An Early 19th century Plantain and Comfrey Healing Salve

Laura Willyard tells us how to make an early 19th century healing salve with common plants at Musee de Venoge. She uses comfrey, plantain, sweet oil and beeswax.
Made for 19th century medicinal herb demonstration purposes. Not intended for use.
LAURA’S PLANTAIN AND COMFREY HEALING SALVE
--Take Comfrey, Mint and Plantain and some lavender if you have it; a goodly handful of each, let them set overnight to wilt them a bit.
--Then cut all them very small & stamp them good in a mortar til they are well bruised.
--Place them into a pot and pour over with enough sweet oil (olive oil other oils fats maybe used) to cover herbs; Set pot near the hearth to steep several hours to steep (simmer gently).
--Once steeped set away from hearth and let cool; when cool lay straining cloth over bowl herbs, pour the contents into cloth and twist cloth with hands to press out oil and the essence of the herbs into the bowl.
--The oil should now be good and green; pour this green oil back into pot and add beeswax; return pot to heat near hearth to melt beeswax slowly. When melted pour this into your containers.
--Cover with cloth tied with string and store in cool dark place (for modern storage, pour into tin or a sealed jar and store in refrigerator)
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[@kimberleekrajnak3800]

That's my auntie!

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

And a great person to work with!

[@tigotong5055]

Thank you so much... you made it so easy.

[@bernie6956]

Thank you, very informative

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

We will be adding more videos like this one that cover related subjects...Please subscribe to our channel so you don't miss any.

[@johnskillen6208]

thank you

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

Glad you liked the video!

[@johnskillen6208]

we are on the cutting edge of herbs. no not bragging . but we extract in new ways . it is so awesome to see the old ways. today everyone want so much out in the form of extraction. the trade off is close to medical grade. @@Musee.de.Venoge

[@noeldoyle4501]

Thanks very much for your information. I enjoyed listening and watching.

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

We are glad you enjoyed the video. Take a look at our series: Herbs and the Healing Arts. You may like those also.

[@amyliebert]

How great, thanks Laura!

[@christiesmith3335]

Nice job!

[@mariadykeman7008]

Thank you.

[@maxinewoolston2296]

Thank yoi

[@carolynellis387]

Delightful video with a calm presentation. Thank you

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

Thanks, it was a pleasure to make. We have a few more in the works. Subscribe (if you haven't already) so you don't miss.

[@mountainpatriothomestead]

I love the clay pot you warmed in, as well as the small storage pots. May I ask where you get these? Thank you for your video. ❤️

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

They are beautiful pieces. They were done by Common Ground ( Amanda Lipps Pottery). She does not have a website, but you can contact her at [e-mail]. Her work is also for sale on Samson Historical.

[@joycecurtis4922]

Very interesting. Your presentation and recipe was great. We offen forget at one time we didn't have access to medical facilities. Home Remedies were all they had. Was this a chest rub?

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

No, it is not meant as a chest rub. The Plantain Salve is a healing salve for minor cuts, burns, stings, bites and rashes. The plants used in making it, have inflammatory properties which promote the healing of the skin. It is also not intended for deep or serious wounds. See a medical professional for those. Thank you for your question, and interest in our video series!

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

No, it's more of a healing salve for minor cuts and abrasions. It will supposedly help draw splinters...no medical proof though.

[@CLH-hc8ce]

how long do you leave the leaves in the oil close to a source of heat?

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

There is no set time. Leave until the oil has taken on a rich green color. It depends upon the heat of the fire and the plant itself. The herbs will soften and look like cooked spinach, but you do not want it to boil.

[@rulistening7777]

You didnt talk about cooking time and temperature.

[@pameliabartlett6475]

Simmer (lowest temp) for several hours

[@chelseaandhobbes]

I read there is an advantage to dry herbs before using in salves ?

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

Hello! Thank you for your comment. We hope you enjoy our videos. In response to your question: “I read there is an advantage to dry herbs before using in salves” That is a good question., one I do not know the answer to. I know historically both fresh and dried were used in preparing salves and other period “medicinals”. Many times using what was at hand, sometimes substituting other herbs with similar known attributes. However, I am not a registered herbalist, only a historian with an interest in researching and providing historical education, for 19th century medicinal herb and cookery demonstrations at Musee de Venoge. I do know that this topic is actively researched by those it that field of medicines and sciences. I suggest doing a contacting a registered herbalist or researching scientific/academic research articles on that topic on places such as Scopus www.scopus.com/search/form.uri?display=basic#basic Best wishes

[@moonsinger8408]

If the herbs are dried, they are less likely to cause mold in the oil/salve. Any water can contribute to the growth of mold, no water, no mold. A few herbs (mullein flowers and St John's Wort flowers for instance) must be used fresh, so they are usually allowed to wilt to reduce the water content before putting them into the oil.

[@marshabranch5704]

If you are cooking the herbs and oil does it have to be fully rldry

[@lorettacatron6670]

How about comfrey and yarrow

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

It does have comfrey in it. Yarrow can be added because it is said to be good for healing minor wounds.

[@Ladythyme]

When you say to be used on cuts…I’m thinking you need to revisit your herb book …especially on comfrey…comfrey should NEVER be used on open skin infractions…only topically on closed wounds …. Calendula would be a better choice…😂

[@Musee.de.Venoge]

Thank you for your comment. We hope you enjoy our videos. Yes, you are correct in the modern US usage of the herb. Comfrey’s use topically and internally and the judgment of its safety has changed over the years, as has pokeweed and many other plants once traditionally used in medicines. Comfrey historically was used in a multitude of ways including even broken bones. However, its historic use in salves/ointments was for small cuts and sores but not deep wounds (as even historically they felt this would cause the wound to heal too quickly on the surface, before the deeper part of the wound could heal). Historically it was used topically as well as taken internally. In fact it is still used that way by some as you can see from this and this UK site www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/comfrey-its-history-uses-benefits/. However, today most do not take it internally as the disclaimer on this states: “Caution - Although comfrey has been used as a food crop, in the past 20 years scientific studies reported that comfrey may be carcinogenic, since it appeared to cause liver damage and cancerous tumors in rats. These reports have temporarily restricted development of comfrey as a food crop. In light of this, the regular consumption of comfrey is not advisable.” A search online shows how much interest there is in this plant and its uses today and well as in the past. Modern articles showing its usage and side effects for its use and warnings for its use. www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/comfrey www.healthline.com/health/what-is-comfrey#uses www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3491633/ Since our sites purpose is for historical education and as a 19th century medicinal herb demonstration, and not as a medicinal resource. it was presented with its original usage as a salve or ointment for “minor wounds”. Not as a modern resource for medical use.