Plantain (Plantago major & lanceolata)
When I see a plant growing out of a crack in the sidewalk or a junk-filled lot, my heart is torn. One the one hand, it demonstrates the amazing resilience of the green world. I draw some strength from seeing a plant to continue to grow and do its thing in the face of great adversity, and it helps me keep going when the going gets rough.
On the other hand, it reminds me that the great adversity that the green world faces is us, humankind. I’m a part of the 75% of millennials that experience “eco-anxiety”, the chronic fear of ecological doom, alongside 83% of Gen-Z’ers.
This post is not intended to be a PSA about climate change, though sustainability is one of my core values. As an Herbalist, one of the many hats I wear is as a spokesperson for the natural world.
I imagine that if the green world were to appoint a “spokesplant” for the northeastern United States, one of the nominees would be Plantain (Plantago spp.).
Plantain doesn’t just grow where other plant species struggle, it thrives! Plantain can be found flourishing in soil that is dry, compacted, and not very nutrient-dense. It commonly edges train tracks, parking lots and sidewalks, and even grows in cracks in concrete, as this picture captures! It is also a common lawn herb.
Plantain is not native to North America. In fact, it immigrated here with those from Europe 2 centuries ago, as Plantain has a long history of medicinal use in Eurasia. Plantain is a prolific, but not invasive, plant, and has now naturalized to most temperate zones of the world.
My Cherokee herbal teacher taught me that when Plantain first arrived in North America, Native Americans were very skeptical of it and even nicknamed it “White man’s footprint” because it popped up wherever colonial settlements were.
But after being subjected to various European diseases, Native Americans began using White man’s herbs for White man’s diseases. This is how Plantain entered Native American’s already rich materia medica.
Internal Use
Preparations: Infusion (leaf), tincture (leaf)
Energetics: Cool, slightly moist
There are 2 main types of Plantago: Plantago major, with broad, ribbed leaves, and Plantago lanceolata, with skinny, ribbed leaves. They are used interchangeably for wounds as a superior vulnerary. Vulnerary herbs heal the epithelial tissue of the body. They commonly have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, among others, that work externally to heal the skin and internally to heal mucus membranes. Other vulnerary herbs I have written about are Calendula, Yarrow, and Wild Rose.
Taken internally as a tea or tincture, Plantain heals the alimentary and urinary tracts.
For the mouth, Plantain is useful for periodontal disease and tooth pain (try combining with Spilanthes).
It is indicated for inflamed or ulcerated gastro-intestinal tissue, such as esophageal and stomach ulcers, IBD, IBS, and Leaky Gut Syndrome.
Within the urinary tract, Plantain can soothe cases of inflamed genito-urinary tissue from interstitial cystitis or a UTI.
Because of its affinity for mucous membranes, Plantain can also be helpful for dry coughs (specifically Plantago lanceolata). Its anti-inflammatory properties also aid with respiratory allergies (allergic rhinitis).
External Use
Preparations: Juice, poultice, tea, oil, tincture
One of my earlier herbal teachers was big on finding the “Doctrine of Signatures” of plants. The Doctrine of Signatures approach examines a plant’s physical qualities and the environment in which it grows to look for clues as to what the plant may be useful for. Definitely not a foolproof method, this approach can help a budding Herbalist to remember major uses of a plant more so than to determine them.
In Plantain’s case, I’ll never forget my teacher explaining that Plantain heartily grows in “wounded” soils– soil that is dry, compacted, nutrient-deficient, or disturbed. It breaks up, nourishes, and even purifies the soil by taking up some heavy metals and other toxins that may be present. From a Doctrine of Signature’s viewpoint, the Earth’s soil/crust is comparable to our skin and indicates that its beneficial for dry, wounded, or under-nourished skin. And in this case, the Doctrine of Signatures is correct!
Applied topically, Plantain is excellent for small cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, rashes, sores, eczema, decubitus ulcers — you name a skin condition and Plantain is probably indicated for it!
Plantain also has an astringent quality to it that makes it useful in dislodging splinters and stingers. One time on a hike I was stung in the lip by a hornet. Through blinding pain and tears, I picked some Plantain leaves growing on the side of the trail (thankfully they grow prolifically everywhere!), chewed them up, and applied this “spit poultice” to my lip. The swelling immediately went down and the Plantain drew the stinger right out of my lip.
Gathering and Preparation
Plantain grows abundantly in temperate climates around the world. To forage, find plants edging fields or in lawns that you know are untreated with pesticides and not frequented by dogs. Do not harvest any plant with 10 feet of the roadside– roadside soils are filled with lead and other toxins from car pollution. Many plants, including Plantain, pick up toxins out of the soil– leave them to restore the roadside soil!
Harvest only 1/3-1/4th of the leaves from 1 plant. Once you have enough, dry for tea or oil, or tincture them fresh 1:2 with 30% ethanol alcohol.
Plantain makes a lovely oil! You can follow the instructions here to make your own herbal oil using skin-healing Plantain!
Free Plantain Info Card Download
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