Bermudiana Herbal

Plantain, Plantago major

Plantain is an herb that looks, well, a bit plain. It's so commonplace in fields, gardens, cultivated and uncultivated lawns alike, that you have likely seen it but overlooked it.

The two prevalent types of plantain that grow throughout the world are lance leaf and broad leaf. Lance leaf plantain is shaped like a spear, with a flowering stalk that rises from the center. The small white flowers of lance leaf plantain tend to stay at the top of the stalk. Broad leaf plantain has a leaf shape that widens considerably at the middle, tapering at the tip. Broad leaf plantain also have a center flower stalk, but the flowers can reach the midpoint or even travel past the midpoint of the stalk.

Plantain flower and seeds are known as psyllium, a bulking agent that will move the bowels and relieve constipation. Plantain is also known as nature's band aid. If plantain is growing nearby and you happen to get a surface wound, bug bite, or slight burn, use it as a band aid. Break off a piece of the leaf, rub it in your hands to bruise it slightly and put it on the wound. Hold it in place with another plantain leaf or cloth.

Be cautious before using wild plantain for medicinal purposes. Plantain is considered a pervasive, pesky weed and people resort to using chemicals to eradicate the plant. It's best to use plantain that grows in your own yard.

Try It Out

Try to find the plantain in a landscape by looking for the flowering stalk. When you find it, look at the leaf to determine if it's lance leaf or broad leaf.

Take a bath with plantain leaf for relief from skin irritations or hemorrhoids.

General Benefits

• Flushes toxins from the blood
• Detoxifies the colon and digestive tract
• Soothes sores
• Relieves mouth ulcers if used as a mouthwash
• Dries out mucus membranes that are prone to infection
• Aids recovery from illness if taken as a tea

Properties

#Wound-Healing, #Antiseptic, #Moistening, #Bulking-Agent, #Detoxifying, #Silica

Fennel, Foeniculum Officinale

Fennel is known as an herb, food, or weed and is indeed all three. The fronds are soft, with a bushy appearance. Coming upon a field of fennel that is not in flower gives the land an appearance of sporting a green afro! Look close at the leaf to see how the fronds resemble the branches in our circulatory and respiratory systems.

Fennel flowers grow from tall stalks, with a shape similar to how fireworks dot the sky. The flowers dry on the stalk, producing edible seeds. When the seeds are spent, the tall stalks dry into hollow twigs. Traditionally, Bermudian children would craft the twigs into strong, yet lightweight paper bag kites that easily catch flight in the wind.

Turn to fennel when your access to food is limited. The fronds, flowers, seeds, and bulb are all edible.

Fennel is safe for use throughout pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childhood, however moderate use is best. Fennel may cause intoxication in sensitive children and adults.

Try It Out

Add a sprig of fresh fennel leaf to a smoothie for a hint of licorice sweetness.

Drink fennel seed or fennel leaf tea to either lessen hunger pains or support digestion from overeating.

General Benefits

• Relieves gas and digestive congestion
• Eases menstrual cramps
• Primary ingredient in gripe water, a commercial concoction to soothe colicky babies
• Reduces incidences of nighttime bed wetting in children
• Stimulates breast milk production
• Reduces blood cholesterol
• Rejuvenates tired eyes
• Freshens breath

Properties

Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Niacin, Phosphorus, Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, Digestive, Carminative, Expectorant, Antiseptic, Spasmolytic

Nettle, Urtica Dioica

With heart-shaped leaves, nettle is still known for its sting. Commonly known as stinging nettle, this herb will cause irritation and mild inflammation if you touch or brush up against it. The sting comes from histamines and acids that are released upon contact with skin, however, some people can touch the plant without getting stung. Cooking, drying, blending, or submerging the leaves in hot water will remove the sting.

Try It Out

Fresh nettles, potatoes, onion, and garlic make a flavorful, hearty spring soup.

Steep dried nettles in hot water for a tea that is the color green with a comforting roasted flavor.

General Benefits

• Gentle detoxifier
• Strengthens hair and nails
• Clears acne and mild skin issues
• Restores energy
• Relieves mild rheumatism aches
• Improves circulation

Properties

Serotonin, Blood tonic, Chlorophyll, Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Choline, Lecithin, Silica