Medicinal Benefits of the Plantain Herb ~ It's Not Just a Weed
Plantain Leaf
What is Plantain?
While many of you maybe thinking about the banana's distant cousin, I am referring to that ever present 'weed' - Plantain. Everyone cuts down Plantain when mowing the lawn. It is an eyesore to most, in a otherwise well manicured lawn. Yet it is more useful than you know.
Plantain belongs to the Plantago geunus that contains over 200 varieties of plants that we call 'Plantain' or 'Fleaworts'. Keep in mind, this does not include the similarly named fruit called plantain.
Plantain is an amazing backyard marvel, a useful herb, Here I'll share with you five ways to prepare plantain for medicinal use, and over 20 ways to use it medicinally! This article stems from my research and personal experience.
Plantain is widely available, safe to use and it treats many ailments. Perhaps you'll think twice before chopping plantain herbs down this coming Spring.
Plantain; Plantago major,P. lanceolata
First and foremost, never just randomly pluck something from a field or meadow and eat it or use it without making 100% sure it is exactly what you think it is. Not all plants you will find in the wilderness or your backyard for that matter, are safe for human consumption.
Make sure you properly identify plantain before using it for culinary or medicinal purposes. My personal motto is 'When in doubt, throw it out!'
Plantain is most commonly considered a weed, although it has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties as a herb. Plantain can be found in footpaths, meadows, laws, roadsides, and dumps (waste sites). Leaving the normal civilian to think of it as just another hindrance to achieving the perfect lawn.
Because of the commonality of Plantain showing up in footpaths, it was nicknamed 'White man's footprint' by the Native Americans. Plantain was also often referred to as an 'Indian Band-aid' as well.
Plantain Herb
How To Use Plantain Medicinally
Ailments
| Treatment
| Properties
|
---|---|---|
Pain relief
| Crushed leaf, Salve
| Pain relief, swelling
|
Allergies
| Succus, Tea
| Antihistamine effect
|
Varicose Veins
| Poultice, Salve
| Reduces heat and swelling
|
Varicose eczema
| Poultice,Salve
| Reduces heat and swelling
|
Stomach ulcers, Irritable bowel
| Ingestion, Succus, (seeds for IBS)
| Soothing effect on mucus membranes
|
Ulcerative colitis
| Ingestion, Succus
| Leaves stop bleeding
|
Plantar Fascitis and Tired Feet
| Put fresh leaves in shoes, and replace as they dry
| soothing, pain relief
|
Chronic Bronchitis
| Succus
| Soothes cough, helps loosen phlem
|
Poison Ivy (allergic rashes)
| Salve
| Soothing relief
|
Stings, Insect Bites
| Salve, Crushed leaf
| Helps relieve pain and swelling, and draw out stinger
|
Cuts, scrapes
| Poultice, Crushed Leaf, Salve
| Reduces swelling, heals, wards off infection
|
Teeth and Gums
| Place leaf on affected area and use Tea or Tincture as mouthwash
| Treats infections and relieves pain until you can go to dentist
|
Constipation
| Seed Husk Injestion
| Dietary Fiber source
|
Hemorrhoids
| Tea or Tincture
| Pain and swelling
|
Acne and Rosacea
| Crushed Leaf
| Swelling, heat
|
Boils, skin ulcers
| Crushed Leaf, Salve
| Swelling, heat, infection
|
Bleeding
| Crushed Leaf, Salve
| Coagulation stimulant
|
Sore Throat
| Succus
| Soothes pain and swelling
|
Shingles
| Crushed Leaf
| Pain relief, anti inflammatory, swelling
|
Infected cuts
| Crushed leaf
| Antibiotic properties
|
Boils
| Crushed Leaf
| Pain relief, anti inflammatory
|
Did you know plantain had medicinal uses before finding this article?
1. Plantain Succus
From the table above I am sure many of you are wondering what a 'Succus' is, since tea and tinctures are much more common home remedies.
Simply put 'Succus' means juice. Yep, that simple! In this case you will want to mix the juice from fresh plantains with the same amount of honey. For example-
- 1 cup fresh plantain juice
- 1 cup honey
- Store in a cool dry place away from light in sterilized bottles
You should really use raw honey for this and stay away from any honey with additives.
For dosage-
- 1 teaspoon three times daily for stomach ailments
- Topically as a wound dressing for sores and ulcers
2. Plantain Tincture
Tinctures are widely known in my area, although I feel they need an explanation as not all folks are well versed in Southern traditions and our home made medicinals. Tinctures are also known as suspensions, elixirs, solutions or infusions. Put simply, a tincture means to dissolve something in alcohol.
