plantain & comfrey

i got a ton of fresh plantain (Plantago major) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale) today from a friend of mine. i am going to make some infused oil from both of them. i have the leaves layed out on paper towels on the counter - they will sit there overnight. i want to let them wilt a little and let some of the moisture dry out before starting the infusion because both plants have a high water content in them - and oil and water don't mix. just trying to lessen the chance of mold growing in my infusion. i did not rinse the leaves to clean them - instead i took a very damp cloth and gently got any dirt or misc bug droppings off the leaves. so tomorrow morning i'll do a rough chop on them - put each one in a glass jar and cover with organic olive oil. i push the plant material down with the end of a wooden spoon to make sure they are all submerged and to get rid of any air bubbles. when infusing oils - i don't cover it with a metal lid -  instead i use cheesecloth or a paper towel over the top and hold in place with a rubber band. this will let any additional moisture evaporate. over the next few weeks, i'll open the jar and make sure that all the leaves are still submerged. after three weeks - i'll strain out the herb - and have infused oil that i will use to make skin cream or salve.

here is plantain leaves and the flower stalks. after the stalk completely dries out - i can spread the seed in my garden and hope that a few of them take so i can have fresh plantain here at home.

and here is the comfrey leaves:

healing salve

i made a healing salve today. i started with fresh plantain (Plantago spp.), comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and lavender (Lavendula dentata).

 i did a rough chop on the herbs...

and then put them in a pot with 1 cup high grade organic olive oil - you can see i decided to add calendula (Calendula officinalis) in the mix at the last minute.

let them simmer on the lowest flame possible for 45 minutes to an hour - then strain the herbs out. put the infused oil back in the pot and add 1/4 cup beeswax and melt the wax. shouldn't take more than a few minutes. after the beeswax is melted i added ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) and rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) essential oil - about 10 drops of each. you can add whatever essential oils you like. pour the liquid into tins.

the salve will completely harden in about an hour. this salve is very healing and comforting for the skin. it can be used for chapped dry skin, surface burns and bug bites.

calendula is soothing, moisturizing and cooling, it can help decrease inflammation and is healing for sunburn and skin irritations.

comfrey is incredibly healing for wounds and skin problems. The leaf and root of comfrey contain allantoin, a constituent known to aid wound healing. Comfrey oil or salve will help stop bleeding and soothe wounds. it is also known for its ability to knit things back together, and can heal a cut or wound very quickly. (It is important to be sure your wound is thoroughly cleaned so that you do not heal an infection inside of the wound.)

plantain oil helps relieve skin and scalp irritation, reduce inflammation. Plantain is traditionally used to nourish and treat sensitive, irritated skin and scalp, to help restore injured or tired skin, and as restorative and anti-aging skin treatment. a poultice of hot leaves placed on cuts and wounds helps draw out thorns, splinters and inflammation.

lavender helps to prevent tissue degeneration and stop bleeding in wounds. it balances the skin, making it ideal for any skin type. it can stimulate the growth of new skin cells. it helps the formation of healing scar tissue, while preventing scar keloids (scarring) on the healed skin, making it perfect for any wounds.

comfrey oil

i went today to pick up my plantain (Plantago spp.). i found a great place for it. can't wait to see how it takes. i am hoping that it flourishes and seeds and grows. i also got my comfrey (Symphytum officinale) leaves and i am making a comfrey infused oil. i just read up on it a little and realized that i should have let the leaves sit for a day to let some of the moisture evaporate first so there is less chance of mold growing in the oil - which can happen sometimes by putting moist plant material in oil. oh well. we'll see how this goes. so i cut up the comfrey leaves - by cutting up the leaves it allows for more of the active ingredients to be released into the oil. i put them in a jar - lightly packed - and completely covered the leaves with oil. i used jojoba, apricot kernal and grapeseed oil. i stirred the leaves around a bit to get the bubbles out. i covered it with a paper towel (or cheesecloth) and attached only the outside mason jar ring - leave the inside metal part off - or you can just use a rubber band. this allows the water to evaporate which will help so it doesn't grow mold. it will then sit for 6 weeks away from direct sun. during the first week, i'll open the jar everyday and make sure that all the leaves are still submerged. when the oil is ready - i will make a salve.

score !

i just got back from the local nursery. i went to get a fern to plant behind my front tree. i ended up with giant chain fern (Woodwardia fimbriata), which is going to be beautiful once it fills out in that area. i also got more of my most favorite little plant, lambs ear (Stachys byzantina). it is the sweetest little fuzziest plant ever. i got a few calendula (Calendula officinalis) plants. after they settle in and start to flower - i will use the petals to make an infused calendula oil - which is very healing for the skin. my comfrey (Symphytum officinale) plant is looking a little weak - so i got 2 more. i was talking to an employee there - and i didn't know that comfrey goes dormant in the winter - so the one that i have now will bounce back in the spring. while i was talking to him, i asked if they had any plantain (Plantago spp.). he told me he has a SLEW of it at home and he would bring some to work tomorrow. he also told me he had so much comfrey that he would harvest some and bring me a bag a fresh comfrey leaves. i will make a healing comfrey salve with it.

in the garden

this is what i have in the herb garden right now and then a brief basic description on how the herb can be used medicinally. they can be prepared in an infusion (steep in hot water for at least four hours) or for stronger medicine - a tincture (soaked in alcohol for 4-6 weeks).

what is that sentence i am supposed to say now ? something like: these statements have not been evaluated by the food & drug administration. they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. consult with your health care practitioner for proper use. there.

thyme (Thymus vulgaris) - antiseptic properties - can be used as a mouthwash, skin cleanser, anti-fungal agent for athlete's foot and anti-parasitic for lice

sage (Salvia officinalis) - for mouth sores and sore throat. for sore throats, mix sage tea with apple cider vinegar and salt for gargling

lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) - a benefit for stress, anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression

rosemary (Hyssopus officinalis) - a digestive aid. treats depression and headaches. use as an expectorant and for muscle spasms

marjoram (Origanum majorana) - relief from symptoms of hay fever, sinus congestion, indigestion, asthma, headache, dizziness, colds, coughs, and nervous disorders. marjoram essential oil has been one of my favorites for headaches - a few drops on forehead and temples

catnip (Nepeta cataria) - very mild herb medicinally. it has calming and sedative effects. which surprises me since cats go bonkers for this stuff !

parsley (Carum petroselinum) - a vitamin and mineral powerhouse. a natural breath sweetener. eat the leaves right off the plant to combat breath odors

feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) - helps dramatically in some cases of migraine, arthritis pain, painful menstruation, rheumatism, and muscle spasms

lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla or Lippia citriodora - confused on the latin name here) - relief of digestive tract spasms, reduction of fever, strengthening of the nervous system. has the ability to break down cellulite, and has a soothing, healing and toning effect on the skin

basil (Ocymum basilicum) - digestive and anti-gas properties. also for stomach cramps, vomiting, constipation, headaches, and anxiety

comfrey (Symphytum officinale) - a priceless herb for wounds, sprains, bruises

valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - a central nervous system relaxer and a sleep aid

common rue (Ruta Graveolens) - the leaves applied externally will ease the severe pain of sciatica and headaches

horehound (Marrubium vulgare) - benefits chronic cough and asthma

spearmint (Mentha spicata) - relieves hiccough and flatulence

chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) - a remedy for hysterical and nervous affections in women (!) has a wonderfully soothing and sedating effect

calendula (Calendula officinalis) - a remedy for the pain and swelling caused by bee or wasp sting. a lotion from the flowers helps sprains and wounds