I just love to introduce people to plantain. This plant exemplifies the generosity of nature. It’s ready to ease so many ailments—from cuts & scrapes to leaky gut. Plantain grows all over the world and is right at home in a city like DC where it is so abundant that you can hardly walk two blocks here without encountering this medicinal plant.
here’s what the leaf looks like on a broad-leaf plantain (Plantago major.)
The word “plantain” refers to an entire genus of plants, but there are two species that are prevalent here in DC. (And no, we’re not talking about the kind of plantain that looks like a banana and tastes so good when fried.) The characteristics of both species are that they have ribbed leaves, a long central stalk, and that the leaves radiate out from a single central point (radial symmetry.)
We call plantain the “band aid” plant because it is a tremendous wound-healer. If you skin your knee or get a bug bite just look around on the ground for some plantain. Chances are that it’s growing nearby. When you find it, chew it up or mash it between your fingers and apply it directly to the site of the wound. It will cool any inflammation, help to stop bleeding, soothe pain and irritation, and encourage healing. Kids love to learn about this plant, too. It’s great playground medicine!
Just as plantain soothes irritated, inflamed and wounded tissues of the skin, it also offers those benefits when used internally. It can be eaten as a salad green (mix it in with other greens as it’s a little strong on its own.) It can soothe sore throats and irritated mucous membranes, the juice or infusion is a beautiful choice to help ease irritated colons and can be helpful for people with leaky gut syndrome, ulcerations in the GI tract, and those who are healing from the damage done by exposure to their food allergens. It has an extremely good safety profile and is safe to use for both children and seniors. The seeds can be used as a bulk-forming & moistening laxative similar to flax seeds.
Just remember, if you’re going to make use of plantain, harvest it in a location that is a safe distance from roads and environmental toxins. You don’t want to get anything nasty mixed in with your medicine!
So, I want to know…have you seen plantain growing near you? Have you tried using it? I want to hear your stories!
