Plantain, Plantago major

Peppermint oil stimulates the flow of bile in the body and aids digestion. It is useful for treating problems of the stomach, intestines, and liver. Peppermint oil also contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral components that treat the causes of gastroenteritis while also calming the symptoms. Menstrual Cramping: Peppermint oil relaxes uterine muscle spasms and relieves menstrual cramping. Women with menstrual cramping can drink peppermint tea or take peppermint oil. The oil is very strong, so only a drop or two is needed. Appetite Suppression and Stimulation: Peppermint temporarily inhibits hunger, but when the effect wears off the feeling of hunger returns more powerfully. It can be used as an appetite stimulate in this way, just be aware that it takes time to work. Good for children who are failing to thrive due to a lack of appetite. Headaches and Migraines: The oil also relieves the spasms that cause some types of headaches. For this purpose, use a drop of distilled peppermint oil mixed into a tablespoon of a carrier oil like organic olive oil. Rub the oil onto the forehead or on the scalp over the affected area to relieve the headache. You may also use a peppermint oil infusion, though the distilled oil is stronger.

Diarrhea, Spastic Colon, Irritable Bowel

Syndrome, and Crohn’s Disease: Peppermint calms the stomach and intestinal tract, relaxes the muscles, and soothes the mucous membranes. It helps treat diarrhea, spastic colon, and irritable bowel syndrome by alleviating the spasms of the intestines and colon. Itchy Skin: Peppermint oil slightly numbs the skin surface to relieve pain from insect stings, itchy skin, and mild skin irritations. It also has an anti-bacterial component, and it works to bring an increased blood supply to the skin to speed up healing.

Arthritis, Gout, Neuralgia, Sciatica: These same numbing qualities make it an effective treatment for muscle aches, joint pain, and nerve pain coming from near the surface. Massage the area with Infused Peppermint Oil (recipe below) to relieve the pain. It does not treat the underlying causes, but it gives quick relief from the pain. Recipes. Peppermint Tea: 1 teaspoon peppermint leaves, 1 cup boiling water. Pour the boiling water over the peppermint leaves and allow the tea to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink. Infused (Extracted) Peppermint Oil: 3/4 cup dried peppermint leaves, 1 cup organic olive oil. Combine the peppermint leaves and organic olive oil in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake daily. Allow the oil and peppermint to steep in a dark cupboard for 4 to 6 weeks. Strain out the peppermint leaves and store the oil in a cool dark place for up to 1 year. Use as a topical relief for headaches, muscle cramps, or as a massage oil for muscle pain.

Peppermint Flowers, Sten Porse, CC by SA 3.0

Plantago major is a small perennial, often called a weed, and is not the banana-like fruit called plantain found in the grocery store. It is found growing wild in gardens, lawns, backyards, and along paths. It is in the Plantaginaceae Family. Identification: The distinctive leaves have a ruffled texture. The leaves are oval or almost round and have a chunky footstalk. The leaves grow in a rosette at the base of the plant. Each leaf is 2 to 8 inches (5 cm to 20 cm) long. It has a wavy or smooth margin and five to nine parallel elastic veins. When you break the leaf in half and pull these elastic-like veins can easily be seen. The greenish-white flowers have purple stamens and grow on densely packed stems to a height of 6 to 18 inches (15 cm to 45 cm). The flowers are tiny and

mostly eclipsed by the greenish-brown sepals and bracts. The flowering stalks rise high above the foliage. The plants produce many tiny, bitter-tasting seeds. Plantago lanceolata, narrow-leafed plantain, can be used like P. major. Edible Use: The leaves and seeds are edible. I enjoy the leaves in a salad and gather them while they are still very young and tender and I love to strip the seeds and pop them in my mouth. As they age, they become tough and fibrous, but they can be cooked in soups and stews. The seeds are sometimes ground into a flour extender or substitute, but they are so tiny that it takes a lot of time and energy to gather enough to make it worthwhile. Medicinal Use: The plantain herb has many medicinal qualities. It is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, hepatoprotective, immune modulating, and a weak antibiotic.

Healing Wounds, Sores, Insect Bites, and

Rashes: A poultice made from crushed plantain leaves is a good choice to promote healing in minor wounds, sores, and insect bites or stings. It will ward off infection, help stop bleeding, and reduce inflammation, taking away the sting or itch. A spit poultice is easily made when you are bitten. Plantain has an excellent drawing effect, and can remove venom or a stinger. My kids know that if they get bitten or stung to chew some plantain and apply it for almost immediate relief. If a wound is infected, I combine plantain with an herb with more antibiotic action such as yarrow. To make a poultice, crush, chew, or bruise fresh plantain leaves and apply them directly to the affected skin. Cover the leaves with a gauze wrapping to hold it in place. Change the poultice as needed.

Snake Bite:

For snakebite, use plantain both internally and externally. Apply a poultice of fresh plantain leaves directly to the bite to draw out Plantain leaf and flower stalk, By Rasbak the venom and Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 take 2 tablespoons of freshly pressed plantain juice or 1 teaspoon of Plantain Tincture. The tincture can also be used as a poultice if fresh leaves are not readily available. For snakebite, much depends on the kind of snake and the quick administration of remedies.

Cystitis, Diarrhea, Respiratory Tract Infec-

tions, Ulcers, and Colitis: The juice of common plantain leaves is beneficial for calming inflammation of the mucous membranes, including the membranes of the respiratory tract, digestive tract, and urinary tract.

Plantain for Autoimmune Diseases and

Leaky Gut: For autoimmune conditions and other chronic diseases, try drinking Plantain Tea twice daily or take it in tincture form. The benefits build up over time. Just like Plantain works on your skin it also provides healing inside your gut. For Leaky Gut eat fresh leaves and drink it juiced or as a tea daily. Tincture is also effective but supplementing with fresh plantain or tea helps the plantain reach the gut lining for direct healing. Toothache: The direct application of plantain on a toothache or dental infection is very effective in relieving swelling, infection, and pain. I like to combine it with the application of clove oil. Both can be soaked on cotton and packed into the infected area. Dried leaves can be used if fresh are not available. Sore Throats and Swelling of the Gums: Add a tablespoon of pressed plantain juice to a half cup of water and use as a gargle at the first sign of a sore throat. It also reduces the inflammation in gum tissue.

Constipation, Intestinal Worms and In-

flammatory Bowel Disease: Plantain seeds are excellent at relieving constipation and intestinal worms because of the fiber and mucilage released in the infusion. To relieve constipation, try drinking 1 cup