Wildcrafting: Plantain

Plantain
Latin: Plantago major or Plantago lancelota 

 

Broad Leaf Plantain

Lance Leaf Plantain

Other Names: 
“Life Medicine”: Along-the-Road, Band Aid Plant, Beside Cart Grass, Broad Leaf Plantain, Buckthorn Plantain, Common Plantain, Cuckoo’s Bread, Devil’s Shoestring, Dog’s Ribs, Dooryard Plantain, English Plantain, Englishman’s Foot, Greater Plantain, Hock Cockle, Indian Plantago, Kemp, Lance Leaf Plantain, Narrow Leaf of Patrick, Leaf Plantain, Patrick’s Dock, Pig’s Ear, Ribwort Ripple Grass, Ripple’s Grass, Round Leaf Plantain, Rubgrass, St. Patrick’s Leaf, Slanlus, Snakebite, Snakeweed, Waybread, Waybroad, Weybroed, White Man’s Foot


Magickal Attributes: 
Healing, Protection, Repel negative energy, Snake repelling, Strength


Medicinal & Other Uses: 
Appetite suppressant, Astringent, Anti-toxic, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-histamine, Bladder infections, Blisters, Blood glucose reduction, Bronchitis, Cholesterol, Cuts, Demulcent, Diarrhea, Diuretic, Expectorant, Headaches, Poison neutralizer, Riboflavin, Scratches, Stings, Styptic, Ulcers, Vitamin B1, Weariness, Wounds


Deities: 
N/A


Gender: F
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth


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Harvest Time: 
Fresh herb collected when coming to flower.
Leaves dried, gathered before flowering.
Root gathered in autumn and dried.


Garden Uses: 
Important butterfly food.
Ornamental garden decoration.


Culinary Uses: 
Pot Herb, Salads


Other Uses: 
Appetite suppressant, Anti-toxic, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-histamine, Asthma, Astringent, Aversion to Tobacco, Bladder problems, Blisters, Blood sugar control, Bronchitis, Catarrh, Cholesterol, Coughs, Cuts, Cystitis, Demulcent, Diarrhea, Diuretic, Dysentary, Emphysema, Expectorant, Fever, Gastritis, Hay Fever, Headaches, Hermorrhage, Hemorrhoids, Hypertension, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Peptic ulcers, Poison neutralizer, Rheumatism, Riboflavin, Scratches, Sinusitis, Stings, Styptic, Ulcers, Vitamin B1, Weariness, Wounds


The seeds and refined colloid are used in laxative preparations. 


It is a great idea when using Plantain externally to also use it internally as well for the same condition.


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Parts & Their Uses


Flowers:
N/A


Drying:
Harvest and place flat to dry.


Leaves:
Use fresh leaf whenever possible.


Boil 2 oz. dried leaf in ½ quart water.


Dried herb 2-4 grams - 3x’s/ day


Apply freely to cuts, slow healing wounds stings, splinters and hemorrhoids.


Use topically for bee stings, removal of splinters, pus, bites, burns, nettles sting, eczema, skin disorders, diaper rash, vaginal irritation, leg ulcers, abscesses, bleeding & hemorrhoids. 


"Medicinal"  herb tea:  For colds and flu use 1 tbls. dry or fresh whole Plantain (seed, root, and leaves) to 1 cup boiling water, steep 10 min. strain, sweeten. Drink through the day.


Stings - chew one leaf and apply to sting immediately. The pain will disappear almost instantly and the poultice will draw out the poison.


Roots:
Decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, dysentery, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, coughs, asthma and hay fever. It also causes a natural aversion to tobacco and is currently being used in stop smoking preparations. 


Whole Plant:
Succus: (fresh juice) 10m l-3 times per day for inflamed mucous Membranes in cystitis, diarrhea, and lung infections. *Dilute juice and gargle for sore throats, gum and mouth inflammations. 1-2 teaspoons up to 3 times per day for gastric ulcers 


Powder: ¼ to ½ t (Adult dosage: all 3-4 x’s daily)


Healing salve: In large non-metallic pan place 1lb. of entire Plantain plant chopped, and 1 cup lard, cover, cook down on low heat till all is mushy and green. Strain while hot, cool and use for burns, insect bites, rashes, and all sores. Note: used as night cream for wrinkles.


Tinctures:
2-3 ml. 3 tx’s/ day for heavy mucus


1- 60 drops 3x’s/ day


1:5 in 45% alcohol, 2-4 ml


This herb has approval status by the German Commission E. 


Recommended daily dosages are as follows: 


3 - 6 g of the herb. 


½ to 2 t (Adult dosage: all 3-4 x’s daily)


Oils:
Infuse plant parts in safflower or olive oil for several weeks. Use topically for skin abrasions, wounds, & stings.


Infusions:
1:1 in 25% alcohol, 2-4 ml


Infusion Recipe: 
A Simple Cough Syrup
1 T licorice root 
1 T marshmallow root
 1 T plantain leaf 
1 tsp thyme leaf
1 pint water
4 T honey
4 oz vegetable glycerin
10 drops anise essential oil (optional)

Prepare a triple-strength tea by simmering the herbs in water for 10 minutes, then steeping for 20 minutes. Strain the tea, and then stir in honey and glycerin while the tea is still warm. Add optional essential oil. Bottle and store in the refrigerator. It will keep for months in the refrigerator. Take 1 tablespoon at a time.

Infusion: 3 to 4 T (Adult dosage: all 3-4 x’s daily)