How to Make Homemade Plantain Infused Oil Plus Benefits and Uses

This plantain oil makes an excellent soothing and nourishing oil that can be used for stings, bites, bruises, wounds, eczema, or other skin inflammations.

Plantain is a very common weed found growing everywhere and is sometimes considered a nuisance. However, plantain is not only edible, but has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Plantain weed contains many healing compounds that can reduce inflammation, improve digestion and promote wound healing.

Benefits of Plantain

This article by MedicineNet includes a lot of information about plantain including how to identify, the many uses and how to use plantain. The article states, that “Plantain poultices have traditionally been used to treat wounds. This plant has anti-microbial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that may help heal wounds. A study of 40 people with diabetic foot ulcers found that a gel of aloe vera and plantain weed helped significantly reduce the size of the ulcers compared with people who received a placebo gel. The people who used the aloe vera and plantain gel also didn’t experience any negative side effects.”

The website Indigo Herbs has an interesting article about plantain. The article includes folklore history, traditional uses and benefits. The article includes a discussion of the benefits of plantain including for respiratory heath, immune boosting, digestive and gastrointestinal health, and skin health. it states that plantain “is considered one of the best healing herbs on the planet.”

How to Make Plantain Oil

To make the plantain oil recipe, the first step is to pick the the plantain leaves.

Next is to dry the leaves. The drying process can include air drying by spreading them in a single layer on a dish towel or paper towel and letting them dry for several days.

The other option is to use a dehydrator set at a low setting to dry.

The next step to make an infused oil is to steep the dried plantain in a carrier oil over a period of time. As the dried plantain infuses in the oil (later strained), the natural essential oils in the leaves are drawn out and into the carrier oil. Different kinds of oils can be used including sweet almond oil, safflower oil, avocado oil, sweetgrass oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil or coconut oil.

Add the dried plantain to a glass jar. I like to use a pint mason jar.

Add about twice as much oil as your dried plantain leaves. For example, you can add the leaves to a pint jar about halfway and then fill the jar almost to the top. If you want less, you can fill the jar about 1/4 up with leaves and then 1/2 way with oil.

There are several options for making the oil infusion:

Slow infusion method: Just add the lid to the jar and put it away in a dark place for 4 to 6 weeks. Shake the jar every once in a while. You can also put the jar in direct sunlight for a couple weeks to infuse the oil.

Fast double boiler method: Place the jar in a saucepan of a couple inches of hot water and heat the water on low for about 2 hours. Or add the oil and dried herbs or flowers to a double boiler pan and let it simmer but not boil for 1 to 2 hours.

Fast crockpot method: Add your dried herbs or flowers and oil to the crockpot, make sure that the oil covers the herbs. Heat the oil slowly and keep the crockpot on warm. Try to keep the temp between 120-130 F. Let it heat for several hours.

Enjoy!

Enjoy your homemade Plantain oil that has so many benefits and uses. It is wonderful to make your own skincare items that do not have preservatives and chemicals. Plus it saves money!

More Great Recipes and Simple Homestead Information

For more of my DIY skin care recipes, favorite recipes and canning recipes, plus posts about other homestead-type activities, such as gardening and raising chickens, go to my website at www.HawkPointHomestead.com. For updates, please follow my Facebook page at Hawk Point Hobby Homestead