Plantain
The plantain used in herbal remedies (from the genus Plantago) is not to be confused with the banana-like plantain (Musa) found in the tropics. Other than their common name, the two plants share little in common. Plantain is a small, compact plant native to North America, Europe, and Asia that has a long history of medicinal use. The two most important species are broad-leaved plantain (P. major) and ribwort or buckhorn plantain (P. lanceolata). Plantain is found all over the world, and in many areas it has become an invasive weed.
Health Benefits
Depending on where you are in the world, plantain leaf is used to treat urogenital tract disorders, respiratory system disorders, gastrointestinal tract disorders, skin ailments, blood system disorders, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular system disorders, and rheumatism.
Recently plantain has been pegged as an herbal remedy for allergy relief, as well as for cold and flu. Germany’s Commission E (a regulatory body analogous to Health Canada for herbs) approved the internal use of plantain leaf to ease coughs and irritation of the mucous membrane, which are associated with upper respiratory tract infections. It’s safe for children, which is great news considering dextromethorphan (or DXM, a cough suppressant) and guaifenesin (an expectorant) have been found to be unsafe in children. Plantain may also stimulate the immune system.
Plantain is a demulcent, an agent that forms a soothing film over mucous membranes, relieving minor pain and inflammation. It also works similarly to pectin and glycerine, which are common ingredients in cough syrups and throat drops.
DIFFICULTY
Easy (it’s a weed!)
HARDINESS
Perennial in zones 5 and above
TIME TO PLANT
Spring
TIME TO HARVEST
Spring to early summer
LOCATION
Full to part sun
SOIL TYPE
Rich, well-drained (will also grow in poor soils)
Growing
Plantain is a tenacious weed. You’ve probably got it on your lawn, gardens, patio—I’ve even seen plantain growing in driveways. This woody perennial has the ability to produce up to 14,000 seeds in its flowers, so once plantain gets a foothold it grows everywhere. As an avid gardener I can’t in good conscience encourage you to grow it, so I’m going to recommend foraging instead!
Common Varieties: The most popular varieties for medicinal use are P. major and P. lanceolata, both of which are common weeds.
PLANT
Plantain is a perennial that spreads easily by seed. The seeds do not even require a thick covering: they just need to make contact with the soil. I will say it again: Don’t plant this stuff in your garden!
So you grew it even after I told you not to, and now you want me to help you get rid of it! Plantain can be controlled early in the season by suppressing the germination of its seed. This can be done by applying corn gluten as soon as the snow disappears. Corn gluten is a natural product that reduces weeds by coating their seeds and preventing germination. Just remember you can’t reseed a lawn when using corn gluten.
GROW
If you take my advice and avoid growing plantain from seed, I will tell you how to find it. It grows everywhere: Look in gardens, lawns, roadsides, ditches, and parks. If you’re going to harvest it, look for an area where plantain is free of herbicides, pollutants, and dog urine.
Broadleaf plantain is a stout plant with broad, glossy, egg-shaped leaves and an almost leathery texture. The leaves measure about 5 to 15 cm (2 to 7 inches) long and 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) wide. Ribwort or buckhorn plantain has slightly narrower and much longer leaves: up to 30 cm (12 inches). The leaves of both varieties have parallel veins, and both produce spiky stems bearing yellow flowers that quickly turn to seed.
HARVEST
Harvest young leaves in spring, as the foliage will become tough and woody as the plant sets flowers. Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried. Remove the foliage any way you can. I wouldn’t worry about harming plantain—it will grow back whether you want it to or not!
STORE
Use plantain fresh. Wash just before use. To store, wrap loosely in paper towel and refrigerate for up to a week.
Put It to Work
Stubborn cough? Drop these!
Colds and flu leave millions of people coughing every year. There are many over-the-counter remedies, but few are safe, effective, and chemical-free. Try these plantain cough drops instead. You can find gum Arabic (a natural gum used to help harden mixtures) in specialty or bulk food stores. We found that the powder doesn’t work so well, so stick to the actual “rocks.”
1 cup finely chopped plantain leaves
3 cups boiling water
1 cup gum Arabic, crushed
2 cups icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
In a saucepan over low heat, combine the plantain leaves with 2 cups of boiling water. Stir well and steep for 30 minutes.
In a separate saucepan over low heat, combine 1 cup of boiling water with the gum Arabic and mix until it has a goopy consistency.
Using a fine-mesh sieve, strain the steeped plantain into the gum Arabic (discard the plantain leaves). Stir in the icing sugar. Keep on low heat and stir frequently for 30 minutes. The mixture is done when it begins to pull away from the side of the pan and form a thick ball in the centre.
Pour the mixture approximately 1 cm (½ inch) thick onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Let it set for about 15 minutes, until hardened. When it’s fully set, break it into bite-size pieces. Dust with icing sugar to prevent the pieces from sticking together (the sugar will also absorb any residual moisture). Store the lozenges in an airtight container.
Suck 1 lozenge every 2 to 3 hours (don’t exceed 6 lozenges in one day).
Stretched or scarred? Apply this salve!
When you’re pregnant or nursing you have every reason to be cautious about what you apply to your skin. This cream has wondrous healing powers, and it can help reduce stretch marks from pregnancy or scars from an injury. The ingredients are natural and chemical-free, and therefore safe even for people with skin sensitivities.
1 cup plantain leaves
½ cup olive oil
½ cup coconut oil
2 oz beeswax
1 tbsp vitamin E oil
In a blender, combine the plantain leaves and olive oil and blend on high speed until smooth. Using a fine-mesh strainer, coffee filter, or cheesecloth, strain the plantain oil into a heatproof glass bowl (discard solids). Place the bowl over a small pot of boiling water (acting as a double boiler) and warm—but do not overheat—the oil. Add the coconut oil and beeswax and mix continuously. (Do not cover, as condensation will ruin the salve.) Once all the ingredients have melted, add the vitamin E oil and stir vigorously. Pour into small glass containers (do not cover) and let them sit overnight. The next morning the cream will be ready to use. Apply liberally to the affected areas twice daily, morning and before bed.
Fast Forward
Fast forward to the health food store to purchase Clef des Champs plantain syrup or equivalent. Follow the instructions on the label.
Cautions
Since demulcents can cause more mucus production in the lungs, they are best used to relieve dry, stubborn coughs.
Plantain has no known side effects and is thought to be safe for children. There is no information available about its use by pregnant or nursing women, though topical application appears to be safe.
There have been rare reports of plantain supplements being adulterated with digitalis, a potentially toxic plant. Be sure to purchase herbs from reputable companies.