To be clear you really need a 100 proof alcohol for the most effective tincture solution. Moonshine is commonly used for this purpose.
- Fresh picked plantains
- Alcohol
- Mortar and pestle or blender
When making your tincture always use freshly picked plantain. If using a mortar and pestle crush leaves and then put them into a jar with just enough alcohol to cover, and give the jar a few good shakes to thoroughly mix. For the blender method place plantains in the blender and fill with just enough alcohol to cover the leaves. You will want to blend until it resembles baby food. Store in a cool dry place away from any light, I put mine in a low cabinet all the way in the back.
As a rule you can use your tincture within a few days, straining the contents to leave you with just the liquid and removing the pulp. I personally wait a little longer, a week perhaps so that all the health benefits have soaked into the alcohol.
Storing a tincture is best done in amber glass or a dark glass sterilized bottle.
A tinctures dose is measure in drops, remember it is alcohol based after all. 2-4 drops twice to 3 times daily. I suggest purchasing amber dropper bottles, this way you will have your tincture in an easy to manage bottle with a dropper. As well as eliminating light entering into the bottle.
Amber bottles were once used more frequent than you find today, they eliminated light effecting the shelf stability of the items stored within. Extending the shelf life of anything is always a plus in my opinion!
Plantain Weed
Did you know that plantain weeds were edible?
Plantain Medicinal Tea
3. Plantain Tea
This is possibly the most simple way to use plantain, you can dry leaves ahead of time and store much like you would any loose leaf tea. Fresh plantain leaves can also be used to make tea, fresh would be a time saver, although both are beneficial.
- 1 teaspoon of dried plantain leaf (and/or) 1 fresh plantain leaf
- 1 mug of boiling water
In order to reap all the medicinal benefits of plantain tea, you need to steep the tea for 10 minutes. It seems like a long time for a tea but it is time well spent.
The addition of honey in plantain tea offers a more palatable flavour, as well as soothing the throat.
4. Plantain Poultice
A poultice is another common home remedy. This is a very simply treatment and another effective way to use plantain.
Crush the leaves until they are a wet ball or gob. Then place them on the effected area, using gauze or cheesecloth to hold it in place.
5. Plantain Salve
One of the best things (in my opinion) about Plantain's fantastic medicinal properties is the drawing salve you can make from it. I know that 'black drawing salve' is widely known and used by many people, yet somehow I never have all the ingredients needed to make it when I need it.
Making salve from plantain is very easy and requires less ingredients than black drawing salve. Using only a few ingredients you can get major relief from some common ailments!
- How To Make Plantain Salve In Two Easy Steps
How to make plantain herb salve in two easy steps. Plantain herb salve is great for spring and summer use, to aid in healing bee stings, bug bites, and promote healing of cuts and scrapes.
Plantain Herbs, Stop Mowing Them Down
I think the common misconception about weeds it simply aesthetic. Over the years society has become more and more interested in seemingly unblemished lawns and plants that people find aesthetically pleasing. While a plantain is useful, its round rosette of large leaves and its tall centers with seed tops just are not as appealing as roses.
Next time you cut the grass, consider keeping a small plantain weed. They can be eaten in a salad or cooked like greens, in addition to being used for medicinal purposes. The seeds from the stalks can be sprinkled on foods to help aid digestion and add fiber to your diet! Plantains are a very useful plant to have around the house.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
Comments
Well, this 'plantain' is a new one for me...never heard of it as an herb. Thanks for all the info. Now, what part of the country does this weed flourish? I live in central Texas....the leaf appears in a similar way to a Hosta plant but am sure they are not the same. Hope it grows in Texas. If not, can this be purchased from Rose Mountain?
Cynthia, what do you think could be a cultivation method? Collecting them and spreading in a needed area or something more complex?
I really enjoyed reading this. I have always known about the medicinal properties, but don't know how to make the salves and tinctures.
Great! I didn't know plantain was edible! I have lots of them in my garden and I wish I have more. Is there any solution how to multiply them? :)
Wow. A lot of fascinating information on plantains. I never had them before. Now this might make me want to try them real soon. Super useful! Voted up!
Voted your hub up! I enjoyed how detailed it was. I have not seen this weed where I live, but as you pointed out, maybe I just was not really looking. Now I will be! Thank you Cynthia for writing this interesting and well written hub. :D
I have to admit, when I first read the word "plantain" I was thinking about those things that look like bananas. I don't think I ever saw that weed in my yard. But, if I do I will know what to do with it. Very interesting. Thanks for all the work on your hub.
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