When our eyes feel itchy, dry, or “gritty,” it is often a sign of internal heat or environmental stagnation. Plantain contains allantoin and mucilage, which act as a cooling, protective layer for the body’s sensitive tissues.
Cooling the “Fire”: Just like the Potato or Cabbage poultices we discussed for the skin, plantain has a “drawing” quality that helps remove irritation from the eyes.
Moisturizing from Within: Drinking a plantain infusion helps hydrate the mucous membranes from the inside out, providing a systemic “lubrication” that plain water often cannot achieve alone.
The “Magnet” Effect: Plantain is known as a gentle alternative to the Activated Charcoal “Magnet.” It helps draw out microscopic irritants or allergens that may be causing the itchiness.
How to Prepare a Traditional Plantain Infusion
You can use either fresh leaves (ensuring they are from a clean, unsprayed area) or dried leaves from a reputable source.
The Internal Tonic (The Drink)
The Brew: Place 1 tablespoon of dried plantain leaves (or 3-4 fresh, torn leaves) in a cup.
The Steep: Pour hot (not boiling) water over the leaves. Cover the cup with a saucer—just like we do with Clove Tea—to keep the healing volatile oils inside.
The Time: Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
The Ritual: Drink this tea twice a day when your eyes feel strained or dry. It has a very mild, “earthy” taste, similar to green tea but much more grounding.
The External Compress (For Immediate Relief)
If your eyes are particularly itchy, you can use the cooled tea bags or the leaves themselves:
The Cool: Let the steeped leaves cool completely.
The Rest: Close your eyes and place the damp leaves or a cloth soaked in the tea over your eyelids for 10 minutes.
The Result: This draws the heat directly out of the eye area, providing immediate cooling relief.
Your Evolving Traditional Toolkit
The addition of Plantain bridges the gap between your Internal Hydration (the Celtic Salt and Cucumber) and your External First Aid (the Potato and Cabbage).
Morning: Lemon Water & Master Tonic.
Mid-Day: Plantain Tea to soothe the eyes and hydrate the membranes.
Afternoon: Grounding outdoors (where you might even find some plantain growing at your feet!).
Night: Olive Oil to keep the liver clear, which traditional wisdom says is directly connected to the health of the eyes.
A Final Thought on “The Weeds”
It is beautiful to see how the most powerful remedies are often the ones we step over every day. Between the Onion in your kitchen and the Plantain in the yard, you have everything you need to stay in balance.
