, making it an excellent choice for gardeners that work with their hands frequently.
- When your skin is dehydrated, don’t just moisturize—nourish it deeply with Plantain Oil as a body oil. This oil penetrates to rejuvenate and revitalize, leaving your skin soft and supple.
- Elevate your first aid kit by adding Plantain Salve. Plantain may promote wound healing and reduce inflammation, making it highly effective for abrasions, cuts, tears, and even dog bites as this black drawing salves.
- Make your cuticles easier to manage by crafting an ideal cuticle oil. Blend Plantain Oil with coconut oil and gently massage it into your cuticles, promoting healthier nails and smoother care routines.
- Create a Plantain Leaf Healing Balm that stops bleeding and accelerates wound healing. This potent lotion also effectively treats skin rashes and inflammations such as impetigo, ecthyma, or eczema.
- Turn to Plantain Oil for soothing relief from mild burns. Its skin-healing properties make it a valuable addition to your first aid supplies, providing comfort and promoting healing.
- Plantain Oil is an excellent choice to alleviate the discomfort of insect bites and stings. Use it on its own or combine it with tea tree essential oil for enhanced relief.
- Enjoy a customized massage experience with Plantain Oil. Use it on its own or blend it with other essential oils to create a personalized, soothing massage oil.
- Harness the healing power of plantain, combined with the moisturizing effect of coconut oil, to create a perfect diaper rash cream. It soothes and protects sensitive baby skin.
- And when you need to unwind after a long day, enhance your bath with Plantain Oil. Add a few drops to your bathwater along with ¼ cup of Epsom salt for a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
What infused oil do you use the most?
Prep Time
10 minutes
Active Time
10 minutes
Additional Time
28 days
Total Time
28 days 20 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Estimated Cost
3$
Instructions
- If you’re using fresh plantain leaves, allow them to air dry for a few hours to reduce moisture content. Moisture can lead to mold growth in your infused oil. If you’re using dried plantain leaves, you can skip this step.
- Select a carrier oil of your choice. Olive oil is a popular option for infused herbal oils, but you can use other oils like grapeseed oil or coconut oil based on your preferences.
- Place the dried plantain leaves into a clean, dry glass jar. Fill the jar about halfway with plantain leaves. You can crush or chop the leaves slightly to release their aromatic oils.
- Place the sealed jar in a warm, sunny spot like a windowsill. Let the plantain leaves infuse in the oil for about 4-6 weeks. During this time, the oil will absorb the beneficial compounds from the plantain leaves. Shake the jar gently every day or whenever you remember. This helps distribute the plantain’s properties evenly throughout the oil.
- After the infusion period is complete, strain the oil to remove the plantain leaves. You can use a fine mesh strainer or a piece of muslin cloth to do this. Squeeze the leaves to extract as much oil as possible. Transfer the strained oil into a dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Dark glass helps protect the oil from light, which can cause it to degrade. Label the bottle with the date and contents.
Notes
To faster the process use the double boiler method. Place your jar filled with carrier oil and plantain in a double boiler. Slowly heat the mixture to a maximum of 60 degrees Celsius. Simmer for at least 5 hours. After this time, you can fill the jar with the second batch of plantain leaves and repeat the process to make a double or triple infused oil. Strain the mixture with a soft cloth and you will get rich infused oil full of medicinal properties.
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