Plantain Weed is Great Medicine

Botanical name: Plantago major (broad leaf plantain), Plantago lanceolata (narrow leaf plantain)

Other Common Names: “White man’s Foot” and “Life Medicine”

Habitat: Grows prolifically in most conditions. Easily found in yards, disturbed soil, cracks in sidewalks and driveways, roadsides. Plantain grows spring through fall but here in the NW you may find some clumps year-round. It is truly a dooryard herb, growing a short walk from your door if not right outside your door.

Best identified by: Broad leaf plantain has flat wide leaves that grow in a rosette from 2 to 8 inches in height; It has a characteristic single flowering spike. Narrow leaf plantain is typically taller and has more narrow leaves. Both are prominently veined and have similar flowering spikes.  Large brown/black psyllium seeds after flowering.

Uses: Plantain is a safe and gentle herb with many uses. It is most prized for it’s use as a “spit poultice” for bites, burns and irritations. Try a plantain spit poultice next time nettle stings you! Generally, plantain is used for the gastrointestinal tract, the skin and the urinary tract. It is used with children because of its gentle actions.

Internally, plantain is useful in easing the pain of ulcers and gastric disturbances. Its astringent properties also make it a helpful ally for diarrhea. Try plantain’s soothing infusion to ease your gastrointestinal tract.

Topically, plantain is a good remedy for skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. It heals hemorrhoids, and minor burns, cuts and rashes. Leaves can be applied directly to the affected area or used in a healing salve.

Internally, plantain is effective in nourishing the urinary system and kidneys. It can be used as an infusion for this purpose, or in tincture form.

Doses: 1 cup of infusion or about 20 drops of infusion. Apply salves liberally.

The Harvest: Harvest plantain spring until frost. Leaves can be dried for teas and infusion, used to make infused oil for salve, or macerated for use in poultices. Dry leaves on screens or hang large leaves by their stalks. Fresh leaves can be tinctured in cider vinegar or alcohol.

Harvest the seeds of plantain when the stalk goes to seed. Use your fingers to strip the seeds from the stalk. Dry the seeds for planting your own patch of “plantain heads” or use them in baking.