PLANTAIN

Broad leaf Plantain

Narrow leaf plantain

Pervasive weed of White Man's Foot
In spring time salad eat your medicine
Works like magic protecting the body
when insects bite releases the toxins

As of the time of this writing, the weather is starting to settle down into the late spring or early summer pattern that is common in this part of North America.  It's time to be outside a bit more, and with it comes all of its minor irritations.  My mind, of course, goes to ways to soothe those irritations.  This is when I seek out one of my favorite herbs, plantain.

Plantain herb, or plantago, is a family of more than 200 species that is now found around the world.  Of these, 8 are commonly considered medicinal and edible.  These originated in Europe and North and Central Asia and seem to have been spread around the world by European colonization.  Hence some of the other names it has been given, White Man's Foot or English Man's Foot.

In the United States, the three most common species are Broad Leaf Plantain, Plantago major, Black Seeded Plantain, Plantago rugelii, and Narrow Leaf Plantain, Plantago lanceolate.  All three are medicinal, but the two broad leaf plantains are considered to be the best.  These three plantains are widely naturalized in USDA zones 3 to 10.

Plantain leaf and seed is considered to be a safe food source for spring salads and cooked greens that may help you recover from the winter's stresses.  The seeds are also edible and can be used as a flour substitute or as a thickener.  When the seeds are boiled in water, they can create a soothing gelatinous drink.

All of that said, the most common use for plantain is as a soothing treatment for skin issues.  It has been the go to herb for thousands of years for minor cuts, scrapes, bites, and stings.  It has a number of other uses as a medicinal tea as well.  It is generally considered safe for most people, so it is worth researching and trying.  However, if you are taking medications or have underlying conditions, talk to a medical practitioner first.

Plantain is one of the nine sacred herbs mentioned in the Lacnunga, an ancient Anglo-Saxon herbal.  It is believed to be one of the herbs in the charms of Odin.  In general, plantain is a symbol of healing, health, and tenacity for both the person and the environment.

Even though it is considered to be a sacred herb by the Anglo-Saxons, there is very little spiritual and energetic information about plantain.  Some believe that it imparts toughness, calm, and tenacity.  Some people believe that it protects against snake bite.  It Seems to be a grounding herb that enhances the magical properties of other herbs.  Some people bind plantain to their head to relieve headaches.  (Personally, I would make a strong tea of plantain and use it as a warm or cool compress on the forehead.)  Some people put it in their shoes to relieve weariness.  According to Cunningham, If you hang it up, it will protect a space from evil spirits.

According to at least one Native American legend, a dog was once bitten by a rattle snake.  This poor dog was in a great amount of agony until the owner treated it with a special blend.  According to the story, the special blend was plantain juice and salt applied to the wound.  According to the story passed down through a number of hands, the dog made a full recovery.

Based on my experience, the energetic uses of plantain make sense.  I have used t for spider bites, insect bites, and minor infections.  I have used it to soothe my mouth after having a tooth pulled.

As always, do some research and consult with a medical practitioner or herbalist before using any herb for first aid.
Here is a link to an article on Buy Me a Coffee on how I use back yard weeds for first aid:
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Back Yard First Aid

Here are some of the sources that I used for this article:
healthline.com
eldrumherbs.co.uk
livingmedicineproject.com
Native American Herbalists Bible by Christina Bennett