Though their invasiveness drives some people crazy, Plantain (Plantago spp.) can be a benefit for those of us in the know. Useful in a pinch, they can almost always be found as they grow in a variety of ‘disturbed areas’, such as lawns, gardens, roadsides, and pastures.
There are about 200 species of Plantago, and they are literally found all over the world—leading to one of their common names: “white man’s footprint”. The two main useful species for which there has been both traditional use and scientific substantiation are Plantago major and P. lanceolata.
Plantago major is one of the most widely distributed medicinal plants in the world, and it is an excellent wound healer, as a poultice of the leaves can be applied to a wound to help stop bleeding, facilitate healing and also sooth the skin (from stings). It contains aucubin, an antimicrobial, allantoin, a wound healing agent, and also muscilage, which has a soothing effect. P. lanceolata is also very widely distributed and easy to identify. Its leaves are used in a similar way for wound-healing. Both species are also used often in herbal teas for respiratory health.
Just don’t pick one that has been sprayed by lawn chemicals or roadside pollution!
#MedicinalPlants #Ethnopharm #Ethnobotany #plantain #styptic #poultice #weed #herbalism #firstaid
Photo by Davidse – 38996 – United States
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.