Imagine paying good money to get rid of a treasure chest in your yard! If you have thought of plantain as a nuisance weed, you might very well have done just that! Plantain, or Plantago major, is a weed that commonly grows in the yard in one of 200 varieties. You will recognize it by its broad, rounded cluster of leaves and nubby green spikes rising vertically from the midst.

In time last, plantain was used to heal the bites of “mad dogs, snakes, and venomous creatures.” In North America, Native Americans used plantain in the same way. For example, in colonial America a slave could win his freedom if he taught his master how to use plantain to cure rattlesnake bite. An article written in 1710 listed many plantain leaf. Reading it, one wonders if this was not the medicine man’s secret brew that could heal anything!

Take a few fresh leaves, crush or chew them, and see how quickly they stop the bleeding of an open wound or the pain and inflammation of bites and stings. Plantain can also be used to treat minor cuts and a wide range of skin disorders, including dandruff, eczema, or sunburn. Plantain is like a First Aid kit growing in the lawn! A cup of strong Plantain tea will calm indigestion, and the leaf will relieve the pain of a toothache. In Europe they endorse plantain as a treatment for bronchitis, sore throat, and cold symptoms.

An unfortunate encounter with Poison Ivy or Stinging Nettles will make you glad for plantain nearby. It will relieve inflammation caused by bee stings, insect and spider bites, and rashes. Dr. Christopher called Plantain, Jewelweed, and Hound’s Tongue “Nature’s erasers.” He further stated, “Stand anywhere within sight of Poison Ivy, and look about. You will always see at least one of these plants, placed by the hand of God to come to your aid, if you should need it.” Plantain will help resist damage to the liver from chemotherapy drugs as well as protect the body against tumors. Millions of people around the world count on the fiber and mucilage from the seeds of the Plantago species to be their primary fiber supplement.

Plantain leaf contains allantoin, an anti-inflammatory substance that kills germs, speeds wound healing, and stimulates the growth of new skin cells. It is listed as an active ingredient in many commercial cosmetic creams and lotions.
Plantain is a must in case of physical injuries because it is a contact healer. As such, along with cayenne, and comfrey, it is essential for emergency situations to stop itching and/or bleeding, kill infection, reduce inflammation, etc.

Plantain is also available as a supplement in liquid extract and capsule form. The usual dosage for, say, bronchial symptoms is 6 grams in capsules or one teaspoon of liquid extract three times a day. A simple ointment can be made using olive oil, extract of fresh plantain, and a little beeswax. Apply this to skin ailments, including diaper rash. Or rub fresh plantain leaves on the skin to soothe poison ivy, bug bites, eczema or other minor skin irritations. You can also make a soothing poultice of fresh, mashed leaves mixed in a little cool water. Apply it to sunburns.

Plantain is both good for you and safe. Though some reaction to excessive amounts has been reported, there are no known reactions to normal use. Just remember to keep it cool or frozen to preserve its value.