Herbs101

A few weeks ago, I was collecting Mullein flowers to dry and noticed a 🐝buzzing near by. Then BAM! I was hit. OHHH the discomfort.

Have this happened to you while you were outside communing with Nature?

Well, I shared in my stories a few pics along with basic info on what I used but after a few "what can I use? " messages, I felt it was time to chat about it with you.

This herb GROWS almost everywhere and you've probably overlooked it. Stepped on it. Cut it up with the weedeater.

What is it?

🌿Plantain!🌿 Not the green banana often fried up and served as a carribean meal. This herb is the unsung healer under your feet.

Often mistaken for a weed, Plantain is one of the most accessible and powerful herbal allies for skin, gut, and respiratory healing. Often ignored, this humble herb holds centuries of wisdom in its leaves.

Here's 2️⃣ reasons why you may want the energetics of this healer:

1. Cooling: Cools inflammation and overheated tissues. Perfect for these 🐝moments because that little toxic exchange creates heat in the infected area.

1. Moistening: Soothes dryness, especially in mucous membranes. More about that later.

Now let's talk about the "hows" of plantain along with a brief understanding:

•Astringent – Tightens and tones tissues, reducing excess secretions

•Vulnerary – Heals wounds and supports skin regeneration

•Expectorant – Helps the body expel mucus from the lungs

•Anti-inflammatory – Reduces inflammation both internally and externally

•Antimicrobial – Helps prevent infection and supports immune health

•Demulcent – Soothes irritated tissues (great for gut, throat, and lungs)

🤦🏿‍♀️"But Trina, keep it simple. I don't need to know all of this."

I am hearing your thoughts as you are reading this. So, here are some key benefits of why you should be familiar with this herb.

•Wound Healing Hero🤕

Speeds up tissue regeneration and stops bleeding. Great for cuts, bites, burns, and scrapes.

•Soothes Digestive Inflammation🔥

Helps calm ulcers, acid reflux, and irritated bowels due to its demulcent properties.

•Allergy & Respiratory Support🫁

Acts as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory—ideal for coughs, sinus issues, and allergies.

•Skin Relief🪲

Treats rashes, eczema, and insect bites with a cooling and calming effect.

•Mouth and Gum Care👄

Used as a mouthwash or poultice for gum irritation, canker sores, or sore throat.

•Urinary Tract Support🚽

Cools and soothes irritated urinary passages; useful in UTI blends.

Okay... now that the basic understanding is out of the way, time for the fun stuff!

Here's what I created when that little buzzer stung me! A 2️⃣ ingredient remedy!

🌿Plantain Poultice (for Bites/Cuts/Stings)

Ingredients::

•Fresh plantain leaves (picked from clean ground aka non-chemically treated area🤮)

•Clean water water💦 or saliva (yes, old-school!)

Instructions:

Locate a leaf. Make sure it's free from life-forms inhabiting the leaf. Ask for permission BEFORE pinching a leaf from the plant. Thank the plant after removing the leaf. Return a piece as an offering.

Crush or chew a few fresh leaves until a juicy paste forms. You'll see the juice in the next image 🤣.

Apply directly to the affected area (bite, sting, cut).

Cover with a bandage or cloth (if available). I could've used a mullein leaf but I was saving them for another purpose. Leave for 30–60 minutes. Replace as needed.

👉 Excellent first-aid remedy to draw out toxins and soothe inflammation instantly.

Now, here's the later part I referenced earlier about the moistening properties of plantain. Do you experience a dry cough or bouts of irregularities or constipation with dry bowel movements? Urinary discomforts? This herb could be explored as an herbal infusion. And of course, I'll share a simple way to explore it.

🌿Plantain Tea (for lungs, gut and throat)

Ingredients::

•1 tbsp dried plantain leaf

•1 cup hot water

Instructions:

Pour hot water over the herb, cover, and steep for 10–15 minutes.

Strain and drink up to 3x daily.

✨ Relieves dry cough, sore throat, irritated digestion, and even bladder discomfort.

Plantain reminds us that true medicine often grows right underfoot—quiet, powerful, and ready to serve. Plantain is a protector. Energetically, it shields against external “toxins”—whether emotional, environmental, or energetic.

The next time you're out walking around, try to look for it. There's two varieties that grow abundantly in this area and both can be used to help with critters attack.

DISCLAIMER time. If you are allergic to Nature’s little critters and get "touched" by one, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. And look for some plantain leaf to try until you get assistance.

🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

Information about the traditional uses of herbs, food, water, supplementation or alternative therapies is intended for educational purposes only. Counsel and recommendations made by employees of Your Path To Living Well LLC are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health conditions or diseases. Such recommendations should not be considered substitution for consultation with your physician or licensed medical professional