This spring as an end of the year project we made plantain salve with the preschoolers. First they learned about the plant, what it is used for, and how to identify it. Plantain is a great plant to know because it grows commonly in many fields and yards. It is used to help reduce pain and swelling from bee stings, bug bites, minor cuts and scrapes. It can be a real magic plant to have around. After learning about plantain the children harvested many leaves from the field where we gather in the mornings.
After several times gathering and drying the plantain leaves we were ready to infuse the olive oil. This part I did at home, because it required a long consistent low heat. The result was a beautiful green oil. Next we grated beeswax to make it easier to melt. Now it was finally time to make the salve. We melted the wax using a hot water bath over a camp stove and then added the plantain infused oil. Once it was thoroughly mixed and still hot, I poured the salve into small tins.
The children each decorated their own label and during our final day celebration we displayed them all in a plantain altar. It was a really fun project to do in very small parts over a few weeks with the preschoolers. They were all very excited and proud to show off and try out their salve.
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