Plantain has many uses but is especially well known for its ability to draw out inflammation due to bee stings and other bug bites. Learn how to use this natural first aid essential!
Skip to the recipe if you are in a hurry!
Jump to Recipe![chewed up plantain on a woman's hand](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/plantain-for-bee-stings-featured-image.png)
Bee stings can be very painful and itchy. For some people, they can even be fatal.
In case of a bee sting, however, there is a fast, natural way to get the poison out of your body before it has time to settle in.
If you are allergic to bee stings, I am not advocating you to not immediately take an allergy medication.
However, plantain can be a good substitute if you get stung and are not near your allergy meds.
Using plantain topically is perfectly safe to use along with medications too, so you can feel free to use both!
Plantain can also be used to treat other painful and itchy bug bites, even ones that you did not see right away.
Simply apply the plantain to the painful/itchy area the same as you would if it was a bee sting.
While this is a time tested proven remedy for bee stings, I was going to try to get stung by a bee so I could show you how well it works.
Upon further thinking about it, I decided to not to do that, but know that for most people this does really work!
This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.
![close up to a plantain plant](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-use-plantain-for-bee-stings-first-aid-essential-6-1024x768.jpg)
What is plantain?
Plantain is a small flowering perennial herbaceous plant. It’s scientific name for plantain is Plantago Major and it is in the Plantaginaceae family.
The leaves of plantain are oval in shape and green in color. The leaves feel slightly waxy with large, visible veins.
These egg-shaped leaves grow in a rosette pattern.
When you pull a leaf off the plantain plant, it won’t just break right off like leaves of most herbs.
You will have to pull with a little more force on the leaf, holding onto the stem or base of the leaf to prevent from ripping the leaf.
When you pull the leaf off of the plant, it will typically come off with a few ‘strings’ kind of like the strings of a green bean.
![a woman holding a plantain leaf](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-use-plantain-for-bee-stings-first-aid-essential-3-225x300.jpg)
Plantain plants, when mature, grow a oblong seed head. This seed head is brown/purple/green in color.
Plantain is also known as broadleaf plantain, white man’s footprint, greater plantain, waybread, and buckthorn plantain.
It is important to note that there are several types of plantain. Probably the most known and thought of when discussing plantain is ‘broadleaf plantain’.
![](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-use-plantain-for-bee-stings-first-aid-essential-8-768x1024.jpg)
Where to find plantain
Plantain can be found in many countries all over the world. These hardy perennials grow in zones 3-9 making them a widely available herb.
You can find plantain most places where any other plant or grass is growing.
Although plantain grows pretty much everywhere, they prefer nutrient dense moist soil. However, plantain also tolerates wet and dry soils.
You can find plantain growing in ditches, on driveways, in the lawn, in a pasture, on a mountain, or in a valley.
Although it is best to use plantain leaves that are not growing beside a busy road or where vehicles are regularly driven, if you need it asap, you can use plantain leaves from these areas.
![a woman holding plantain leaves](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-use-plantain-for-bee-stings-first-aid-essential-9-768x1024.jpg)
How to Use plantain for bee stings
To use plantain leaves for a bee sting. First remove the stinger from the skin if it is still implanted in the skin. You can do this by scrapping a credit card across the stinger or remove with tweezers.
Next grab a few plantain leaves and put them in your mouth. About 3 leaves is enough.
![](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-use-plantain-for-bee-stings-first-aid-essential-12-1024x768.jpg)
Chew the leaves up well (they don’t have to be super fine, you are just trying to activate the leaves properties by ripping them up quickly).
![a woman holding chewed up plantain leaves that can be used for a bee sting](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-use-plantain-for-bee-stings-first-aid-essential-14-1024x768.jpg)
Spit the leaves out. Place them on the effected bee sting.
![chewed up plantain on a woman's arm](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-use-plantain-for-bee-stings-first-aid-essential-15-1024x768.jpg)
Leave the leaves on the bee sting for 20-30 minutes for maximum effectiveness.
Notes:
- You can also just rip the leaves into small pieces. This just isn’t as fast as chewing them, which can be a problem if you are trying to keep swelling of the sting or bite down.
- Also note that you can use this method for other insect bites and stings besides bee stings.
- Place a large bandage or bandaging tape over the plantain to get it stay on easier.
- For one bite or sting 2-3 plantain leaves should be sufficient. However, if it is a big bite or sting or there are multiple, use as many leaves as are needed.
How to Use Plantain for Bee Stings
Materials
- small handful plantain leaves
Instructions
- Put the plantain leaves in your mouth.
- Chew up well, making sure to break them apart.
- Spit the leaves out and place on the bee sting for 20-30 minutes.
Notes
Pin it for later
![How to use plantain for bee stings pinnable image](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Use-plantain-for-bee-stings-683x1024.png)
Other posts you may like
Delicious and Nutritious Lamb’s Quarter
How to Use Red Pepper Flakes to Repel Rabbits
Medicinal Benefits and Uses of Mullein Leaves
Have you used plantain leaves for insect bites and stings?
How did it work for you or your family? Let us know in the comment section below!
Leave a Reply