06/03/2026
🌾Plantain is our herb of the week🌾
Native to Europe and Asia, plantain most likely came to North America during colonization. Likely brought by seeds on shoes and clothes, plantain thrived in the disturbed soils brought about by the building of settlements and altered ecosystems. Plantain has ultimately become naturalized around the world. The main type of plantain is the broadleaf plantain, also known as greater plantain. Its scientific name is Plantago major.
Plantain has many medicinal uses, is highly nutritious, and is used in a variety of ways in cooking. One of the most common medicinal uses is for a variety of skin health and wound treatments. For food, the leaves are best when young and tender for eating raw in salads. They quickly become tough as they get older and are best used cooked. The seeds can be ground into a flour substitute, as well.
Medicinally, the leaves are high in phytochemicals, giving plantain its anti-inflammatory properties that aid in wound healing and skin care. It is also high in vitamin K, lending to its ability to slow bleeding and encourage clotting. Plantain can be put into tinctures, creams, poultices, lip balms, teas, oil infusions, and powdered for capsules. The seeds contain mucilaginous psyllium fiber, aiding in digestion. It's even been used to treat dysentery and intestinal ulcers. In folk medicine, the roots have been used for fever and respiratory infections.
As always, speak with your doctor or herbalist before using plantain. Due to its clotting properties, it can reduce the effects of blood thinners in particular. Though uncommon, an allergy to plantain can also exist.
If you'd like to work with plantain, you can harvest it from spring through summer or stop by the shop. We have dried plantain among our herb selection! 🌿