Plantain is a useful herb that is often considered a weed by most people. It’s scientific name is Plantago Major, and it is likely that it grows in your yard.
The leaves are actually edible and somewhat similar to spinach, though slightly more bitter. They can be used in salads or other culinary uses.
Herbal Uses
The leaves can also be made into a tea or tincture, and this is said to help with indigestion, heartburn and ulcers when taking internally.
Externally, Plantain has been used for insect and snake bites, and as a remedy for rashes and cuts, used as a natural antibiotic. This speeds up recovery of wounds and itching associated with skin problems. A tea made with the leaves can be sprayed on mosquito bites to ease the itch.
A tea, tincture or salve made with plantain also greatly eases the itch of poison ivy, oak, or sumac and I keep it on hand for this reason.
A tea or infusion of the leaf can be poured into the ear for ear infections (as long as the ear drum has not burst) to ease the pain and shorten duration of ear infections.
There is unconfirmed information that a strong tea of this herb, taken internally, can help protect the body from the effects of chemotherapy and that a strong infusion can improve blood sugar. While taking plantain in these situations would generally be considered safe, one should still check with an attending physician before doing so.
I have seen this ingredient used in many smoothies
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You get a broad leaf and a thin leaf plantain, the broad leaf is noted as the more edible variety.
These plants are usually all over, like dandelions
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