Plantain Salve for Bug Bites
A simple homemade plantain salve made with foraged dried plantain leaves, olive oil, and beeswax. Keep a tin near the garden door for minor bug bites, itchy spots, and everyday summer skin irritation.
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Equipment
- 2 Mason Jars
- 1 Kitchen Scale
- 1 Heat-Safe Rack or jar rings
- 1 Fine Mesh Strainer or cheesecloth
- 7 15ml Tins
Ingredients
Plantain-Infused Oil
- 2 cups Dried Plantain Leaf
- 1 cup Olive Oil or other oil
Plantain Salve
- 1 cup Plantain-Infused Oil
- 1 ounce Beeswax by weight
Instructions
Make the Plantain-Infused Oil
- Add the dried plantain leaf to a clean glass jar. Pour the olive oil over the dried plantain, making sure the leaves are fully covered. Add a little more oil if needed.2 cups Dried Plantain Leaf, 1 cup Olive Oil
- Cover the jar and place it somewhere out of direct sunlight. Let the plantain steep in the oil for 4 weeks, shaking the jar gently when you remember.
- After 4 weeks, strain the oil through a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or clean cloth. Press or squeeze gently to remove as much infused oil as possible.
- Discard the strained plant material and reserve 1 cup of plantain-infused oil for the salve.
Make the Plantain Salve
- Add the beeswax to one mason jar. Add the plantain-infused oil to a second mason jar.1 cup Plantain-Infused Oil, 1 ounce Beeswax
- Place a few jar rings or a small heat-safe rack in the bottom of a stock pot to create a raised platform for the jars.
- Add 1 to 2 inches of water to the pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Place the jar of beeswax in the pot and let the wax melt.
- When the beeswax is almost fully melted, place the jar of plantain-infused oil in the pot for a few minutes to warm the oil.
- Carefully pour the melted beeswax into the warmed plantain-infused oil. Stir until the oil and beeswax are fully combined.
- Pour the warm mixture into 15 ml tins or small salve containers. Let the salve cool completely before moving the containers or adding lids.
- Label the tins with the name and date.
Notes
- To test firmness before pouring, place a small spoonful of the melted salve on a plate and let it cool for a few minutes. If it feels too soft, add a little more beeswax. If it feels too firm, add a little more infused oil.
- Store finished salve in a cool, dry place. It should keep for several months to about a year if made with dried plantain and clean equipment.
- Use only on minor bug bites and everyday skin irritation. Do not use on infected skin, deep wounds, serious allergic reactions, or bites that are swelling quickly or getting worse.
Servings: 3.5 ounces
Cost: $8.00