It grows behind the house. It works better than both the patch and the acne cream

At a time when we are used to relying on full first aid kits and modern products, it often turns out that the easiest help grows right by the roadside – and often right outside the house. One such inconspicuous helper is a seemingly ordinary plant that is easily overlooked. But it’s the one that holds the power that has proven itself for centuries.

Its leaves can soothe the pain of insect bites, cool burnt skin or serve as an improvised plaster. But this is not a modern miracle: St John’s wort, popularly known as hojiliac or ranocel, has earned its reputation in the past.

First aid and everyday remedy

Plantain contains a wide range of natural and beneficial substances, from mucilages and tannins to flavonoids and acids with anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to these, it has antibacterial properties , soothes pain, helps heal wounds and supports the body’s natural defences. That is why it is recommended to use it not only externally but also internally.

There are plenty ofways to use plantain. If you are suffering from a wound, simply mash fresh leaves and apply them directly to the skin – the juice that is released will quickly soothe the cut and the abrasion. Plantain ointment is also still used in folk medicine to soothe burns or eczema. Plantain syrup is also popular. It helps with coughs, congestion and irritated throats.

The leaves can also be dried and used as a tea, which is recommended for respiratory inflammation, asthma or hay fever. It can also be beneficial for smokers or people suffering from chronic bronchitis, as it helps to flush out mucus and strengthen lung tissue.

However, the magic of plantain doesn’t just stop at abrasions and respiratory problems. Thanks to its antibacterial and astringent properties, it is also an excellent aid in the care of skin plagued by acne, eczema or other impurities. An infusion of plantain, simply prepared by exfoliating the leaves in hot water, can be used as a lotion to soothe pimpled and troubled skin. It can also be used in homemade face masks or creams.

Plantain has also been shown to be beneficial for digestion and overall internal balance. It even has some potential in lowering post-meal sugar levels, alleviating problems with irritable bladder syndrome or as a supplement in reducing the risk of heart disease and treating high cholesterol.

How to process plantain into a home pharmacy

It’s best to harvest plantain leaves from spring to August, while they are fresh and the flower has not appeared. When drying, extra care is needed – the leaves will easily steam, turn black and lose their medicinal properties. It is therefore recommended to dry them in thin layers in a dark and airy place.

In addition to dried tea, it can be used at home to make other wonderful and medicinal preparations:

• Cold plantain syrup: By alternating layers of fresh, compressed leaves and sugar (possibly with lemon) and then standing in the sun, you get a thick syrup that is ideal for coughs.
• Plantain ointment: Stir two handfuls of leaves into hot lard, leave to macerate, then heat and strain. The resulting ointment will relieve insect bites and help heal minor burns or abrasions.
• Plantain oil: By soaking the leaves for a few weeks in sunflower or other carrier and healthy oil, you can make a lye oil and use it on your skin to relieve itching.

Plantain is a perfect example of how nature makes its medicinal substances available to us completely free of charge. It is safe for external and internal use (in standard doses) and its effects, prized in ancient times, are now being confirmed by modern research.

This green, at first sight inconspicuous plant, which grows almost everywhere, undoubtedly deserves a permanent place in the home herb medicine cabinet. Because whether you need a quick fix after a mosquito bite or are looking for natural support for a cough, it grows literally in your backyard so it’s always close at hand.