Plantain herb is one of my most favorite herbs.  This “weed” grows in almost any yard in North America and Europe, is readily identifiable even for children, and it can be used for many different conditions.  What’s not to love?  Plantain is especially beneficial for problems relating to the skin.  While there are many different ways to prepare plantain for use, one of the best is simply picking it straight from the plant, crushing it to release the juice, and applying it directly. This is the method my children prefer when using it for their bug bites.  However, I love using the dried herb in oils and salves so we can carry our plantain with us anywhere, and also have a way to preserve it during the colder months when our yard isn’t full of this amazing herb.

How to identify plantain herb

While there are many species in the plantain family, plantago major (or broadleaf plantain) is the most common in North America.  Plantago lanceolata (or narrowleaf plantain) can also be found in many locations as well.  Each type of plantain leaf, both broadleaf and narrowleaf, has vertical veins coming out from the stem.  These veins all run parallel to each other.  My children can now easily identify plantain and they love to confirm that it is plantain by looking at the veins to make sure that they are running parallel out of the stem.

Broadleaf plantain--notice the veins running up from the stem? Finding those veins is the way to easily identify plantain!

Narrow Leaf Plantain--Even though it looks very different than broadleaf plantain, you can still see the vertical veins which make it easily identifiable.

Benefits of Plantain Herb

Plantain leaves are edible and can be either used fresh or steamed.  Plantain is high in vitamin A and calcium.  It also provides vitamin c and k. Plantain also contains allantoin and acubin.  Allantoin is a powerful skin protectant and acubin is an anti-toxin.

Herbal remedies dating back to the 1500s include plantain, taken internally, as a treatment for just about everything.  From ulcers to fungus to even lung problems, plantain was the herb of choice.  Plantain has been shown in studies to ease coughs and may even be effective in the treatment of bronchitis.  

There is little that can stop itching faster than topically applied plantain.  From painful stings and bites (including wasps, mosquitoes, chiggers etc.) to eczema, dry skin, and poison ivy and oak, plantain can sooth even the most itchy skin.

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My family has personally used plantain for wasp stings on several occasions.  It is amazing to see how my kids will calm down just moments after the crushed plantain, or plantain oil, is rubbed on their stings.  It seems to draw the pain right out of the sting!  

Where to purchase plantain

If you do not have any access to plantain or you simply prefer to have access to the commercially dried herb for an oil infusion, Mountain Rose Herbs has this plantain herb available for purchase.  They also have plantain seeds so you can plant your own if you don’t already have it growing freely in your yard! There are several great salves available on Etsy, such as from Green Earth Naturals (Mandy's handmade products) or like this one on Amazon.

How to prepare plantain for topical use

• Crush leaves and use as a poultice.  If you away from home and cannot easily crush the leaves, it is possible to chew the plantain leaf and then apply it to the wound.  However, this method can introduce bacteria to an open wound, and it also will stain your teeth and taste unpleasant so use only when needed.
• Crush the leaves and press out the juice so the juice can be applied to the skin
• Make an infusion or tea with the fresh or dried plantain herb and use the liquid as a wash.  To make an infusion, use at least 1 cup of dried herb to 4 cups of water or 4 cups of fresh herbs to 4 cups of water and let it steep for 4+ hours in a sealed jar.
• Used dried herbs to make an infused oil. You can learn how to create your own infused oil and also a salve here.  If you prefer to purchase an oil that has already been infused, Mountain Rose Herbs has it available.

Purchase premade salves like this one.

How to prepare plantain for internal use

• Internally, plantain can be taken as a tea.  It can be mixed into any of your favorite tea blends, but my favorite way to ingest it is with peppermint tea as this recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs describes.  
• A tincture is another way to get the benefits of plantain internally.  You can make our own by using 1 part fresh herb to 2 parts vodka.  It is also available to purchase through Mountain Rose Herbs.  Plantain can be eaten fresh on a salad or even steamed as you would spinach.  Both  are excellent ways to get added nutrients into your diet!

Remember…..don’t suffer from overwhelm!  Just take one small bite….one crunch…at a time!

Thanks for reading!

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