Soothing Healing Plantain and Jewelweed Ointment
The following recipe is for a very soothing Jewelweed and Plantain ointment. It combines the soothing properties of Jewelweed with the healing and antiviral properties of Plantain. I carry a small jar of this ointment in one of the pockets of my cargo pants every single day. I cannot tell you how often I use it. It not only heals any skin abrasion or irritation, it also immediately alleviates any itching. I have found it to be highly effective when applied to the rash resulting from poison ivy and or poison oak contact. The luxurious feeling of the Lanolin, and the soothing nature of the Jewelweed also make it a wonderful daily moisturizer.
I would highly recommend making it for yourself, and keeping it handy. If your and your family are anything like me and mine, you will turn to it quite
often.
Soothing & Healing Plantain and Jewelweed Ointment Recipe
- 2 oz fresh Plantain leaves (or 1 oz dried powdered leaves)
- 2 oz fresh Jewelweed leaves
- 12 oz (by weight) grape seed oil
- 2 tbsp Pure Lanolin
- 2 ounces beeswax
- Pure Wintergreen and Lavender oils for their fragrant natures.
(The methyl salicylate in the Wintergreen also acts as an analgesic.)
Natural Solar infusion method:
In a quart mason jar, thoroughly mix the plant material and the oil. Cover the jar and place in a sunny spot for a month or so. Strain your oil, return to the cleaned jar and store in the refrigerator until needed.
Crock Pot Method: (My favorite)
Add the plant material and the oil to a crock pot. Mix thoroughly, set the dial to its lowest setting, and allow to heat uncovered for 12 hours. After this time has elapsed, place the cover on the crock pot and turn the switch to off. Allow the pot to sit covered until the following morning. Then turn the crock pot once again to its lowest setting, remove the cover, and allow to heat uncovered for an additional 12 hours. Once this time has elapsed, allow the oil to cool enough that you can touch it without burning yourself, and then strain the plant material out. Now place the strained infused oil into a pint-sized mason jar and store it in the refrigerator until needed. (When straining my infused oils, I place a coffee filter into a fine metal sieve, and set the sieve over a glass bowl. I then pour the mixture into the strainer, and let it sit until all the oil has drained. Once it appears that it has completely drained, you will notice that there is much less than the 6 ounces of oil you started with. I usually take a large wooded spoon, or something else heavy, and pack the mixture into the strainer. I am always surprised how much oil is still released from the plant material. You can expect to yield approximately 15-16 ounces by weight of your infused oil)
Instructions for turning the oil into an ointment:
I have found a 5:1 ration by weight of infused oil to bees wax yields the best consistency of ointment. In a medium saucepan, heat 15 ounces, by weight, of your previously prepared infused oil over low heat. When the oil is hot enough, stir in 3 ounce of grated bees wax. When the wax is completely dissolved, dip the back of a clean cold spoon into the mixture. Allow it to cool and solidify. If you find the ointment is too hard, add a little more oil, if you find it is too soft, add a little more bees wax, until you reach your desired consistency. To make an even more luxurious feeling ointment, before it cools, try adding 2 tablespoon3 of lanolin to your ointments. If you are anything like me, you will love the luxurious texture, and soothing effect it has on your skin.