Herb Hunting in Your Neighborhood, Part 2: Plantain

Many folks here the word "plantain" and think of those banana-like fruit.  Others think of this wonderful little herb that I will bet you have a ton of right in your own yard!

There are two basic types of plantain to find in your neighborhood (though there are over 200 types of the plant!): broad leaf and narrow leaf.  If you have a yard that you let grow naturally, you almost are guaranteed to have a plantain plant or two.  I've read some sources that claim up to 1/3 of most yards are made up of this plant!

So where do you look for it?  It grows in pretty much any soil almost everywhere in the US and Europe. It's self-seeding, so if you find one plant, you'll probably find more.  Most people consider it a weed.  I consider it the perfect plant for easing mosquito bite torture, lol!


 Let's take a look at narrow leaf first, shall we?


Narrow leaf plantain or Plantago Lanceolata L. (also sometimes known as "buckhorn" plantain) is a perennial weed with a narrow, long leaves and a stem that rises up to flowering head, that eventually turns to seed.

Here's a close up of the head while it's still flowering:

Broadleaf plantain (Plantago Major), has, well, broader leaves.  And the flower stem is longer and more compact.

Both plants can be used medicinally in the same way.  The easiest way to use this plant is as an instant soother to bug bites.  Simply pull off a leaf, pop it in your mouth, chew, and place it on the bite.  Instant relief!

Older leaves can have a stronger flavor, but new leaves are pretty tasty and can be added to salads or used similarly to spinach.  Fresh or dried leaves can be made into a tea, tinctures,  poultices or made into salves.  Plantain salves are wonderful for speeding up the healing of small cuts, scrapes or abrasions, on bug bites and, some say, as an overnight eye cream for wrinkles!

Plantain has a long history of medical uses as a anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, a diuretic and expectorant.  It's known as well as a very safe herb to use, without any noted precautions.*

To create a very simple plantain salve, gather up about a pounds worth of plantain; use roots, leaves and flower heads.  Rinse well, then dry thoroughly.  Place in the top of a double boiler (or in a heat proof bowl that fits into a large pan) and add a cup of vegetable shortening over medium to low heat.  Allow the shortening to completely melt, stirring occasionally, and letting the plantain leaves get very wilty.  Allowed to cool, you can stop here and use this as a poultice, or you can strain the mix while it's still melted and allow to harden for a salve.  Keep tightly covered.  Use as stated above.

Add hot water to a few fresh plantain leaves to make a tea for drinking when you've got a cold or flu to help break up mucous.

A simple oil infusion can be made by filling a bottle with fresh plantain and covering it with oil.  Any vegetable oil can be used, but I like to do this with almond oil if I have some around, because it absorbs so well into the skin!  Let the bottle sit for a couple of weeks, then strain well into a fresh bottle to use on dry skin, rashes or even baby behinds.  Plantain and calendula together make for a wonderful healing oil infusion!

Add two handfuls of plantain roots and leaves to a large jar (add a handful of chamomile flowers or 2 "sleepy time" tea bags as well if you have them on hand) and fill will hot water and allow to cool.  Strain and place the tea in a spray bottle for a great sunburn soother!

Plantain can also be used for magical purposes.  Placing a plantain leaf in your shoe is supposed to keep a person from becoming tired on long hikes.  Plantain can be used magically for health and healing spells.  And, according to The Herbal Alchemist's Handbook by Karen Harrison, plantain can be hung by the front door to "invite calm, guard against thieves, and sooth the energy residue from an argument."

And, as always when picking plants from around your neighborhood, be aware that they could be sprayed with any number of chemicals.  Ask about what's on them from the landowner.  If in doubt, don't use the  plant for medicinal or culinary uses, but instead use for more magical uses, or only use plants from your own yard.

When wild harvesting plants,  a good rule of thumb is to not take any whole plant if there are 3 or less plants in the area, and don't take more than 1/3 of any one plant, so as not to damage it.

Read Part 1 of this series, "Mugwort".
Read "4 Ways to Dry Herbs".

*It is always best to tell your medical professional about any herbs you might be considering working with before hand, especially if you take regular medications/treatments or if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breast feeding. 
When working with a new plant, always use with caution until you are sure you will not have an allergic reaction to it.
This information is for educational use only and is not meant to be taken as medical advice of any kind.


This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!


Sources of Information: 

• The Herbal Alchemist's Handbook by Karen Harrison
• The Healing Power of Chinese Herbs and Medicinal Recipes by Joseph P. Hou
• Growing 101 Herbs That Heal by Tammi Hartung