I've been stung! | Plantain to the rescue.
At least once every summer I’ll be working in my garden and suddenly it feels like fire running
down my leg. Immediately I know that I have been stung by a wasp or yellow jacket. Hmm... what do I have growing in my garden that I can use to stop the pain?
Plantain! You can take a leaf and chew it to make a spit poultice and apply it to the sting to dull the pain and reduce the inflammation. If that grosses you out, you can use dried leaves to make a salve to have on hand.
Plantain is an herb easily confused with a weed. You may have it growing in your yard or find it along paths while hiking in a park. However, it is an herb that has a long history in traditional medicine.
There are two types of plantain, broad and narrow leaf. It is a perennial and very easy to grow, but know that if you add it to your garden it will take over if left unattended.
Plantain reduces inflammation and promotes wound healing. It can be dried and used to make a salve or oil which is useful for certain skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and sunburn. Make a tea, tincture or even eat it raw. Every part of the plant is useable!
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