Lamb’s ears are beautiful landscaping plants. They are a hardy perennial that is one of the first garden plants to grow in the Spring. They belong to the Mint family and love to spread out. Their leaves are soft and pleasant to touch. There are many easy ways to use them as food and as herbal preparations that provide body support.

Edible Plant

While not often chosen for food, Lamb’s ear, especially the young fresh leaves, can be eaten in salads by shredding or slicing into ribbons and putting a light sprinkle of them on the salad. Or some people make it into freshly pickled leaves. Cooked leaves can be prepared like you would use other cooked greens or you can dip them in a batter and fry them. It may be helpful to boil Lamb’s ear leaves for 8-10 minutes before using them in a recipe to soften them a little bit. Hard times could require unusual food sources, so keep Lamb’s ear in mind for an edible food option.

Lamb’s ear tea can be made by steeping 1 tablespoon dried leaves in 8-16 ounces of boiling water. Sweeten with 1 tablespoon stevia.

Ways to Work with Lamb’s Ear

Lamb’s ear was used as a natural bandage in medieval times. You might think of it as a Band Aid that already has Neosporin already put on it. The leaves can be used alone on a wound, or they can be used as a bandage to hold other medicinal herbs, such as comfrey, onto the body. To attach, use a self-adhesive bandage to secure Lamb’s ears to the affected body part. For bleeding, attach the soft side of one or more Lamb’s ear leaves to the area and put steady pressure on it by hand or with a wrap. For scrapes, scratches, or stings, a person can take a leaf and crush it to release the juices within it. Apply and hold or attach to the affected area.

Toilet paper is another easy use of Lamb’s ear. It is absorbent and soft!

Oil made from Lamb’s ear macerated in an oil, such as olive oil, can be massaged into the skin. Lamb’s ear works in these ways in the body: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, vulnerary, and may worked with for ear pain.

Lamb’s ear ointment is made with beeswax. It may help relieve hemorrhoids and works similarly to Lamb’s ear oil in the body.

Tinctures of Lamb’s ear may be of use as a remedy but are beyond the scope of this blog post.

DISCLAIMER: Lamb’s ear is generally safe and non-allergenic. However, discontinue use if your condition worsens in any way, and seek appropriate medical attention.

Action Step

Lamb’s ear has many medicinal and external health uses. It is an option for food. It may be good to keep in mind, especially during hard times.

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

P.S. What experience do you have with using Lamb’s ear?