Herb Series: Plantain

6/12/2014

Plantago major - broad leaf (top right corner)
Plantago lanceolata - narrow leaf (left)
Family: Plantaginaceae

Plantain has over 250 different species in its family but the most common species found in North America are the two listed above. This is one of my favorite herbs because it can be used safely with babies, children, adults, pregnant and nursing mothers as well as animals, everyone can benefit from this herb! Known as a common yard weed you can probably find it in your yard or neighborhood. We couldn't find any in our yard but after a nice walk around the block we had three plants in tow which we transplanted out in the backyard. Yes, we are as weird as hubby and any neighbors watching us could attest.

Properties

Alterative
Antibacterial
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Anthelmentic
Antivenomous
Astringent
Expectorant
Decongestant
Demulcent
Deobstruent
Diuretic

Febrifuge
Hemostatic
Kidney tonic
Ophthalmic
Mucilaginous
Refrigerant
Restorative
Vulnerary
Laxative
Mucilaginous
Styptic
Nutritive

Definitions of herbal properties

Medicinal Benefits

Draws toxins from the body
Removes splinters and slivers (soak in hot tea for 20-30 minutes - apply poultice)
Stings, insect and spider bites, snake bites or any venomous bite (poultice)
First aid: cuts, abrasions, bruises, wounds, burns, etc. (excellent to use on animals for the same purpose)
Skin eruptions: boils, goiters, acne, rashes, skin disorders, etc.
Eczema, psoriasis, rashes – including poison ivy, oak and sumac
Stimulates new cell growth
Respiratory: bronchitis, coughs, chest congestion, colds, asthma, anything to do with the lungs
Sore throat, dry itchy throat, laryngitis, etc.
Athletes foot, ringworm or other skin fungus (soak in tea then apply poultice)
Infections
Eye infection and sties (poultice or compress over closed eyes)
Canker and mouth sores
Toothache
Stops bleeding (poultice -very effective when used with yarrow and/or nettle)
Hemorrhaging and stomach ulcers
Can be used to slow the bleeding of heavy menstrual cycles
Hemorrhoids
Boosts immune system
Cleanses the blood, #1 herb to use for blood poisoning (poultice external, tea internal)
Kidney, liver, stomach and bladder problems – cleanses intestinal tract
Bed wetting
Digestive complaints: diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, etc.
Gut healing, including leaky gut, IBS and other intestinal issues
Parasites in both humans and animals
Seasonal allergies
Nutrient dense-power food – great for emergencies

*for best results when treating with plantain take internally as well as applying externally

Methods Of Use

You can use all parts of the plant when preparing any of these remedies.

Food, juiced
Poultice and/or compress
Tea
Tincture or syrup
Herbal oil
Salve, ointment and balm
Powdered, sprinkle, capsules and pills

Herbal Preparations How to

In the Kitchen

This herb is considered a super food so you can add it to smoothies, salads and food for added nutrients. This herb also makes a good juicing green, the leaves are more tender and palatable in the spring and early summer.

Wildcrafting

Grows wild on pathways, lawns, gravel and disturbed areas. It blossoms from April through September. To harvest, cut above the root before seeds form, being careful not to bruise, if leaves are discolored or darkened they have lost medicinal worth so discard. Must be dried or processed immediately for best results. When harvesting from your neighborhood just make sure it hasn't been sprayed with weed killer.

printable for herbal

Recipes

Healing Salve

Bone and Muscle Salve

First Aid Powder

Bite Bee Gone Salve

Gut Healer Herbal Blend

Plantain formulas from Dr. Christopher's Herbal Legacy

Resources

Wild Edible Food: Plantain
Dr. Christopher's Herbal Legacy - plantain
Backyard Medicine by Matthew Seal
Breverton's Complete Herbal
Essential Herbal Wisdom by Nancy Arrowsmith
A Kid's Herb Book by Lesley Tierra
The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra
A Handbook of Native American Herbs by Alma Hutchens
Botany in a Day
Peterson Field Guides: Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs
Wildflowers and the Stories Behind Their Names

You can order dried and cut plantain from Dr. Christopher's Herb Shop, or Mountain Rose Herbs if you do not want to cultivate and harvest your own.

