Plantain Plant

Medicinal Properties

• Plantain leaves are used in herbal medicine for the treatment of a variety of ailments. Among their components is the anti-toxin acubin. The plant is often made into a salve or balm for treatment of external wounds, rashes and skin conditions. It may also be taken internally for such maladies as diarrhea, dysentery, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcers. Plantain seeds are used as a laxative and a treatment for parasitic worms.

Historical Use

• Roman naturalist Pliny mentioned plantain as an effective cure for "the madness of dogs." The ancient Irish used plantain to mend wounds and bruises, calling it the "healing herb." In Anglo-Saxon lore, it was listed among the nine sacred herbs. Early European settlers brought plantain to the Americas, where it became known as "white man's foot" and was used to treat snakebites.

Identification

• Despite its healing properties, the plantain is often considered a weed. It can be found growing voraciously in parks, yards and meadows, as well as along roadsides. Its large, broad, smooth green leaves are arranged in rosettes growing close to the ground. The leaves are between 4 and 10 inches long and bear deep veins. Arising from the center of the rosettes are long spikes bearing densely packed flowers.