Plantain - Plantago

Plantain, or Plantago is a plant that grows abundantly wherever people or animals have disturbed the earth. There are many varieties but the ones I harvest are Plantago major, and Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain).  It is native to Eurasia but has spread worldwide. 

Plantago is a very effective remedy for insect bites and stings. When stung by a bee, which is bound to happen if you forage, chew some plantain and apply like a poultice. It works wonders for relieving the stinging and the itching. It has been used for bronchitis, coughs, burns, peptic ulcers, stings, dermatitis, UTI, and small wounds. It is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, demulcent, antipyretic, antitussive, anti-hemorrhagic, diuretic, laxative, astringent and hemostatic. Its phytochemicals include flavonoids, polysaccharides, terpenoids, lipids, iridoid glycosides, tannins, mucilage, and caffeic acid derivatives. 

Plant secondary metabolites have been utilized as drugs for the treatment of cancer. They have antiproliferative properties which prevent or delay the spread of malignant cells. Studies have shown that the ethanolic, methanolic and acetonic extracts of P. major exhibited a significant cytotoxic activity on colorectal carcinoma cell lines and can inhibit the cell proliferation of melanoma, renal and mammae, skin, leukemia, breast adenocarcinoma, and melanoma cell lines. ¹

In my household we use a tincture of plantain to recover more quickly from a cold. I use it in the field to treat insect stings, and I like to eat it as a potherb, and use it in salves.

Tincture dosing is 20 drops three times a day. Start slowly as allergies and intolerances are always possible.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness.

For more information use Google Scholar and type in “plantago major medicinal uses”. There are many studies involving this very useful plant. 

¹ Rahamooz-Haghighi S, Bagheri K, Danafar H, Sharafi A. Anti-Proliferative Properties, Biocompatibility, and Chemical Composition of Different Extracts of Plantago major Medicinal Plant. Iran Biomed J. 2021 Mar 1;25(2):106-16. doi: 10.29252/ibj.25.2.106. PMID: 33465843; PMCID: PMC7921524