How to Make Plantain Salve

Use the leaves of a common weed found in lawns and meadows to make a soothing anti-inflammatory salve. This DIY Plantain Weed Salve is easy to make with the dried leaves.

Plantain Salve in a metal tin on a cutting board.

What is Plantain Salve?

Plantain salve is a natural ointment made from the leaves of the plantain plant, a common weed that’s often overlooked for its medicinal properties and nutritional benefits. Rich in allantoin, an anti-inflammatory compound, plantain salve is used traditionally to soothe and heal skin irritations such as bug bites, sunburns, and small cuts. It is especially great for soothing itchiness. It’s a wonderful, all-natural addition to any home first aid kit, offering a gentle and effective remedy to care for your skin.

Important: Plantain Weed is not related to the fruit called plantain, which is like a banana.

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DIY Plantain Salve

Ingredients

Dried Plantain Leaves
1 Cup Avocado Oil (Or another carrier oil)
2 Tablespoons Beeswax Pellets
2 ounce tins (I used 3-4 tins per batch)

Directions

Step 1

You will need to infuse your oil with the plantain leaves. There are two ways to do this, both work effectively and are listed below.

Quick Oil Infusion Method: You can slowly heat the oil and leaves on the stove or in a crock pot on low heat setting for an hour (or more) to infuse. Do not boil the oil! Then strain out the leaves.

Slow Oil Infusion Method: Fill a glass jar halfway full of the dried plantain leaves.

Pour the avocado oil over the leaves to fill the jar completely. Make sure that all of the leaves are fully covered.

Put the lid on the jar and store it in a cool, dark place, such as a closet or basement, for 6 weeks. Shake the jar to disperse the product about once a week.

Step 2

Once your oil has been infused with the plantain leaves, pour it into a heat-proof glass measuring cup. Add the beeswax.

Heat on medium-low in a double boiler or for 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring thoroughly in between until fully melted.

Step 3

Pour the heated oil into the tins, filling up almost to the top of the tin.

Allow the hot tins to cool for a few hours or overnight. Do not move the tins as they are cooling.

Helpful Tips

Plantain Weed Salve can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to six months. Avoid exposure to heat and direct sunlight or else the salve will melt.
If you would like, you can add essential oils that have skin soothing properties.
Vitamin E oil can be added as a natural preservative and to add skin moisturizing properties. Add one teaspoon to the oil and beeswax mixture after it has been heated to melting.
You can dry your own plantain weed leaves instead of purchasing the plants. Allow enough time to dry the leaves with a food dehydrator or solar dehydrator.

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