11 Comments

Lorraine

6/13/2014 12:17:12 am

Annie, I have been enjoying your site so much and have purchased a number of the essential oils. I am just getting my feet wet, so to speak, using herbs and herb blends. Thank you for all you do! I feel that I can trust your wisdom and understanding to guide me in this new endeavor. ......however, I just clicked on the first book you have listed in the article above and discovered that this book Essential Herbal Wisdom is full of such things as this, from one of the comments: "From herb healing prayers to charms to descriptions of fifty powerful herbs and how they may be gathered, dried, and applies, ESSENTIAL HERBAL WISDOM is a pick for new age and many an alternative health library alike. It blends folk wisdom with spiritual references and includes . . . " I'm surprised you included this book. I don't want anything to do with "magic" or "little people" garbage! There may be some real knowledge on herbs but with the added magic stuff, it is questionable at best! I just feel that we cannot be too careful with mixing truth with lies.

Annie link

6/13/2014 06:02:35 am

The author of this book spent years and years in Europe pouring over very old texts about herbs for some of the research in this book. Each herb lists modern applications as well as those from legends, folklore, literary works and quotes from these texts of old. She does not advocate that these are how we should use herbs but gives a view of how people once viewed them and the silly legends that they believed. With that being said each herb has several pages of really good information and a little paragraph at the end with the title "legends" in which she tells of a legend that goes with that particular herb, This does not have to be read but I find them quite comical and by no means take them seriously. I wouldn't quite call this mixing truth with lies because a legend is not truth but stories, fantasy, and myths. I have found this book very useful in my studies which is why I included it as a reference but if the description makes you uncomfortable there are many other books out there that are helpful. Thanks for your concern!

Lorraine

6/17/2014 11:55:31 pm

Thanks for your further explanation of this book, Annie! I appreciate what you said....the description on Amazon and comments truly led me to think that this was a bunch of magical hocus pocus. I should have asked you about the book before I jumped to conclusions. (embarrassed face) I absolutely love your site and use it almost daily to find natural remedies and for encouragement. Your food drying encouraged me to use my food dryer more often and now do pumpkin powder and greens powders that I had not done before. Thanks for all you do and especially for sharing with us all!

Annie link

6/18/2014 05:08:02 am

Thankyou so much for your comments, I am so glad that I can be of help, that is the reason I started this blog - to share the knowledge the Lord has blessed me with. I also learn a lot from my followers and other bloggers, which I am also grateful for.

JES link

6/17/2014 05:05:18 am

Thanks for sharing more herbal remedies on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! I was finally able to find plantain in our yard and make some infused oil for future projects. I will be adding this to my herbal board :)

Annie link

6/17/2014 07:26:26 am

I am glad you found some, after all my research I thought it would be easy to find anywhere but it was a challenge finding some around my neighborhood. Have fun with your projects.

JES

6/20/2014 11:00:04 pm

Thanks for sharing this herbal remedy! This post has been featured from the Art of Home-Making Mondays here: http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2014/06/herbs-that-heal-from-your-back-yard.html

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Annie link

6/23/2014 03:39:29 am

Thank you! I love the way you compile the featured posts into a theme, they have been very helpful and I have found great things to add to my herbal.

Toni link

6/21/2014 07:26:19 am

Wonderful article on plantain. I've never used it for some of the maladies you listed. Thank you for all the info. :) Have a great weekend!

Annie Felix link

6/23/2014 03:35:16 am

I always knew it was great for bug bites and first aid ailments but not until I really started studying did I realize what healing powers this herb really holds. I will be posting a great herb blend for healing the gut in the next week or so.

Kristin link

6/25/2014 02:05:45 am

Great post. Followed you from the Simply Natural Saturdays link-up.
Love for you to come by this week’s Wildcrafting Wednesday Special Herbal Edition and share.
http://www.herbanmomma.com/2014/06/wildcrafting-wednesday-special-herbal-edition-6-25-14/