Does anyone happen to have any plantain seedheads growing in their yard that I could swap postage for? I don't mind if it's plantago major or p. lanceolata, but the landscaper's here have just eradicated my patch of it, and it's salve-making time:(
I can acquire dried plantain, but as far as I know, plantain loses it's medicinal properties upon being dried, so I prefer to grow my own.
Many thanks...
Looking for weed seed:)-Plantain
I have them all over the place. I can go look for a good stalk for you if you like. It's a good thing to have around, wonderful stuff.
But as far as dried plantain not being effective, I haven't found that to be true at all. You have to be very careful not to bruise the leaves before they are dried or they won't be effective in those places. Some type of enzymatic reaction takes places in the bruised areas. One of my books talks about that, but they're all out in boxes in the garage right now and I can't remember the specifics. I just remember to handle the leaves like fragile pieces of glass before they are dried. Afterwards they are wonderful!! They have a sweet smell.
Thank you so much...if you'll be so kind as to email me and let me know what postage amounts to, or if I happen to have any herb seed you'd be interested in, please let me know.
Renwings:
I notice that you have horseradish on your "want" tradelist. Would you like to trade some for some ripe plantain stalks? (TY)
-Cyra
Ummm...that would be fall dug root stock.
-Cyra
Renwings....did you ever receive my pkg. of horseradish root, Euc. & other seed?
Cyra
Pssst....Renwings...Thanks for the plantain seed, and all those other lovely goodies! My 9-year old found the nasties, (pet-name for nasturtiums), and wanted them, but there were so many to choose from, that he couldn't make up his mind which he wanted:) I decided to share them all with him...
I love the poppies and petunias, and decorated my favorite gardening hat with the lovely scarf. I haven't decided what to make with the blue one, yet, it's so pretty. Maybe a silk rosette, to put on the same hat?
Thank you for your incredible generosity!
Cyra
cyra, I wonder if I might ask a question on the plantain salve? Can you tell me what the salve is used for and how it is prepared? A recommendation of a book would be fine if posting the recipe is too complicated.
I had no idea the plantain was useful. I have been removing the plantago major from my lawn for years but I always found the look of the p. lanceolata charming in flower when I saw it in wild plantings along the roadside. I used to call the flowers fairy candles when I was a child and still have an affection for this plant. When I say a clump of these plants growing on the sidewalk strip a few houses down this fall I dug 2 plants up and planted them in a long strip of garden I have in the center of my driveway. I was afraid I would be very sorry have so impulsively added such a weedy plant to my garden but when I saw your post I felt a little relieved. Maybe I hadn't been so foolish after all?