Weed-Made First-Aid

It was a sparkling day for a stroll around the Local Farm barnyard with local herbalist, Alicia North of Northstar Botanicals.  As we crossed the lawn, heading toward a patch of nettles, Alicia pointed out plantain; one of the primary healing "weeds" that we'd harvest for our salve. Later, in the pasture, we'd find two varieties of plantain;

Common Broad-leafed Plantain or "White Man's Foot" has followed European colonization throughout the world. It is slightly astringent and stimulates healing of skin wounds, The juice is said to soothe bee-stings, bug bites and nettle burn. Debra remembers her young son's playmates chewing up the leaves and applying the mash to cool and soothe bee-stings.

The primitive Ribwort or Lancelate Plantain has long, narrow, ribbed leaves harkening to prehistoric times and has properties very similar to Broad Leafed Plantain. We collected leaves from both.

At the nettle patch, Alicia spoke of Stinging Nettles as a blood-building herb, a fiber plant, and a delicious health-filled spring green once it has been cooked and lost its sting. The stinging nettle hairs contain formic acid and flogging oneself with the plant increases blood circulation. This practice is said to be useful in decreasing arthritic inflammation.

Asked about plants historically used to help with digestive complaints, Alicia suggested Catnip which is also mildly stimulating. She suggested bruising the fresh leaves in cold water as a good summer drink.

Next to the Catnip was a thriving plant of Greater Celandine with little yellow flowers. Its bright orange juice is said to be a cure for warts and in Russia, the plant has been used in treating cancer.

We next harvested Chickweed to supplement our salad as well as an addition to the salve for its cooling, inflammation reducing qualities.

To make the salve we steeped chopped or broken up herbs in warm olive oil for an hour. We put our pan of oil and herbs into a second pan of hot water - being careful not to cook the herbs.

While they steeped Alicia showed us her personal first aid kit with...

 Essential oils of thyme and lavender for repelling insects and calming excitement...

 Homeopathic remedies for allergic reactions, motion sickness, headaches, etc...

Sea bands for stimulating an acupuncture point helpful in reducing nausea...

Charcoal capsules to take in case of food poisoning. And much more!



After a delicious pot-luck lunch including salad supplemented with red clover blossom, chickweed, and sorrel; sauteed nettles; and steamed lambs quarters, we strained the herbs out of the oil, added beeswax, and poured the warm mixture into small containers to cool and take home.