May 30, 2002

PLANTAIN

Latin Name: Plantago major

Alternate Names: White Man's Foot Steps, Ribwort, Waybread, Broad Leaf Plantain, Soldier's Herb

Family: PLANTAGINACEAE

Parts Used: Leaves.

Properties: Alterative, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Expectorant, Decongestant, Demulcent, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Mucilaginous, Refrigerant, Vulnerary.

Internal Uses: Blood Poisoning, Bronchitis, Catarrh, Colitis, Cough, Cystitis, Diarrhea, Enteritis, Gastritis, Laryngitis, Rhinitis, Tuberculosis, Ulcers, Urinary Infections

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Plantain clears heat and removes excess fluid from the body while at the same time soothes inflammation and irritated tissues.

Topical Uses: Bleeding, Blepharitis, Boils, Conjunctivitis, Hemorrhoids, Insect Stings, Poison Ivy, Snakebites, Sore Throat, Toothache, Wounds

Topical Applications: It is a supreme herb for the topical healing of damaged tissue. Poultice for toothache, and poultice or salve for wounds, bleeding, boils, bee stings, hemorrhoids and poison ivy. Gargle for sore throats. Eyewash for blepharitis and conjunctivitis.

Culinary uses: Young leaves may be finely chopped and eaten raw or cooked.

Energetics: Sweet, Salty, Bitter, Cool, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Tannins, flavonoids (apigenin), mucilage, glycosides (aucubin), silicic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, vitamins C and K, beta carotene.

Comments: The genus name Plantago is an old French adaptation of the Latin word meaning 'plant' or 'sole of the foot'. There is an old legend that a beautiful maiden was married to a renowned knight. Soon after the wedding he was called to battle. As he kissed her farewell, he asked for her to wait for his return. The maiden waited faithfully, yet he never returned. She was transformed into a Plantain plant, while she waited and waited.

The common name Plantain includes the species Plantago lanceolata (Lance Leaf Plantain) and Plantago media, which are used interchangeably with Plantago major.

-- Phil in KS (mac0328@planetkc.com), May 30, 2002

Answers

And rabbits love it, too! I pick it, along with sweet clover and grasses, to feed to my rabbits everyday.

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), May 30, 2002.

The best way to use Plantain for a sting is to pick a leaf and chew it until it is broken up and moist. Then apply it directly to the sting. It won't taste great but I'll bet you'll be surprised out how quickly it relieves the pain!

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 30, 2002.

When I had rabbits, I would pick plantain for them each day. You are right, Cheryl, they DO love it, and Bren, when I was a kid and would get a bee sting, my Mom would grab the salt shaker and a plantain leaf. She would spit ( I wonder if ALL Mom's spit on their kids?-LOL) on the sting, sprinkle salt on it, and then bruise the plaintain leaf and have me hold it on the sting.

The older generation has a fit when I spit these days. Pooh on them, I've started spittin' on the grandkids! ! ! ( I know that sounds awful, but I'd sure like to have my Mom around for just one more spit).

-- Granny Hen (cluckin along@cs.com), May 30, 2002.

LOL!! Granny Hen, I sure do love the way you tell it like it is! (who are you....?)

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 30, 2002.

Didn't the Indians use Plantain quite a bit? I'm going to sound really stupid here, but how to identify it correctly? I think I know what it is, but not sure. Doesn't it grow close to the ground? I've never used it but would love to. Thanks.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), May 30, 2002.

plantain came with the europeans, hence one of the names, White Mans Foot, everywhere the white mane went, plantian was sure to grow

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), May 30, 2002.

Annie, here is a great site with photos and even more info. Common plantain (Plantago major) is what I have growing here so you probably do, too.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 30, 2002.

Hey...I have this growing in my front lawn!! I had no idea what it was. Thanks for the link with the pictures, Bren!!!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), May 30, 2002.

You're welcome!! :o)

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 30, 2002.

Bren, ditto with what Marcia said! Thanks for the pics.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), May 30, 2002.

Same to you, Annie! :o) This reminds me of the first wildflower/wild herb I ever learned about. It was yarrow and I was so amazed that this "weed" that was growing in the corner of my garden was actually an incredible plant and flower with many healing properties and was a GREAT plant to have in the garden! And if this "weed" is so amazing, what about this plant and this one and...

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 30, 2002.

Bren, do you have any favorite recipes that you use regularly (salves etc)? I make an infusion of calendula in olive oil each summer and then turn that into a salve with vitamin E and beeswax. Great for diaper rashes, exzema, etc.

-- Alison in NS (aproteau@istar.ca), May 31, 2002.

Hey, Alison! Where have you been? It is my goal for this summer to finally make some of my own salves. In the past I have bought a locally made calendula/comfrey salve and use it for everything! I'm going to make it just like you described. I'm also planning on making a cleavers/heartease (Johnny-jump-up) salve. The two combined are suppose to be really great for various skin conditions. I think I read that a salve made from red clover flowers is really healing, too. What kind of containers do you use? Do you re-use them from one year to the next? If so, how do you remove the residue that's left inside the empty jar? I'd like to re-use the jars that I already have.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 31, 2002.

Yesterday I mowed and did some weed eating. This time I paid attention and couldn't believe how much plantain is around! I had never given it any thought. It also got me to paying attention on other "weeds" around here and I realized there are so many I need to find out what they are. I don't have a clue. The Smokies are one of the most diverse and abundant places on earth for vegetation, I need to educate myself better. I use to cut down the mullien on the hillside, until I saw it in a magazine once. Sheesh.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), June 01, 2002.

I use my mason jars for the salve (the littlest size)and just scrub the bejeepers outta them. I was going to try an everything but the kitchen sink kind of concoction last year but I let it steep too long (stiiiiiinnnkyyyy). I had put in calendula blossoms, plantain, and yarrow to start with and had the intention of adding a bit of pine sap at slave making time. I ended up just tossing the mess out. Better luck this year.

-- Alison in NS (aproteau@istar.ca), June 03, 2002.

I would love to know more about how you gals do this! Recipes, nuances, combinations you really like, etc., stc.! Too cool.

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), June 03, 2002.

Oh, I meant to say I have used plaintain as an eye poultice, it worked great.

I'm currently pondering something for edema in newly freshened doe goats....

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com.), June 03, 2002.

I think Alison or I should start a new thread about how to make the salves. Alison, you want to start it? If you don't check in soon, I'll go ahead and post what I know.

Patty, for what ailment did you use Plantain as an eye poultice?

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), June 04, 2002.

Hi Bren!

It was for a stye, or stile, or however you spell it pertaining to a small eye infection! It was in one of my herbal medicinals...geez, don't know which one!?

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), June 05, 2002.

Thanks, Patty! :o)

-- Bren (wayoutfar@skybest.com), June 06, 2002.

Bren, that's a great idea about posting the recipes for salves. I'd be much obliged to ya! :)

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), June 06, 2002.

I only have the one recipe that I use for salve so i dunno if I am the right one to start a discussion but I will. Sorry for the delay. A worm got through to us and we've been working at cleaning up the computer and updating anti virus stuff etc.

-- Alison in NS (aproteau@istar.ca), June 08, 2002.