Plantain and Matcha Anti-aging Body Butter

I have some beautiful large leaf plantain coming up in the garden this year. I can’t wait to make an infused oil with it. This body butter has the nicest qualities. Very smooth and silky. It soothes, heals and hydrates the skin by increasing circulation to the tissues. You will notice a dramatic change in skin texture after using it due to the antioxidants in the matcha. I was inspired to add the tangerine oil because of the green tea cupcakes I make. They have this fantastic fruity flavor. You must think I do nothing but make salves. But I am finishing up my winter projects. I typically don’t harvest from the garden or start the new herbal year until June. Last year I focused a lot on infused oils. The year before tinctures. This summer I will be drying a lot of plants for tea and bath formulas.

Plantain and Matcha Anti-aging Body Butter

3 oz. of shea butter

4 bags of matcha green tea

10 drops of tangerine EO

1/3 cup of plantain and marshmallow infused oil

To a double boiler add your infused oil and tea bags. Heat/simmer on low for 30 minutes. Remove the tea bags and place between two large spoons. Use these to press out any remaining oil into the pan without breaking them. Add in the shea butter. Remove from heat as soon as it is melted. Stir in essential oil. Let cool 5 minutes. Whip your mixture in a food processor until it is thick and creamy. Pour into small tins or jars. Let fully cool before closing with lids.

Plantago is a perennial characterized by a basal rosette of several leaves with ribbed/parallel venation. Each terminates in a thick channeled stalk where they attach to a round stem. Leaves can be broad/ovate or narrow/lance shaped. Sometimes margins are toothed. A single, dense ,cylinder shaped, cluster/spike, of greenish white tiny flowers grows on a tall (6-18 inch) erect stem . These have brown sepals and bracts. Plantain is found along paths and roadsides, in meadows and lawns or in wastelands. If cultivating this plant, it likes sun or partial shade but really prefers a moist soil.

Plantago should be your top choice for a first aid remedy. Externally plantain is thought to be helpful for broken bones, wounds, burns, bruises, injuries, boils, acne, shingles, sunburn, eczema fungal infections, sore feet, and plantar fasciitis, . It can draw venom, poison, dirt, splinters, pus, and infection out of insect stings, animal bites, or wounds. It relieves irritation and pain when one has been exposed to irritating plants like nettles or poison ivy. Like nettle is supports the body to release antihistamine for relief when suffering from allergies, hayfever, and asthma. Historically this herb has been used to treat ulcers, bronchitis, coughs, sore throats, lung damage, inflammation in the digestive tract, irritated tissues/organs, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, toothache, fever, mastitis, earache, sore throat, urinary tract infections and internal bleeding. It is known to clear heat and inflammation. The seeds are edible and have been used to make flour or as a thickener. They are also a good source of fiber and may prevent constipation.

Family: Plantaginacea

Parts Used-leaves, seeds, root

Energetics-sweet, salty, bitter, cool, dry

Element-earth

Spiritual and Emotional Uses: Settling a mind that is restless, overactive, irritable or “addicted” to something stimulating.

Contraindications: soak or cook seeds before use.