Plantain Seed Uses

Ancient Uses

• Pliny believed that plantain cured rabies in dogs. Erasmus wrote that plantain treats poisonous spider bites. The Irish used it to treat skin injuries, hemorrhoids and kidney problems.

Laxative

• Companies use plantain seed, also known as psyllium seed, as a laxative as it has significant amounts of fiber. It lessens the amount of bile acid that the intestine can absorb. Metamucil contains plantain seed, according to Kingdom Plantae.

Crohn's Disease

• Research conducted in England, Scotland and Sweden indicates that plantain helps prevent a relapse of Crohn's Disease. One stage in the development of Crohn's involves the ability of E. coli bacteria to move throughout the intestine and attack the cells. Plantain stops E. coli movement between 45 and 82 percent, according to Web MD.

Other Medical Uses

• Crush the seeds into a powder and combine it with oil when treating cuts, or honey when soothing a sore throat or treating coughs, the common cold or chronic bronchitis. Boil the seeds and stem in milk to cure diarrhea, according to the University of California Irvine.

Food

• Add plantain seeds to salads for a nutty flavor and crunchy texture. If you have an abundance of seeds, then grind them into flour and add some when making bread. Use the leaves and seeds together when brewing tea.

Wildlife Food

• Wild birdseed usually has plantain seed as one of its ingredients. Many bird species enjoy the seeds. Additionally, if you grow plantain in your yard, rabbits eat the leaves while squirrels compete with the birds for the spikes of seed.