Sep
9
Plantain and Mullein Uses
September 9, 2007 |
Plantain, a native of Europe, was brought by the colonialists and is now dispersed throughout the world. A common sight in developed areas as well as wildlands, it is a veritable medicine cabinet and can be used in a pinch for everything from an open wound to a green salad. Plantain is a stiptic, and also works well on insect bites, stings, and or almost any dermal reactions. Do not mistake plantain for lilies, as the former has linear, parallel veins with little or no branching. The latter is toxic. I have processed the tincture and used it internally for allergic reactions when Benadryl failed to work. Pictured here is Plantago major.
Mullein is a widespread biennial that grows in disturbed areas, open fields and pastures. Distinguished by the furry, silver-grey hairs on its leaves, Verbascum thapsus has a long history of use for respiratory ailments. The stalk can be used as a hand-drill for a friction fire; the seeds as a piscicide. Perhaps its greatest contribution is the pleasant sensation of the leaves on your ass following deep woods meditation. I encourage anyone who spends time outdoors to give mullein a shot - just do your friends a favor and use the larger leaves!
