Plantain, a humble plant carried across oceans and prairies by the settlers to the New World would became known as “white man’s footprint” by the indigenous people of the Americas because of it’s rare ability to be trampled and it’s tenacity to spread and grow where the soil was disturbed. Today it is common throughout most of the world growing along roadsides, in sidewalk cracks and meadows. Much like dandelion, it’s a bane to many who want well kept lawns, yet this simple weed was cherished and used by generations who knew it’s value in their medicine cabinet and carried it with them across the globe.

There are two varieties of plantain growing on my farm, Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata. Both can be used interchangeably.

Both plants have five parallel ribs on the back of the leaf

Plantain has some specific features that help in making a correct identification. P. major grows in broad, low rosettes with an oval shaped leaf while P. lanceolota has lance shaped leaves growing straight up from the ground, both plants have five parallel veins on the back side of the leaf and present with dental floss like fibers when separated from the plant.

With a nutrition profile similar to dandelion, it is loaded with iron and other important vitamins and minerals and is best harvested early in the season when the leaves are small and tender. It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach. Some say when cooked it has a nutty, asparagus-like flavor.

From roots to the seeds, the entire plant is edible and can be used as a tea, tincture, poultice, salve or vinegar infusion

Topically, it has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help kill and disinfect pathogenic organisms aiding in the healing and repair process of damaged tissues. Rich in tannins for tightening and mucilage for soothing, Plantain can draw out splinters, stingers, dirt and even venom making it a great plant to know when you’re hiking, camping or exploring outdoors. I’ve even read in some literature that it can be used to stop bleeding. It is a plant whose tough leaves have super hero powers for soothing insect stings, bites, and other itchy, irritated skin issues and all you need to do is chew a fresh leaf or two and apply them directly on the area and within minutes the magic happens.

While I haven’t used plantain internally, I do love it for it’s topical use for eczema, burns, diaper rash and bug bites. Every Spring I infuse some in organic olive oil and some in high grain alcohol. The alcohol infusion in a 4 oz spray bottle finds it’s way to every outdoor event where mosquitos and other biting bugs happen. While it may not prevent them from biting, it definitely takes away the itch. It also works well on poison oak rashes that I get from milking the goats.

The olive oil infusion is made into salves for bites, burns and rashes and this year some of the infusion will be used to create a goat milk castille soap. The salve is available on the website here

Living close to nature and being in relationship with the plants that I share this bioregion with is a gift I honor. I would love to share these gifts with you through small group gatherings or through private classes in person or using the Zoom platform.

A wise mentor on my plant path once said, “ pay attention to the plants growing nearest to you, they know your need.”