Traditional Use and Benefits of the Plantain Plant

Plantain, Plantago Major
Plantago major is a small perennial, similar to a dandelion weed, not the banana like fruit found in the grocery store. It isoften found growing wild in gardens, lawns, backyards, and along the roadsides across the US. The leaves give away their identity.

They have a ruffled texture as if strung on veins of elastic. They are also slightly bowl-shaped.
The leaves are oval or almost round and have a chunky footstalk. The leaves grow in a rosette at the base of the plant. Each leaf is 2 to 8 inches long and only slightly longer. It has a smooth margin and five to nine veins.
The greenish-white flowers have purple stamens grow on densely packed stems to a height of 7 to 20 inches. The flowers are tiny and mostly eclipsed by the greenish-brown sepals and bracts. The flowering stalks rise high above the foliage. The plants produce many tiny, bitter-tasting seeds.

Edible Use
The leaves and seeds are edible. Add the leaves in a salad if gathered while they are still very young and tender.
As they age they become tough and fibrous, but they can be cooked in soups and stews. The seeds are sometimes ground into a flour extender or substitute, but they are so tiny that it takes a lot of time and energy to gather enough to make it worthwhile.

Medicinal Use
The plantain herb has many medicinal qualities. It is anti inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, immune modulating and a weak whole-body antibiotic.
Healing Wounds, Sores, Insect Bites
A poultice made from crushed plantain leaves is a good choice to promote healing in minor wounds, sores and insect bites. It will ward off infection and reduce inflammation. If the wound is infected, I would combine plantain with an herb with more antibiotic action such as juniper, or goldenseal.

To make a poultice, crush or bruise fresh plantain leaves and apply them directly to the affected skin. Cover the leaves with a gauze wrapping to hold it in place. Change the poultice two to three times daily.
A piece of cotton soaked in Plantain Tincture is also effective.
Snake Bite
For snakebite, you can use plantain both internally and externally. I apply a poultice of fresh plantain leaves directly to the bite to draw out the venom and have the patient take 2 tablespoons of freshly pressed plantain juice or 1 teaspoon of Plantain Tincture.

The tincture can also be used as a poultice if fresh leaves are not readily available. For snake bite, much depends
on the kind of snake and the quick administration of remedies.

Cystitis, Diarrhea, Respiratory Tract Infections
The juice of common plantain is beneficial for calming inflammation of the mucous membranes, including the membranes of the respiratory tract, digestive tract, and urinary tract.

I recommend taking 2 teaspoons of freshly pressed plantain juice, three times daily. For heavy mucus and allergies, I recommend using Plantain Tincture.
Toothache
Place bruised plantain leaves on sore teeth to relieve swelling, infection, and pain. Hold in place as needed, until the pain is gone. Dried leaves can also be used.
Sore Throats, Swelling of the Gums
Add a tablespoon of pressed plantain juice to a half cup of water and use this as a gargle at the first sign of a sore throat. It is also good at reducing the inflammation in gum tissue.
Constipation
Plantain seeds are excellent at relieving constipation because of the fiber and mucilage released in the infusion. I recommend drinking 1 cup of Plantain Seed Infusion at bedtime to relieve constipation. Be sure to consume the liquid and seeds.
Plantain for Autoimmune Diseases
For autoimmune conditions and other chronic diseases, drink Plantain Tea twice daily. The benefits build up over time and patients must drink daily to see the full benefits.
Recipes
Plantain Seed Infusion
Take 1 teaspoon plantain seeds and 1 cup boiling water. Pour the boiling water over the seeds and allow it to steep while it cools. Drink the mucilage tea and the seeds.
Plantain Tincture
You’ll need fresh plantain leaves, 100 proof vodka or other drinking alcohol and jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Fill the jar with fresh plantain leaves that have been sliced into thin ribbons or chopped into small pieces. Pour 100 proof vodka over the leaves and fill the jar, making sure all the leaves are covered. Cap the jar tightly and place it in a cool, but sunny location such as a windowsill.

Let the tincture marinate for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking the jar daily. Add more alcohol, if needed to keep the jar full. Pour the alcohol through a fine mesh sieve or a coffee filter to remove all of the herbs. Store the tincture in a cool, dark cupboard for up to 7 years. Dosage: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon

Plantain Tea
Place 1 teaspoon dried plantain leaves or 1 tablespoon of fresh plantain leaves into a cup of boiling water. Let steep for 10 minutes. Strain out leaves and drink. You could add some honey if you don’t like the taste.

Ointment

Make up an infused oil with chopped fresh leaves as directed. Then prepare your ointment. It’s really one of the initial ointments to make.