Did you know that you can grow your own antibacterial bandages? It’s true. There is a plant that you can grow in your own garden that is a great alternative to store-bought bandages.
It’s no secret that our family adores growing various herbs for seasoning, but we also love them for their medicinal qualities as well. If you’ve ever been outside with your children while they’re playing, chances are you’ve had to stop what you were doing and run inside for a band-aid because someone skinned a knee or cut a finger, etc.
Here’s a fantastic plant that you can grow around your home (as well as in the windowsill inside!) that is edible and works wonderfully as an antibacterial bandage. . .
Grow Your Own Antibacterial Bandages
Woolly Lambs Ear, (Stachys Byzantina) is well known for having been used as a battlefield wound dressing due to its absorbent leaves and its blood clotting properties. It contains antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties as well, making it a great alternative to that store bought antibiotic laden strips of plastic you can purchase at the store.
How to Use Woolly Lamb’s Ear
Wrap the affected area with a fresh leaf, if applying to a bruise, insect sting/bite, or broken skin, bruise the leaves so the juices of the plant are released, then apply.
Woolly Lamb’s ear is so absorbent that it can be used in a pinch as toilet paper, menstrual pads or in place of cotton balls. It’s an excellent remedy for stinging nettle. In addition to its wonderful medicinal properties, the young tender leaves can be eaten raw in a salad or lightly steamed as a delicious nutrient-rich side-dish.
Gardening & Landscaping:
As an added benefit, deer and rabbits are not particularly fond of lambs ear so this plant makes a lovely border plant for gardens, walkways, and gardens.
How to Grow Woolly Lamb’s Ear from Seed:
Lambs ear needs well-drained soil to start with. Homemade seed starter post work just fine.
Wet the soil and add 1-2 seeds 1/4″ deep, per pot.
While the seeds are germinating, keep them moist and out of direct sunlight. As soon as they sprout move them to an area that receives a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day. Transplant them when they have 3 sets of leaves. They prefer a partly-sunny (aka semi-shady) permanent home about a foot apart. They spread well on their own, but do not have a tendency to “take over”.
Where to Purchase Whoolly Lamb’s Ear:
Seeds & young plants can be purchased at farmers markets, traded through craigslist, Lawn & garden centers, as well as online in places such as Amazon.
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / KTallamy
i just became interested in this plant. does someone have a few seeds to send me to experiment putting in a pot? living in colorado, i wouldn’t expect this to ever be an outside plant, so why shouldn’t i plant it now inside?:approved1:
Did you know that it also makes a great tea? Steep the crushed leaves in hot water and it creates a warm and yummy hot drink. In the olden days women would use these leaves to reduce menstrual cramps!
I live South of Colorado Springs and this is all over my front yard.
I transplanted the original plant from Ohio and it has taken over
my mom lives in black forest, co and has had these in her flower beds for years. we also had them when we lived in briargate in colorado springs. they grow great up there
:lalala:
what a great tip. thank you so much. i love this site and everyone who contributes is an angel.
i am going through my seeds now to see if i can get a plant started indoors. i live in az. thanks, mommac
thanks for this one. did not know this.:puppet:
i live in missouri and it grows every where in my yard. always ripping out when weeding. who knew……
thanks for info!
I was thinking of trying this in my yard, I live in NY. You said you are always ripping it out, will it take over a garden or should it be planted in an area by itself?
i’ve always had a soft spot for lambs ear, & knew about the first aid stuff, but never even thought about eating it, or that rabbits & dear didn’t like it! so nice to learn something so good! il be on the hunt, this year – i wonder if it will help keep my house bun out from under my sewing machine…:springsmile:
just what i can add to my list of seeds to start off soon indoors.
never heard of this….thanks for sharing! gonna have ta see if i can locate some seeds or plant!
this is amazing! i never knew this. this entire site is awesome!
thanks for all the info! this will be on my list
this really works! cut flat to ground. multiplies every year.
i’m almost positive that walmart and home depot sell this plant as a seedling.
Thank you I will have to look!!
this is awesome thanks. i have a terrible time with rabbits and kangaroo mice since i live in the desert.
so there seems to be atleast 3 different types – Lambs Ear is about 4″ and flowers, Silver Carpet doesn’t flower, and Big Ears gets to be 12″. I haven’t read any differences as far as medicinal properties. They may attract slugs and caterpillars.
wow. i have always love to feel the leaves of this plant and was always interested in it but never knew it had so many uses. now i think i will have to go out and get one to add to my indoor plant collection.
this is amazing. didn’t know all the wonderful things the plant can do.
like many others i tried killing the darn things – they grow llike weeds here (van isle, canada). guess i’ll be putting them to use instead of compost.
this is going to be the best in my salads and teas!
Wait till I tell my daughter about this ( she is 21) and nevers goes anywhere withouot bandaids:money1:, lol
And has a serious thing for soft fuzzy stuff. What a combo. Let the hunt begin.:springsmile:
I was thinking about getting one last year, now I have an extra special reason to get one.
I love using these, they work wonderfully