Plantain

Jul 10

4 min read

Plantain has over 200 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.

Printable for Herbal

Plantago major - broad leaf

Plantago lancelota - narrow leaf

Family: Plantaginaceae

Parts used: leaves

What's in a Name - Plantago, major/lanceolota

Plantago means sole of the foot, pertaining to the way the seeds are distributed by sticking to animal and man's feet.
Planta in Latin means “sole” or “tread” of a foot.

P. major broadleaf plantain, used topically

P. lanceolata narrowleaf plantain, used internally. Like a lance that penetrates and opens to draw out.

P. Ovata, P. Rugeli, produce psyllium seeds

Common Name: Plantain

Common names include Englishman’s foot and White-man’s foot due to the broad dispersal connected to colonization and the ability to thrive despite being trodden down. Native American’s knew white men had come to the land by the presence of this plant they knew was not native to their land. Plantain grows everywhere the English have settled.

Folk Names:

Ripple grass

Waybread, wayberry

Snakeweed

Rat tail

Pony’s tail

Canary food

Healing blade

Poverty grass,

Ribwort

Soldiers (children would use the stems as swords)

History

More than 250 species around the world, all are safe and edible, growing in all types of conditions.

Native to Europe (Eurasia), it immigrated to America with the early settlers, hence the name Englishman’s foot.

First documented in Greece by Dioscurides in De Materia Medica (1^st Century).
Anglo-Saxons (5^th Century) listed it among the nine holy herbs, calling it the “mother of herbs”. The Nine Herbs Charm was intended for the treatment of poison, infection and bite of rabid dogs.
Cherokee called it “Indian band aid”.
Found in ancient Chinese herbals.

From the Anglo-Saxon Nine Herb Charm (The Lacnunga 9^th Century)

And thou, Plantain, Mother of herbs,

Open from the East, mighty within,

Over thee chariots creaked, over thee queens rode.

Over thee brides made outcry, over thee bulls gnashed their teeth.

All these thou didst withstand and resist;

So mayest thou withstand poison and infection,

And the foe who fares through the land!

Actions

Alterative

Antibacterial

Anti-Inflammatory

Antiseptic

Anthelmintic

Antivenomous

Astringent

Decongestant

Demulcent (strongest when used fresh)

Deobstruent

Diuretic

Expectorant

Febrifuge

Hemostatic

Kidney Tonic

Laxative

Mucilaginous

Ophthalmic

Refrigerant

Restorative

Styptic

Tonic

Vulnerary

Energetics/Body Systems Affected

Cooling

Moistening

Bitter

Skin

Blood

Respiratory

Urinary

Emotions:

Eruptive (too much heat)

Toxic heat

Open and clear emotional obstructions

Constituents/Nutrients

Allantoin

Aucubin

Baicalein

Apigenin

Fatty acids

Flavonoids

Mucilage

Phenolic

Polysaccharides

Protein

Tannins

Vitamins A,C,K

Uses

Full body support and healing
Stimulates new cell growth
Boosts immune system, can be used for all types of illness and infection.
Fever
Draws toxins from the body internal and external. Removes obstructions both physical and emotional.
Removes splinters and slivers (soak in hot tea for 20-30 minutes).
Stings and bites from insects and snakes (poultice)
First aid; cuts, abrasions, bruises, wounds, burns, bleeding, allergic reactions etc. (excellent to use on animals)
Skin eruptions; boils, goiters, blisters, , acne, rashes, disorders, etc.
Eczema, psoriasis, rashes, including poison ivy/oak, nettle stings,
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).
Eye infection and styes (poultice/compress over closed eyes or tea in eye cup)
Canker and mouth sores
Toothache, gum health
Hemorrhaging and stomach ulcers.
Can be used to slow the flow of heavy menstrual cycles.
Hemorrhoids, varicose veins
Blood health; enriches blood, blood poisoning, cleansing, detoxing, stops bleeding.
Stimulates and supports liver, useful for all type of issues including hepatitis.
Cleansing, can flush out kidney, stomach, intestinal tract, liver, and lungs.
Bladder and urinary conditions, including bed wetting.
Digestive issues; diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, colitis, etc.
Gut healing, including leaky gut, IBS, and other intestinal issues.
Soothes inflammation and moisturizes mucus membranes throughout the body.
Parasites in both humans and animals.
Seasonal allergies
Nutrient dense, power food; great for emergencies. Referenced as "super herb" in some herbals for the variety of vitamins and minerals.

Herb Preparations

For best results when treating with plantain take internally as well as applying externally. Heat can destroy antibacterial properties. Best used fresh if possible.

Poultice/compress (best way for abscesses, boils, bites, and stings)
Tea (makes a great disinfectant)
Bath, soak, steam, gargle, eye wash, etc.
Extract, liniment
Honey, syrup
Herbal oil
Salve, ointment, balms
Powder, capsules, pills, sprinkle
Food; add to smoothies, salads, juicing, and sprinkling away. Young leaves are more tender where older leaves are tougher and more bitter.
Juicing
Put a leaf in a sock to prevent blisters when hiking or long walks.

Foraging/Harvesting

A common “weed” found on pathways, lawns, gravel, fields, and disturbed areas. Can be easily identified by the parallel lines running up and down the broad leaf or lance leaf. When picked it has stretchy strands. Flowers are found on elongated spikes and bloom from April to September.

Leaves can be harvested anytime by picking or cutting as needed. Cut the entire plant down before flowering to dry for future use or process in one of the methods above. It will continue to produce more leaves for continual harvesting. Leaves are at highest potency before flowering.

Safety/Dosage

No known cautions - safe for all ages!

Use 1 cup tea or 1/2-1 tsp extract, 3 times a day for acute conditions, until cleared.
Juiced plantain leaves: 1 tsp to 1 cup water, 1-2 times a day up to 1 Tbsp every hour while applying externally for serious acute conditions.