Plantain

Plantain (Plantago major) is a small perennial, often called weed. This is different from the banana-like fruit called plantain found in the grocery store. It is found growing wild in gardens, lawns, backyards, and along paths.

Identification

Plantain typically reaches a height of 12 inches (30 cm) or fewer. The leaves can be lancet-shaped to oval-shaped and they have a ruffled texture. They are green in color and hairless. The leaves grow in a rosette at the base of the plant. Each leaf is 2 to 8 inches long and has five to nine parallel elastic veins. When you break the leaf in half and pull these elastic-like veins can easily be seen. Leaves can be harvested at any time during the growing season – before, during, or after flowering. The plant blooms in spring and summer. Its tiny flowers are greenish-brown to white in color and the flowering stalks rise high above the foliage.

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Edible and Medicinal Properties

The leaves and seeds are edible. The leaves are best used in a salad and they can be gathered while they are still very young and tender. The leaves are the parts of the plantain primarily used as medicine. Plantain has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and analgesic properties and is often used for bites, stings, rashes, and leaky gut.

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Quick Remedies Using Plantain

Do This to Naturally Fight Toothaches

This is a quick and incredibly efficient remedy to naturally fight an annoying toothache. You can simply apply plantain directly on the toothache or dental infection, to relieve inflammation and pain. To release the anti-inflammatory agents, you can chew the leaves and hold them over the affected areas until the pain is reduced or goes away.

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Hydrosols!

For stings, bites, poison ivy rash, and other skin ailments, I recommend a simple recipe. You will need:

• Fresh or dried plantain leaves

• Distilled water

• A large pot with a lid

• A heat-resistant bowl

• A strainer

• A spray bottle for storage

Instructions:

Take a handful of fresh or dried plantain leaves and place them in a heat-resistant bowl. Boil distilled water in a pot. The amount of water should be enough to cover the plantain leaves in the bowl. Once the water comes to a boil, carefully pour it over the plantain leaves in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a lid or a plate to trap the steam. Allow the mixture to steep for about 20-30 minutes, letting the steam extract the plant's properties. Remove the lid or plate and strain the liquid using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any plant material. Let the hydrosol cool down completely. Transfer the hydrosol to a clean spray bottle or storage container.

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Did You Know

In medieval Europe, plantain leaves were sometimes used as parchment substitutes for writing. The leaves were flattened, dried, and treated to make them suitable for writing upon. Plantain parchment was a more accessible and affordable option compared to traditional parchment made from animal skins.