Plantain as an Herb

(Plantago lanceolata, P. major)

The common plantain grows throughout the US - very probably in your garden. In most places, it is seen as a noxious, invasive weed. It is, however, a useful little plant.

Plantain is very high in vitamins A and C and in calcium.

Medicinal Uses for Plantain

Externally, plantain is used to clear mucous from the body, relieve the pain of bee stings and insect bites, stop the itching of poison ivy and other allergic rashes, promote healing in bruises and sores, and to neutralize poisons.

As a mild tea it is used to treat lung problems in children, and as a stronger tea is used to treat stomach ulcers. It is also used for diarrhea and bladder infections. The tea is also used as a mouthwash to help heal and prevent sores in the mouth, and as an expectorant.

Externally, the tea has been used to soothe shingles, inflamed eyes and as a skin lotion.

For mouth infections in children, 1 ounce of the seeds has been boiled in 1-1/2 pints water and sweetened with honey to make a palatable syrup.

Not too long ago, plaintain began to be marketed as a stop smoking aid.

There is some investigation ongoing to study its affects on lowering blood sugar.

Concoctions

• Infusion: Steep 1 teaspoon fresh or dried leaves in 1/2 cup water; take 1 to 1-1/2 cups per day, a mouthful at a time. OR: 1 ounce of leaves in 1 pint boiling water; take 1 cup 3 to 4 times a day for more serious ailments.
• Decoction: Boil 1 ounce dried leaves in 1/2 quart water.

Culinary

The leaves are edible, often used raw in salads and cooked as greens.

Seeds can be harvested, winnowed, soaked and cooked like rice or ground into meal to make pancakes and flatbreads.

Pancakes: 2 cups of ground, dried seeds combined with 3 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 eggs, 3 tablespoons oil, and 1 cup milk; mix together, cook on griddle.

Cautions

None known.

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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.