Summers cure to insect bites, stinging nettle, poison ivy, oak, and sumac, razor burns, hives, burns, and eczema.

I think sometimes that we forget about the bounty that nature provides us. God has created a wonderful healing world in our own backyards. However, we are responsible for harvesting.

Recently I shared a picture of my jewelweed and plantain salve. It’s a staple at our house for many reasons. Readers reached out in interest, so I hope this article helps you find the benefits of both plants, and the start of your own journey for better healing.

Jewelweed and plantain are common plants found in most states. If you have a yard, chances are either broadleaf or narrow leaf plantain is growing right out your back door.

Jewelweed, also known as spotted touch-me-not or balsam weed, loves the shade and moist soil. We find it abundant along hay fields, near creek beds cutting through our farm. You can find it near ponds, marshes, and similar habitats too. It’s found all over the states and Canada, but during further research, I’ve discovered that according to some, it’s absent in Wyoming and Montana.

To use Jewelweed for sprays or salves, I always use fresh, since drying jewelweed removes too much of it’s benefits. Infused oil has a great shelf life, so I can make it up, store it, and use it when I’m ready.

Recipe for jewelweed infused oil.

You can use nearly all parts of the jewelweed plant. I first thought only the flowers were used, and let me tell you how hard it was plucking hundreds of flowers, drying them, only to end up with a cup!

Thankfully, you can use flowers, leaves, and stems. I take about 6 cups of chopped jewelweed parts and put that into a crockpot. I add two cups of cold pressed coconut oil, and let it sit on low for a few hours. By evening, I turn it off, and let it steep overnight.

You can warm it up in the morning and strain it through cheesecloth. I pour my in quart jars and place in my canning shelf. It’s important when storing infused oils that they are kept in the dark, even if that means wrapping the jar in something to prevent light from seeping in.

Broadleaf Plantain

Broadleaf Plantain also known as Common Plantain or nature’s band-aid, is often mistaken for a weed. Despite its humble appearance, it’s a powerful medicinal herb with a rich history. This plant is great for mosquito bites. The leaves are rich in mucilage and tannins, making it ideal for soothing irritated skin and promoting wound healing. A simple poultice made by chewing or crushing fresh leaves can be applied directly to insect bites, cuts, or stings to reduce pain and inflammation. It’s also a very important asset to burn victims, which is probably why it’s included in the infamous, B&W ointment.

You can pick plantain leaves throughout the growing season as needed. It’s best to choose younger, tender leaves for fresh use and the older, tougher ones for drying.

Plantain oil, the way I make it, is made by harvesting leaves, washing them, and chopping them into a jar. I add a carrier oil, like grapeseed oil or good olive oil, to the jar. I don’t measure for this, I simply pack the jar and cover the leaves with the carrier oil. I let this set on my canning shelf for 6 weeks, but you can look up ways to speed up the process I’m sure. This works for me, as I harvest in the spring and usually get more than I need all summer long. When the oil is ready, simply strain through cheesecloth and jar your oil! Easy Peasy. I have family who takes jars home for eczema and chapped lips.

I sought to create a salve that could be used year-round that contained jewelweed and plantain’s restoring and healing properties. After a few fails, the wrong mixture of oil and beeswax, I feel I’ve finally come up with a great recipe that will benefit our families for years to come.

Here’s what I came up with

Jewelweed Plantain Salve

This is a 1:3 ratio- meaning 1 part beeswax to three parts oil. You can always add more beeswax to for a firmer consistency, which I may try in the future to fill lipbalm containers for hiking trips.

• 1.5 cups jewelweed infused oil
• ½ c plantain infused oil (You can do half and half and it would likely make a better overall salve. I focus on poison ivy since it’s an issue for my husband.)
• 1 c. beeswax (be sure you are safe to use bee products)
• Essential oil( optional) can be added for sent or further healing properties. I recommend Tea Tree or Lavendar oils.
• Containers for storing

1. In a pan, under low heat, measure out your oils.
2. Add grated beeswax, or pearl pellets that can be purchased online.
3. Stir until the beeswax is melted.
4. To check the consistency of your salve, you can put a spoon in the freezer and then drop a little bit of the mixture onto the spoon.  It should solidify and then you can see how thick it is, and if you want it thicker, add more grated beeswax.
5. Make sure the beeswax is fully melted.
6. (Optional only) Once you are happy with your consistency, add about 10 drops of essential oil to make it smell nice and give it additional healing qualities.  Stir it up to make sure the oils are all mixed.
7. Carefully pour your mixture into small conatiners or even jars.  Let set for about an hour or more to set up.
8. Store in a cool, dry place.

If you want to skip out on making salve, but still need quick relief this summer, here is a recipe for a spray. This won’t last as long of course.

In a blender, add 1 cup of chopped jewelweed and plantain.

Add 2 cups of witch hazel.

Then blend it together.

Strain the jewelweed mixture through a fine mesh sieve.

Put in a spray bottle and use when needed.

Remember when foraging herbs, identification is key.

Also, please respect nature and future plants by never taking more than 10%. That gives plants the ability to reproduce. Have a blessed day, and enjoy summer a little more this year! Mindy