Disclaimer: No herb should be used for medicinal use until you have checked with your health care professional to ask if it is safe for you to use it for any reason. WitchesofTheCraft.com, any staff member of WitchesofTheCraft.com, and Lady Carla Beltane are not responsible for any type of a negative reaction when using this herb for any reason.
The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. WitchesofTheCraft.com, any staff member of WitchesofTheCraft.com, and Lady Carla Beltane are not responsible for any type of a negative reaction when using this herb for any reason.
(SIDE NOTE: Most of us can finding one or both types of the Plantain “weed” growing somewhere on our property or close by. I pick mine at sunrise, wash it and blot it dry than freeze it so I have it through the cold months also. Always put something between the cut and Plantain so it does not sick to the cut as it heals.)
Plantain (Plantago major): Why It’s an Herb and Not a Weed, Uses, Benefits and More
Plantain is a common garden herb with healing properties. Although many people refer to plantain as a weed, it’s actually an edible medicinal herb with a number of health benefits. You can use plantain leaf as a poultice for insect bites, a plantain tea to improve digestion or soothe bronchitis, or a healing plantain salve for helping wounds to heal quickly.
Many of the benefits of plantain herb come from its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Plantain leaf is also a good source of antioxidants, vitamin c, beta-carotene, and minerals such as calcium and potassium.
Far from being an unwelcome weed in your yard, plantain herb should be prized for its medicinal uses.
In this article, you will learn about the many health benefits of plantain. You will also learn how to use plantain as a medicinal herb.
Why Plantain Is an Herb and Not a Weed
Plantain is called a weed because it is an invasive plant that can quickly take over a garden. However, plantain should be regarded as an herb due to its many health benefits. Plantain is among the edible weeds that are good for you.
You shouldn’t confuse plantain with a type of cooking banana that has the same name.
Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows in most areas of the world. Other names for broadleaf plantain include common plantain, greater plantain and wild plantain. The ribwort plantain is related to the Plantago major. It has narrower leaves and sometimes called narrowleaf plantain.
The plantain plant has broad leaves that grow to around 2-4 inches wide. It is mostly the plantain leaf that contains many of its therapeutic benefits. However, plantain seeds are also used medicinally. (1, 2)
People say that plantain leaves taste similar to spinach or asparagus but with a slightly more bitter taste. Young plantain leaves are said to be the tastiest; whereas the broader and older plantain leaves taste bitter and have a fibrous texture.
Nutritional Benefits of Plantain Herb
Broadleaf plantain is an extremely nutritious wild herb that contains a number of bioactive compounds.
The journal Ecology of Food and Nutrition reports that plantain leaf is a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Plantain leaves also have calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and manganese. (3)
One of the reasons why plantain is a medicinal herb is that all parts of the plant – the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds – contain a lot of antioxidants. Flavonoids, polysaccharides, and caffeic acid are just a few of the phytochemicals in plantain. (4)
Researchers say that plantain compounds are good for wound healing, reducing inflammation, managing diabetes, treating diarrhea, and killing germs. (4)
Benefits and Uses of Plantain Herb
Let’s look in more detail at how to use common plantain for its many health benefits.
Plantain Weed Can Boost Your Immunity
Wild plantain is an amazingly useful herb that can help in strengthening your immunity.
Various studies have shown that plantain compounds have immune-strengthening properties to fight infection. For example, plantain leaf extract can help boost the number of white blood cells. (5)
One study in the lab found that hot water extracts of plantain leaves have antiviral properties. (6)
You can take a few young plantain leaves to make a medicinal herb tea. Roughly chop the fresh leaves and put in a cup of boiling water, cover, and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain and add a teaspoon of raw honey when the tea has cooled down to increase the antimicrobial properties.
Consume the plantain tea to help fight infection whenever you have a cold or the flu.
Find out about more herbs and supplements to boost your immune system’s health naturally.
Plantain Herb has Antimicrobial Properties
Studies have found that plantain leaf extracts have good antimicrobial action. Tests in the lab have shown that compounds in plantain leaves can help to kill off various bacterial and viral pathogens. (7, 8)
You can drink plantain tea as a health tonic to improve your digestive health. Or, you can use plantain leaf tea as a cleansing skin tonic.
Plantain Herb Benefits Your Gastrointestinal Health Due to its Anti-Inflammatory Properties
One of the most popular uses for taking plantain leaf tea is to treat gastrointestinal disorders.
A 2017 survey found that herbal weeds such as plantain are good for digestion. Herbal digestive remedies can help to soothe intestinal pain and treat other symptoms of gastric upset. (9)
The astringent and cleansing effect of compounds in common plantain also helps resolve symptoms of diarrhea. (10)
Drink a cup of plantain leaf tea every day if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, or heartburn.
Studies have shown that if you have abdominal pain from a peptic ulcer, then taking plantain tincture could help treat your ulcer. It is best to use leaf extract for gastric ulcers rather than seed extract. (11, 12)
Plantain Weed Promotes Good Liver Health …
Plantain Leaf Is Good for Your Skin …
Plantain Weed May Help Wounds Heal Faster …
Use Plantain Herb to Improve Dental Health …
Plantain Can Help Reduce Cholesterol …
Plantain May Help Treat Kidney Stones …
Plantain May Be Good for Parasite Infections …
Plantain is Good for Treating Respiratory Tract Infections …
Plantain Weed Might Have Anticancer Properties …
How to Use Plantain Herb for Healing
It is very easy to make your own plantain leaf tea from this medicinal herb. Because common plantain grows wild in many places, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find fresh leaves.
How to make plantain tea
To make your own health-boosting plantain leaf infusion, this is what you should do:
- Wash and roughly chop 1 cup of fresh plantain leaves.
- Put in a heatproof bowl that has a lid.
- Pour over 4 cups of boiling water, cover, and leave until cold.
- Strain the liquid and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
You can drink 1-2 cups of plantain tea daily to benefit from its healing power. You can also use this tea topically to cleanse your skin, help clear up acne breakouts, and promote healthy wound healing.
You can also use the leftover leaves from the plantain tea to apply to pimples, wounds, insect bites, and sunburn to help your skin heal without scarring.
How to make a plantain poultice
A poultice made from crushed plantain leaves can help to soothe pain and reduce inflammation caused by bites, allergic skin reactions, or irritated skin.
To make a healing plantain poultice, this is what you should do:
- Pick and wash a few fresh plantain leaves.
- Crush them between your palms or chop the leaves to create a mash.
- Place the plantain poultice on the inflamed bite, pustule, or cut and loosely cover with a bandage.
- The enzymes in the plantain leaves should help to soothe pain, reduce inflammation, and start the healing process.
- Reapply the healing poultice when the remedy has dried out.
Precautions When Using Plantain Leaf
It is generally safe to use plantain leaf tea or a plantain leaf poultice for medicinal purposes.
Doctors from WebMD advise that people with a pollen or melon allergy should avoid using remedies made from plantain. Also, plantain tea, tinctures, or tonics may not be safe to take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (29)
When picking wild plantain leaves, always ensure that no chemicals or pesticides have been used on them. Always thoroughly wash the leaves before using them to make tea or a poultice.
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