Herb of the month! PlantainI found this herb to be fitting to talk about this month because Brian’s been stung at least 4 times this season either from bees, hornets, or wasps (he’s gotten poison ivy too, but we’ll talk about Jewelweed another time) and this little plant has been his lifesaver! I know you see it growing on your sidewalks or driveways and think it’s an invasive weed that needs to GO. But hopefully after you get to know it a little better … you’ll let it do its thing? Plantain – Plantago spp. (Plantaginaceae) – Leaf, seed Plantain is another wonder weed that’s found all over the globe. Two of the most common species, broadleaf plantain (P. major) and ribwort plantain (P. lanceolata), have followed human migration from Europe and Asia and are now naturalized in most temperate and subtropical regions of the world (CABI, 2020d; CABI, 2020e). Plantain is often considered invasive, and thrives in disturbed or compacted soils. Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, vulnerary Energetics: Cooling and moistening Use: Many herbalists are familiar with the use of plantain leaf for first aid in the field, where fresh plantain is chewed and applied directly to the skin to ease stings, bites, and minor burns or cuts. This is also an excellent way to draw out splinters, tiny shards of glass, or other bits of unwelcome debris! The folk medicine practice of the plantain “spit poultice” teaches us some important things about plantain. First, that plantain is everywhere—in fields, gardens, backyards, hedgerows, and woodland borders throughout Europe, North America, Asia, and North Africa, you’ll find some species of plantain growing almost anywhere there’s a temperate climate. One reason this folk remedy is so well-known (in addition to the fact that it really works!) is simply because plantain is so widespread. We also see some of plantain’s primary actions in this simple example: cooling, soothing, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, and drawing or astringent properties are all at work in a simple plantain poultice. And, of course, you’re not limited to using a fresh-chewed poultice, if that’s not your thing! Plantain also works well as an infused oil or salve, and can be applied as a wash or compress. Any way you prepare it, plantain is a premier wound-healing herb; it’s high in mucilage and a number of inflammation-modulating compounds (Adom et al., 2017), which give it a moistening, soothing, emollient quality. Plantain has antimicrobial or antiseptic properties, and can help to stave off infection as wounds heal. Plantain can also be used internally to both draw out heat and support healing of damaged tissues. The tea is particularly useful for calming gastrointestinal inflammation and supporting healing of damaged mucosa, and, because it has both astringent and demulcent properties, plantain is also useful for helping to ease diarrhea. When you put these qualities together, you can see why plantain is often used to support conditions such as IBS, leaky gut or intestinal permeability, colitis, esophagitis, and gastrointestinal ulcers. The seeds and seed husks of plantain, specifically P. ovata, are sold in commerce as psyllium, and are used as a source of soluble fiber to promote bowel regularity. The seeds have an even higher content of mucilage, which is what creates the gel-like matrix that soothes the gastrointestinal lining. In effect, when we take plantain seed powder or plantain leaf tea to soothe and support healing in the gastrointestinal tract, we’re still using them as topical vulneraries—we’re just using them to restore the lining of the gut, rather than the skin on the outside of the body! Because of its inflammation-modulating properties, plantain also works well to soothe respiratory allergies and asthma. It contains compounds that help to inhibit mast cell degranulation and histamine release, which is what drives the classic allergy symptoms of redness, irritation, and itching (Najafian et al., 2018). This is really just another way to describe plantain’s ability to resolve heat and soothe irritated tissues! Plantain is ideal for an allergic presentation that involves red, dry, or itchy eyes or dry throat with irritated cough. It can also be used for other respiratory tract irritations, such as a dry cough or mucosal irritation from inhaling smoke or dust. Plantain leaf also has diuretic properties, and is sometimes classed as an alterative, an herb that helps promote the elimination of metabolic waste, thus acting to restore general health. Its cooling, vulnerary actions can also be used to support the urinary tract, and it can be included in formulas to address urinary tract infection and interstitial cystitis. Harvesting and processing: Ideally, plantain leaf is harvested in the spring or early summer before the plant begins to flower—but if this herb is around when you need it, don’t hesitate to harvest the leaves at any time of year, even if it’s not peak season! When making tincture, salve, oil, compresses, and other first-aid preparations from plantain it’s best to use the fresh leaf, which also makes a wonderful infusion. Dry plantain leaf is slightly less moistening but still very useful as an infusion. Safety: Plantain is a gentle and tonic herb, and is generally regarded as safe and well-tolerated by most people. Some in vitro research suggests that it might alter clearance of some pharmaceuticals, but this has not been supported by any clinical research or case reports. Dose: General use: 3-6 g whole herb/day, internal or external application (Blumenthal et al., 2000); Infusion: 3-4 g dried leaf/day divided into 1-3 doses (Kuhn & Winston, 2008); Tincture (fresh herb): 1.5-5 mL (1:2, 75%) 3-5x/day (Cech, 2000). ref: theherbalacademy.com
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